Page 60 of What are the Risks
As she was setting it down, I snatched it from her hand and took a sip. I usually avoided soda, but now that I was in the off-season, I figured I could treat myself.
“Do you torture your boyfriend with stories like that?” Pat groaned, his skin turning ashen.
Ruby’s face drained of colour just as quickly as his. She carefully set her food down, then grabbed the countertop for balance.
Something wasn’t right. She’d reacted similarly in Miami, seconds before she threw up on my feet.
“Actually...” She slowly raised her gaze to meet mine, something I couldn’t read pulling at her expression. “Ex-boyfriend.”
My jaw went slack. Did I hear her correctly? Did she sayex?Or was I manifesting some fucked up dream? The same one I’d used when jerking off to–
Get a grip, Ryker. G-rated thoughts only.
My brain started running a million plays at once. Why? When? Was this a real breakup? Or just a break? Was this the type of situation where I had to keep my opinions reined in because they’d get back together? Or had something gone wrong? Had Ruby ended it? Or Noah? Had he fucked up? Did I need to murder the guy?
Not only was Ruby waiting for my reaction, but I could feel the guys looking at me too. I cleared my throat, willing my thoughts to straighten out. The room had become so quiet I could hear Evan chewing from across the counter. At leasthehadn’t lost his appetite.
Brady snapped into gear first. “I’m sorry to hear that, Ruby.”
So was I.
“His loss,” Kyler said.
Agreed.
“You can have my taco if it’ll make you feel better,” Pat offered.
I’d give anything to make her feel better.
“I’ve got something way more satisfying than a taco to cheer you up,” Evan drawled.
Watch it.
With a forced chuckle, Ruby’s gaze returned to me, patient yet uncertain.
I needed to say something, but I was struggling to settle on what. She’d never been through a breakup before, and the unknown ground left me at a complete loss for words.
She and Noah had never even had a fight big enough for her to come to me for a shoulder to cry on. The only time I’d brought up their relationship... we all knew how that had ended.
When the silence stretched on uncomfortably long, she pushed off from the counter with a resigned sigh. “I’ll... um, be right back.”
Turning for the stairs, she took them two at a time, as though she couldn’t get out of here quick enough.
Every part of me felt compelled to follow her, but I couldn’t. Not until I pulled myself together. I’d only make things more awkward.
Hearing that Ruby and Noah had broken up was like my parents sitting me down to tell me they were getting divorced.
I was blindsided.
Ruby and Noah had been dating for so long that I could barely remember a time before they were a couple. I’d always assumed they’d be together forever, which is why whenever I pictured Ruby in my future, I had no choice but to imagine Noah beside her.
What the fuck had happened? I could only assume Ruby had ended it, because she was undoubtedly the one settling. But if he had...
I shoved my clenched fists into my pockets.
When we all heard the unmistakable sound of my bedroom door slamming closed, Evan let out a heavy sigh. “Dude, you handled that like a male virgin working a bra strap.”
I gaped at him. “Which means?”
