Chapter 46
46
RUBY
After the bridesmaid dress outing, Tyler treats Lucy and me to dinner at our favorite Italian place. As we settle into our booth, I can't help but notice the way my brother looks at his fiancé, like she's the sun and he's discovering light for the first time.
It's sweet. It's adorable. It's making me want to projectile vomit across the table.
"So, Rubes," Tyler says as we peruse the menus, "how was the retreat? You haven't really talked about it."
I nearly choke on my water. "Oh, you know," I manage, "it was... relaxing."
Lucy catches my eye, raising an eyebrow. I silently plead with her not to say anything.
"Relaxing, huh?" Tyler prods. "Must have been some retreat. I saw those photos online. Looked like you and Chuck were getting pretty cozy."
Dammit.
My face heats. "It wasn't... we were just..."
"Hanging out?" Tyler finishes, his tone skeptical. "Come on, sis. I know Chuck. He doesn't just 'hang out' with women."
"Tyler," Lucy warns, placing a hand on his arm.
But now that he's started, he’s on a roll. "Don't get me wrong, Rubes, Chuck's a great guy. But he's not exactly the relationship type, you know? And you're my sister. I just want to make sure you're not getting in over your head."
Something in me snaps. Maybe it's the stress of the day, or the pent-up emotions from the past few weeks. Or maybe it's just that I'm tired of pretending.
"You want to know what happened?" I blurt out. "Fine. I'll tell you exactly what happened."
And so, right there in the middle of Mama Gina's Trattoria, surrounded by checkered tablecloths and the smell of garlic bread, I spill the whole sordid tale.
"It wasn't a yoga retreat," I start, my words coming out in a rush. "It was a couples retreat. A sexy couples retreat."
Tyler's eyes widen and Lucy looks like she's trying not to laugh.
"When I got there, I found out Chuck had accidentally booked us into the same bungalow. And not just any bungalow. A 'honeymoon suite' with one bed and a hot tub on the deck."
"Oh my god," Tyler mutters, looking like he wants to be anywhere but here.
But I'm on a roll. "And that's not even the best part. You want to know what kind of activities they had at this retreat? Tantric yoga. Partner massage workshops. Something called 'Embracing Your Sensual Self' that I'm pretty sure was just an orgy with mood lighting."
By this point, Lucy is shaking with silent laughter. Tyler looks like he's about to pass out.
"And there we were, stuck in the middle of it all, trying to keep our wits about us as we rode it out. Do you have any idea how awkward it is to sit through a 'Spicing Up Your Love Life' seminar with your brother's teammate?"
"Please stop," Tyler groans, but I'm too far gone to stop now.
"And then there were bug invasions. Picture this, Chuck and me, huddled on the bed, surrounded by mosquito netting, while outside our little cocoon, the biggest beetles, cockroaches, spiders, and moths I've ever seen are having what I can only assume was their own little orgy."
Lucy is full-on laughing now, tears streaming down her face. Tyler looks like he's contemplating drowning himself in his water glass.
"But you know what the craziest part is?" I say. "In the middle of all that insanity, all that awkwardness... I started to fall for him. For Chuck. The guy I always thought was just another meathead hockey player."
The table falls silent. Even Lucy stops laughing, her expression turning serious.
"Ruby," Tyler starts, but I hold up a hand.
"I know what you're going to say. That it was just a vacation fling. That Chuck's not the relationship type. That we're too different. Trust me, I've told myself all that a hundred times."
I take a deep breath, drained. "Truth is, I've never felt this way about anyone before. And it scares me."
For a moment, no one speaks. Then Lucy reaches across the table, taking my hand. "Oh, Ruby," she says.
Tyler clears his throat. "I... I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me?"
I shrug, suddenly feeling very small. "I didn't know how. And I guess... I guess I was afraid you'd react exactly like this. You know, not at all psyched to think of your sister together with your teammate.”
My brother has the grace to look ashamed. "I'm sorry, sis. I didn't mean to... I just worry about you, you know?"
"I know," I say, managing a small smile. "But Tyler, I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."
He nods, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "So... tantric yoga, huh?"
I groan, burying my face in my hands. "Can we please change the subject? Like, forever?"
Lucy laughs, squeezing my hand. "Only if you promise to tell me more about this 'Embracing Your Sensual Self' workshop later. For, you know, wedding planning purposes."
I peek out from between my fingers to see Tyler turning an interesting shade of red. "On second thought," he says quickly, "let's definitely change the subject."
As we finally order, a weight lifts from my shoulders. It feels good to have everything out in the open, even if it did involve mortifying my brother in the process.
"So," Lucy says as we dig into our pasta, "what are you going to do now? About Chuck, I mean."
I twirl my fork in my pasta, considering. "I don't know. I told him it was over. That we're too different, that it could never work."
"And is that what you believe?" she prods gently.
I look up, meeting her eyes. "I don't know," I admit. "I thought I did. But now..."
Tyler, surprisingly, is the one who speaks up. "Look, Rubes, I know I gave Chuck a hard time earlier. And yeah, he's got a reputation. But... I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. In those photos, I mean."
I feel a flutter in my chest at his words. "Really?"
He nods. "Really. And for what it's worth... I think you two might be good for each other. You'd keep him grounded, and he'd... well, he'd probably drive you crazy, but in a good way."
Lucy beams at Tyler, clearly proud. I, on the other hand, am speechless.
"Are you... are you giving me your blessing to date your teammate?" I ask, incredulous.
Tyler shrugs, a small smile playing at his lips. "I'm saying that if it's what you want, I've got your back. Both of you."
Tears prick at my eyes. "Thanks, Ty," I manage.
"Don't mention it," he says gruffly. Then, with a wicked grin, "Seriously, don't mention it. Especially not the part where I had to hear about my little sister's sexy retreat adventures."
We all laugh, the tension of the evening finally breaking. As we finish our meal, the conversation turns to wedding plans and hockey gossip.
Not surprisingly, my mind is elsewhere.
For the first time since I left Chuck's apartment, I let myself really consider the possibility of a future with him. It won't be easy.
As we leave the restaurant, I make a decision. Tomorrow, I'm going to talk to Chuck. Really talk to him. No more running, no more excuses.