Three Rules I’d Never Break by Remi Carrington

Chapter 23

Saturday morning, I woke up with red puffy eyes and a text from Eli.

Please talk to me. I spent all night trying to figure this out, and I’m clueless. Not even Sherlock has a clue. And believe me, I asked. Multiple times.

My heart melted a little, but then I remembered what he’d said. I was nowhere near ready to talk to him. His whole awkward and bewildered act was almost believable. But Tandy’s emphatic statement affirmed what I knew. It was never for the mom.

My gut said Eli was telling the truth, which meant that I needed to eat because my gut couldn’t be trusted.

On Sunday morning, I woke up to another text, but it wasn’t from Eli.

It was the first I’d heard from Tessa since Friday. I hadn’t gone into the doughnut shop, so I couldn’t just blame her for that.

I’ll always be your friend. And Eli deserves to know why.

I tapped out a reply. Thank you for being my friend.

You’re still wrong.

I wished with all my heart that Tessa was right, but I couldn’t figure out any way she could be. She was at least right about one thing. I needed to be an adult and talk to Eli.

By Sunday afternoon, I’d mustered enough courage—or maybe it was just bravado—to unload on Eli. He wanted to know why I was mad, and I’d tell him. I hated that there would be tears, but that couldn’t be helped.

I pounded on his door.

It opened only a little, and Sherlock ran out. Eli wasn’t fighting fair. I dropped onto the top step and snuggled my puppy. Correction. Eli’s puppy. Sherlock had grown so much since that very first night when I’d seen him at Tessa’s. I hated that I wouldn’t see him every day.

The door creaked, and Eli stepped aside. “Would you like to come in?”

“No.” I stood and crossed my arms. “You can give my stuff to Tessa whenever. I’ll get it from her.”

“What happened, Delaney? What caused the wash of panic when Tandy commented on you modeling the robe? What caused the fury that had tears brimming in your eyes? Please tell me so that I can fix this.” The crease in his brow made him almost convincing.

If I looked into those green eyes another second, I’d give in, so I dropped my gaze to the step. “I know it wasn’t for your mom. She doesn’t wear a medium.”

“Well, crap. Can she exchange the robe for the correct size?” Eli was determined to keep up the farce.

Rapidly blinking, I hoped I could spew a little fire before the floodgates gave way. “Sure. She can return the robe and the black negligee. And if that’s what you got your mom, that’s an entirely different issue that I’m not qualified to discuss.” I stomped down the stairs, then stopped. “Did you forget that I was at your mom’s birthday dinner? You need to find a better lie.”

Sensing the discord, Sherlock ran back and forth between me and Eli.

“I gave her my gift on her actual birthday. Did you say black negligee?” He raked his fingers through his hair. “That must be what—”

“Save your explanation. I’ve heard too many explanations.” I wanted to make it back to my car before I started crying.

“I don’t want to fight.” He followed me.

I kept my back to him. “I thought you were different than those other guys.”

“I am, Delaney. But I think you know that.” He opened my car door. “You just won’t stop long enough to listen to logic.”

His implication that I was behaving like my mom burned in my chest. He’d used my own vulnerability to hurt me. Tears streamed down my cheeks. Not only was I mad at Eli, but I was also mad at myself for being open and honest with him.

Struggling to catch my breath, I climbed into my car. I’d been so convinced that Eli was one of the good guys, but he was like all the others.

When I made it back to the store, I called Tessa. “Hey, I have a favor to ask.”

“What do you need?” She didn’t sound happy.

“I told Eli to give you my stuff from his place. No hurry.” I flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “This really hurts.”

“The pain is self-inflicted. You wouldn’t even listen to him.”

“He told you that I went over there?” Having his cousin as my best friend made this whole thing more complicated.

Sherlock barked in the background.

“I heard the whole thing.”

“You’re at Eli’s? I didn’t see your car.” I spun my keys around my finger, watching the tiny canister of pepper spray swinging back and forth.

She gave a small huff. “My car isn’t here. Listen, I—” She sighed. “I know I promised. I’m not telling her.” That last part was clearly not directed at me.

“Tessa! Not tell me what?”

“What I promised I wouldn’t. He’ll tell you when you give him a chance and listen to him. In person. I never asked to be in the middle of this.” Her voice wavered. “You were both so happy. Didn’t you like being happy?”

“If staying single is good enough for you, I might try it too.” I wiped my eyes. “Give Sherlock a kiss for me.”

“I am not kissing a dog. Call me later if you need to talk.”

“Bye.” I threw my phone across the room.

When it landed in multiple pieces, I regretted my tantrum.

Now I needed a new phone.

* * *

Monday morning,I skipped coffee and doughnuts but managed to open the store on time. Business was slow, but I made sure my smile didn’t fade. If I could make it through today, I’d get the keys to my house tomorrow, and little by little the ache would wane.

It had to.

Right now, breathing was a chore. I think it had something to do with the war going on between my gut, brain, and heart. So many times during the day, I reached for the phone, wanting to text Eli and ask for that explanation. But my phone no longer worked.

Mondays were normally long. This Monday lasted a lifetime.

Just before closing, the door opened, and when Eli’s mom walked in, my heart landed near my feet. I wasn’t at all prepared to face his mom.

She flashed a wide smile, acting like my relationship with her son hadn’t gone up in flames. “Hi. How are you? I haven’t seen Eli since Friday, and he keeps me updated.”

“I’m okay.” Was that a vague enough answer? “Can I help you with something?”

“I hope so. My husband and my son—God love them—aren’t good with sizes. Is it possible to exchange what they gave me? I haven’t tried them on or anything. I don’t think I could’ve gotten that negligee on my thigh.” A full laugh bubbled out of her. “I asked David why he’d gotten me a medium, and do you know what he said?”

I shook my head.

“When he called in the order, he told the woman I was average size. Average. Love is blind.”

I grabbed the counter, trying to keep myself from slamming into the floor. “Oh. That’s funny.”

“I probably have you to thank for helping Eli pick out such a cute robe. I love it. I just need a bigger size.”

“I helped a little.” Clicking the end of a pen over and over, I tried to quell my panic. “What did Eli tell you on Friday?” There was a big possibility I’d regret asking the question.

Her brow wrinkled. “About what?”

“Me.”

She walked around the counter and rubbed my arm. “He was quiet. I didn’t ask. Arguments are part of every relationship.”

After tossing the pen on the counter, I grabbed her hand. “I love your son.” I was a horrible person for telling his mom before telling him.

Wiping her eyes, she grinned. “That makes me so happy.”

My head swam with all the apologies I owed Eli. “Let me get you the correct sizes.”

“Extra-large for both please.” She waited at the counter as I picked out the right sizes. “Is your house finished? Eli mentioned that it was close a few days ago.”

“The final walkthrough is tomorrow. They were staining some cabinetry today and a few other final touches.” I folded the items and put them in a bag. “Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad we got those sizes sorted out.”

“Me too.” She answered a call as she walked out the door. “Hi, David. I can model my birthday present tonight. I have the right size now.” Her laughter echoed as she walked to her car.

As soon as she was in the parking lot, I flipped the sign and locked the door. I needed to get to Eli’s. With my phone shattered, I couldn’t even text him to let him know I was on my way.

I exceeded the speed limit in my hurry to get to the goat farm and was glad I didn’t get a ticket. I needed to see Eli and beg him to forgive me. Tessa had been right. I’d let those rules blind me. Eli had been right. I’d been so convinced I was right I wouldn’t even listen to him.

As I turned into the goat farm, I spotted his truck. He wasn’t working. I hadn’t even considered that he might be working. Showing up at the station with a tear-stained face and asking for Eli would spark gossip, but if he didn’t answer here, that was my next stop.

I jumped out and pounded on his door. “Eli, please answer. I need to talk to you.”

Sherlock barked inside.

Boingo ran up the steps and sat beside me.

“Do you know where Eli is?” I held out hope that Boingo would run off the steps and lead me to where Eli was hiding.

But Boingo only cocked his head. Talking to a goat wasn’t helping.

Sherlock barked again. Maybe Eli was inside, deciding whether to answer the door.

“I was wrong.” After a few more bangs, I pressed my ear to the door. Sherlock was the only one making a sound.

I rested my forehead against the door. “Eli, I see your truck, so I’m guessing you’re in there. You have every right to hate me and never speak to me again, but I need you to know that I love you. I should’ve trusted you. And I’m sorry.”

If that didn’t get him to open the door, then nothing would.