Page 71 of Preacher Man

Being the sole focus of Preacher’s gaze had been intimidating once over. The strange feelings in her veins felt like honey sloshing around in there making her blood pump slower to her heart. His gaze was warmth. A connection only they had. His eyes dark and heavy with their shared pleasure from across the room even as he held a conversation with two men who looked like they chewed glass for shits and giggles. Jesus, they were massive, maybe WWE wrestlers, but next to Preacher they looked a bit puny.

I’ve had all that.

It made her grin.

She buried her mouth in the bottle of cola. No one liked a gloater, as her Uncle Silas would say, it was the work of Satan. Ruby was sure if Satan had tested out Preacher’s bedroom skills he’d be sat smiling like a boastful dickhead, too. Ruby was not one of those kiss-and-tell women, not usually, anyway, but even she was close to opening a blog and telling everyone just how good she’d had it lately. Maybe she could have one of those girlie gossips with her sister. Fat chance.

While he spoke to the guys, she took out her cell and contacted Rita.

Ruby: 4:32 - Hey, Rita. I’m in town. How about I take you out for lunch? Can’t wait to see you.

Not a minute later.

Rita: 4:33- You’re here????? Why??????

Wow.Not the reaction she expected.Nice to make me welcome, sis.Frowning she replied, with less enthusiasm this time.

Ruby: 4:35 - I had the chance to come. So, what about lunch?

Rita: 4:38 - I wish you would have told me.

Ruby: 4:38 - I didn’t think it would be a problem.

Common sense told Ruby she was about to be shit all over. What in the hell?

Rita: 4:41- I’m busy. Maybe we can get together the next time you’re in town.

What in the fucking hell?She’d jumped at the chance to come into Nebraska knowing her car and lack of gas money wouldn’t get her here, and Rita was blowing her off like she didn’t even fucking matter? She grimaced bitterly. This washerfamily, the ones who used and took and didn’t gave an inch back.

Now if she’d told Rita she had a bunch of money for her she was damn sure she would have left skid marks on the ground in her haste to meet with Ruby.

Ruby: 4:42- What about dinner then? It doesn’t have to be for long. I’m only here for two days, Rita. Please?

Five minutes. Ten. Fifteen. She checked over to Preacher who was still deep in conversation with the wrestlers. Twenty minutes and finally a reply came.

Rita: 5:01- Can’t. Love you tho!

Yeah. right. Feeling the love, sis. Really.

She was churning inside. What had she done in a past life to deserve the people she had today? God, she must have been a bunny strangler or something. She was tired of being diplomatic, the peacekeeper, Rita only wanted her when she wanted her, god forbid if there was ever a day Ruby was in need, she’d have no one. Without thinking she let herself say everything she was thinking in a fast typed out message, stupid autocorrect meant she had to re-do it slowly the second time

Ruby: 5:09- You know, just when I think you can’t be any more self-absorbed you show me a new level. I come all this way, Rita, it’s not like you’re making the effort to come to Colorado, you only get in touch when you want money. I’m officially done. You don’t want a sister, you want an endless credit card attached to my fingers. Consider your wish come true, you no longer have a sister. Bye.

Maybe it was pissy of her, but my god, she was so tired of everyone. She pressed send and turned her phone off and sat brooding into her drink.

“What’s a babe like you doing all alone?” She heard. A guy slid onto the bar stool right next to hers. He was big and filled the space, his shoulder almost brushing hers. A silver ring on each finger crossed as he laced his hands in front of him. Good looking, around mid-thirties, she guessed.

“I’m waiting for the number six bus; do you know if it stops here? I don’t want to be late.”

His pierced lips split with a grin. “Funny. The babe is funny. I like that. I get you another drink, something stronger this time?”

“Thanks, but I’m good with this.”

“Gotcha. I haven’t seen you around here before.” His stare was dreamy intense and deep Hazel.

“I haven’t been to this bus stop before. Thought I’d give it a whirl.”

“Babe,” he laughed. “If you keep doing the funny I’m gonna----”