Rewriting the Rules
Read Rewriting the Rules Online
Authors: S. Moose
Rewriting the Rules
Copyright © 2015 by S. Moose
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.
All rights reserved.
This book is intended for mature adults only.
Photography by Pat Lee @ Pat Lee Photographer
Cover Design by Sommer Stein @ Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Interior Formatting by Integrity Formatting
Model: Daniel Kielgast
Editing by Jessica Glover
Proofreading by Judy’s Proofreading and Alexis Whitney
Blurb assistance: Carol Eastman, The Blurb Bitch
Release Day Blitz and Blog Tour by The Next Step PR, Give Me Books, and Enticing Journey
Table of Contents
Playlist
Not that Simple
by Mike Posner
Losing My Mind
by Charlie Puth
You Can’t Break a Broken Heart
by Kate Voegele
Confident
by Demi Lovato
Should’ve Ran After You
by Cole Swindell
Nirvana
by Sam Smith
Dangerously
by Charlie Puth
House of Cards
by Tyler Shaw
Come a Little Closer
by Dierks Bentley
Unsteady
by X Ambassadors
24-7
by Spencer Saylor
Poison & Wine
by The Civil Wars
If You Ever Come Back
by The Script
Yours
by Russell Dickerson
To the Moon and Back
by Luke Bryan
Other Books by S. Moose
Never Letting Go series
Reaching Out For You
Holding Onto You
Next to Forever
Infinity Series
Vision of Love
Vision of Destiny
Vision of Hope
Interrupted Series
Interrupted Vol 1
Interrupted Vol 2
Interrupted Vol 3
The Offbeat Series
Offbeat
Even Rhythm
Standalones
Teach Me Love
Beautiful Lessons with Rebecca Brooke
Take Me Away
Dedication
To anyone who thinks love won’t touch their lives.
Always believe in love.
Believe in faith and have courage to fight for what you deserve.
Chapter 1
Charlotte
“I’m so sorry, Shawn.” I cover my mouth with my hands and watch my boyfriend of three years fall on the couch behind him. The ring falls from his hand and hits the carpet. Kneeling down I place my hands on his knees and beg him to talk to me.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “You don’t deserve this and I don’t know what else to do. Please understand I want to be honest and true with you.”
“You don’t love me.” The tone of his voice is quiet and hurt. This is my fault. I’m hurting a good man because my heart isn’t with him anymore.
“It’s not that,” I explain. “I love you. I just don’t love you in the way you deserve to be loved. It’s hard to explain, and I really want you to understand that I wish I didn’t have these feelings. You’re an amazing man, Shawn, and I don’t deserve you.”
“But I deserve you, Charlotte. You’re my world, and everything makes sense because of you. When I wake up in the morning and look at you, I feel complete. I feel at peace. It’s because of you that I’m able to get up in the morning and fight for our future.”
I blink back the tears and listen to him convey his love for me. It’s hard to hear, especially since I don’t feel the same way.
“I knew when we first met it was because of your brother. I never expected to fall for you and I never expected for you to feel the same. We’ve been through a lot together. Are you really willing to throw it all away?”
“Yes, we met because of Will and things happened between us. It doesn’t mean anything, though, Shawn. I think you’re confusing love and using me as a crutch. You say it’s because of me that you’re here and alive. It’s not, though.
You
pushed through and fought the demons.”
“With your help. You’re my best friend, Charlotte. I don’t know what else to say,” he stammers. “I love you and I want you to be my wife.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell him again. “I want the best for you and I know it’s not me.” Getting up, I lean down and kiss him on the forehead. Heading to the bedroom we’ve shared over these past years I collapse on the bed and cry into my pillow. Thinking about the last ten minutes is killing me.
“Charlotte, you saved me and brought the light back into my life. Before you, I didn’t think life mattered. There were days I couldn’t get out of bed and days I wanted to stay away from the world. Then you, my light, came to me and gave me reason. Without you, I’m nothing.” I watch Shawn get down on one knee and pull out a solitaire diamond ring. All I can see is Troy and I’m smiling from ear to ear. My dream is coming true. “Marry me, Charlotte. Make me the happiest man.”
“Yes! Yes, Troy, I’ll marry you.” As soon as the words escape my lips I don’t see Troy anymore. I see Shawn. I see the man I’ve been with for the past three years and the man who gave me everything.
“Troy? What?”
“Oh no.”
Pulling out my phone I scroll through until I find Jessica’s name and press call. She answers in two rings with an excited tone.
“What’s wrong,” she quickly asks when she hears me crying.
“I called him Troy.”
“Oh no. Sweetie,” she hurries to say. “I’m on my way over now.”
“Thank you.”
Lying on our bed I look around the bedroom, the same room we’ve shared, and look at the pictures hanging on the walls and on top of the dresser.
I was happy with Shawn. He made me laugh and was romantic. For one of my birthdays he planned a surprise party with our friends at a restaurant and then took me away to Wilmington, NC. We went on the
One Tree Hill
tour and stayed at a cute bed and breakfast. It was a fun weekend and I was happy.
It’s nice to have someone in your life that loves you and will do anything to keep you happy. The thing is I knew deep down it didn’t mean forever. Breaking up with Shawn doesn’t mean I don’t love him or care about him. Letting him go means I love him enough so he can find someone who’ll love him the way he deserves to be loved.
And I deserve to be with the man who owns my heart and soul.
We haven’t talked in about four years and every day I miss him. I’ll never forget the look on his face when we were last together.
Sitting in the booth with my two favorite guys, Will, my brother, and Troy, the love of my life, we laugh about something stupid while waiting for food.
“Charlotte, wow, I can’t believe you’re going to be a senior,” Will gushes. “I’m proud of you, little sister.”
“Thank you!” I feel Troy’s hand rubbing my thigh and my body soars with desire. Discreetly looking at him I see the smile on his face and fall deeper in love with him.
I’ve been in love with my older brother’s best friend since I was sixteen. We grew up together and I think I’ve always loved him, but it finally hit me and at that moment I wanted him to be mine forever.
He’s two years older and is way more mature than I’ll ever be, but we’re made for each other. He’s my person.
Slipping my hand under the table, I entwine my fingers with his and feel the tight squeeze. We’re not together in a boyfriend/girlfriend way because he wants me to focus on school and soccer. Then there’s my older brother who’ll surely murder Troy without a second thought. Two years ago we made a promise that the day I graduate from college is the day we tell him our feelings and beg for his blessing.
My brother is the only family I have and he’s my rock. I can never disappoint him. Never.
“Oh, I totally forgot to tell you,” Will says. “Remember my client, Shawn?” I nod and see Troy’s shoulders tense. “So he’s going through a rough time and I’m hoping you can be his shoulder to lean on.”
“Me?”
“Why her?”
Will looks at us and shakes his head. “Come on. He’s a great guy and needs a friend, plus he really likes you.”
“We met like once and I hardly talked to him.”
“Hey,” Will raises his hands, “his words. I think he’ll be good for you. Troy and I are moving to Rochester, New York in a few weeks and we won’t be here as much, so having Shawn around will make me feel better that my baby sister will be safe.”