Page 51 of Wild Card
Earl’s alone in the bar, whistling to himself without a care in the world as he counts the cash from the register, and when he notices me, he smiles me that old crooked smile.
“She’s at the hospital,” he tells me, before getting back to his counting.
“How d’ya know I was lookin’ for her?” I take one of the barstools.
“I recognize that hopeless, needy look in your eye.” He chuckles to himself before bagging up the cash and closing the register.
“The club any wiser on where Porter’s daughter got her drugs from?” he asks; just like everyone else around here, Earl cares for the people in his community.
“Still working on it.” I hate having to lie, and I hate even more that I’m doing it for Brett Porter. Now the idea of leaving Ruby alone with him is even more worrying.
Brett was mad when he left the hospital last night. The fact he killed the Kingston boy in his own home proves that he was acting on impulse. I’ve seen for myself how easily he can lose his temper, and who knows what the consequences of it could be next time Ruby does something that pisses him off.
“Mayor Porter won’t let you boys sit on that for long; he’s going to want answers,” Earl tells me. “The stakes just got raised.”
I don’t pay much attention to what he says; instead, I wonder if Brett plans on telling Ruby what he did. I’m not in much of a position to judge. I’ve killed men myself, and it could easily have been me who had the order to kill Kaleb Kington if the club had found out what he was doing before Brett. Seeing how terrified Ruby looked when she thought her friend was gonna die almost makes me wish it was me who got to end him.
But Brett isn’t like me; he isn’t like the guys at the club. At least we clean up after ourselves.
The door opens, and when Ruby steps inside, carrying a bag of groceries, my heart starts thumping in my chest.
“Morning, Earl.” She plants a kiss on his cheek, then smiles at me a little awkwardly. “I thought I’d cook us all an early dinner before the bar opens tonight,” she explains as she heads through to the kitchen, and I choose to ignore the look Earl gives me and follow her.
“How’s Esmé?” I ask, despite knowing that she’s well enough to come home today. I have to start this conversation somewhere.
“She’s much better than I thought she’d be. She’s home now, and although she’s feeling pretty ashamed of herself, she seems okay.” Ruby smiles sadly as she starts to unpack the grocery bags.
“D’ya find out why she did it?” I hop up to sit on the counter and glance inside the bags while she restocks the fridge. Looks like she’s bought enough groceries to feed the whole damn town.
“She never said, but I didn’t ask. Either Brett or his dad was with us when we were together, and if I want the truth, I figure I’d be better asking her when we’re alone.”
What she’s saying makes sense, and since there's not much more to say on that matter, I guess it’s time to ask her if she wants to give everything up and come on the road with me.
“I’m leaving town.” The words come right on out, and I can see from the look on her face that they startle her.
“When?” Her eyes glance over me, looking all panicked.
“Today…Now. The club don’t need me here anymore.” I shrug, hating that knowing that is still fuckin’ stinging.
“Of course, they need you. Ash, it might not seem like it now, but this place is your home. Your dad was the club president once,” she points out, loading herself with more items and turning her back on me to put them away.
“You seem sad to see me go.” Sliding off the counter, I step up behind her, and when she turns around and almost bumps into me, she holds her breath.
“Of course, I’ll be sad to see you go,” she eventually whispers, looking up at me like she wants to cry.
“Then come with me.” I smile, taking her face in my hands and crouching down to her level. “Pack a bag, get on the back of my bike, and we’ll leave here together. No more Brett and this fake marriage bull shit. Just you and me. I think we could have some real fun, darlin’.” I smile, hoping she says yes, because I already know that leaving this town without her is gonna break my heart.
“You make it sound so easy.” She laughs as she pulls herself free and gets back to unpacking the food.
“That’s because it is easy.” I go after her and take the avocado outta her hand so she has to hear me out.
“You got nothin’ keeping you here, Ruby. People will adore you wherever ya go. You’ve done somethin?—.”
“Is that why you think I stick around here?” She stares back at me as if I’ve offended her. “Ash, I stay here because this townis my home.Iadore the people who live here. Since Momma died, they’ve become my family. If I left here, I’d have nothing.”
“You have me.” I take her hand, bringing it up to my chest and clutching it tight. “Allof me. Every single part. Don’t make me leave here without you.” I’m fuckin’ begging her now, because if she stays, I know Brett Porter is gonna ruin her. He’ll poison all the good inside her, and break her down to nothing.
“I can’t, Ash. I’m sorry.” She pulls her hand free and smiles at me through tear-filled eyes as she starts heading out the door.
