Page 6 of Redemption

He turns and grins. It's the boyish one that I've loved for most of my adult life. "Nah, I went ahead and ordered delivery. Once we're there, Ruby, we're there. We don't have to leave unless we want to." He runs his hands along the steering wheel, and I close my eyes, imagining those hands on my body. His voice continues. "I'm not holding you hostage, but I hope you'll wanna stay with me."

Turning back to the window, I gaze out at the passing scenery and can't help but wonder if we're going to come out of this still married. As he said, this is either the beginning or the end. If someone had asked me a few weeks ago, I'd have said it would be the end.

But Caleb's turned my thoughts on their head. He went to all this trouble, and now I can't help but hope this is a new beginning.

We need it, and I want it. Closing my eyes, I inhale, then exhale. "I want to stay with you." Reaching over, I grab his hand. It's been so long since I held on, I don't remember what it feels like. The skin is rough and causes goosebumps to break out along my arm. "Believe it or not, Caleb, I miss our life."

"I do too," he whispers. "And I know part of that is my fault."

Squeezing his hand, I motion for him to stop. "We have plenty of time to talk about it. Let's not get into it until we're there and settled. There's not a lot we can solve in the Jeep. We might need to pace, and there might have to be some yelling. You know how I get."

He whistles through his teeth. "Yeah, I do. Reminds me of that night you got called to the hospital because I had to get checked out from the road rage incident."

I roll my eyes heavenward. "Who the fuck gets into a road rage incident with a police officer, while said officer is driving a police car? That was the craziest thing I'd ever heard. If that asshole had been in the emergency room with you, I would've given him a piece of my mind."

"Oh, I remember. I could hear you from the room they were checking me out in."

"I was pregnant with Molly," I remind him. "I was freaking the fuck out."

He's quiet for a few moments and then licks his lips. "I've wondered over the last few months if the same thing were to happen now - would you be there? Would you be raising hell in the waiting room about your husband?"

Those words and the broken way they're spoken are enough to give me a pain in the chest. "I would. You're still my kids' dad, and they need you." God, why can't I tell him he still means the world to me? That I would be devastated if the two of us can't find our way back to one another? Why am I so scared to be honest with him?

He makes a noise in the back of his throat. "Damn babe, way to shoot me through the heart."

Babe. That word hasn't been pushed past those lips of his in far too long, at least that I've heard them. I don't know what else to say, how bare I want to lay myself in front of him. "Do you mind stopping at Anniston? I've got to use the bathroom and I wanna get a snack."

"Yeah, we need gas too."

The silence between us isn't painful, but it's not comfortable either. When he signals that he's getting off the interstate, and takes the exit, I can breathe again. All I need is a few minutes not being in his presence. Caleb Harrison has the type of personality that sucks up all the air in the cab of the Jeep. The air is thick with his cologne, and I haven't been surrounded by it in so long, it's going to my head. When he parks the Jeep at the pumps, I hop out. "Do you want anything?"

He flashes me a smile. "Surprise me."

"Be back in a few minutes."

I hurry into the store, look around for the bathroom, and when I see it, I make a beeline. Once there, I go into a stall and slam the door. What the actual fuck am I doing? How am I going to survive this ride with my husband when I have no idea how this will end?

CHAPTER SIX

CALEB

I don't thinkI've ever seen Ruby walk away from me as fast as when she heads into the store. It's understandable. We haven't been around each other in an enclosed space for months. Everything that's always gotten to me about her is right now, too.

The scent of her shampoo, the warmth from her body next to mine. I've been fighting a hard on since that kiss back at the house. The memories of all the times we've shared together, including Valentine's Day is fresh in my head. I've been thinking about it more often than I probably should have. Putting my credit card in the gas pump, I go about getting the tank full before she comes back out. I wish I could snap my fingers and us already be at the cabin. Being stuck in the Jeep with her is harder than I imagined it would be.

The pump kicks off, and I quickly put it back and finish up. Glancing toward the entrance of the store, my heart beats wilder. Ruby is coming out, carrying an iced coffee and a bag full of stuff. With her, I know there's definitely some sour Skittles, and a bag of hot fries. The closer she comes, the more my gaze is pulled to the ripped spot on her jeans. It's showing a glimpse of her thigh.

"Hey, they had your favorite energy drink, but I got you water, just in case." She gives me a smile, juggling everything in her hands.

"Thanks. Hey, wait a second." Walking around to the passenger side, I open the door, and hold it for her.

Standing with her back to my front, she turns and gives me a smile. "Thanks."

The tension between us is thick as I watch her hitch her leg up so she can scoot in. "No problem." Inhaling deeply, I let the scent of her perfume wash over me. "Did you have any issues inside?" I ask as she raises her eyebrows at me.

"No, just couldn't decide which drink to get you. Your favorites flip and flop, but you do have one that you always love."

I dip my knees and make a noise. "I've been trying to cut back, but please tell me you got the Ultra Black."

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