Page 214 of Show Me

“Thank you for the update.”

He folds his arms. “You want Ruby here.”

I stop. Don't need the office manager back. Not miss having her around. Ruby. “Yes.”

Dad actually looks surprised.

I scrub a hand over my face. “I want Ruby.” Saying it out loud hurts like hell.

“You know she’s safe?”

“Yeah. I trust Jake and the girls.”

“Then give her the space she asked for.”

My jaw tightens.

Dad studies me. “And maybe stop driving around town checking on every man you think might've hurt her.”

I look at him.

His eyebrows rise. “You think I don't know my own son?”

Shit.

“Jesus, Xavier.” His expression shifts. “You’re gone over that girl.”

I grab my keys again. “I need to get to the job site.”

“That's not a denial.”

No. It isn't. And I don't bother giving him one.

Chapter One Hundred Thirteen

Xavier

By six that night, I’d checked Brent’s neighborhood four times. Which is insane. I know it’s insane. But every time I try to go home, I see Ruby bleeding beside the fence. Hear her telling me she’s not mine to worry about.

So I keep driving and only stop at the gas station near Main after nearly landing in a ditch. With any luck, coffee will see me through the fifth time around Brent’s neighborhood.

“Xavier.”

Lindsey stands near the coolers, energy drink in hand. Of course. “What?”

Her eyebrows rise. “Friendly.”

There’s no stopping the muscle twitch in my jaw as I grind my teeth together. I could spend the rest of my life never speaking to Lindsey again. “Not in the mood.”

“I heard Ruby is still hiding out somewhere.”

My jaw tightens even more, which should be scientifically impossible. But hearing Ruby’s name coming out of Lindsey’s mouth has me seeing red. “She’s recovering.”

“It’s been almost two weeks.” Irritation edges into her voice. “She left. Why are you still losing your mind over her?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re acting like she’s the center of your damn world.”