Page 95 of Preacher Man

R: 8:16 - I loved him, Preacher, like he was my own.

She included a red heart emoji. Preacher paused from going on. His sweet tiny dancer. Some of his anger drained away. Not much, but enough he could clear the seething from his eyes.

R: 8:17- Rita hated being a mom. I think she still does. He’s the sweetest boy and she resents him. It breaks my heart. I can’t do much and she won’t come and live with me. I’m responsible even if I’m not his mom, someone has to look out for him. Our mom died of an overdose, and as I said my dad is in and out of jail, not sure of Rita’s dad, there’s only me to keep the family going, to be the only good role model for them both.

R: 8:18 - I didn’t want you to know, to feel sorry for me. I was stupid not to tell you. I liked what we had, it was freeing and fun, you didn't have any expectations from me.

R: 8:18 - You wanted me. I wanted you. And it was nice. I never had that before, something for just me. I just needed it for a minute, Preacher.

Was.Had. He picked up on that straight away. The tick in his jaw growing hard. He leaned over resting his arms on his thighs and kept reading.

R: 8:20 - I only had room in my life for fun.

R: 8:22 - We had fun, didn’t we?

R: 8:22 - Thanks, Preacher.

Had. Again. Something flared in his eyes. Goddammit. If she was thanking him for fucking her he really would strangle that woman.

R: 8:25- Hope you work it out with that big dude.

R: 8:25 - Though, you should have punched him, ‘cause he deserved it. Big mouthy punk.

R: 8:26 - Then make friends. ;) because everyone needs a friend, even big tough outlaws.

He laughed low.

R: 8:28- If you need to talk. Or whatever.

R: 8:28 - Anyway. I probably blew up your phone. See you around, Preacher man. ;) xoxo

See you around. Oh no, Ruby. you don’t get off that easily.

Fuck that noise.

He scrolled through his phone book and called up her number. It rang four times and hit voicemail. He rang again. This time it went right to voicemail.

Oh, that little … she was cutting off his call and dumping him right to voicemail.

She really did want sexual torture that ended in her screaming.

He fucking hated texting, it caused him to concentrate too much to figure out the letters, he wasn’t on the high-end scale of dyslexia but it was enough that he needed to examine each word.

P: 10:10- Answer my call, Ruby.

A second later.

R: 10:11 - It’s probably best I don’t. You’ll yell at me.

Despite his mood, he laughed.

P: 10:14- That’s twice you’ve crept out of my bed. Not liking it, so yeah, I’m gonna yell at you, beautiful. Then you can tell me where the hell you are so I can come and get you, so I can kiss the fuck out of you.

R: 10:15 - I didn’t creep! I walked.

R: 10:15 - I wouldn’t mind the kissing.

R: 10:15 - Even if it’s not a good idea.