Page 21 of Rules

"Well, ok then." She giggles as she wraps an arm around me. "Did I ever tell you I thought you were sexy, 'cause I do."

"You did mention it, yes." We kissed again. Her body melding perfectly to mine.

"Hey, I had a birthday a couple of months ago. Why didn't you come to it? My thirty-fifth birthday."

If it's possible to instantly sober up, I feel like I just did. Doing the math quickly in my head means I am way older than her.

I can't be with someone who's that much younger than me. What will people say? What will my son say? Shit back in the day they could have dated. I'm the Sheriff. I can't be with someone so young. Don't do anything now. Both of you have had too much to drink. And you don't need an emotional scene. Maybe tomorrow she won't remember what happened.

The Uber car pulls into the parking lot, and I wave it over. After wrestling with the seatbelt, Ruth puts her head on my shoulder again. She gives her address. I'm closer than her, but I want to make sure in her state she makes it into her home.

"If you stay awake, I'll tell you another secret." I tell her, hoping she perks up.

"If it's that you are sexy, I already know that secret." Ruth sits up and looks at me. "Did you know that?"

"I did. You told me, remember?"

"Nope, I don't. Did you tell me I'm sexy?" She flops her head over and blinks in rapid succession.

"I am now. I think you're amazing." My hand runs through her hair, pushing a strand behind her ear. She closes her eyes and leans her face into my hand.

"OK, but don't tell the sheriff." Her conspiratorial whisper makes me smile.

Chuckling, I can't help but ask, "Why not?"

"Because, silly, I think he is hot, and I don't want to get arrested, because then he won't like me." She's still nuzzling my hand, moaning as she kisses it.

Hearing her moan, my betrayer of a dick swells again.

Reaching Ruth's house, I beg the driver to stay as I help her out of the car. She is half asleep, leaning on me as we walk over to her front door.

"No, back door. Can't get in here." She pulls us down the driveway. Opening the fence gate, I maneuver us through. Trying the back door, it's locked.

"Ruth, where is your house key?" I ask, noticing for the first time that she doesn't have a purse.

"The frog has it."

"What the hell does that mean?" I give her a little shake, "Ruth, where is your house key?"

"The frog has it." She points to the ground. There, on the ground by the door, is a planter with a large frog under a lily pad umbrella. I lean Ruth against the side of the glass door.

Looking over the planter, I don't see the key. I then move it and bingo! The key is laying on the concrete. Unlocking the door, I replaced the key.

"Ruth, where is Joey?" I'm worried the dog hasn't come running to greet us.

"Sleepin' with Auntie." Ruth mumbles. Her eyes are closed, and I'm sure I'm fighting the clock to get her inside before she passes out.

Using my foot to open the door wider, I lean her on me and step into her place. From the light outside, I can make out a large sectional in the corner opposite us. I head to it, half helping Ruth, half pulling her along. When we are almost there, she opens her eyes and sees it.

"I love my sofa." She flings herself onto it, her eyes close, and she is out. I take a moment to look at her, peaceful in sleep, hair fanned across a cushion. Gently, I lift her legs onto the couch and pull the throw blanket from the back to cover her.

I find myself reluctant to leave, wanting to make sure she's safe. Checking the house quickly, I fill a glass with water and find some aspirin in the kitchen, leaving both on the coffee table for when she wakes. Before I go, I write a quick note: "You're safe. Call me if you need anything. – Tobias"

Back in the Uber I feel like I've dodged a bullet, fifteen years. What would people say.

My phone buzzes again, jarring me back to the present. Holly is asking why I'm still sitting in the parking lot.

Three months since that night, and I haven't been able to get Ruth out of my mind. We never discussed it afterward—she was embarrassed, I was conflicted. Then came our charged encounter at her shop, and now Michael's escape and these break-ins.

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