Rewriting the Rules by S. Moose

out on a lot and I don’t want to do that anymore. I’d rather spend my time with little Avery than random women who don’t mean anything to me.
    “She loves you,” I hear Carter say as he sits down on the ground next to me. “Avery, tell Troy to stop being mean and come over more often.” She claps her hands and smiles. “See, there you go. She’s spoken.”
    I kiss Avery on the forehead and blow raspberries on her belly. She laughs again and claps her hands.
    “Okay, okay.” Jane comes in and takes Avery. “Now I have to get little one settled since it’s her bedtime.”
    “What? It’s still early.”
    “Troy,” Jane laughs. “It’s almost midnight and she needs to sleep. You’re also spending the night here.”
    “What? I’m fine.”
    “You look like death,” Jane tells me. “Plus you had a lot of whiskey and wine during dinner and I’d rather have you safe. You’ll get to see Avery in the morning.”
    “Fine,” I laugh. “Fine.”
    “Good.”
    Jane kisses my forehead and winks at Carter before going upstairs. In so many ways I’m jealous of my best friend, but I know this isn’t the life I can live. It’s not for me. The thought of a lifelong commitment scares me and I wouldn’t want to subject anyone to my perceptions of the world. Being a dad crossed my mind at one point in my life. When things change and you’re left alone, your dreams, and what you want change.
    “Feeling okay, man?”
    “Yeah,” I nod. “Jane’s right. I do feel a little tipsy,” I sigh. “I can’t believe how big she’s getting.”
    “Same here. We’re trying for a second baby. It’s hard, though. You know how hard it was the first time, but we want Avery to have a brother or sister.” I hear Carter sigh and rub his face. “We’re good parents and Jane wants another baby so bad. You know the stress and pain to have Avery was worth it. We’ll do it all over again if that means we can have another baby.”
    I nod my head and listen to Carter. They tried for three years to get Avery. Since IVF is expensive, it wasn’t in their budget so they prayed a lot and believed. All the tests came back normal and the doctors couldn’t explain why they couldn’t conceive. When I suggested Jane get weekly massages and start acupuncture, within two months they were pregnant with Avery.
    “Why don’t you have her relax more?”
    “I’ve tried. She hates being away from Avery for a long period of time.”
    “Bullshit,” I stand up and send a text to Charlotte. I know it’s late, but maybe she’s up.
Charlotte: Everything okay?
Me: Sorry for the late text. Can you log in and get me two massages for Carter and Jane?
Charlotte: Lol sure thing.
    Even though it’s late and she has to most likely work in the morning, she’s doing this for me and it means a lot.
Charlotte: I have 2 9am appointments for 90 min.
Me: Perfect. Book it for them and put everything on my card.
Charlotte: Will do . . . that it?
Me: Thanks Charlotte. Means a lot.
Charlotte: Of course. =) Night Troy.
Me: Night Charlotte.
    “Tomorrow morning you and Jane are getting massages on me.”
    “What,” Carter argues. “Stop, man, it’s okay.”
    “Already done. I’ll watch Avery while you two go out and relax.”
    “Wow. Thank you, buddy. We appreciate it.”
    “No worries. Princess and I are going to have fun tomorrow while you and Jane relax. You need it. Trust me.”
     

Chapter 13
     
    Charlotte
     
    My eyes are wide open. It’s five in the morning and I’m awake. I haven’t been sleeping very well and it’s all Troy’s fault, him and his hot and cold emotions. I don’t understand why he can’t come clean and be one hundred percent with me. I play the scenes in my head so I can better understand him. It’s useless! He’s the reason why women hate getting into relationships. If people say what they mean and mean what they say, I can bet there would be less arguments and war. Just saying.
    After the conversation last night