Page 52 of Rules

"Sounds good. I'll let you know if he says anything." With that, Sang goes back inside the room.

Leaving me to ponder if the break-ins are done. Or are they just starting?

Chapter 19

Ruth

I can't stop pacing. Four steps forward, spin, four steps back, repeat. It's ten at night and I'm wearing tracks on my floor, replaying Tobias's drunk phone call in my head for what must be the hundredth time. I thought about it all day at work and now it's back in my head.

Joey rolls over on his back and snores.Men, I roll my eyes.

"I miss you... Maybe the real me isn't the man you think I am... I'm a failure... It's better if you stay away from me..."

When his voice had broken on the word "failure," something inside me broke too. The Sheriff—always so composed, so in control—sounding utterly defeated. Then he'd mentioned Michael, the nightmare that he is. It's so stressful for Tobias.And that bizarre "hairy kangaroo" comment that I still can't decipher.

"What does it all mean?" I ask my sleeping dog. "Is he pushing me away, or pulling me closer? He didn't know, but I could tell he was touched I called about the shooting."

The shooting. God, what a night. First a drunk call from Tobias that left me confused and worried, then hearing about shots fired at Good's Sporting Goods and nearly having a heart attack when I thought he might be injured. I've been on this emotional rollercoaster for hours, and I'm exhausted. I know it's his job to handle unsavory characters. I know it, but damn when I heard there had been a shot but they didn't know which officer, I about went out of my skin. The thought enters my mind, do I want to be with someone in law enforcement? But then a picture of Tobias in his uniform, power radiating off of him, and the thought vanishes.

The throw pillow I've been carrying goes sailing across the room, "I'm a damn hot mess!"

Joey yawns dramatically, and rolls over.

"Fat lot of help you are. I'm calling in reinforcements."

Forgetting what time it is, I grab my phone and send an identical text to Auntie Irene and Mary: 911 MAN EMERGENCY. Lunch tomorrow? Amelia's Cafe, Noon?

Mary responds instantly: OMG who? SHERIFF??? Never mind who, keep it a surprise, I'm there!

Auntie follows a minute later: That handsome sheriff finally making a move? Wouldn't miss it. Bringing my matchmaking notebook.

I groan, already regretting this, but knowing I need their perspective. With two replies confirmed, I grab Joey and collapse into bed. Joey promptly curls up against my neck, his warm weight comforting as I drift into restless sleep.

"Spill. Everything. Now!"

Mary slides into the booth at Amelia's Cafe, not even bothering with a greeting. Her curly hair is pulled into a messy bun, and she's wearing the "I'll cut you" t-shirt I bought her last Christmas. Auntie Irene appears a moment later, immaculately dressed in one of her signature floral ensembles, her sandals clacking on the tiles, her silver hair perfectly styled.

"Ladies," I say, my hands wrapped around my iced tea like it's a life preserver.

"Don't 'ladies' us after that text," Mary says, "I thought about nothing else all morning. I was so distracted."

"Well, I think it's wonderful," Auntie says, settling her purse beside her. "That man has been giving you eyes for months."

"No, he hasn't," I protest weakly.

"Wait, are we not here to talk about the sexy Sheriff Trenton?" She asks as Mary's mouth hangs open.

I can feel myself blushing, "We are."

"Good, well then, I'm sorry to tell you this honey, but that man looks at you like you're a premium filet and he's been on a hunger strike," Mary says. The waitress appears, and we quickly order—chicken salad for Auntie, Cobb salad for Mary, and a BLT for me.

"So, what happened?" Auntie asks the moment the waitress leaves. "And don't leave anything out."

I take a deep breath. "He called me. Drunk. At midnight."

"Wait," Mary raises her hand, "you texted us at ten."

"He called the night before."

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