Page 44 of Royal Desire

When I don’t say anything, her brows pinch. “Payne⁠—”

“Yes, I’ll go to the dance with you.” I spit the words out so fast I can barely keep up with myself. “And you’re my girlfriend now.”

Her eyes flare.

Shit.

“I mean, will you be my girlfriend? I promise, I’ll kiss you better next time.”

A smile spreads across her pretty face. I’m afraid my heart might explode out of my football pads.

“Yes.”

“Yes,” I echo, because I sort of can’t believe it. I thought there was a chance she’d kick me in the shin. “I mean, cool. Cool-cool.”

She shocks me and surges up. Her lips hit mine with a force, but her kiss is quick and loud, ending with a smack. “It took you long enough to ask.”

My eyes widen this time. “What?”

“I’ve been waiting for, like, ever.”

I puff my chest out with pride, because she’s as into me as I am her. I hardly remember a time when she wasn’t front and center in my existence.

“Cool.” Fuck, I am lame. I need a new word.

“Let’s go home so I can tell Grandma and Mom.”

I fall in beside her when she starts down the sidewalk again and take the chance to do something I’ve been wanting to do for years. I grab her hand and don’t let go.

I’m holding Ruby’s hand, and it means something it never has before.

Ruby looks from our hands up to me. I’ve seen every emotion on this girl, but I’ve never seen this one.

When we get to her door, it’s unlocked like usual after school. She calls for her family as she pushes through.

“Mom, Grandma! Guess what?” She’s barely into the house when I almost run her over because she stops with no warning.

Her grandma is sitting in the corner rocking Ruby’s new baby brother. He was born about six months ago, but he has a different dad than Ruby. Blake is asleep, but Ms. Sinclair looks like she’s been crying. Her face is swollen, her eyes are red, and everything on her is puffy.

Ruby gasps. “What’s wrong?”

Ms. Sinclair sniffles and bounces Ruby’s brother in her arms. “I don’t know how else to tell you this, Ruby, so I’m just going to say it. Your mama and Buck left.”

I hold onto Ruby’s hand tighter. Buck is Bess’s boyfriend and Blake’s dad.

Ruby is confused. “What do you mean they left? Where’d they go?”

Ms. Sinclair shakes her head and tears stream down her face. “I don’t have the energy to sugarcoat it, child. When I got home from work after lunch, Blake was alone and crying in his bed. There was a note saying she and Buck were done. They want their freedom to live their lives. They left. They left you and baby Blake and me. I don’t think they’re coming back. I don’t know what to do, Ruby. I have no idea what to do.”

Ruby turns around and throws herself into my padded chest.

And she bursts into tears.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

Payne