Secret Rulebook of Cheating

Rule #1: You're The Exception, Until It Shakes Your Hand Hello

My eyelids flew open and I couldn’t fight back the impulse to squint at the sunrays that had invited themselves over through the window. Despite the intruders, I felt unusually light. Summer did that to me. My mood was always brighter for no particular reason during this season. And it had just begun.

I looked sideways to see Brandon on the bed beside me. His face was buried in the pillow, his mouth slightly open. Even a tank could not wake him up when he was sleeping like that. Cute as a baby bear. My baby bear.

I got up and headed to the bathroom for my morning routine. When I was all washed, teeth-brushed, hair-pulled back and dressed in my comfy sweat suit I wore at home, I started for the refrigerator in the kitchen.

The apartment was small. Aside from the bedroom, filled mostly with the double bed and closet, two thirds of which was full of my clothes, there was a living room with a kitchen corner and a small balcony. We didn’t really need more space than that at the moment. Brandon and I had decided to move in together only a few months ago. We’d been together for six years now. Boy, time really flew.

I was about to flip the last pancake when two arms wrapped around my waist from behind gently and a couple soft lips glued to my cheek.

“Mm. It smells nice.” Brandon’s velvety voice grazed my ear.

I made one swift movement with my hand – the one holding the pan – and the pancake landed on its rawer side. “Morning, boo. Breakfast is almost done.”

He buried his nose in my neck, making my head tilt. “I meant you.” The hold of his arms tightened as he moved them up on my body. “Can I have you for breakfast instead?”

A lazy smile crawled on my lips. “You could but then two hours of hard kitchen work would go in vain.”

He placed another kiss on my cheek. “You’re right.”

I was?

Brandon backed away and I swung around, a little baffled. Honestly, I was just playing with him. He reached for the plate I had already filled with pancakes, grabbed one and started nibbling on it, leaning against the counter.

“Those are better with maple syrup,” I commented, mechanically.

“I know,” - he said still chewing and after swallowing he went on - “but I actually don’t have time now. Jeff called. He wants me in the office in half an hour.”

I just now noticed he was wearing a tie. That certainly wasn’t his usual home wear.

“Again? But it’s Saturday!” I protested.

“I know, boo.” He dropped the rest of the pancake in the plate and came to cup my face with his hands. “But you know I can’t say no to my boss if I want a future in that company.”

“Yeah, I know.” I understood, but I couldn’t hide the disappointment in my voice. Ever since Brandon had started that job at the investment advisory company almost a year ago, it had been like that. It was a great opportunity for him so I tried not to mind the long hours. It was easier during the school year since I had my college life to keep me busy. But I had just finished all my exams yesterday. “It’s just, I was kind of looking forward to spending some time with you.”

“We will.” Brandon kissed me on the lips softly. He brushed my nose with his. “We’ll finish this tonight.” He dropped my face and moved back, heading out of the kitchen. “And save me some of those pancakes,” he called right before he exited.

“Sure.”

In a moment, I heard the front door close and it was silent. For a second. The ringtone of my phone blared and I jumped. I found it right where I had left it – on the counter next to the hot-plate – and pressed it to my ear.