“You can stay here, but you’re in a guest room down in the basement.I don’t want to see you if I don’t have to.Memphis can bring you down anything to eat or drink.This is my personal space and I won’t have you taint it with bullshit.That means if you go out, don’t bring your fuck buddies back here tomyhome.I don’t give a shit what you do, just stay away from me,” I tell him before turning to Memphis.“You know where the guest rooms are down there.Make sure he’s away from the studio because I don’t know if I’ll be in there today.I have a few songs to write for an artist.”
Memphis nods his head, gives me a kiss on the top of mine, and takes Camden down to the basement where I have two guest rooms and my recording studio.I make my way into the kitchen where I pour a large glass of juice and make two sandwiches for Memphis and me.I’m not sure if he’s hungry or not, but he’ll eat it because I made it for him.Hopefully he doesn’t mind running to get groceries with me today.I’m running out of everything and Bridger could use more baby food, cereal, diapers, and a few more things.
“I’m sorry about him,” Memphis says, walking back up to find me in the kitchen.“I really tried to get rid of him.Even called Jagger to call him off, but he thought it was a good idea for him to come given the current situation.”
“It’s okay.As long as he stays the hell away from me, I’ll be okay.I’m over him.I was over him the second I realized he was lying to me.You know that’s the one thing I can’t stand despite the fact that I do it on a regular basis since no one here knows I’m Ruby,” I tell him, sliding a plate with his sandwich across the island.
“It’s not the same thing, Keaton.Your Ruby persona is to protect your identity when you’re not on tour or doin’ somethin’ else business related.It gives you the freedom to come home and be yourself without bein’ bombarded by fans.That’s not a lie, it’s safety.Not just for you either.Your parents won’t be harassed by people who know Ruby when they’re trying to work or live their lives.They aren’t the famous ones in the family, you are,” Memphis tells me as I look at him with a small smile.
“I really missed you,” I say before taking a bite of my chicken sandwich so I don’t have to say anything else.
While we’re eating, my phone rings and I see someone from Whittaker's is calling me.I quickly swallow my food and answer the phone.
“Is this Keaton?”a male voice asks me and I immediately know it’s not Judge.
“Yes, it is,” I respond as Memphis finishes his sandwich and grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“This is Tristan from Whittaker’s.Your car is ready to be picked up.We replaced the fuel pump, drove it to the gas station and filled the tank back up, then went for a short ride around town to ensure it wouldn’t die on you again.We also made sure there wasn’t anythin’ else wrong with the car.You can pick it up whenever you’re ready.Do you need a ride here?”he asks me as I smile at the thoughtfulness from this guy I’ve barely met as Keaton.
“Thank you so much.I have someone here who can bring me over to pick it up.Does anytime today work?The baby is sleeping right now and I’d rather not wake him up,” I return as Memphis stands up straighter to hear what’s going on.
“Anytime today is perfect.If you need one of us to stay here late, just let us know and we’ll be here for you,” he says before hanging up the phone and I let out a small laugh despite the pain shooting through my heart from having any kind of fun response to something.
“What’s goin’ on?”Memphis asks me as he moves around the island to stand closer to me.
“My car is ready to be picked up.When Bridger wakes up from his nap, can we go grab it and then head to get groceries?I don’t really have anything to eat here now that you’re back for a visit,” I ask my best friend as he smiles down at me.
“Of course we can.Are you gonna change your clothes before we head out?”he questions me, pulling the shoulder of the tank top while smirking at me.
“Nope,” I tell him, popping the ‘p’ as I move to finish eating my sandwich.
I eat and move to the living room with Memphis where he starts to help me work on the songs I need to write.He plays the one I’ve already started on his guitar while I play the keyboard I bought years ago for this very reason.I don’t have any lyrics yet, but Memphis helps me work out the bridge and chorus section so I can start thinking of the lyrics for this ballad.Memphis answers some emails and watches videos on his phone while I start the tedious process of writing songs.It’s not always easy.Especially right now when I’m still so deep in my grief.Life goes on though, and I have to honor Nora by living it.It doesn’t mean I have to have fun or anything else, but I do have to get up each day and put one foot in front of the other one.I have to raise Bridger the way I know she’d want me to and continue working every day.
Chapter Thirteen
Ice
