Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ruby
I perched on a camp chair beside Tenor. His frame was folded into a red chair, and he had his elbows on his knees. Next to him was Summer’s husband, Jonah. On my other side was Mae. Gideon and Myles were beside her. Like Tenor, the guys all wore boots, jeans, and a simple T-shirt. It was like I’d gotten plunked in the middle of a hot-country-boy photo shoot.
I wore another skirt. I wasn’t working the bar, but I couldn’t help myself. I got a few more days to pretend Tenor was my boyfriend. This was more of a fun day with a friend. Tenor had felt bad when he’d learned I was alone for the holiday. That was all.
Tate’s two younger kids were riding on the Bailey Beef float with his wife. Gideon had a ball cap pulled down low and he held Sawyer, their baby girl. Autumn rushed down the sidewalk and took the chair he’d packed for her and set up beside him. She beamed at her husband and kid. My heart wrenched. She looked so happy, so content. And the sizzling burn in Gideon’s eyes when he looked at his wife was straight out of one of my romance novels.
Then there was Myles. He was as smitten with his daughter and baby boy as he was with his wife. Wynter had been behind Autumn, but she didn’t sit in the empty chair next to Myles. She perched on his lap next to her daughter while holding a swaddled Devon. Myles wrapped a possessive arm around her hip while still clutching Elsa.
Tenor clapped his hands at Elliot. The boy reached across Jonah for his uncle. Tenor snapped him up and set him on his thigh. Elliot played with his hat, his round face full of concentration.
I was toast.
Wanting Tenor when he was a single man who was dedicated to his family was one thing. Starting to wonder what it’d be like to do more with him—like get married and have a family—was a dangerous road to go down.
He’d built his house to accommodate a bachelor. Not a family.
I wanted Tenor, but wanting everything with him, when he’d shown no signs of desiring any of that in return, only proved I wasn’t fit to keep pretending. I’d have fun today. Then I’d have to let reality bitch-slap me in the face tomorrow.
My phone started buzzing. I checked the screen. Mom.
There was the reality I needed. I was my own worst enemy at getting strung along. Even my parents had other people they wanted to hang out with.
The parade was set to begin in ten minutes. “Excuse me.” I rose. Tenor gave me a look that asked if everything was okay. I waved my phone. “Mom’s calling.”
He nodded as his nephew pried his ball cap sideways.
“Hi, Mom,” I answered as I scurried to the mouth of an alley that went behind the coffee shop. All the floats and emergency vehicles were lined up and waiting for the go-ahead a little over a block away.
“Hey, Ruby. How’s it going?”
“Good. I’m in Bourbon Canyon.”
“Oh.” She sounded surprised. “Is it getting serious with this guy?”
“No, but he knew I was alone for the holiday.” I hadn’t intended to point that out to Mom. She’d lived her life tethered to me, and I was an adult now.
“You need friends. And not Cara.”
I chuckled. “She’s on her honeymoon and I doubt she’ll be inviting me to house parties anytime soon.” Leave it to Mom to hit on the crux of my issues. I was lonely. I’d never had a big network. I needed friends.
I peeked out at the line of Baileys waiting for the parade to start. The other members of the family would wave to us as they coasted by in their trucks with the floats or from horseback. My empty chair waited between Tenor and Mae.
For once, I wasn’t so alone.
“Are you home?” I could get together with her tomorrow since I was leaving after the parade.
Unless Tenor asked me to stay longer.
“Actually, no. Daniel and I want to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail.”
“Oh, wow. Isn’t that the one from that movie?”
“Yes.” Mom’s voice pitched up. “It’s going to be epic. Just me and Daniel. If we come out of this still talking, it’s going to be amazing.”
Since Mom usually went on long trips just to shake a partner, it would be amazing. I wouldn’t worry about rushing home, then. “Well, be safe.”
“Did your dad get ahold of you?”
“Yeah. He wants to meet for some tennis.”
“He called me too, and I told him you’re seeing someone.”
I grimaced. “How’d he take it?”
“A little upset, but I didn’t give him any details. Told him it was new and you weren’t talking about much. I didn’t even tell him you’re spending a lot of time in Bourbon Canyon.”
“Thank you.” Dad was hard on the guys I dated. He said he knew what he’d been like and didn’t trust them with his daughter.
When I’d started dating my first boyfriend in college, Dad had somehow known about the guy’s juvenile record. He acted like I’d been writing the guy in prison and jumped him as soon as he got released. Before he’d met Brock, Dad had told me Brock’s parents were in financial trouble with their company and I’d better not marry him. The first time I’d gone out with Brock after a “break,” Dad had asked if I wanted him to slash Brock’s tires.
Sometimes, he could be a really good dad. Sometimes.
“He’s trying to recruit me for a doubles game,” Mom said. “Wants to meet your new man.”
Crap. Mom tempered Dad. He was on his best behavior around her. But there was no new man. “He wants to smear my new man’s face all over the tennis court.” I let out a long breath. How did I work around this? I needed to start laying the groundwork. If all else failed, I’d tell Mom the real story and she could help me fend off Dad. “If you’re going to be along, then I’ll ask Tenor if he’s up for it, but he’s pretty busy.”
So busy, and then it’d be too late. We’d have broken up. I’d make sure to sound regretful when I broke the news to my parents.
“Daniel and I won’t be back until the end of the month. Any time after that.”
I’d have plenty of time to come up with an innocuous reason why we hadn’t worked out. Dad might still demand to know who my guy had been, but I’d deal with that later. “Okay.”
“Sounds good, peanut. Happy Fourth!”
I slipped out of the alley. The beginning of the parade was approaching my group.
My group.
I loved hearing from Mom, but today, her call was a reminder that while she loved me, I wasn’t who she wanted to hang out with. Not unless I got a pair of hiking shoes and could keep up with her. I had tried once. I’d sworn I had developed asthma and couldn’t finish without an inhaler. Then I’d been convinced I’d had altitude sickness. It was why I was never invited now.
I tucked my phone away, glad not to be home alone while Mom and her boyfriend of the month ran off. Drums from the high school’s band filled the air. I stayed standing with everyone else until the flag passed, then I sat.
“How’s your mom?” Tenor asked. Elliot was back on Jonah’s lap and snoozing through the band.
“Planning an even bigger hiking trip.”
His mouth quirked. “Living the dream, huh?”
“Now that she’s able to.” I waved to Summer from where she was perched on the Copper Summit float by a set of mini silver stills. Copper-colored fringe lined the trailer bed. Jenna tossed out special gummy candies that looked like tiny bottles of bourbon. Teller drove the pickup, lifting his hand every few feet to wave.
I snapped photos of the float, the candy, and the people. I caught Teller in a wave, Jenna midthrow, and Summer among the stills. With the movement, I was grateful I had a phone. Wynter and I had discussed always using a phone instead of calling on my rudimentary photography skills. Polished authenticity. I hoped I could use some of these to show how amazing the brand was, even with some of the shine.
In fact, I preferred it without the gloss. The Bailey family and their employees were pretty damn spectacular all on their own. They were the reason for the high-quality product.
The Bailey Beef float rolled past us. The trailer had a giant brown cow on the back. Square straw bales lined the edges. Tate’s kids, Brinley and Darin, waved from a bale cove and Scarlett tossed candy. Tate gave his mom a little salute from the driver’s seat.
As I took more pictures, a wave of wistfulness crashed over me. The Baileys were such a big family, yet they spent so much time together. They weren’t just related, they were friends.
Once, after Mom had married Bill, I’d asked her when she was having more kids. She’d guffawed. I already gave up my life once. I’m not doing it again when I’m so close to the finish line.
That had stung.
Mae waved one of the little American flags that the grocery store employees were handing out as they walked by the float with a giant paper bag of groceries. A handful of candy was tossed at us, and she laughed.
“You know they’re my favorite, Alma,” she called to the woman tossing goodies.
Mae glanced at the ground between us, then at me. “The apple flavor is my favorite. Go ahead—before the kids find it.”
I found the little wrapped candies that had landed by her water bottle. I tried to hand it to her, but she waved it away. “I’ll sneak some from the kids.” She winked. “The grandma tax.”
I grinned and unwrapped the apple taffy. “It’s been forever since I’ve had one.”
“We’ll get you more.” She threw up an arm. “Hey, Macy. Buddy,” she called to the couple walking behind the hardware store float.
Another handful of candy was tossed our way. It clattered onto the sidewalk at my feet. A mix of mints and fruit taffies. Mae gestured to the candy and I picked it up. I offered her some first.
She took an apple-flavored piece and winked. “Since there’s extra.”
I turned to Tenor and held out a handful of treats. “Your mom’s peddling sugar.”
“She’ll make sure you leave loaded if you want.” He jutted his chin toward the small group of kids holding a local dance group banner. The parents were cruising around with pails of candy, tossing handfuls. “She’s already hitting them up.” He leaned over the arm of his camp chair. “It’s so she can take some without looking like she’s really the one who wants it.”
Grinning, I tucked the candy in the cupholder in the armrest and took out one of the mints. I unwrapped it and popped it into my mouth.
More floats rolled by. More candy was thrown and collected, and I had more fun. Mae would tell me little tidbits. The dance group was run by a family who’d moved here a few years ago. The bank president drove the pickup hauling the bank’s float, and he reserved the tasting room at Copper Summit every year for the Christmas party. She even introduced me to the mayor as she cruised by with small fliers that had beef sticks taped to them.
The end of the parade was in sight. I had no idea it’d be this long for such a small town. My happiness diminished little by little. It’d be time to go. There was no big gathering at Mae’s place, at least not one I was invited to. Everyone would go their separate ways to hang out with family and friends. I’d return to my empty apartment. Me and a romance novel.
Maybe I should try hiking again.
My feet already felt the blisters.
“There’s a street dance tonight,” Tenor said. “If you want to stay.”
I blinked at him. Was he asking me out?
He shrugged, his gaze drifting to the classic Cadillac convertible driving by with a poster for the senior center hanging off the side. On my right, Autumn yelled out, “Hank!” and the driver waved.
Tenor’s attention landed back on me. “Unless you have plans.”
I jolted. “No. No plans. I’d love to stay. I still can’t dance though.”
“You did just fine at the wedding.”
When I’d been in his strong arms, letting him lead me around. That had been mere days ago and I had the chance to do it again. Unless... Tenor was some in-demand dance partner and I’d be left on the sidelines.
We were still pretending to date. So I’d get a few dances with him. That was better than being burrowed in my couch, reading a book, and wondering if Tenor was deciding to date anyone for real. “I’d love to.”
His answering grin almost made it feel like a real date.
Tenor
The bass of the band thumped around us. Sunlight was slowly fading and the streetlights were taking over. People twirled on the dance floor around us. Unlike the wedding, this music was pure country. Nothing but two-step and line dancing all night long.
Ruby tripped over her feet, but I held her until she got back in step. “I don’t think I could do this without you,” she muttered.
I wouldn’t want her to. I wanted all her dances. “You’re doing well. Don’t worry about it. I have big feet to trip over.”
She playfully swatted my shoulder. “You do not. I mean, you do, but they’re not the reason for my lack of coordination.”
“As long as you’re having fun, that’s all I care about.”
She yanked her concentration off the ground and what our feet were doing to look at me. “I really believe that.”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
She lifted a shoulder, moving easily with me now that she wasn’t concentrating so hard. “You’re the first guy I’ve met where it’s not all about you.”
I didn’t have enough going on for it to be all about me. “This is your night out.”
“It’s yours too.” She studied me as I spun us around Tate and Scarlett. How could they move when he had her plastered so close to his body? I took notes and held Ruby a little tighter. “Tonight can be about you too.”
If tonight was about me, she’d be in my bed and naked. No, I wasn’t going to be selfish. Nor did I want her to feel used. “I’m having fun too, Ruby. Don’t doubt that.”
She gave me a dubious look.
The song wound down and the first strings of the next thrummed. A whoop went up in the crowd.
“If you want me to make it about me,” I said, leading us out of the section of the street portioned off for the dance, “then it’ll be me sitting out a line dance.”
She laughed, the light sound so damn perfect. “You really were serious. Well, I can’t line dance either, but it’s nice to see that you have one weakness.”
I had a lot more, she just chose to ignore them. It wouldn’t last long before any novelty she saw in me wore off. It always did. Even before Katrina, my relationships had died before takeoff. We’d go out a few times, mess around, and then the plainness of my life would hit them, and they’d drift off. Nothing had lasted longer than a couple of months.
I sat at one of the picnic tables that my family had claimed. Ruby slid in on the end, a broad grin on her face. A flush stained her cheeks from dancing and she bumped her heel against the pavement to the beat. The top button of her shirt was undone and it gaped open. My gaze was drawn to it as I kept hoping to catch a glimpse of those plump mounds I’d seen during our board game night.
Cruz danced toward us, his black T-shirt shrink-wrapped to his chest. Like me, he was wearing his good blue jeans, only his were worn at the bottom from his boots. His good jeans got a lot more use than mine.
He held his hand out to Ruby. “A little Tush Push for the lady?”
Her eyes flared wide. “A what?”
“It’s a dance,” I nearly growled. What the hell was Cruz asking her for? He practically had a line of ladies following him around.
Lane popped up behind him. “Come on, Ruby. We’ll teach you the steps.”
She glanced at me. “Oh, no. That’s fine.” Her curious gaze turned toward the three lines of people doing a hip bump.
“Go ahead,” I said. I couldn’t give her this experience. The idea of line dancing crawled under my skin like a thousand different bugs. Mama had taught us to dance, but line dancing in public and becoming a spectacle had to be one of the circles of hell. Yet Ruby was having fun and it wasn’t fair to hold her back from something fun. A skill that she could take on future dates. She deserved someone who wouldn’t duck her phone’s camera, someone who could keep up with her all night.
I ground my teeth together. Fuck those guys. At least I’d get to witness her sway those hips first.
“No. Really, it’s fine.” Her smile was reassuring. “I like hanging out with you.”
Now I felt shittier for holding her back. “And I like watching you shake your ass.”
Cruz held his hands up like he was innocent. “I’ll be teaching, not ogling. Can’t have the old man mad at us.” He shot me a shit-eating grin as Ruby rose.
She leaned over to whisper in my ear. “I’ll give you a few extra shakes.”
I groaned. Lane shook his head and followed his brother and the girl who left me wondering why the hell I couldn’t skip to the good part and leave the fake behind.