Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
RUBY
"How's it feel to be God's favorite?" Becca asks as we all sit around, talking about the vacation Caleb and I went on. I'm tempted to tell them about last night, but I don't want to hear them complain too much.
"Oh shut the fuck up," Karsyn snorts. "Your man is all over social media with his flat fuckin' abs."
I laugh, taking a drink of my Coke before reaching over and snagging a chip before dipping it in the salsa sitting on the table. "Karsyn, don't act like you aren't special. Your husband is pretty hot, too. I'd say we're all fuckin' lucky."
"Ain't that the truth," my mother-in-law says as she swoops in, taking the last empty seat. "I was just helping the Chief."
I raise my eyebrows at her, laughing. "He's cracking me the fuck up the way he keeps signing those Laurel Springs Community posts with Chief Harrison."
Shelby groans from across the table. "Karina, he might be your husband, and he may look damn good for his age, but I'm about ready to kick his ass."
Karina holds her hands up, grabbing an empty glass and pouring herself a margarita. "He enjoys pissin' you off, I'm just gonna say it. You're one of his favorites."
She shifts in her seat. "Well, I have to admit, that does kinda warm up my bitter heart. Knowing that he does it to piss me off, means it's not going to piss me off as much. But I'll still play along."
"Good," Karina holds her chip in between her teeth. "It'd break his heart."
"So...." Whitney leans in. "Does he make you call him Chief in the bedroom?"
The group dissolves into giggles, and while I don't want to hear this about my father-in-law, I'm really happy these are my friends.
The group is splitting up as we're done eating, and Karina has pulled me to the side. "You and Caleb are good? I've been worried."
"We're good. The few days away is what we needed. Thank you for watching the kids."
"You know I'd do whatever is needed to help y'all. Mason and I were afraid."
I blow out a breath, pushing my hair back off my forehead. "I know, I was too. You know how he is though, he has to process himself before he can let anyone else in. Obviously I should've remembered that from when we were dating, but we've been a team so long, I didn't recognize it."
"He's a lot like Mase. They're strong and silent until they can't be anymore. I love you, Ruby. If y'all need anything else, let me know."
"I will." I reach forward, wrapping my arms around her, hugging her tightly. "Be safe getting home."
Karina wags her eyebrows at me. "I just texted the Chief and told him I had a drink, and now I'm driving. Chances are he'll be waiting to see if he can pull me over."
"Oh my God," I laugh. "Have fun, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Never..." she giggles.
And as I watch her drive away, I hope like fuck that Caleb and I have that type of marriage when we get to be their age.