Page 123 of Lucky Shot
“I’m ready to go home,” Everly says, appearing at Jack’s side and intertwining her fingers with his.
I find Ruby behind her.
“Yeah. Me too,” Jack tells her, then looks to me. We shift so we’re paired off and Ruby’s back at my side.
“I’m glad I came,” Jack says. “It was good to see you.”
“Yeah. It’s been too long. Tell the guys I said hey when you get back.”
“Will do. We’ll see you in October.” He holds out his hand and we shake, then he pulls me into a hug.
“Can’t wait,” I say when we pull apart.
Jack turns to Ruby. “Pleasure to meet you. I hope I’ll be seeing you again.”
He smiles at her, then turns his gaze to me and winks. Arrogant fucker.
“You too,” Ruby says to him.
Everly hugs Ruby, rocking side to side. “I’m going to text you when I’m in Arizona next month. Let’s grab a drink or dinner.”
“Definitely,” Ruby says.
Everly comes in to hug me next.
“Good to see you, Ev,” I say.
“Don’t fuck this up, Galaxy,” she says loud enough that it’s likely Ruby heard. Good ol’ Everly.
I chuckle but the expression on her face when she steps back tells me she isn’t joking.
Everly and Jack head out, leaving me and Ruby alone with the last of the people at the bar.
“Hi.” She wraps her arms around my neck.
“Have fun?” I slide a hand around her waist.
“Everly is a blast.”
“That she is.”
“I do have one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“I need a ride home.”
“I think I can help with that.” I expected as much, which is why I stayed sober.
She beams. “Hey, I have a hypothetical question for you.”
“O-kay.” One corner of my mouth lifts as she gives me a playful smirk. Damn I missed her this weekend. Even tonight, being near her but not touching her or catching every word she said.
“What would you say if I suggested we spend the next week hanging out every possible second?”
“I’d say, ‘Prepare to be sick of me, Red. I’m not letting you leave my sight for the next six days.’”
On the way back home, Ruby sings along to the radio. The windows in the truck are down and the night air is crisp and fragrant. I drive slowly, soaking it all in.
