Chapter 14 #2
“He meant to use you,” Catcher says, each word clipped. “And he did.”
Shame rolls off me in waves, and my face heats.
“How long has this been going on?”
“A year,” I admit.
“A year,” he repeats, disbelief lacing his tone. “And you’ve been carrying this alone?”
I nod, throat tight.
Catcher exhales slowly, forcing himself not to explode. “This isn’t something you fix by ignoring it.”
“I know,” I whisper.
He steps closer again, voice low and deadly calm. “If your brother is desperate enough to wreck your life financially, I want to know what else he’s willing to do.”
Fear curls in my stomach.
Catcher’s gaze locks onto mine. “You should’ve told someone.”
I meet his stare, exhausted and raw. “I didn’t want to drag anyone into it.”
His expression softens just a fraction. “Too late.”
And I know, with sudden, terrifying clarity, that whatever comes next, Catcher won’t let this go.
“What time are your parents expecting you?” he asks.
“Noon.”
Catcher jerks his chin. “Go get ready. I’m taking you.”
I go to open my mouth in protest, but stop short when he gives me a look that says I have no choice.
Thirty minutes later, I walk into the living room to see Catcher ready and waiting. He is wearing black jeans and a faded tee. He must have taken a quick shower because I notice his hair is still damp.
“I’m taking you to your parents,” he says, already grabbing his boots by the door as if this is settled.
“I can drive myself,” I argue, grabbing my purse from the coffee table. My emotions are all over the place from everything he dragged into the open earlier, and the last thing I need is him breathing the same space as me.
He stops short and turns toward me. “No,” he says in a flat tone.
I follow him outside anyway, irritation buzzing under my skin. When I reach for my keys out of habit, he holds out his hand.
“I’ll drive.”
I hesitate. “Catcher—”
“Keys, Ruby.”
There’s no edge to his voice, no raised tone. Just expectation, like he already knows I’m going to give in.
My jaw tightens, but I drop the keys into his palm.
The drive starts tense and quiet, the early morning sun already climbing higher. About two minutes in, Catcher reaches to adjust the air conditioning and frowns when nothing happens. He twists the knob again, then again harder.
“You’re joking,” he mutters.
I shift in my seat, already knowing where this is going. “It’s broken.”
He glances at me sharply. “How long?”
“A while.”
“How long is a while?”
“A few months.”
His grip tightens on the steering wheel. “It’s already pushing ninety fuckin’ degrees out.”
“I know.”
“Why isn’t it fixed?”
His sharp tone makes me flinch before I stare out the window. “Because I don’t have the money.”
The car goes silent except for the hum of the engine and the open windows, dragging hot air inside.
Catcher’s jaw works slowly. “You’re driving around in Louisiana heat with no AC?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t think to mention this?”
“It didn’t seem relevant,” I say defensively.
His laugh is humorless. “Everything you just told me says otherwise.”
I cross my arms. “I get by. I’ve always gotten by.”
“Barely,” he says. “And you shouldn’t have to.”
“I don’t need rescuing.”
He shoots me a look that says he doesn’t believe that for a second. “You need backup.”
I don’t respond. It’s a bratty move, but I don’t care. Seconds later, I spot my parents’ house up ahead, with yellow siding, a wide porch, and rose bushes lining the front, and my stomach knots.
“Catcher,” I say quickly. “You can just drop me off.”
“No.”
“I’m serious. They don’t even know who you are.”
“They’re about to.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not joking.”
“Seriously, I can’t deal with this right now. They don’t know about Robby. They are going to question why you are with me. What do I say?”
“The truth.”
“I can’t tell them, Catcher. They’ll worry. I can’t do that to them. Robby has put them through enough.”
The house comes into full view, and anxiety floods my chest.
He pulls into the driveway anyway.
“I can go in alone,” I press, panic scratching up my throat. “You don’t have to do this.”
Catcher kills the engine and turns to face me fully. “Ruby.”
The way he says my name makes me still.
“You don’t walk into this by yourself,” he continues. “Not anymore.”
“This isn’t your family,” I argue weakly.
He opens his door. “Doesn’t matter.” Then he pauses and turns his broad shoulders toward me. “Robby is your brother, but he’s also their son. I understand you want to protect them, but last night the situation with your brother escalated. They need to know.”
Before I can say another word, he’s already out of the car. As much as I hate to admit it, Catcher is right.
I sit there a second longer, heart racing, before forcing myself to follow. Catcher waits for me at the front of the car, his presence grounding even as it complicates everything.
My parents’ front door opens before I can knock.
“Ruby?” my mom calls, surprise lighting up her face when she takes in the looming presence next to me.
My dad peers out from behind her, eyes instantly darting to Catcher.
My parents are well aware of my close connection to the Kings through my friendships with Promise and London.
Neither has been judgmental nor raised concerns about the fact.
But it is still unusual for one of the guys to be standing at their doorstep with me.
I swallow hard. “Hi.”
Catcher steps forward and extends his hand. “Catcher.”
My father blinks, then shakes his hand. “I’m Joseph. This is my wife, Caroline.”
“Nice to meet you,” Catcher says, polite but impossibly direct, as if he’s bracing for impact.
My mother’s gaze flicks between us, already suspicious. “Is everything all right?”
I force a smile. “We need to talk.”
Catcher’s hand lands at the small of my back. It’s light and protective but impossible to ignore.