Chapter 15
15
CHUCK
The chocolate dessert melts on my tongue, rich and decadent. Across the table, Ruby lets out a small, appreciative moan that does funny things to my insides. I push the thought away, focusing instead on how surprisingly pleasant dinner has been.
As the waiter clears our plates, I see that Ruby's posture has softened. The rigid, 'I'd rather be anywhere but here' vibe she's been giving off all day has mellowed into some kind of chill.
"So," she says, swirling the last of the wine in her glass, "I have a confession to make."
I lean back in my chair, eyebrow raised. "Oh? Do tell, Brooks. You secretly enjoying my company?"
She rolls her eyes. "Don't push your luck, Newcomb. No, it's about earlier. On the plane."
"The plane?" I say, confused. "What about it?"
Ruby takes a deep breath, like she's steeling herself for something. "I... may have seen you. On the flight."
I blink, processing this information. "Wait, you were on my flight? Why didn’t you say hello?"
She flips her fork between her fingers, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. "Oh. You know. You were preoccupied with your adoring fans."
"Ah," I say, remembering the flight attendants and their not-so-subtle flirting. "About that..."
"Yeah," Ruby cuts in, her tone sharp. "What was that about? Pushing off the plane first like some kind of VIP. Real classy, Newcomb."
I hold up my hands in defense. "Whoa, hold on. That wasn't my idea. The flight attendant suggested it because my seat mate wouldn't leave me alone. Seriously, she practically jumped in my lap."
Ruby's eyebrows shoot up. "Oh. Really?"
I nod, remembering the uncomfortable flight. "Yeah, it was... not great. I mean, I'm used to some attention, but this was next level. She kept 'accidentally' spilling her drink on me so she could help clean it up."
To my surprise, Ruby laughs. It's a warm, genuine sound.
"Okay, okay," she concedes. "I guess I can forgive you for that. But only because the mental image of you being molested by an overeager fan is so funny."
I clutch my chest in mock pain. "Your sympathy is overwhelming, Brooks. Really."
She grins, and I'm struck by how different she looks when she's relaxed. Her eyes sparkle with mischief, and there's a softness to her features I’ve never seen.
Why she hides this side of herself, I do not understand.
"So," I say, leaning forward. "You saw me at the airport. Were you following me, Brooks? I knew my animal magnetism was irresistible, but stalking? That's a new one."
She snorts, an undignified sound that somehow manages to still be kind of cute. "In your dreams, Newcomb. No, I was just trying to avoid you.”
“Too bad. I could have given you a ride in my limo. I take it the local bus was an… adventure?”
She groans, dropping her head into her hands. "It was... an experience."
I can't help but chuckle at her expression. "Come on, it couldn't have been that bad."
Ruby peers at me through her fingers. "One lady offered to sell me a chicken. A live chicken."
I blink. "I'm sorry, what?"
"A chicken," she repeats. "A live one. Stuffed in a bag."
I bite my lip, trying not to laugh. "Well, that's... thoughtful? I guess she thought you looked like you could use a fresh chicken."
"Right? And, it gets better. An old man proposed marriage to me."
That does it. I burst out laughing, attracting the attention of everyone around us. "He what ?"
"Proposed," Ruby says, her own lips twitching. "Yup. Go to Costa Rica for vacation, return married.'"
I'm laughing so hard now I'm actually wheezing. "Oh my god, Brooks. Please tell me you said yes. I can just see you now, living out your days as a chicken-owning trophy wife on some Costa Rican farm."
She tries to maintain a serious expression, but cracks, dissolving into giggles. "Shut up," she manages, gasping for air. "It's not funny."
"It's hilarious," I counter, wiping tears from my eyes.
And just like that, the last of the tension between us dissolves. We're drawing curious looks from nearby tables, and I’m loving it. In this moment, I'm not Chuck Newcomb, hockey star, and she's not Ruby Brooks, my teammate's unapproachable sister. We're just two people, sharing a ridiculous story and helping each other through an awkward situation.
It's... nice.
Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are bright. She's let her guard down, and I'm struck by how charming she is when she's not actively trying to dislike me.
"What?" she asks, catching me staring.
I shake my head. "Nothing. Just... this is nice. You're actually pretty fun when you're not trying to murder me with your eyes. "
"Don't get used to it, Newcomb. I still haven't forgiven you for getting us into this mess."
"Fair enough," I concede. "But admit it, you're having a better time than you thought you would."
She sighs dramatically. "Fine. It hasn't been completely terrible. But if you tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it to my dying breath."
I mime locking my lips and throwing away the key. "Your secret's safe with me, Brooks."
As we stand to leave, I notice something odd. The other diners are dressed... well, let's just say 'provocatively' would be an understatement. Women in outfits that leave little to the imagination, men with shirts unbuttoned to their navels, everyone looking like they're on the prowl.
Ruby notices too, her eyes widening. "Uh, Chuck? Is it just me, or did we miss the memo about dinner attire?"
I shake my head, equally baffled. "I think… we missed the memo.”
As if in answer, we spot a sign near the exit advertising tomorrow's seminar, ‘Embracing Sensuality in Everyday Life.’ The description goes on, mentioning an emphasis on ‘self-exploration.’
Ruby and I exchange a look.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I ask, trying not to laugh.
She nods, a mix of horror and amusement on her face.
I can't help it. I burst out laughing again, and after a moment, Ruby joins. The absurdity of our situation hits me all over again. Here we are, at a couples' retreat that's apparently more Fifty Shades of Grey than Eat, Pray, Love , pretending to be a couple when we barely know each other.
As we make our way back to our bungalow, still chuckling, a voice stops us in our tracks.
"Well, hello there, handsome."
I turn to see a woman sauntering toward us. She's dolled up in that obvious, trying-too-hard kind of way, all pouty lips, come-hither eyes, and an abundance of some horrible perfume. Her dress is so tight it looks painted on, and she moves with an exaggerated sway of her hips.
"Uh, hi," I manage, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.
The woman ignores Ruby completely, focusing all her attention on me. She runs a hand down my arm, her touch lingering. "I'm Jazz. Short for Jasmine. And you are...?"
"Chuck," I say, taking a small step back. "And this is Ruby."
Jazz finally deigns to look at Ruby, her gaze raking over her in a way that makes me want to step between them. "Well," she purrs, turning back to me. "Didn't you bring a delectable little treat!”
I feel Ruby stiffen beside me, and I'm about to say something when Jazz's hand finds its way to my bicep again, squeezing appreciatively.
"My, my," she coos. "You must work out."
Before I can react, Ruby's hand shoots out, slapping Jazz's hand off me. "Hey. Haven’t you heard not to touch people without their consent? Jesus, lady,” she hisses, hooking her arm through my elbow.
I blink, stunned. Did Ruby just... stake her claim on me?
Jazz looks between us, a predatory smile spreading across her face. "Oh, I see. Well, if you two ever want to... expand your horizons, you know where to find me." She winks and sashays away, leaving us in stunned silence.
For a moment, neither of us speaks. Then I manage to get my voice back.
"What the hell was that?" I ask, turning to Ruby.
She's blushing furiously, not meeting my eyes. "What do you mean?”
I tilt my head. “You know very well what I mean, Brooks. Don’t pretend you don’t.”
She avoids my gaze. I get it. She’s embarrassed. “I... I don't know,” she shrugs. “I just reacted. Sorry."
"Sorry?" I repeat, incredulous. "Ruby, you just saved me from being eaten by Pura Vida’s scariest predator. If anything, I should be thanking you."
She looks up at me then, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Well, when you put it that way... you're welcome, I guess."
We start walking again, the silence between us not at all uncomfortable. As we reach our bungalow, I can't help but wonder what just happened. Ruby defended me. Ruby, who up until a few hours ago could barely tolerate my presence, just staked her claim on me in front of a very persistent would-be seductress.
It's... confusing. And little exciting, if I’m honest about it.
As we get ready for bed, taking turns in the bathroom and studiously avoiding eye contact, I find myself replaying the events of the evening. The laughter over dinner. The way Ruby's eyes sparkled. The feel of her hand on my arm as she pushed Jazz away.
I shake my head, trying to clear it. This is dangerous territory, Newcomb. She's your teammate's sister. She's made it clear she's not interested. And yet...
As I settle onto the couch according to our alternating sleeping schedule, I can't help but steal a glance at Ruby. She's already in bed, her red hair spread out on the pillow, her breathing slow and even.
I close my eyes, willing sleep to come. But my mind keeps drifting back to that moment, and the fire in Ruby’s eyes telling the other woman to fuck off.
Suddenly, her voice cuts through the darkness, soft but clear. "Chuck? Are you awake?"
My eyes snap open, heart racing. "Yeah," I whisper back. "What's up? I thought you were already asleep."
There's a pause, long enough that I start to wonder if I imagined her voice.
And just like that, I know sleep is going to be a long time coming. Because whatever Ruby Brooks has to say, I have a feeling it could change everything.