Page 58 of Break the Rule
“I don’t take vitamins,” Eden tells her.
Ella sighs. “No wonder you’re getting sick.”
“I’m not getting sick.”
“Was it anm-a-n?” Addy whispers.
“Was what a man?” Ella pipes up.
“We’re doomed,” Eden says. “She can spell.”
Addy laughs. “There goes all adult conversations.”
“Course I can spell, I’m in school,” Ella reminds them, launching into a story about something that happened at recess on Friday. Her long-winded and detailed story lets Eden off the hook with Addy, for now. He knows eventually he’s going to need to come clean and tell her what’s going on, but he’s not ready, not when all of it confuses him and makes him feel like someone is rubbing sandpaper on old wounds.
He’ll tell Addy everything. Later. Maybe. Or maybe there’s nothing to tell. It’s not like he’s going to see Charlie again. Hell, no normal person would want to see Eden after what he did last night.
Charlie is going to move on and forget Eden as easily as everyone else always has, leaving Eden free to go back to life as it was before. Sure it hurts, but it’s not like Eden isn’t used to wanting things he won’t ever have. Besides, he’s got Addy and Ella; he’s not alone.
The prospect of Charlie forgetting him should sting, but instead it settles something in Eden. Here he is getting himself worked up when really there’s nothing to worry about. Charlie King is like every other man on the planet. He got what he wanted from Eden—sex—and now he will move on.
Painful as it is for Eden, it’s for the best. He got too comfortable, got too close to letting someone in. Perhaps this is a necessary reminder for Eden to not let anyone get too close.
If there’s one thing Eden knows for sure, it’s that Charlie is done with him. Which is great, perfect even. Eden is done with men anyway, done with kissing, done with Charlie.
Everything is going to be fine.
Everything is not fine.
“You look like you sawun fantasma,” Rosio observes, staring at Eden with clear confusion. In the short time he’s been working here, she’s becoming Eden’s favorite coworker. Rosio is Juanita’s sister, making her three decades older than Eden, which probably explains why he immediately became attached to her. She reminds him of what a grandma might be like. She’s also been helping him improve his Spanish which makes it easier to converse with customers and Armando. “¿Qué ocurre, mijo?”
If the answer wasn’t lodged in Eden’s throat, threatening to choke him, he might be able to explain the sheer panic engulfing him at the sight of a familiar bright yellow car parking out front. A bright yellow Geo Tracker to be exact. The most garish car Eden has ever seen, fitting given the owner and his taste in clothing.
On some level Eden knew this would happen eventually. Charlie is a regular at Juanita’s, and he shouldn’t have to avoid his favorite food place just because Eden works here. After a solid week without a hint of his presence, Eden was lured into a false sense of security. He naively thought that Charlie being done with Eden meant he’d avoid him completely.
“Eden?” Rosio prompts. She’s got a hand on her hip and a question in her eyes, but Eden’s eyes are trained on the front window, watching with a mix of dread and longing sharp enough to take his breath away. Fucking Charlie.
The door to the Geo Tracker opens, a pair of hideous cow-printed Crocs come out followed by Charlie’s long legs. He’s dressed in a pair of flare jeans with rainbow stitching and an oversized, paint-stained t-shirt. His eyes are on his phone as he finishes stepping out, pushing his sunglasses onto the top of his head before shutting his car door. He pockets his phone, lifting his gaze to the front door.
Without a second thought, Eden drops to the ground, and though there’s plenty of room behind the counter, he pulls himself into a small ball at Rosio’s feet.
“¿Qué diablos estás haciendo?” Rosio questions, tone heavy with concerns.
“No estoy aqui,” Eden hisses.
“What in the?—”
“Hola, Rosio. You’re looking lovely as always.”
“Mr. King. Are you here for your usual?”
“What else would I get?” Charlie laughs, and Eden can imagine the way his entire face might shift. He’s so expressive. “To go though. I’ve got a meeting with my agent I can’t avoid.”
“Anything else?” Rosio asks, ringing up his order.
“There is one thing,” Charlie says, leaning on the counter. If he peeks down, he’s going to see Eden. Fuck.
“What’s that?” Rosio asks.
