We’re quiet for a moment, and then he sits up straighter.
“Well, they can’t hide forever.Wolf Valley is small, so we’re bound to run into them soon.Then we’ll make them see reason,” he says, sounding so confident.
I wish I felt as confident about his plan as he does, but I know Ruby.She’s not going to be that easy to convince.
Still, I’m not giving up that easily.
EIGHT
Ruby
Leaving town was impulsive,but I think I needed it.I needed space and time to get my head on straight and think about what I wanted to do now.I was feeling good about my decision, but as I drive back to Wolf Valley, I’m starting to feel anxious all over again.
I’ve spent the last two weeks dodging Ransom’s calls.The only people that I had contacted when I left were Cameron and Ford.I told them that there was an emergency and I was going to be out of town for a little bit.Ford must have told Ransom because after that phone call, Ransom sent me twice as many texts and calls.
He hasn’t stopped trying to get ahold of me, and I know he’s going to be all over me as soon as I get back to town.
I straighten my shoulders and drive past the Wolf Valley town sign.I’m going to tell Ransom that our night together was fun but that it can’t go any further.I know he’s probably not going to take that well, but I’m sure that after a few days of me ignoring him, he’ll get the message and leave me alone.
I hope.
I drive past the diner, and my heart lodges in my throat when I see Ransom’s bike out front.I speed up, hoping he didn’t see me in my old car as I drive past.Maybe he won’t even recognize my car.It’s not like I ever really drive it since I can walk everywhere in Wolf Vallery.
A minute later, a motorcycle engine roars to life, and I see Ransom peel out of the Nosh parking lot after me.
“Crap.”
I try to calm my racing heart, drying my palms off on my jeans as I pull into my driveway and turn my car off.I knew that avoiding him was going to be impossible in this small town, but I thought I had a little more time before he came around.Ransom is already climbing off his bike and I sigh as he opens my car door for me.
“Where have you been?Why haven’t you been answering your phone?Jesus, Ruby!You’ve scared the crap out of me the last two weeks,” he scolds me.
“Oh, sorry.I was just taking some time to myself to relax.I’ve been working so much lately and was starting to get burnt out, you know?”I ask him, trying to play it casual.
Stick to the plan!I tell myself.Just pretend like nothing special happened between you two.
That’s easier said than done.Just being near him has my whole body tingling.My body aches for him, and I wish I could lean against him.
Ransom scowls down at me, and I know that I’m pissing him off with my vague answers.
“Am I expected to believe that?You snuck out of my place and then just disappeared.I know that the two were connected,” he snaps at me, and I lean back against my car, trying to appear unbothered.
“You’re right, they were.I went home with you to try to blow off some steam.I just wanted to have some fun.It didn’t quite work, though, so I decided to take a little vacation.”
“Blow off some steam?”He snarls, and I nod.
“Yeah, I thought that we were on the same page.That night, well, it was just a fling, Ransom.A one-night stand.”
“Like hell it was,” he growls at me, and I smile.
“It was to me anyway,” I say with a shrug.
“Ruby, don’t do this,” he pleads with me.
“I’m not doing anything.”
I can feel my mask starting to crack, and I know that I need to get away from him before I break.
“I’ve got to get going.I need to get caught up on laundry and all of that and then I have to work in a little bit.”
