Page 134 of What are the Risks
Doug stoically nodded. “That’s what she tells Cherie and me whenever we call.” He lowered his voice, which was pointless because I could already barely hear him over Mum and Cherie’s impromptu karaoke. “Cherie is worried that Ruby is downplaying the breakup.”
Oh. We were talking about Noah. Sometimes I forgot Ruby was in the midst of a messy breakup – an easy mistake to make when we were distracted by getting each other naked.
“She seems fine to me,” I bit, careful not to sound too sour. “You know how independent she is.”
“Perhaps it’s a blessing. They’d been dating since such a young age,” Doug countered. “Maybe they’ll end up together, but just need some time now.”
I sure fucking hoped not. In my mind, Noah was exiled from Ruby’s life for good. When she’d told me there wasn’t a chance she’d reconcile things with him, I’d assumed she’d meant forever. Here’s hoping I hadn’t been wrong.
“Did you hear South Carolina’s quarterback was dropped,” Dad said.
Of course I’d heard that.
“Their backup quarterback isn’t ready,” he added.
All I could manage was a nod. I knew where Dad was going with this. His theory echoed the guys from the team, and Coach, and everyone else obsessing over the Draft.
“We’ll see,” I dismissively said. “I don’t want to get my sights set on anything.”
Dad and Doug hastily averted their gazes when one of the mums screamed. We all jumped to attention, expecting either Mum or Cherie to have taken a dive off the countertop, but they were only having a blast, still dancing to the music.
“Are you good to keep an eye on them?” I checked, stifling a yawn.
I was wrecked. I hadn’t slept as much as I normally would last night – all for a very worthy reason – but I was paying the price for it now.
Doug nodded. “Escape while you can. One day that’ll be your wife and then you’ll be stuck staying up until she passes out.”
An image flashed through my head of Ruby up there with our mums. Then to her kitchen with Bri, Daisy and Jaz. And finally, in my house with Tori. In each version, I saw myself leaning against the fridge, amusedly watching on as Ruby had the time of her life – and I didn’t hate a single one of those scenarios, not even a little.
*
Ruby: What are you doing?
Ryker: Just walked into The Dime.
Back in high school, The Dime was the place to be. It’s where all the college kids partied whenever they came home, so highschoolers were forever trying to sneak in.
Ruby: Why are you there?
Ryker: Stefan’s idea. I’ve barely seen him since we’ve both been at college so I’m trying to be a nice big bro.
Ruby: Sounds fun.
Ryker: It would be more fun if you were here. What are you doing?
Ruby: I just got home from work. I’ll probably have dinner then take a bath.
I nearly dropped dead on the spot. The mere idea of Ruby silky and naked in a steaming bath was enough to turn my brain into a clusterfuck.
Ruby: It would be more fun if you were here...
I agreed. And honestly, the thought of stealing my brother’s keys and driving two-and-a-half hours back to Ruby’s place was pretty fucking tempting.
“You want a beer?” Stefan asked, heading for the bar.
“Ah, sure. Just need to take a leak first.”
And try to shake off this semi.
