Bucking the Rules by Kat Murray Read Free Book Online Page A

“I don’t have enough time to tell you what’s wrong with the look. I mean, it’s cute and all for the barn, but—”
    â€œListen up, Fashion Fanny. This isn’t Hollywood, in case you didn’t notice. I’m heading out for a drink. I’m not trying to land a modeling gig.”
    Bea crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. “Listen up, big brother. In case you didn’t notice, your social life sucks. And I’m just trying to help.”
    God preserve him from sisters who wanted to improve his social life. “Yours is any better?” he shot back. He walked to the utility room beside the kitchen, opened the door and tossed the towel into the hamper situated there. Emma would thank him later for remembering and not leaving it on the floor like an animal. She’d raised him better. “You’re always here. Or, well, not here, but now you’re always in your little apartment looking at paint chips. You almost never go out. You leave once a month to do God knows what in whatever big city you head to.”
    â€œShop for things that don’t have snaps and denim,” she said dryly.
    â€œFine. That. But it’s not a social life, any more than me hanging out in the barn is a social life. So don’t kid yourself. I’m not sure what crawled up your butt and decided it was Bug Trace Day, but it’s not. Check your calendar. It’s officially MYOB month.”
    Bea’s mouth fell open. “I’m not sure which is more disturbing. The fact that you think my social life is pathetic, or that you just used the term ‘MYOB.’ It’s 2013, in case you didn’t notice.”
    He ignored that and walked around her. Then an idea popped into his mind. “You want me to have a social life?”
    â€œYes. Because I love you. Though right now I’m wracking my brain trying to remember why.”
    â€œAnd you want to help me.”
    â€œYes.” She smiled patiently at him.
    â€œThen this is how you help.” He unhooked the baby monitor from his back pocket and thrust it at her. “Babysit.”
    She stared at the monitor like it was a remote detonator to a bomb. “What the hell do I do with this?”
    He sighed and reached over to turn it on. The green light lit up and the soft sounds of his son’s snoring rasped through the speaker. “You just keep it with you. Go up and surf the Internet on the computer. Read a magazine. Watch TV. Cook a meal. I don’t care, it doesn’t matter. Just do something in the big house, and have that with you. And don’t leave to go back to your new apartment.”
    She started to hand it back, but he stepped out of the way. “I can’t babysit. You know I don’t do the kid thing.”
    â€œHe’s asleep. He’s been sleeping through the night for months now. There’s no reason to think he won’t do it again. So all you have to do is be in the house. That’s it. If he doesn’t make a sound, then you do nothing but stay in the house and do whatever it is you want to.”
    She stared at the monitor again and he could see her starting to mentally draft an excuse.
    â€œBea, I need this.”
    She watched him, and he could see her softening.
    â€œI spent almost a whole year not leaving this house except for work. I hate relying on Emma—it’s not her job after hours. And Peyton already watched him recently.”
    She hesitated, and then her shoulders drooped.
    And he knew he’d won a hard-earned battle for a night out.
    â€œFine.” She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at him. “But those boxes? You’re moving every single one of them when you get back.”
    â€œDone,” he agreed quickly, in case she changed her mind. “Every one.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, Bea.”
    As he headed out the door, she called out, “Don’t be shocked