“He’s important to you, and I can’t stand him,” I finally said.
“He lives in Helena. You’re not dating him.”
“But he’s right.”
She drew back. “About what?”
“Your age.” My nepotism. What we had in common. I was her boss. Other than fucking, what was there? I was proving her dick weasel of a dad right.
Her eyes misted over. “You’re just not going to get over that? You’re not going to try?”
I stuffed a hand through my hair. My glasses hung limp in my other hand. Perhaps it was best not to see the fallout clearly. “This wasn’t meant to be. We should’ve stuck with the fake dating.”
“Youkissedme.” Her voice shook. “I like you, but I was prepared to walk away. I knew you wouldn’t be interested. And then you shared yourself with me... and—and the book scene...” Red crept up her face. “Youledmeon. I kept thinking it was a dream, a fantasy, but I trusted you.”
I flinched. She was right. About it all. I couldn’t stay away from her. The weakness was me. “You deserve better.”
She stomped her foot. “That’s not for you to decide.” She fisted her hands at her sides. “I’m very much an adult. You showed me what you thought I deserved, and I thought it was you. Now you’ll let an old bully who talks shit for his hobby ruin this?”
“He’s your dad.”
“I can’t change that.”
“I wentto schoolwith him.” Forget about him being my tormentor. We’d had some of the same classes. It was how he’d managed to find me and make fun of whatever I was doing, saying, or wearing.
She clenched her teeth and looked away, her eyes shining. Several moments of heavy silence passed between us. Guilt hung heavy on my shoulders. I should’ve never kissed her. I should have kept my dirty hands to myself. If I had, I wouldn’t be left knowing exactly what I was missing.
“You’re right,” she finally said and sniffled. “You set out to show me what a good boyfriend should be like.” She waggled her finger between us. “And this isn’t it. I do deserve better. I deserve a guy who adores me. A guy who would fight for me and not just... give up. A guy who will at least travel outside city limits for me.”
I flinched like she’d slapped me. Her words hit dead center of my chest.
“I knew you were holding back. That you didn’t want to want me, and that’s just... that’s justrude. You said I should have a guy who’s tripping over himself to be with me. Yet you’re clotheslining yourself to stay away.” She shook her head and her ponytail flung around. “I deserve so much better. I kept telling myself you’re not Brock.”
“I’m not like him.”
“And I’m not Katrina. Or my dad! But you’re acting like I am.” Her laughter was full of scorn. “And you’re using it as an excuse to string me along. I. Deserve. Better.” Tears spilled over her eyes and down her cheeks. “Goodbye, Tenor.”
Panic filled my chest, pressing into my ribs. It couldn’t be over.
Hadn’t I just declared it was? “Ruby?—”
She made a disgusted noise and slammed into her car. She started the engine and whipped out of the parking lot, leaving me alone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Tenor
I set my laptop on the conference room desk and slumped into my chair.
Teller was at the head of the table, watching me. “Who pissed in your Wheaties?”
I grunted and flipped the computer open.
Teller steepled his fingers, his attention on me, but I ignored him.
For two nights, I’d barely slept. Yesterday, I hadn’t talked to anyone. I was grateful Cruz and Lane were still out of town. I could do chores in the morning by myself. The horses and goats didn’t ask why I was in a shitty mood when I threw their flakes of hay over the fence. The chickens liked being spoiled by me, but otherwise ignored me, and that was just fine.
Tate and Summer entered. I didn’t have to look up. The tension in the air was palpable. I could practically hear them glancing back and forth, communicating with their expressions, but I didn’t care.
