Page 54 of Wrong Car, Wright Guy
“The right one will come along,” I say, rubbing her lightly on her upper arm. “And it’ll be when you least expect it. Just like it was for me.”
“Gosh, I so wish I had your luck. Tanner seems utterly perfect,” she says, releasing a sigh, then a yelp when my door bursts open and the man in question thunders into the room. He’s dressed casually in sweats and a T-shirt since we’re moving in together, but the storm in his expression means he’s still an intimidating sight when he’s angry, even without the usual suit.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, immediately. I haven’t seen him this agitated since…since…well, I’veneverseen him like this. “Is it your father? Oh god. Iknewwe shouldn’t have kissed like that on the red carpet. What happened?”
He slams an open magazine in the center of my kitchen table. “What the fuck is this?” he growls, jabbing his finger at a photo of he and I visiting Camille. The headline reads, ‘Wright and very Wrong: The Secret Shame of the Sexiest Man Alive.’
“Well, firstly, that’s the most ludicrous headline I’ve ever seen. You have a name, and you most definitely aren’t ashamed of Camille.” I gulp at the end of it, knowing that humor isn’t the appropriate response, but I don’t know how else to deal with this level of agitation.
“How did it even get here?” he growls, and normally I find his growling sexy, but right now, I’m finding it downright accusatory.
“Wait. You don’t think I had anything to do with that?”
“You’re the only one who knew,” he states, opening the magazine out further so I can see it’s a full exposé. “If something happens to Camille because of this, if I lose her because you told someone where she is, I willneverforgive you.” He straightens up, his chest heaving.
“Tanner,” I say, moving closer to him. “I understand you’re upset right now, but I would never, ever talk to a journalist about Camille. I know how important she is to you. I know what’s at stake.”
“Well, someone found out. And you are theonlyperson I’ve told. So one plus one equals two, Ruby.” He flinches away from me, his eyes dark and filled with fire.
“It wasn’t me!” I yell, panic gripping at my chest as I realize exactly what’s happening here. He’s breaking up with me.
“It had to be, Ruby. Because I didn’t tell. So that just leaves you. Who the fuck did you tell?”
Hot tears burst from my eyes. “I didn’t,” I cry. “I wouldn’t.”
“Oh god, Ruby.” Tahlia’s hand claps over her mouth. “It…it was me.”
Tanner’s eyes flash. “Youtoldher?”
“I…” I start, unable to speak because, yes, I did tell her. She’s my best friend, and I never expected it to go any further, but yes, the truth is, I told her. “Yes.” I force the word out.
“She works at fuckingIconmagazine for fuck’s sake!” he booms, flipping the magazine over and waving the cover at us before he throws it on the floor, letting out a ragged breath.
“I’m sorry,” Tahlia cries. “I—”
“I hope my sister’s happiness was worth whatever promotion you got out of this,” he spits, pointing a finger Tahlia’s way before turning on his heel and heading for the door.
“Tanner!” I call to his retreating back. “Wait!”
“I’ll have the movers bring your things back here,” he says, a parting shot that hits me right in the chest, stealing my breath, my words,my heart,before he storms back out, slamming the door behind him.
I slump on the floor. “He just fucking broke up with me,” I cry, looking at Tahlia in disbelief. “What the hell?”I can’t breathe.I scramble to pick up the magazine and look at the article, trying to read it through my tears like it will somehow hold some clues on how to fix this.
“It was Nick,” she says, seeming to appear out of nowhere on the floor next to me. “That’s why he kept asking about you.” I just look at her, my mind and body going completely numb. “I’m so sorry, Ruby. This is all my fault, and I hate myself for being stupid enough to fall for his shit. But don't you worry. I’m going to fix it. I don’t know how right now, but I’ll work it out. Somehow. I promise.”
“He dumped me,” I gasp, wrapping my arms around my knees. “Fuck.”
Twenty-Three
Ruby
It took me almost a week to drag myself out of bed. Not only had Tanner broken up with me, but come Monday morning, I was without a job—Tanner left the station, canceled the show and fired me for breaching the non-disclosure agreement, or so the press release said. The only saving grace is that my non-compete clause was waived, but I can’t bring myself to accept any of the offers to work at other radio stations. I don’t think I can be happy at a radio station without Tanner. That man kind of ruined me for everyone and everything. I don’t think I’ll ever get over him.
And that’s not to say I didn’t fight for him. I called, I texted, I visited, Iemailed.But he wouldn’t see or speak to me. As soon as that article landed, I was dead to him. So much for loving me, huh?
I think that’s what hurts the most. That he talked like we were forever, and then the moment I did something wrong, he cut me out and didn’t even want to hear my side of things. I mean, it’s not like I told Tahlia about Camilleknowingher boyfriend would do an exposé about her. And Tahlia never dreamed Nick’s curiosity about Tanner and I was anything nefarious. He sold himself pretty hard as a big fan of the show, so she didn’t think anything of it. It’s just unfortunate that it was Camille who got caught in the crossfire. She didn’t deserve to have her life upended the way it was. She was happy and well cared for, and now…I don’t know where she is. I’d ordered a Barbie Dream House to give her for her birthday, and when it arrived, I took it to the facility she was living in and asked if they could give it to her—not telling her it was from me, of course, because I didn’t want to overstep—but they said she wasn’t there anymore. They agreed to forward it though, so at least I know she still got her gift.
All of that was three months ago. And now, after wallowing away my savings, well…I work at Starbucks with Andy from midnight to six am every day. I’m hurt, but I really miss Tanner. I just want him to walk in through that door and tell me to ‘get the hell in the car’. I’d give anything to hear him growl at me again.
