Page 3 of Golden Ruin

Tiffany: Are we still even trying?

Her text came in hours ago. I’ve read it at least a dozen times and still don’t have an answer. Between an early-morning workout and the grand opening at the youth center, today’s been full, but… not so full that I couldn’t have responded.

The real issue’s been that I’m not sure I’m ready to say what my gut’s telling me to say.

“Fuck.” My head hits the headrest as the engine idles.

I watch a couple exit the bar hand-in-hand as Tiff’s voice echoes through my thoughts.

Are we still even trying?

When things were good, they were good. But the second she got in her head, the second she saw Lex and jealousy took hold, she lost sight of the future.

And that’s when everything went to shit.

Several of Pandora’s posts flash into my head. Knowing so much of the bullshit that fed the rumor mill came from Tiffany running her mouth to April Lawson… my stomach turns.

The hurt they caused.

The damage they caused.

I scroll through my texts, landing on one that actually settles my heart instead of making it race faster. A pic of a giant stuffed frog Jax sent from his mom’s phone a couple hours ago.

Lexi: Kiddo wouldn’t settle down until I texted. Apparently he thinks you need this big-ass frog to keep you safe. He says it has to stay on your bed.

Sterling: Damn. It’s huge.

Lexi: Yep, and it’s all yours now lol

Lexi: Anyway, he says good night. Just finished his bath and can hardly keep his eyes open.

Sterling: Tell him I love him.

Lexi: Will do. Night.

Sterling: Night.

I stare at the thread, knowing he’s been knocked out for a while now, but I swear that kid keeps me going. When he’s not with me, I’m looking forward to the next time we get to hang out.

Which, for the record, is never soon enough.

I’m back on Tiffany’s name, and I sigh, opening her message again. “Let’s just get this shit over with.”

Sterling: Sorry it’s taken a bit to get back to you. Your question made me think. Hell, maybe that alone means something.

That’s as far as I get before the phone rings in my hand. A name I’m not expecting to see at eleven P.M. flashes across the screen.

Benny, Lexi’s stepdad.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Sterling. Thank God you picked up.”

His voice sounds off. Like he’s out of breath.

“Everything okay?”

“No,” he strains through a choked sob. “Lexi… Jax… There was a fire.”