Page 56 of Unwritten Rules
I don’t know how long we stood in the rain; my hand tangled in her wet strawberry-blonde hair while her fingers slid through mine. It was as if our lips refused to part for fear of ruining the moment. Every inch of me craved Tatum, and in equal parts it excites and terrifies the fuck out of me. And while I want to do this with her, push the boundaries of the unwritten rules set in place for us, I’m afraid she’s not going to like the side of me I keep hidden from everyone around me. The side that holds the weight of my parents’ standards and constant pressure from the media, the club and Coach Phil.
What if she doesn’t like that side of me? What if she only wants the side that can give her what she wants? What she needs. Am I capable of giving her what she deserves?
What I do know is that I refuse to let this woman walk away without knowing if this is the right move. Not only for my heart,but my career. Because if it all goes to shit, I could lose both in the process. But I’m willing to take a chance on her. Hell, I’ve come to the realisation that I would do a lot for her.
I hadn’t expected Tatum to bring up Zoe. Shocked was the word to describe how I felt at that moment. I don’t know why I expected Zoe to take my rejection lying down when she has never been the type of person who lets someone dictate her life or have a say in what she wants. While I had hoped she would back off and get the hint, it seems she is hellbent on getting me back in her bed.
From the very beginning of our messed-up fling, I knew she only wanted me because of the name attached to my number 7 jersey. If it was up to her, she would’ve thrived off hanging on my arm at award dinners or be attached to my side during any public outing. Zoe has always been the centre of attention in her world, so adding me to the mix would brighten her light, getting her name and face out there by simply riding my tail coat. When I made it clear that I had no interest in showing her off to the public, and was only interested in no strings attached sex, she was pissed. And while I should’ve run for the hills before I got too deep, I needed the momentary distraction from the stresses of my life—too blinded by the temporary release to see who Zoe really was.
My lapse in judgement has landed me in some serious hot fucking water, and now I have to deal with the fallout of the choice I made. And there is no way I can save Tatum from the crossfire, not when Zoe fires on all cylinders.
Heaving I sigh, I rest my elbows on the railing and take a long sip from the rapidly cooling black coffee I desperately needed when I rolled out of bed. My eyes sweep over the suburbs of North Sydney and the Sydney CBD. From up here in the penthouse, the view is fucking incredible. When Khai and I moved in three years ago, we had just finished university andjoined the main squad for the Wolves, having been brought up from the reserve grade team. The moment I stepped foot into the apartment with my best friend beside me, the view through the floor to ceiling glass windows took my breath away. Even three years later, I’m still amazed by the beauty of the city.
The sun is rising on the horizon, and I marvel at the watercolour display it’s putting on. Pastel pink and red hues streak across the sky, creating a path for the sun to continue rising. I smile to myself and sip on the coffee again.
I set my mug on the table behind me and pull out my phone, eyeing the text message chain with Mia. After the conversation I had with her yesterday morning about Mum wanting Mia to return her calls, I’m worried about my sister. She has been dealt a difficult hand the past three years, and with her being so far away, it’s harder for me to keep an eye on her. To make sure she’s safe.
SIN: Did you get yourself an iced latte this morning?
MIA: What are you doing awake?
Her reply comes quickly, which isn’t unusual since she’s typically up at the ass crack of dawn. I turn to the almost-empty mug of coffee on the glass table behind me.
SIN: Couldn’t sleep.
MIA: That’s weird considering all you do is sleep.
SIN: Ha-ha, very funny, twinkle fingers.
MIA: Is everything okay?
SIN: I should be asking you the same thing.
MIA: I’m fine, Sin. You don’t need to worry about me.
SIN: But I do, Mia. After everything you’ve been through, and are working through now, I want to make sure you’re okay. And don’t lie to me.
The three dots linger for a minute before her next reply comes.
MIA: I promise you I’m fine, Sin. Noah is great and he makes me feel safe. If I’m ever in any danger, you’ll be the first to know.
I exhale a sharp breath and run a hand through my hair. The hardest thing about being a twin is being away from your other half. Besides Khai, Mia is the closest person I have in my corner. She understands me better than I do myself at times, so it’s hard for me not to worry about her, especially when she’s alone.
SIN: Okay, I believe you. Just… be careful, please.
MIA: I always am.
SIN: Good. Also, tell Gran I’ll call her this week, okay?
MIA: She knows. I swear the woman waits by the phone for you.
SIN: God, I love her. I look forward to listening to her gossip from around town.
MIA: And she loves telling it. Talks my ear off every day about it.
SIN: Oh, I have no doubt.
SIN: Random question, but what’s your favourite song right now?
