Page 92 of Rules in Love
“Okay. Getting weirder.”
“I know, right? So, I asked,‘Why can’t we go there if your dad is there?’Andhe said,‘I’m so sick of this pressure, Teddy. Why can’t you get the hint? I don’t want you to meet my dad, okay? It’s just not going to happen.’He then told the cab driver to pull over, which was stupid because he hadn’t taken off yet. Asher got out, turned around and said,‘I think we’re done. I can’t do this.’And that was it. He walked away, blocked my number a few minutes later, and bada-bing bada-boom, I’m single.” Our cutlery bounced as Teddy slapped his hands on the table, then skulled his Pimm’s in one go.
“Wow,” I sobbed, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, “that was a long story. A bloody sad one too. I really wish I didn’t order a salad. I need some grease after that.”
“Good old grease, eh. I won’t be needing any for a while.”
“Teddy,” I cry-laughed.
“What? It’s true. I’m done, Scar. I am officially done with men. I think I’m going to get a British Blue and buddy up with Cat Lady. Maybe we can start a trend and become known as the cat block. Ooh, even better, pussy parade.”
Remaining seated, I grabbed the bottom of my seat, held it to my ass, and shuffled like a turtle to Teddy’s side. “I know you’re making fun of it, but you care about Asher. I know you do. It’s okay to be vulnerable and hurt. Not everything has to be a joke.”
“Why not? What else should it be? I’m not sitting around crying into my caprese, Scar. I can’t believe I’m about to do this, but…as your bloody Jane once said,‘The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced I shall never meet a man whom I can really love.’”
“Quoting Austen!Are you trying to kill me?” I dropped my head against Teddy’s shoulder and howled like a banshee. “You got a few bits wrong, but that was close and bloody heart-breaking. And you will, Teddy. You will meet a man. A wonderful, hot man with a massive schlong who you can love and fuck for the rest of your days, and the best thing is, you may have already met him.”
“Uh-uh, no way.”
“Yes way. Asher most likely is that man. You are so good together—perfect, even. He will be back. I just know it. I can feel it in my bones.”
Teddy dropped his fork and spun it around on the table, gloomily following the trail of dressing it left behind. “Ah, but the question is, do I want him to be back?”
“And the answer is…?”
After a long pause, a rush of tears, and a monster boob cuddle, Teddy sobbed, “Yes.”
Teddy and I picked up Ben from school, made dinner, and laughed ourselves silly over SpongeBob. But when he left to go to the gym and Ben disappeared into the world of Minecraft, I was alone with my thoughts. And when you’re me, that’s a scary place to be.
I didn’t know where my boyfriend was. He’d ignored me all day. He seemed to have plans to return to Australia before I was scheduled to pay off my last pair of shoes. It was only yesterday, when I declared my worthiness for love, that I dared to wonder, to dream that I, Scarlett Grant, was in line to find my own happily ever after.What a joke.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Scarlett
“Christ on a bike, Finn! Where the fucking hell have you been? I could fucking kill you!”And damn it, why do you look so good, all dark and moody!
I couldn’t name the expression darkening his face, but whatever it was, it was hot as fuck and really annoying. I was about to ask why he was on my doorstep and if seeing me caused him such distress when he cut me off. “Red, I know I shouldn’t have avoided you all day, and I was a butthead last night, but…well…I was thinking…”
“Butthead? What are we, six? Spit it out, Finn. You’re making me fucking nervous as well as pissed.”
He grimaced again and then smiled through his clenched teeth. “Sorry, I just wondered if…would it be okay if we come over for a playdate?”Hestepped to the side and turned toward the pavement. Toward Iris. His daughter. There she was, standing on the bottom step with a bunch of flowers clutched in her little hands. Finn turned to face me again, placed his finger beneath my chin, and closed the gaping hole. “Surprise!”
How dare he? The bloody nerve of the guy. Turning up to my house after dodging me all day looking so bloody gorgeous, his curls a mess, his dimples dimplier than ever, and bringing with him the cutest little girl on the planet. What an asshole.
“I’m going to fucking kill you, Finn Austen,” I spat between gritted teeth before switching deftly into my super peachy keen mum voice, “Iris! Hello, sweetheart. I’ve heard so much about you. Come in!”
Dressed in striped, knee-high, rainbow leggings, a bright-green sweater, a pink beanie, and rainboots, Iris Austen, who had clearly chosen her own ensemble—one I’d be proud to wear—bounded up my stairs and pushed herself between her asshole father’s legs and into my house. I was seconds away from closing the door in Finn’s face but thought better of it when I finally looked him in the eyes—his red and puffy eyes. The man had been crying. It was plain as the nose on my face, and it hurt like hell. So, I averted my gaze and retained my threatening tone. “We need to talk, Austen.”
Iris skipped down the hallway, stopping at the crossroads between stairs, hallway, and kitchen. She was adorable, a mini version of her dad but, in my current mood, much more tolerable. “Daddy said you had a son named Ben. Is Ben home, Ben’s mum?”
“You can call me Scarlett if you like, Iris. And yes, Ben is home. He’s upstairs. I’m sure you’ll find his room. It’s the one with the floor covered in toys and odd socks.” An evil glimmer of joy washed over me as I pictured the horror and pathological need to clean that my son’s room would give to Neat Freak Finn. “Why don’t you sneak up and surprise him.”
It took all my strength to wait and stay calm, but the minute her rainboots disappeared from sight, the nice-mum smile faded, and I grabbed Finn by the scruff of his delicious-smelling shirt. “What the hell are you playing at? You disappear, ignore everyone’s calls, then show up here with Iris, which I’m fudging delighted about if you can’t tell, but you probably can’t because you’ve lost your goddamn mind!” Super calm.
Finn smirked. He smirked. “Fudging? You dropped the F-bomb fifty-seven times in front of Iris, and now you’re giving me fudging?”
“Well, I think she’s heard enough of my potty mouth for one day, don’t you?”
