Page 19

“Uh-huh,” I say. If the dude knew Ruby at all, he’d know this has been suggested to her multiple times in her life and she has no interest in working for that breed of client.

“I was just telling Brad about Lakeside and the big block party,” Ruby says, naming our hometown. Seems like she wants to move on from the subject of cooking as much as I do.

“I never knew you guys grew up on a lake.” Brad looks at Ruby, grinning. God, his hairstyle is terrible. “Ruby says she’s going to take me out on the boat one of these weekends.” His eyes flicker. I bet he’s thinking about her in a bikini. About peeling the wet swimsuit off her skin and fucking her on her dad’s boat. My jaw clenches.

I pull my eyes off Brad’s stupid face and look at Ruby. “Ruby’s not allowed to take the boat out without permission.”

She cocks her head like she’s surprised to find me trying to embarrass her. “When has that ever stopped me?”

I hold her eyes for a second. The lake isourplace. We’ve both taken friends back to Lakeside and occasionally someone we’re dating, but going out on the boat has always been our thing together. Especially taking Richard’s boat out without permission. Ruby never trusted anyone but me with that kind of risk.

I force myself to give Brad an affable smile. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Mr. Hayes is a real hard-ass when it comes to his one and only daughter.”

Brad’s eyes narrow with interest as he looks at Ruby. “Daddy’s little girl, huh?”

Barf.Also, he obviously knows nothing about Ruby’s relationship with her father.

Ruby rolls her eyes. “I think Lorenzo meant to say his one and only boat.” She squeezes Brad’s hand and looks up at him, her eyes warm. “You don’t need to worry about Richard. He’ll love you.”

If I’d been eating, I would have choked. Is Ruby seriously talking about bringing Brad home to meet her parents? What’s next, an engagement? Ruby has always done everything in her power to keep the guys she dates as far from her mom and dad as possible. And dating a guy Richard would love? Total opposite of everything she stands for.

I lean closer to Brad, reminding him I’ve got at least a couple of inches on his height. “Doubt it. He’s got certain standards.”

Ruby gives a short, uncomfortable laugh. “Lorenzo, stop. You’re scaring him.”

I smile at Brad, not caring if it comes off like a threat. I hope it does. I hold his gaze as he looks back at me uneasily, waiting for my next move. “Are you scared?” Before he can answer, I excuse myself to talk to my friends and walk away. I can be happy Ruby’s found someone she really likes, but it’s easier if I don’t have to look at her while I do it.

More people show up, and the house starts to feel crowded. I wander out back and shoot the shit with Cam and a few guys from our team. Cash is charring an array of meats on a small grill at the bottom of the deck stairs, and when the sun disappears and the tiny backyard glows under a dozen strands of string lights, someone starts a Bob Marley playlist. It’s a laid-back night, totally the atmosphere Cam would want for his little homecoming party, even if being thrown a party is the last thing he would want. Even I find myself craving a beer, though I resist. I’ve got a three-week streak going for me, and I like that.

It’s beena couple of hours since I’ve seen Ruby when she and Brad walk out onto the back deck. Clearly he’s been going hard on the booze. His gaze is watery and slow as he scans the small crowd. He’s wearing a dull half smile, like someone said something funny an hour ago and he forgot to put away thesmile. Ruby’s bright-eyed and alert. She wraps her fingers tightly around Brad’s bicep, and I feel a sharp stab in my gut.That’swhat’s pissing me off. It’s not some guy touching her—that I’m used to. It’s her touching him. I can’t stand it.

I’m hoping they decide to go back inside, but nope. They make for the group of us gathered in the grass around the firepit, Brad looking dangerously unsteady on his feet.

“If Brad fucking pukes, he’s going home,” I gruff.

“Cosigned. This is a high-class affair.” Cash burps, tapping his beer against the fraying camping chair that’s straining to hold his muscular frame.

At the top of the wooden deck steps, Brad lets Ruby go first. So either he has decent manners even when he’s hammered or he forgot how to use stairs and needs a demonstration. I’m just about to turn away when I see Brad stumble. His eyes widen and his arms flail, but instead of grabbing for the railing, he reaches out to steady himself against Ruby in front of him. Like a complete asshole. Before I can blink, she’s crashing with an “Oof” onto her knees on the pavers at the bottom of the steps,and Brad is on his ass halfway down the stairs.

I fly out of my chair and reach for her before she can even get up. “Jesus Christ,” I mutter as I help her to her feet.

Behind me, people start asking her whether she’s okay, if she’s hurt, and she gives a quick, reassuring smile to no one in particular. “I’m fine,” she says, her cheeks pink. “Knees of steel.”

Her reassurance doesn’t kill my worry. Then I look at Brad behind her—he’s still on the steps, looking like he has no clue what just happened—and my worry curdles into anger.

“What the fuck, White?” I spit, taking a step toward him. “You just pushed her down the steps!”

“Shh. It was an accident.” Ruby tries to take my arm, but I jerk free.

I take another step toward him, my muscles tense and burning to grab him by that stupid fucking collared shirt he’s wearing and knock his teeth out. She might not be my girl, but Ruby’s always been mine to protect. And no man is changing that. But she grabs me again, and a couple of my teammates materialize, sensing trouble. Cam catches my eye, and the surprise on his face—I’m not a fighter—makes me step back. “Fucking dumbass,” I say with a final glare at Brad, and it seems to snap him out of his stupor.

“Sorry, Ruby,” he mumbles, sounding dazed. “I’m sorry.”

I turn around to meet Ruby’s tense face. She slides her hands off me, but I’m quick to take her arm as she retreats a few steps. “Can you walk okay?” I ask quietly.

“I’mfine, Lorenzo. Jeez, it was like two steps.”

I try to guide her into the yard toward a chair, wanting to comfort her or maybe just wanting her to want me to comfort her. But she pulls away.