Page 16 of Waiting for Redemption

“You do that…” She studies me for a minute before speaking again. “Do you want to talk about it?” she offers in a softer tone.

“Not really,” I clip.

“Well, do you need to go home?”

“That depends. Are you going to make me apologize to Marco?” I ask, making her grin.

“I’ll let you decide if you need to or not.” Her smile grows a little more, showing a hint of her perfect white teeth. The same calming effect settles over me like it did before and I realize—Ruby’s smile is like a pain killer for my soul. It takes all the rage I have simmering inside of me, and lulls it to sleep until my mind is right again—and she has no fucking idea.

“Fine.” I hold a hand out, prompting her to walk back inside. When she walks ahead of me I instinctively place my hand on the small of her back to lead her through the door. Suddenly my bloody knuckles aren’t what’s holding my attention. It’s the itch I feel in my fingertips to know what it’s like to touch every other part of her. I pull my hand away quickly, trying to erase the curiosity creeping in, because no matter how her smile can affect me, or how it feels to have any part of her body on mine, I won’t go there with her. Everything I touch and everything I do only ever ends in disaster. And I refuse to be the fall of Ruby Ranes.

CHAPTER8

RUBY

“Oh my God,I thought this day would never end.” I lock the front door of the bar while Tank stacks chairs on top of the tables. He huffs out a laugh and my eyes fall to the gauze wrapped around his knuckles. My heart stopped earlier when I saw him outside about to assault the building with his forehead. I held my breath as soon as my hand made contact with his face, but at that moment I had no other ideas on how to stop him. His attempts to get me to leave him alone pissed me off, but even more than that, they hurt a little bit too. All I’ve done since Tank started working here is be nice to him—andmaybeadmire his genetics from afar, but honestly, who could blame me? I thought we were on the edge of friendship after he stuck up for me that day with the wholehere, take my clothesgesture, but after today I’m not so sure that I didn’t make it all up. I’d still like to get to know him a little better though, he seems lonely and a little sad. And if anyone can relate to that it’s yours truly. So here I go… putting myself out there and doing something bold.

“You drink, Landry?” I ask, placing two beers on the bar top. He rears back slightly, showcasing the tattoo on the side of his neck.

“Psh, it’s what I’m best at.” He smirks, making me smile back at him.

“Let’s drink then.” I hold my beer up in the air and wait as he grabs his and does the same.

“As you wish.” Our bottlesclinkand I pull myself up onto the counter as he turns to lean against it with his elbows.

“So… what else are you good at? Besides drinking?” I tease, making him scoff.

“What?”

“What other skills or talents do you have?” I press further.

“Why are you asking me this?” He lets out a bashful laugh.

“I wanna get to know you.” I shrug.

“Why?” The look of genuine confusion on his face breaks my heart. Like he truly can’t understand why someone would want to get to know him.

“Well… I think if you want to pursue a friendship with someone, it helps to know things about them. Things they're good at, things they like. Things they’rebadat anddon’tlike are good to know too.” I continue, making him laugh again.

“So, you think you want topursue a friendshipwith me?” he asks sarcastically, but I meet his sarcasm with sincerity.

“I do. If you’re okay with that.” His gaze narrows as he studies me.

“Alright, fine.” He finally agrees. “Let’s start with you though.” He counters.

“What do you wanna know?” I encourage with an outstretched arm.

“I’m dying to know the story behind this tattoo,” he says, pointing to the mermaid on my arm.

“That’swhat you’re starting with?” I look at him in disbelief. He raises a brow at me but doesn’t answer. I roll my eyes, taking another drink before setting the bottle on the counter.

“It’s a mermaid.” I roll my lips together to keep from laughing when his face drops.

“No shit, I wasn’t born yesterday. Explain the rest of it.” He demands with a smirk.

“She’s a stripper mermaid and she’s very talented,” I say in a serious tone. Looking down at the mermaid holding a pole tattooed on the inside of my left bicep.

“That so?” He nods.

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