Page 29 of Four Simple Rules
“See you tomorrow,” I say politely, leaving the kitchen.
“Tulip?” His voice carries through the kitchen to my spot at the hall's entrance.
“Yeah?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.
“Thanks for always keeping your window unlocked for me. It was a lifesaver.” My body tenses at his words.
“Always,” I croak, walking the rest of the way down the hall and into my bedroom.
Once inside, with the door closed, I collapse into my old bed. The familiar smell of apples wafts from the sheets, and I sigh.
“I got you this,” Jesse says, running toward me with a small yellow flower. Jesse grins, showing off his two missing teeth, and tilts his head. “Here,” he says, thrusting it into my hands. “It’s a tulip!” He speaks with excitement.
“A tulip?” I question, furrowing my brows when the little dandelion blows in the soft wind whipping around us as we stand in my backyard.
“That’s not a tulip!” Gavin shouts, pumping his legs as he pushes the swing higher and higher, looking like he’ll touch the sky.
“It’s not?” Jesse asks, wrinkling his nose. “I could have sworn my mom said it was.” He nervously rubs the back of his neck. “I thought it was pretty.”
“I like this tulip,” I say with a grin, bringing the yellow weed to my nose and pretending to sniff the non-exist scent.
His grin grows again when he sees my smile and takes off. “I’ll grab you more, Tulip!” he shouts, running as fast as his eight-year-old legs will let him.
Gavin grunts, stopping beside me after jumping off the swing. “It’s a…”
“It’s a tulip now.” I grin with hearts in my eyes, watching as Jesse frantically collects the dandelions in the yard and quickly brings them to me.
And that’s the day my heart pitter-pattered around my brother’s best friend. My friend, too.
My brain shuts off when I close my eyes, and all the worry I’ve had all day long ebbs away. My brows furrow when my phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I blindly feel around for it.
With a tired groan, I unlock my bright screen and squint. My entire body stiffens. What the…
Jared
Hey…you up?
What the heck? Why is my stupid ex texting me after two days of silence?
I was hoping we could talk. I haven’t heard from you since…we went out.
I’m sorry I was a jerk.
Yeah, and you won’t hear from me again—jerk bag. Without thinking, I leave him on read and snuggle deep into my familiar bed. Nothing in this room has changed since I left it. Instantly, every muscle melts into the mattress, letting me become one with it. I huff a breath when my bedroom door opens and softly shuts. Go figure; he thinks he can waltz in here and cuddle next to me after one night. I haven’t forgiven the jerk yet.
“What are you doing?” I grumble into my pillow as the bed dips down behind me.
I’d never admit that the feel of his big hand resting on my back sends goosebumps down my legs.
“Old habits die hard, Tulip,” he murmurs, pulling my big green comforter over our bodies. “Besides, I haven’t slept through the night in ten years.”
Me either. But I won’t tell him that.
“Keep your hands to yourself, Rutherford,” I grumble, stifling the yawn trying to rip through me.
After the events of over the past few days, my body falls into the exhaustion it’s been feeling. Even lying in the arms of my enemy, whose snores fill the room.
The moment I walked through Blake’s bedroom door, I knew I was insane. Why in the hell would she want me curling against her when she hates my guts? Well, maybe she doesn’t hate me anymore. She knows my story, but I’ve yet to express or show her how truly sorry I am.
