I’d been a fairly happy man even through the years alone, but Ruby made me feel alive and maybe one day she’d also make me feel something I never had before.
Complete.
ChapterEight
RUBY
I hada lot on my mind.
Another week had passed by and I still hadn’t called the lady back who’d left me the vague voicemail. I’d been busy with work, a modeling session mid-week, and I’d also been a little mopey at the fact I’d only seen Lyric once when he’d come over again for dinner.
Before he’d left we had exchanged a few kisses outside and I’d found myself wanting his lips on mine all the time. That thought had my body heating up but I couldn’t deny I was also scared. People left and I didn’t know that I was enough to make anyone want to stay.
How could I risk my heart?
But how could I not?
Lyric was hard to stay away from. He kissed like there may be no tomorrow, had the body of a God and was breathtakingly handsome. He also sang like an angel and a rock star all mixed into one and was an all-around good guy.
When he called me baby, sweetheart, or even Red, I went to mush.
My heart was already invested and keeping it from breaking if one day he walked out of my life would be impossible.
Another thing about the man was he was pushy when he needed to be but not at other times. And for that I was thankful. He’d asked me before he left if I wanted to call back the number and see what the lady had contacted me about. Again, I brushed it aside and he let it go.
But as a few more days passed, the call sat in the back of my mind and festered like a splinter under my skin. And so I decided it was time.
Only I didn’t want to do it alone.
I shot off a text to the one person I wanted by my side when I returned the call.
Ruby: Are you busy later?
Asking for help didn’t come easy for me but it had worked out since walking intoNo Surrender.Not only had Lyric been ingrained into my life over the last several weeks, but I’d gotten to know the other guys too, along with their ladies.
Nerves consumed me when no reply came.
I reminded myself Lyric was at work and was probably busy. He and I spent time texting as well as talking when our schedules allowed. But I was trying not to read too much into what that meant.
I bustled around my room trying to get ready for lunch. I was meeting up with some of the women and although I was a little nervous, I was excited too. While I went to lunches, dinners, and even parties, they always had to do with my modeling job. It was business and that was it because I hadn’t allowed myself to get close to many people.
Why was I doing that now?
Something about the group of men and women I met fromNo Surrendertouched a different chord with me. They seemed different and I immediately felt some sort of connection. It was odd, especially for me. And Lyric was in a class of his own.
I was rummaging through my closet looking for something to wear when my phone chimed with a text. Abandoning what I was doing, I moved to my dresser and snatched my cell phone up. And smiled at Lyric’s reply.
Lyric: I was about to ask you the same thing, but to answer your question, I’m free as a bird. What’s up?
Another thing I didn’t do was ask Lyric to spend time with me. Unsure of how to go about voicing that I wanted to see him, I always had just waited for him to take the initiative if he wanted to come over. And while I did want to see him, right then, I felt bad I was asking because I needed help again. But truth be told, I always wanted to be around the man.
Ruby: Well, I was thinking it was time for me to return the phone call and I was hoping you would do it with me?
I held my breath once again waiting for his reply and the air I’d been holding swooshed out of me when he messaged back.
Lyric: I will be there. Just tell me when and where you want me.
My flirtatious side made an appearance, and before I could stop myself, I fired off a text of exactly what I was thinking.
