Page 28
Story: Pyre
LESS THAN AN hour later, Ruby stood at the quaint train station in a small suburb outside of Denver. The early afternoon air warmed her exposed legs while her ever-present sunglasses shielded her eyes from the sun.
The station itself was picturesque, lined by large evergreens that stood around the charming brick building.
Its red roof and accents popped against the clear blue sky, and colorful flowers bloomed in pots along the entrance.
The cool September breeze carried the scent of pine needles, mingling with something sweet and comforting.
It felt odd to drive out of Denver just to catch a train back, but Jonah had insisted it was all part of the "experience.
" What that experience was, he had refused to elaborate.
Jonah bought the train tickets and Ruby leaned against a pillar as they waited. They were alone at the station, which made sense at eleven in the morning; commuters had long since reached their offices, their day well underway.
The train rolled in, and they hopped on, Jonah plopping down on the bench next to Ruby.
She sat stiffly, fingers curling into her lap as the train pulled out of the station. Jonah’s thigh pressed against hers, a point of warmth that was impossible to ignore. Heat seeped through her jeans, unraveling a tangle of emotions she wasn’t ready to face.
She shouldn’t be feeling this—any of this.
He was a friend, someone who had been there when grief had swallowed her whole.
She was a fucking revenge-seeking zombie, not exactly someone built for romance.
Yet here she was, heart tripping over itself whenever he smiled or spoke her name like a damn school girl.
They were a terrible idea, a betrayal of everything she’d lost. And yet, when Jonah shifted slightly and the pressure of his leg deepened, she leaned into it, just a little, as if some part of her was already crossing a line she wasn’t sure she could ever step back from.
Blinking, she shook her head, trying to dislodge the thoughts. She wasn’t some teenager with a crush. She was a grown woman who hadn’t been touched—platonically or otherwise—in so long that she was embarrassing herself.
“You alright?” Jonah asked, tapping her knee to get her attention.
She sighed dramatically. “I’d be better if you’d tell me where we’re going.”
The train crawled along the tracks, and Ruby considered jumping off. She could outrun it at this pace, carrying Jonah on her back if it meant avoiding another twenty minutes in the mildew-scented car.
She snorted. Kavya had forced her to watch that vampire movie about moody teenagers, and she had to bite back the urge to joke about carrying Jonah like a spider monkey. He probably hadn’t even seen it.
Jonah nudged her with his shoulder. “What’re you laughing about?”
“If I asked you to hold onto me like a spider monkey—”
“I’d ask who made you watch Twilight.”
Ruby barked out a surprised laugh as he rolled his eyes.
“I knew letting Kavya talk you into movie nights on the road was a bad idea.”
“Not a fan of immortal youth?”
“They could’ve easily passed for college kids. The fact that they chose high schoolers always creeped me out.”
Ruby’s lips parted in shock. “But… they had to…”
Jonah raised an eyebrow. “No, they absolutely did not.”
Mind blown, Ruby sat in stunned silence for a few moments, then smirked. “How many times have you seen the movie to think that deeply about it?”
He cleared his throat, mumbling something.
Ruby’s smirk widened into a grin. “What was that?”
Jonah’s head fell back, and he groaned. “Seven.”
“Why?” Ruby gasped through her laughter.
“My sister was a huge fan. Made me watch all five movies every Christmas break.”
The train’s crawl slowed to a snail’s pace, the brakes kicking in as the PA announced “last stop, Union Station.”
Jonah stood and nodded toward the door. The pair hopped off the train, Jonah leading the way through the back of the station.
This side was more utilitarian in nature, with a mix of modern and historical architecture.
The large, weathered brick walls were adorned with simple, industrial windows, providing a glimpse into the station's working areas.
Large industrial windows, framed in iron, hinted at the bustling life inside, while the station bustled with the chatter of travelers and train arrivals.
Jonah pulled them down the street, passing restaurants and hotels, before finding themselves in front of a large red stadium.
“A baseball game?” Ruby asked, cocking her head to the side.
Jonah’s grin was infectious. “The Rockies.”
The name wasn’t familiar to her. They must have popped up after her time.
“They any good?”
“They’re terrible.” He laughed, his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the front gate. “But I love them.”
Ruby stepped through the gate, a rush of excitement bubbling in her chest despite the sparse crowd. She had loved baseball in her youth, but hadn’t been to a game in ages. Jonah followed close behind her, his chest bumping into her back as she made her way through security.
They paused just beyond the entrance, soaking in the quiet hum of the ballpark.
Rows of plastic seats gleamed in the sunlight, a patchwork of reds and blues that stood in sharp contrast to the empty, shadowed sections higher up.
A few dedicated fans dotted the lower levels, lounging with peanuts or cracking open beers, voices carrying across the stadium in excited bursts.
An expanse of empty seats stretched out under the clear blue Colorado sky in the deserted stadium.
The sun hung high, casting long shadows and bathing the field in a warm, golden light that clashed with the crisp September air.
Despite the sunshine, there was a hint of autumn in the breeze, a gentle chill that swept through the stands and carried the scent of popcorn and freshly cut grass.
The crack of a bat echoed as players warmed up, their figures darting across the emerald-green field, jerseys bright against the brown dirt of the diamond.
“Not exactly a packed house,” Ruby said, a grin tugging at her lips.
“Gives us a front-row view.” Jonah nudged her with his shoulder. They walked forward, the echo of their footsteps mingling with the faint buzz of conversation and the occasional bark of a vendor selling hot dogs.
Ruby glanced at her phone, squinting at the date. “Isn’t it too early for a baseball game on a Thursday?”
“1 p.m. pitch, Rubes.” Jonah stopped in front of a cart selling hard lemonade. “Day games are the best. Cheaper tickets, no lines for food, and the sun warming your skin. Makes a man feel alive again.”
She arched an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching up. “Might take more than that for me.”
He shook his head, sliding his card back into his wallet after paying. “Nah. I know you don’t see it, but you bring so much life into the people around you. You’re strong, stubborn, and funny as hell.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, looking away to hide the sudden flush in her cheeks.
He shrugged, smirking. “Plus, the viewers think you’re hot, so you’re good for my show.”
Ruby scoffed. “Way to ruin the moment.”
Jonah laughed, throwing a casual arm around her shoulders as they made their way to their section. They found their seats, settling in with the hum of the crowd and the scent of fresh popcorn and roasted peanuts swirling around them.
“So,” Jonah turned to her, leaning back against his seat. “Did you watch much baseball growing up?”
“Not until after I got married.” The warmup clock ticked down, the players stretching and adjusting their gloves. “My husband was a Pirates fan. We used to watch the games together on TV.”
“You’re from Texas, right? He wasn’t a Rangers fan?” Jonah’s curiosity seemed genuine, his eyes fixed on her.
“I was from Texas, he was from up north. We moved to Colorado after the wedding.” Ruby paused, tracing the rim of her drink with her finger. “Rangers didn’t even show up in Texas until we’d been married for a year or two.”
Jonah nodded, really listening, like every word mattered. It was one of the things she appreciated most about him. “Well, lucky for you, that’s who they’re playing today.”
“The Pirates?” Her face lit up.
“Guess your husband wasn’t the only fan.” He chuckled, leaning a bit closer. “Shame you’re going to have to watch them lose.”
She scoffed. “You admitted the Rockies were terrible not twenty minutes ago.”
“Not as terrible as the Pirates,” he shot back with a teasing grin.
“Wanna bet?” Ruby challenged, eyes narrowing.
He leaned in even closer, and she could catch the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the lemonade. “What do I get if I win?” His gaze dipped to her lips, lingering there for a heartbeat too long.
Before she could respond, a drunk fan stumbled by, sloshing his beer dangerously close. Ruby jerked back, letting out an exasperated sigh.
Jonah smirked, clearly unbothered. “You know, if you wanted to sit closer, you could always just say so.”
Ruby gave him a sideways glance, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “And miss you inching your way over? Never.”
The tips of Jonah’s ears turned red. “You caught me. I thought I was being smooth.”
“You? Smooth?” She bit back a laugh. “That’s adorable.”
He groaned, running a hand down his face. “Adorable? I was aiming for charming.”
“Keep trying,” she teased, nudging his shoulder with hers.
As the game picked up, Ruby found herself stealing glances at him. His face lit up with every hit, every strike, every tiny victory. It was like watching a kid experience pure joy, and she wondered what it would be like to feel that way again—alive, in love with the small moments.
“See something you like?” Jonah asked, catching her staring, his lips curling into a knowing grin.
“Yup.” He blinked, looking a little surprised, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. She tapped the brim of his cap playfully. “I’m going to go buy a hat. Need anything?”
Table of Contents
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- Page 9
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- Page 13
- Page 14
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- Page 17
- Page 18
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- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28 (Reading here)
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
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- Page 43
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- Page 46