Page 44

THIRTY-SEVEN

lorenzo

I knew it wouldn’t end with a simple apology text and an innocent request.

I walk faster down the sidewalk, fueled by the need to see Ruby.

I have to fight the urge to break into a run—this isn’t an emergency, but something about it sure as hell feels like it.

Ruby just called me with the news that, despite her never responding to them, her parents are about to ambush her with a visit, and I want to throttle them.

They always do this to her, always try to take control and get their way. I’m not letting it happen again.

I push through her front door and she rushes to my arms.

“I’m gonna go,” she says before I can say anything.

I pull back to look at her. “Seriously?”

She swallows and nods. “I can’t stop wondering what they want to say.”

“It’s not going to be good, Ruby. History doesn’t lie.”

“They did apologize, though. That’s a first.”

“I’d barely call that an apology.” It’s odd trying to convince her this is a bad idea. If there’s one thing we’re usually in agreement on, it’s her parents.

She turns from me and silently gathers her purse and sunglasses.

“At least let me come with you.”

“No, you’ve witnessed enough. I want that anniversary dinner to be the last blowout you’re ever subjected to.” She takes a deep breath. “Think there’s any chance they’ll apologize for real?”

I want to make a joke to calm her down, but it’s hard to feel any humor when her voice takes on that hopeful tone. Her parents will never say sorry. “I don’t know, honey. I don’t think it ever occurred to Richard and Catherine that parents can apologize to their children.”

Her shoulders slump. “Yeah. They probably want to sweep the whole thing under the rug so we can go on being the happy little family we’ve always been.”

“And what if they do?”

She looks at me, then off to the side, her eyes far away. “I said I wasn’t going to do that again. So if that’s what they do, I keep up the radio silence.”

I nod. “My girl. Should we go?”

She gives me a patient smile. “You’re not coming.”

“Yes, I am. I won’t speak to them, and I won’t crash the party, but I’m walking over there with you because those assholes want to believe they’re all you have in the world.

And I want to walk up there with my arm around you and smile at them and see the fear in their eyes when they realize you’re never going to be alone in the world. ”

She studies me, her eyes warming with gratitude. I put my arm around her and pull her head to my chest. “Lorenzo,” she sighs.

Thirty minutes later, her body tenses under my hands as we turn the corner and spot her parents dressed in their Sunday best at the other end of the block. My blood runs a little hotter at the sight of them.

“I’ve got it from here.” She doesn’t look at me, but her fingers slide down my arm to find my hand and squeeze.

“You sure?”

“It’ll be fine. I’ve got this.”

Catherine spots us and gives a demure little wave.

I just glare at her, and her smile withers in confusion.

I’ve always been respectful to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes and kept my true feelings to myself, but not anymore.

They’ve spent a lifetime fucking with my girl, and now that she’s really my girl, I can’t pretend anymore.

“Good luck.” I pat her ass as she steps away. “Give them my regards.”

Ruby smiles over her shoulder. “My dad hates foul language, remember?”

While she’s gone, I wander down the street to find a birthday card for my mom. As I push open the door to a bookstore, the little shop bell tinkles and I spot a familiar head of blond, perfectly styled hair right in front of a row of trinkets.

“What’s happening, hot stuff?” I greet Reeve. “Post-workout shopping spree?”

“Yeah, right.”

“I know you didn’t come here to read.”

He shrugs. “I’m looking for something for Brooklyn.”

“You’re still seeing her? Must be a record.”

“I’m not, actually. But she’s dealing with this shit with her family, and I feel bad for her. Somehow we’re actually becoming friends, I guess.”

I let my jaw drop, pretending to be shocked.

“Yeah, I know. Don’t spread it around. What are you doing here?”

“Birthday card for my mom.”

“So next weekend—you coming?”

“What’s next weekend?”

Reeve picks up a little trinket box. “Cash didn’t tell you, did he? I thought he might pussy out. We’re going cliff jumping with Cam.”

“Oh.” I’m embarrassed to find my feelings a little hurt. “Cam’s coming back?”

“Friday to Sunday. But you’re invited, man. I guess Cash just thought you’d say no. You’ve got your girl now; we know you wanna fuck all weekend.”

“That and he didn’t want a lecture.”

“Every group needs a voice of reason, right?” He shrugs and puts the box down, playing it off, but I can tell he’s expecting the lecture now.

“Not really.” I scan the store like I’m looking for the card display, but I’m not really looking at anything. “Sounds like an awesome weekend.”

“So come, man.”

I consider it. It’s hard to tell how much is because I actually want to and how much is because I hate that I’m such a fucking downer my best friend won’t even invite me on a boys’ weekend anymore. When did I get like this? “Nah, I’m good here. Next time. Seriously, I want in.”

“You got it. I need to finish up here, but I’ll see you at the gym.” He gives me a fist bump. “And hey, if you want to let your dick dry out for a few hours next weekend, come meet us. It’s only an hour away.”

I nod. Not that my shoulder would let me participate, but maybe if I watch, I’ll remember how to have a good time.

Ruby’s been gone over an hour, which is odd. I don’t know whether it’s a good sign or a bad one. I’m walking outside with a coffee at the place we agreed to meet when I spot her. Before she even sees me, she’s wearing an odd little smile. I wave and she hurries over.

“You won’t believe this.” She drops into a chair and I follow. “My parents just offered me a fucking job.”

“It’s almost August. Little late in the summer for that.”

“No, a job after graduation.”

I pause with the coffee halfway to my mouth. “Come again?”

“They just offered me a part of my grandparents’ business. The textiles business. The one my aunt and uncle have been running.”

“They offered you a part? Like a share of the profits?”

“Like a job. A career. As in ... set for life.”

I’m momentarily silenced. “Wait, that’s what they wanted to talk about?”

She nods and gives a little laugh. “Weird, right?”

“Did they mention what happened at the restaurant?”

She shrugs. “Only that it was unfortunate, but we can move past it.”

“And now they offer you a job out of nowhere? Your aunt and uncle are in Canada, right? Calgary?”

“Vancouver,” she corrects.

We’re both silent for a minute. But it only takes that long for me to figure out how to feel. “Well, that’s bullshit.”

“I know. They actually thought I’d be interested in a career in textiles and tying myself to them for life.”

“Trying to pull the puppet strings like always.”

She reaches for my coffee to take a sip but doesn’t say anything.

“Right?”

“Maybe? But this offer’s never been on the table before. I kinda think they might see me getting my life together and—” She shrugs. “Finally have some respect for me.”

“Oh,” I say, feeling guilty for putting the idea of ulterior motives in her head. I’m being a control freak. No wonder I wasn’t invited on the boys’ weekend. “Could be.” It’s definitely not.

She shakes her head. “Whatever, doesn’t matter. I have zero interest.”

I nod, trying not to say anything that could influence her, because it’s breaking my heart a little that she’s giving her parents the benefit of the doubt.

Her parents have always been transparent as shit.

Usually she sees it even before I do. But hearing her say she has no interest in running off to Canada is a massive relief.

I can’t lose her like that. “Did you tell them how good things have been at your job? And at school?”

“They weren’t really listening.”

“So the usual shit.” I wave it off. “Every time they pull a stunt like this, they’re proving how much they don’t know you. And don’t even try to.”

“I know. But it’s not the worst thing, right? To know I have a backup career if I really need it?”

I’m thrown. “You don’t need that as a backup career. You’ll have all kinds of options with your degree.”

She nods unconvincingly, and a little shard of doubt lodges itself in my chest. “I’m only saying it’s not bad news.”

Except it is. The Ruby I know should be indignant right now at her parents’ offer to take care of her just when she’s figuring out a direction for her life, not relieved she has a backup option in a completely different country from me.

The Ruby I know would find working in textiles and living under her family’s thumb repulsive.

Maybe it’s only the shock of getting both an apology and a job offer from her psycho parents, but something’s gotten under her skin, and I’m not about to let it stay there.