“We have an extra,” I say. “And all of our vehicles have RDU stickers on them since Alka takes different vehicles depending on the day and what he needs to cart around. You can borrow one. I’ll add you to our insurance.”
“We can talk aboutthatlater. Lix is coming. I’ll call you when I get back.”
“We’re really fucking happy you’re here, Ruby,” Alka says.
“Me too,” he agrees. “I’ll call you soon.”
“Soon,” we repeat.
The phone call ends with his quiet laughter. I exhale and close my eyes. “It feels really unfair that he’s so close, but we have a whole bunch of obstacles still in the way,” I complain.
“Yeah, I know, but this is different. He’shere, and that’s the most important. Everything else will fall into place. Even if that means I go out on sabbatical for a couple years until he graduates,” Alka says. “Or step down as coach until he graduates. I don’t know, but either way, he’s here. That’s the most important thing.”
I nod. Definitely. Everything will work out.
CHAPTER 23
ALKA
As much as we wanted Ruby to come over last night, he sounded exhausted by the time he got back to his room and finished unpacking. Then he still had to get ready for today, so he didn’t come over last night.
It makes my skin itch that he’s so close and I can’t touch him.
“How are we going to get him our extra car?” I ask as I shave.
Oscar’s leaning against the bathroom counter next to me. He’s still in pajama pants. Sometimes, I wish I’d made a different career choice. One where I didn’t have to leave the house or get out of my pajamas if I didn’t want to.
I mean, Oscar’s offered to let me be a stay-at-home husband. He’d gladly support me, but I think I’d get bored out of my mind. Besides, I really do love my job.
“Hmm,” Oscar answers as he watches me. “Soccer practice tonight, right?” I nod. “Maybe I can pick him up after. Although, we live close enough. I can just order him a Shuttled.”
A rideshare isn’t a bad idea. Very nondescript.
“Or,” he says, “I can pick him up in the car we’re going to let him use. He can tell anyone who might ask that the company he bought the car from is delivering it.”
“Ah. That’s a good idea. We should make sure it has an oil change and maintenance done before we give it to Ruby.” I gather water into my hands and splash it over my face to remove the remnants of my shaving cream. “I mean Roux.”
“He said we can call him Ruby.”
“Yes but I need to get in the habit of calling him Roux for school purposes.”
Oscar hums in acknowledgment, his head bobbing slightly. “What’s your plan there? I know you were up all night fretting over it.”
I drop the towel I spot dried my face with and give him a bemused look. “I don’t know. I’m going to talk to Harper, and… I think I don’t have a choice but to tell her the truth. Ithinkshe’ll keep it to herself, but… I may be fired before too long. At least then this won’t be an issue.”
“Except Ruby-Roux will feel guilty as fuck and think it’s his fault.”
I groan as I open my daily moisturizer. We’re quiet as I finish my morning routine by styling my hair then giving myself a light spray of cologne. I turn to Oscar.
He smiles and takes me in his arms. “It’s going to work out.”
“Are you saying that because you want it to or because you believe it?”
“Both,” he answers.
I sigh, letting myself relax into him. I hope that’s the case. It’s easy to say I want this so badly that I’m making it feel more significant than it is, but there’s something inside me that insists this time is different. Ruby—I mean Roux—is different. Everything about this time is different, and I need to fight for this chance together.
“Okay. Good. You keep manifesting good energy today since I’m going to be a bit panicky until I talk to Harper and see if she’s willing to keep my secret and support this.”
