12. Ruby
Chapter 12
Ruby
“ I s there a group like this that comes in at night too?”
Henry has been over in the corner working on the jigsaw puzzle with Charles. I don’t know what they’ve been talking about, but they’ve both smiled and laughed and gotten a good chunk of the puzzle done.
The meeting with everyone didn’t go according to Henry’s plan, I know, but he did seem a little excited about sitting down with the puzzle. Not quite as excited as he was about the LEGOs with Elliot last night, but he wasn’t over there just to entertain Charles.
He also volunteered to help at lunchtime with the kids and I couldn’t help but peek in on that as well.
Ugh. It was so cute. I wanted to climb in his lap and eat banana pudding with him too.
It’s not like I’m under any delusion that I’m not crazy about the guy.
His swooping in and saving the day—or even just wanting to so much that he’s annoyed when he can’t—is so sexy.
He’s leaning on the bar now watching me wash glasses.
“No, the night shift is not like this,” I tell him with a little laugh. “It’s a pretty typical bar at night. I guess that’s also a reason that you might’ve missed some of this ambiance when you’ve been here before.”
Henry’s only been here during the hours I’ve worked. The earliest he’s ever showed up at Dick’s was when he and Cian came to town after he told Cian that he’d found Scarlett. That had been early afternoon and I had been filling in for April. Luckily we’d been past the breakfast and lunch craziness and Dan had been here to cover me when I needed to leave.
But Henry had definitely been singularly focused when he’d been here. I doubt he’d done more than scan the room to take in the number of people. I’m sure he hadn’t cataloged details like their ages or the fact that they were drinking water and soda instead of liquor.
“That’s the fourth time you’ve yawned in the past fifteen minutes,” he comments as I cover my mouth, dragging in air with a big yawn.
“You’ve been counting my yawns?”
“I’ve been paying attention to…a lot of things.”
I’m not surprised he’s noticed. Whenever we’re in the same vicinity, at least a portion of his attention is on me.
I love that.
It makes me feel like a silly high school girl with a crush—something I never felt when I was a high school girl—but I can’t help it.
“I didn’t sleep very well last night,” I tell him.
He meets my gaze directly, a little heat in his. “Me either.”
“And this isn’t my usual shift,” I remind him.
“I know. So I’m closing the place down for the rest of the day. And night,” he says.
I open my mouth to argue. But yawn again.
He gives me a look that says he knows I was going to argue. “I’m closing the bar for the rest of the day and night. We’re going home.”
I really do want to go home.
There isn’t a regular crowd in the evenings. At least not like this group. And none of these people will stay past four.
“Okay,” I agree. “I drove April over. I can just give her my keys.”
He frowns. “Well, obviously, she and Elliot will be coming with us.”
“She’s going over to Will and Mandy’s tonight for dinner. They’re going to tell Elliot that they’re moving in there next week. They’re also going to let him pick out what color he wants to paint his bedroom.”
Henry takes in that information, then shakes his head. “Someone’s driving her over there and picking her up.”
“Okay,” I agree. I’m easy. Not only am I too tired to argue with him, he’s right. We are protecting April until we can get everything settled. She’s come up with a plan that she likes, regardless of Henry’s feelings, but we can still do our best to make sure that she is constantly surrounded by allies. “But April wants to stop at the grocery store so she can make a salad. She wants to contribute to dinner.”
“Fine. I can take her to the grocery store. Or she can give me a list and I can just get the stuff.”
I smile. “How about I take her to the grocery store and then over to Mandy’s? I’ll grab something for us for dinner too.” I lean onto the bar. “It’ll just be the two of us. What do you want?”
I don’t miss the way his gaze drops to my mouth. “I am pretty hungry now that you mention it.”
“I’ll pick something quick and easy.”
I don’t really care what we do for dinner, but I want it to be simple. Because Henry and I need to talk. April is basically taken care of. I think the plan with Mandy and Will is just fine. They’ll all be happy with it and April will be safe.
I understand Henry’s side of it. April going to stay with her sister in Cincinnati would put distance between her and Christopher, but April shouldn’t have to leave her home. If she wants to stay in Emerald, then we need to find a way to help her do that and still be safe.
She has a huge community of people around her. I also understand that she doesn’t want to start over somewhere else. I’ve done it a lot of times. I’m good at it. But I’ve always moved out of necessity. I’ve found new people because I need people around me. That doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t rather just stay in one place where I’m comfortable and happy, with people I know, trust, and love.
I feel my throat tighten.
I’ve lived in New Orleans before. It will be fine. I’ll be fine.
I focus on April again. This is about April and Elliot, not me.
There will no doubt be some kind of arrangement that has to be made for visitation and custody of Elliot. Being here in Emerald will make that easier, too.
I blow out a breath. Yes, this plan for April is good, and so Henry and I don’t need to do much more. Or anything more, really. We helped. Now our part in this situation is done.
Henry can go meet up with Cian and Scarlett in Portland.
They just got there this afternoon. He hasn’t even really missed anything yet.
We finish cleaning up the bar, Henry pitching in, and everyone is out the door by four-thirty. Will takes Elliot home with him so April and I can stop by the grocery store.
“To the store, then to Will and Mandy’s, then home,” Henry says as he walks us to my car.
“Yes. Promise,” I tell him.
“Call me if there are any problems.”
“There won’t be any problems.”
He sighs. “Just say, ‘Of course, Henry’. Is that really that difficult?”
I smile up at him. “Of course, Henry.”
“That’s better.” Again, his gaze drops to my lips. “Don’t be long.”
A hot ripple goes through me.
Dammit.
It would be so great if I was going home to have dinner with my boyfriend.
Or even if I was just going home to have dinner with a really great, rich, hot British guy that I wanted to have hot sex with.
Which, I guess, technically, I am…
“Ruby?”
“Yeah?”
“Get in the car.”
I realize I’ve been staring at him.
Okay, at his mouth.
Dammit.
Sleeping with him again is a really bad idea.
I’m pretty sure. I’m having a hard time remembering why, though.
April talks non-stop about the day. How Dan said he was going to donate some of his new money to a town project. How popular Elliot was with the other kids because he and Henry were friends. How living with Mandy and Will means that Elliot will have a pet.
I just let her talk. I’m happy for her. I really am. I’m happy for Mandy and Will too.
I guess I was just expecting to be helpful to her for longer than a couple of days.
I thought I’d be… I don’t even know. I feel like I haven’t really done anything at all.
April and I pass the meat counter, where I grab some chicken thighs and then head for the produce section. I figure I can throw together a salad as well. Something simple. And something light. Something that won’t sit like a lead ball in my gut while I tell Henry he can now leave Emerald.
I’m squeezing avocados when I hear, “Christopher is a good man. You’re making a mistake.”
Dammit. We were so close to the end.
I look over to see Crystal Dumont standing behind her cart, glaring at April. Behind her is her mother, Kelly. Crystal has a very high opinion of herself, but Kelly thinks Crystal is even more perfect than Crystal does.
“If you like him so much, you can have him,” April says.
“I have a husband,” Crystal says. “I know what it’s like to have a good man and to be grateful for that.”
I move up next to April and start to open my mouth to defend her, but April says, “Grateful? Is that what keeps you with Luke? I’ve always wondered. Because it can’t be the way he treats you with respect and love, or the way he supports you, or the way he defends you or believes in you.”
I snap my mouth shut and settle back on my heels. April seems fine. I’m here for the show now.
“You are such a bitch,” Crystal says. “I told Luke when Chris first started dating you that you’d be trouble. Luke never wanted him to get serious about you.”
“I know,” April says. “Because he was afraid that you might figure out that your whole world didn’t have to revolve around him and you might grow a spine. He was afraid you’d take after me.”
“And leave him when I got bored?”
“Or leave him when you realized he’s an asshole,” April says, her voice still calm. “Or after he cheated on you. Again .”
Crystal’s face is pink now.
“Are you saying Christopher cheated on you?” Kelly demands. “I don’t believe it.”
“No,” April says. “He hit me. And I was not going to let him hit my son.”
Kelly scowls. “I’m sure it was a mistake or an accident. Christopher is a good man.”
“I suppose we may have different definitions of good,” April says. “But mine doesn’t include physical or verbal abuse. So I am going to leave my marriage when those things start happening. You do you.”
She starts to push our cart forward, obviously done with the conversation, but Crystal steps in front of it. “No one will believe you. Everyone here has known Christopher his whole life. You’re not from here.”
“I don’t care,” April says.
I can see the tension in her shoulders, but I’m impressed with how steady her voice is.
“I don’t need anyone to believe me other than the people I care about. And you don’t make that list.”
“But when you try to get custody, or another job, or make new friends, everyone will just know you as the lying bitch who tried to ruin a good man who is a steady part of our community,” Crystal informs her.
I feel like she just slapped me.
This isn’t about me, I know that. And that sentiment shouldn’t surprise me. That’s the way this town, and so many like it, are. If you’re from here, you belong more than ‘outsiders’. And even some of us born and raised here are still outcasts if we don’t conform.
I’m fine with that. I’ve always been fine. Being my father’s daughter has always put me in a precarious position in the community, but my mom didn’t let him define us. We found our people, we lived our lives, we did good things for the right reasons, and let our actions speak for themselves.
But how can I leave April when this is what she’ll be facing?
She’s got everyone out at Dick’s, but they’re not exactly her peer group. I’m not as worried about her job, because I know Henry will look out for her, but he’s not going to be her girlfriend. Her call-me-up-if-you-ever-just-need-to-talk-or-vent person. Her I-don’t-even-know-why-I’m-sad-but-can-you-come-over-and-make-me-feel-better person. Her it’s-a-random-Tuesday-but-let’s-get-nachos-and-watch-trash-tv-and-do-mani-pedis-like-it’s-Friday-night person.
Everyone needs that person.
My person just married a prince and we’ll be getting nachos less often when I live in another city in another state.
But I don’t want to think about that.
Right now, I’m worried about April. Can I leave her when she’s likely to be ostracized by this damned town she’s so intent on staying in?
“Ooh, honey, that color of green does not go with what you’re wearing.”
I catch the narrowing of Crystal’s eyes just before April and I turn.
Amber Connors has just strolled up behind us, a plastic shopping basket swinging from her arm. She looks amazing, as always. She owns the salon downtown and her hair, makeup, nails, and clothes are always perfect. But she also comes off as genuine, kind, and accepting of everyone.
I adore her. She’s gone out with me and Scarlett a few times. Scarlett often helps her out with little things like making treats for her daughter’s class or grabbing last-minute items for a class project because Amber and her husband Tony both work long hours and Scarlett knows how much an extra hand can help.
But Amber and Tony are new-ish to Emerald and Amber has tried not to take any “sides” in town rivalries. Especially between those who attend my father’s church and those who don’t. It’s important for her business, which is vital for her family, that she has clients from all over town.
Scarlett and I understand, and we’ve worked hard not to put her in the middle of anything.
But now, she walks right up to us, her eyes on Crystal.
“She’s not wearing green,” Kelly says.
Amber doesn’t take her gaze from Crystal. “Her jealousy is obvious and bright green. And it’s quite ugly.”
Kelly gasps, but Crystal just crosses her arms. “Jealous? Of April ? Seriously?”
“Oh, for sure,” Amber says.
Amber is a little younger than me and a little older than April. Probably right about Crystal’s age.
“I do not want Christopher if that’s what you’re implying,” Crystal says.
“Well, at least you’re smart enough for that,” Amber says. “But no. I’m talking about how you’re jealous of April being brave enough to do what you can’t. Or won’t.”
“Leave my husband?” Crystal scoffs. “Believe it or not, I don’t want to make my husband the subject of scandal and gossip.”
I note that Crystal is pressing her arms against her stomach and won’t meet Amber’s gaze directly.
“I’m not talking about leaving Luke,” Amber says. “Though no one would blame you.”
Kelly gasps again. Crystal doesn’t say anything.
“I’m talking about April being able to stand up for herself and make herself happy. I’m not saying you have to leave Luke for that. That’s up to you. But everyone knows you’re not happy, Crystal. It’s why you’re so mean and judgey. Happy people don’t worry about other people’s lives so much. They want to spend their time and energy in their own lives.” Amber finally looks at April. “I’m sorry that you had to leave your husband to be happy. Obviously, at one point you thought you could be happy with him and I’m sorry that’s not how it turned out. That’s hard. But I’m glad you realize that you deserve to be happy and don’t have to stay in a situation where that’s not the case.”
April gives her a wobbly smile. “Thank you, Amber.”
“Also, your highlights look amazing.”
April’s smile grows. “Thanks.”
Amber looks at Crystal again. “I really hope you find something that makes you happy, Crystal. Because I really don’t believe that walking up to people in the grocery store and berating them for their life choices is it. But, if it is…just know that there are lots of people who aren’t going to just stand by and let it happen.”
Crystal sucks in a deep breath, but she doesn’t say anything.
Amber looks over at me and gives me a smile. “Hey, Ruby.”
“Hey, rockstar.”
She laughs. “Good to see you. Come down for a mani soon, ‘k?”
“For sure.”
She walks off, her little basket swinging and I feel a tightness in my chest.
I’ll miss her too. I don’t know her very well, but I want to. She seems awesome, and fuck, it would be nice to have a kickass friend like that.
I love taking care of people, but damn, having someone else sashay up like that and just handle shit is amazing.
It’s a lot like how I feel when Henry shows up and takes over.
I know that’s not independent thinking and I don’t want to need a man, but I can like it when it happens, can’t I? That’s not too terrible, is it?
April takes hold of the cart again. “’Bye, Crystal,” she says, firmly, obviously ending the conversation.
If you can even call what just happened a conversation.
She pushes the cart around the other two women and this time they don’t block our attempt to leave.
We leave the produce section and head for the checkouts.
April keeps walking straight ahead, but she says, “I didn’t get all the salad ingredients.” She blows out a breath. “And I really don’t want to go back there.”
I laugh. “Same.”
April looks over at me. “But we should, right? Just march back there and do our shopping? We shouldn’t let them intimidate us.”
I take a deep breath. Then nod. “Yeah. Probably. But, you know what?” I reach for the stack of plastic containers on the display table just before the registers. “I think some days you need to eat your vegetables. And some days it’s totally okay to eat dessert first.” I hand her a container of frosted brownies, then take one for myself. “And some days, you can have just brownies for dinner.”
She looks down at the brownies and then nods. “Yeah. I think you’re right.”
I am. I’m sure of it. I hand the package of chicken and the few vegetables we did manage to gather to the woman running the register. “I won’t be needing these after all,” I tell her.
She scans my package of brownies and nods. “Some days are like that.”