AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, that was uncalled for.”
“I can’t let you make a snap decision like that.”
“Jeez.” I sip my iced coffee.
“Think about it for a while. We could start off with me showing you what it’s like to run a bar. Maybe you can help me update it a little? I’ll pay you for your time. And if you’re still interested after, we can talk about you buying it.”
She’s right. I probably should think about it longer than five minutes.
“All right, sounds like a plan.”
She nods. “Good. In the meantime, you need to talk to your dad.”
I frown. “I will.”
“Today.” She covers my hand with hers.
When I first met Ruby, I thought she was brash and somewhat cold, but she’s been kind to me in a motherly way. Though I’m not sure why, I’m not going to dissect it. I really need someone like her—who’s not invested in the outcome—on my side right now because I feel like I’m lost in the desert without water and no compass to tell me which way to go.
“Okay.” I nod.
“Even if you don’t tell him about your mom, he’s probably worried about you.”
I nod.
The door opens, and right on time, Rowan walks in wearing his shorts and T-shirt and carrying two iced coffees.
“Ha, I beat you to it today, Landry.” Ruby grabs my mug with the cold brew and holds it up.
That slow easy laugh of his rings throughout the empty bar, and a shiver runs along my spine. “This is her favorite,” he says, holding it out to me.
I accept it and put it on the bar next to the beer mug.
“Feeling a little competitive, are you?” she says.
“Ruby, I’m sure you’re great, but I have something you don’t.”
She shakes her head and shoos us away. “Go. I don’t want to hear it.” She pretends to cover her ears.
I finish my cold brew before picking up the iced coffee Rowan brought me. “Thanks again, Ruby. I’ll let you know.”
“Take your time, sweetie.”
We walk out of the bar and toward the security gate. Rowan enters the code, and once we’re behind the gate, it’s game on, our lips and hands all over one another. Seriously, the day we don’t do it for each other has to be coming soon, right? But today isn’t that day.
An hour later, Rowan is in the shower, and I’m lying alone in his bed. Ruby is right, I need to reach out to my dad. Like the chickenshit I am, I pull out my phone to text him.
Hey, Dad, how are you? Sorry I didn’t get back to you. Saw that you called a couple times.
His response will tell me whether or not Mom told him.
Work. Work. Work. Have a big case right now.
I’m sorry you’re working so much.
Mom told me you guys got into it and that she gave you an extended vacation. I wanted to check in.
My teeth mash together at her lie. It’s one lie on top of the other with her.
