I start walking toward it, but I’m not even at the sidewalk before the engine comes on and the car speeds off down the street, its headlights off.
I watch as it turns left at the end, before disappearing around the corner.
I glance back to where it was parked, the street now empty. I can hear the pounding of my heart in my ears, my breathing a little ragged as I try to decide if I’m overreacting to something as simple as a car driving down the street.
It could’ve been anyone sitting in the car, for any reason.
Maybe they were on a call or checking something on their phone before driving off.
But as much as I want to believe that, somewhere, deep inside me is a tiny feeling of doubt. A feeling that tells me this was more than that.
Exhaling, I shove a hand through my hair before turning and walking inside. The house is in darkness, the TV off and when I walk into Ruby’s room, she’s lying on her stomach on the bed, her knees bent and ankles crossed as she reads a book.
“Hey,” I say, immediately feeling better for seeing her. I walk over, leaning down to press a kiss to her lower back, just above her panties where her tank has ridden up.
“Hey,” she says, rolling over so she’s lying on her back, looking up at me, a smile on her face.
I hover over her, my arms on either side of her body. “No movie tonight?”
Her smile widens as she hooks a finger in the neck of my t-shirt and pulls me closer. “I kinda had something else in mind,” she whispers, before kissing me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ruby
I have a ton of work to do for my classes as the semester winds down. It’s nearly December and I’m sure my parents will want me home for Christmas too. The thought of leaving Caleb isn’t appealing and I wonder if he’d be able to get some time off to come up to Lake Tahoe with me, spend some time meeting my family and going skiing.
He grew up very differently than I did and it might be nice for him to get away and relax. Something he rarely gets to do now that he’s managing the bar. His schedule has changed too, and there are now nights that he’s off, which has made for some interesting sneaking around on our part.
Sienna and Reid are both onto us and it’s kind of funny watching them stalk us, waiting for us to slip up and do something that screams we are a couple. There’s also no way they haven’t heard us in my bedroom because we can certainly hear them.
My stomach growls and I look at the clock. It’s after seven and I’m obviously starving, but I’m trying to wait for Sie and Reid to get home so we can plan something for dinner. I shoot her a quick text to see where she is and when they plan to be home. It’s not like we had plans or anything, but sometimes I get tired of eating alone.
Me: Hey. Where are you?
Sienna: Just met Reid after football and we’re going to grab something to eat. You okay?
Me: Yeah, fine. I’m starving and was waiting for you to get home.
Sienna: Work up an appetite today, hmm?
Me: What’s that supposed to mean?
Sienna: Getting a lot of exercise is all I’m saying.
Me: Whatever
Sienna: Want to have dinner tomorrow?
Me: Yep.
Sie and I were always on different schedules during the week so this isn’t anything unusual. She likes to go to bed early and I’m generally up late. It was the weekend when we’d spend most of our time together at parties or the bar, but even that has died down in recent months. I think we’ve both grown tired of it and with her relationship with Reid dividing our time, this is just how things played out. It doesn’t mean we aren’t still close or that I don’t adore her. This is just how things change as we age and find that what was once important no longer is.
My guess is once Sie finds out about Caleb and me, double dates will become the norm and she’ll be squealing with joy. She sees the change in him already, but I’m sure she’s internally questioning whether it’s moving to California that’s helping him or if he’s definitely hooking up with me. I like to think it’s a combination of both.
I pull open the fridge and stare at it for a few seconds before closing the door. A moment later I open it again in the hopes that it will suddenly contain something I want to eat, but my plan fails. Same shit as before.
Flinging the door shut, I let out a bored and annoyed sigh as I grab my ID and some cash and walk down to the bar to see Caleb. I’ll grab something to eat there and cure my boredom by people watching and chatting with him until he gets off.
I walk in and find the place busier than I expected for a random weeknight, but I’m also not surprised. Caleb has worked really hard to bring new drink specials and food choices to the menu, and their advertising has also helped.
He always knew he had a talent in managing and running a bar, but never really got to showcase it with his family bar. He was thrust into an already failing business, plagued with a bad reputation, mounting debt and the fear of losing his life just like his father. What he has now is so far beyond that and it seems like he’s starting to put all of that behind him.
I pull out an empty seat at the far end of the bar and sit down. Taking a menu from the holder I begin to scan it to see if there’s anything new I’d like to try. I settle on the brisket tacos and a beer just as Adam walks up.
“Looking for your mate?” he asks, his accent heavy and like always it holds that flirty quality. Hard to believe a guy who looks like him doesn’t have every girl in this place pressed up against the bar vying for his attention.
He’s muscular and tall with tattoos covering his arms and peeking out from the collar of his t-shirt. His accent alone should be a draw, but he has these deep green eyes that are so unique you can’t help but look at them. He’s not someone I would be interested in, but I’m certain he’s Mila’s type— dangerous and hard to pin down.
“My mate?” I say back, wondering if in this case mate means boyfriend and Caleb has gone public with our relationship.
Adam snickers a little, his lips quirking up into a reserved smile as he shakes his head. “Your friend? Your buddy? Caleb?”
“You hitting on my girl again, mate?” Caleb’s voice says, a bit of a mocking tone and the mimic of Adam’s accent coming through as he makes his way down the hallway that comes from the stockroom and kitchen. He knows Adam isn’t a threat to what we have. Honestly, no one is.
“Oh, so now she’s your girl? That’s new, but not unexpected,” Adam responds, smirking at Caleb. It’s a smirk that could definitely be used to draw in girls from all around and I watch as Adam winks at me making me laugh.
“I had to make sure I got to her before you did,” Caleb retorts, facetiously glaring at him. “You’re supposed to be working, by the way, not flirting with Ruby. Have you even taken her order?”
Adam leans forward, his elbows now resting on the bar. “What can I get you?” he trills, his words playful.
“I’ll have the brisket tacos and whatever beer is on special.”
Adam now looks over at Caleb and then back at me asking, “Can I see an ID?”