“Funny. Seems that Abigail and the Crazy Eights think something different.”
Shit.I run my hand over my head. “Look, Ruby, you don’t….”
“Don’t what? Don’t know what’s going on? Well, of course not. I’m kept out of the fucking loop every way this goes. But hey, now that we’ve slept together, maybe I can get some perks. That’s how it works, right? Sleep with a club brother and gain some knowledge? Well, go on. Tell me something I don’t know.”
I just look at her. I can understand her anger. It’s normal. What I can’t do? I can’t show her that what happened last night had an effect on me. Not till I know she felt something more than a dick inside her. What happened for me last night was life-altering. But for her? With the way she’s acting, it’s as if I’m just a notch on the bedpost. And forsomeone who used to live that life, I can’t say I’m happy about being on the other side of it for once.
“What? Nothing to share?” She huffs and turns away with a shake of her head. “Well, now that the ban of ‘no fucking the president’s daughter’ has been lifted, maybe I’ll find someone who has more to say, or is at least willing to fool around a bit for the right incentive.”
I’m on her before she can say another thing. My hands cage her in on the couch as I put one on each side of her head and lean down.
Fear coats her eyes for a second before she blinks and an easy smile lifts her lips.
“Oh, so youdohave something to say after all?”
“Don’t.” That’s all I’m going to say. Just one word. And it’s enough for her to drop her smile and glare. But I match it with my own.
She can be pissed. She can be petty and a bitch and get wild and crazy. Whatever the fuck she wants. But she willnotgo find another brother, or anyone, for that reason.
“Um….” A cough has me turning to see Natalie holding my phone out. “It kept ringing.”
As if on cue, it does it again. I look back at Ruby once more before pushing away and grabbing the phone to answer.
“Yeah?” I don’t check who it is, but I’ve got a feeling.
Casper’s voice comes in loud and clear. “Church. Now. Bring Ruby.”
Chapter 28—Ruby
“Get dressed,” he barks at me.
I just raise an eyebrow. “Get bent.”
Oh, he doesn’t like that. His whole body seems to inflate from the deep breath to… I don’t know. Calm down? He doesn’t seem calm. Not one little bit. Kind of like me.
Feeling like shit after a night out only means one thing: running till you throw up to teach yourself a lesson. At least, that was the plan. I rolled out of bed this morning, ignoring everything around me, including what was sticky on my legs. Gross, I know, but I just needed out. So I grabbed my running stuff and left. I should have brought music or something, but I was in such a rush to escape before anyone told me I couldn’t that I didn’t think.
I left Kooper naked in my bed and went running, pushing myself hard so I wouldn’t think so damn much. I didn’t want to do anything but focus on breathing. But my head hurt the entire time. So much that I was begging to throw up, but I didn’t. There was nothing in my stomach to do so.
So I pushed on, forgetting anything and everything. If I had timed myself, I might have gotten a new personal record out of it. But I left my watch at home in my rush.
When I got back, I was left staring at a glaring Kooper standing in my kitchen, with his shirt off and his jeans on but the top button unfastened.
A yummy sight for sure.
And then everything came rushing back. What happened last night. What happened at the hospital. My anger at everything I was hoping to avoid for as long as I could just surfaced unbidden. And no one else was around to let it out on, so he got it. And took it. And still I wanted to drag him close and climb him like a pole.
But I can’t do that. So I glare and tell him to fuck off. Something he doesn’t do. Typical.
“Casper called Church.”
“So?” How does that have anything to do with me? It never has before. One night of dicking—no matter how fantastic and amazing it was—doesn’t mean I’m riding on the back of his bike everywhere he goes. The guy’s whacked in the head if he thinks that.
“He wants you there too.”
This has my jaw dropping. Literally. “I’m not some damn dog who gets called into the house like a good little boy. Tell Casper to fuck off. I’m not part of the club, and he can’t tell me shit.”
“You’re either coming on your own, or I’m dragging you there. Figure it out while I shower.” He goes into my room and comes out a second later before heading into the bathroom. “And if you think for one goddamn second about running, I’ll chase you down and strap you to my damn bike.”
