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“Joy!” Ruby exclaimed as she wiggled her way down Tex’s legs to the ground. “Joy! Joy!”

Everyone chuckled as she made a beeline for me. I scooped her up, smiling at her enthusiasm. “Hey, girlie. Did you miss me?”

“Park,” she said.

“Ah, you only love me for my park trips.” I nodded. “That tracks.”

I’d taken Ruby over to the trailer park playground a couple of times to give Hollywood a break. Apparently, she associated me with fun times.

“I was getting worried I was about to be replaced as the favorite,” Tex said.

I carried Ruby to an empty seat on the other side of the fire and sat down. “Yeah, not happening.”

This little girl adored Tex. He’d only been living with Hollywood and Ruby for a few weeks, but he’d already become a second father to her.

Knight’s gray-and-white Boston terrier, Biscuit, trotted over and sniffed at my shoes, then my knee and into my crotch. I pushed his nosy face away, and he returned to Knight, apparently satisfied with his investigation.

“How are you doing, Joy?” Knight asked. “We heard you got a little surprise at the rehab center.”

So, we were just diving right into it, huh? This was why I’d been avoiding everyone.

I stared into the fire rather than make eye contact and shrugged a shoulder. “I’m fine. I’m the one who got to walk away from the accident, so…”

“Doesn’t mean you’re not hurting,” Knight said. “And if you are, we’re all here for you. Hollywood said you were pretty shaken up.”

“Holly shouldn’t be blabbing my business.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “When you didn’t show for the meeting yesterday, they were worried. We’re all here for you.”

“Yeah, well.”

What was there to say? That I didn’t want them to be there for me? That I wasn’t worth the effort?

“Joey,” Hollywood said, sounding like he was tiptoeing over eggshells. “We just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Stop worrying about me!” My voice came out sharper than I’d intended, and Ruby flinched. Shit. I rubbed her back, softening my tone. “Sorry, baby. I’m not mad at you. No, I never could be. You’re the best.”

I kissed the crown of her head. Ruby patted my face, as if to say she understood, then climbed off my lap. I couldn’t blame her. I was not the fun park playmate tonight.

She stopped by Knight, who looked nervous, then plopped down next to Biscuit and laid her head against his side.

“Aw. Adorable.” Aiden’s voice came out of the dark. He must have left his car at his place and walked over.

He crossed the lot, dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, hair looking freshly washed. He’d probably just gotten off work at the hospital.

Knight brightened. “Hey, Angel. Come sit on me.”

“Whoa, there’s a child present,” Tex joked.

“Hilarious.” Aiden perched on Knight’s knee, leaning in for a quick kiss. “So, what did I miss?”

“We were just trying to talk to Joyride about what happened at the rehab center.”

“That must have been rough.” Aiden turned, voice soft. “How are you holding up?”

I groaned. “No one needs to worry about me, okay? I’m fine. I’m the one who fucked up. I don’t deserve pity.”

“If anyone’s throwing a pity party, it’s you,” Knight said bluntly.