Chapter 13 #2
We don't exactly have that type of relationship, though. So the chances of him telling me what’s on his mind are slim.
Still, I’ve never seen him like that.
I take another step, ready to push past our history and see how I can help him, but both kids come running up the steps.
“Am I really staying here?” Max asks and his eyes light up.
“We sure are,” Colt says, walking back into the house. “As soon as Susie’s grandparents are here, let’s make a plan.”
“Yes!” Both kids cheer and then rush to Colt, talking a mile a minute.
I glance back down the stairs, waiting for Declan to follow, but he doesn't.
I take it as a clear sign that he wants to be alone right now.
But as I cook dinner and set the table, my mind is only on one thing.
Declan.
Declan is a different person by the time he returns upstairs for dinner.
His parents got a late start to their drive, so they aren’t here yet. Like Colt, they are staying at the lodge for the weekend.
Part of me thought I’d meet his parents, but now I don’t think I will. I’m not so sure I’m up for meeting the parents of another wealthy son.
“So, wait,” Colt says and holds his hand up. Dinner is long over, and the kids are inside playing games while Declan, Colt, and I sit out back with a drink. “You're the Declan Young. As in Young Technologies Software?" Colt leans forward in his chair. “The CEO.”
Declan nods and part of me is proud that Colt is impressed, which feels unfamiliar. It shouldn't matter for so many reasons.
“Guilty,” Declan answers.
“You do know who I am, right?”
“Colt,” I scold.
“I don’t mean it in a look how rich I am way, Ruby.
I mean it as in, is it not insane that the man you’re living with is the owner of my dad’s biggest rival company?
I mean, if you thought my dad didn’t care for you, you should hear him talk about Declan.
He hates him. Sorry about him, by the way.
The way he does business is wild to me.”
I ignore the part about his dad not caring for me and go to the next part.
“Rivals? Really? Did you know who Max’s dad was before you moved in?” I cast my question to Declan.
I knew both were part of the tech world, but that could mean anything. I didn’t realize they were so similar.
“I was aware, but I didn’t think it affected anything, so I never brought it up.”
“It doesn’t, but is that weird?” This time my question is directed to Colt.
“Yeah, but not in a bad way. Declan, or his assistant anyway, deals with my dad directly and not me, which is probably why I never put two and two together. I wonder if my dad has though.”
I grunt.
Oh, I’m sure he has.
“Are there rules against this?” I ask, and both of them laugh.
“No,” Colt says. “There are no rules on this.”
“I wouldn’t even know how to draft that.” Declan chuckles. “Owner agrees to never become roommates with the mother and son of the competing company.”
They both laugh again, but this isn’t funny.
“I don’t think I’m into this.”
“What?” Colt asks.
“You two getting along.”
They are alike in a lot of ways, but also not.
I don’t know how to feel about that.
“Why not? Declan seems fun.”
“I tell her that all the time, and she still argues with me.”
Declan tips the top of his beer toward me before taking a sip.
My gaze sweeps over his tattoos. “You’ve never once said you’re fun,” I point out and cross my arms.
His head volleys. “Probably because I’m too busy trying to figure out why you don’t like me.”
“Sorry,” I say on a shrug.
“Wait,” Colt cuts in. “You never told him?”
“No,” I snap and then hold a finger in front of my lips to silence my son’s father.
“You know why?” Declan sits up. “Tell me.”
“No,” I answer for him.
“Ruby, come on. Help the guy out.”
“Yeah, Ruby, help a guy out,” Declan repeats.
“Okay.” I smile and stand. “It’s time for Colt to go and for us to finish packing.”
“Fine, fine. Don’t tell me,” Declan says, standing as well and walking behind me to the sliding door.
At least he listens.
“Just keep not liking me. I mean, it is easier that way.”
I spin to face him.
“What did you just say?”
His eyes go wide, and he takes a step back.
“Umm, that you not liking me comes easy to you.”
I step toward him and again he steps back.
I never break eye contact.
His eyes dart to the left; his throat bobs on a swallow,
I gasp.
“Declan, tell me you didn’t do what I think you did.”
“I did not.”
“Oh my god!” My arms flail. “You answered that so fast, I know you did it.”
“What did he do?” Colt asks with a grin.
“He undeleted a text I sent him and then read it.”
“Why was it deleted?” Colt asks and his grin only gets bigger.
“It doesn't matter.”
“I had to know. Especially after the other night,” Declan says.
“What happened the other night?”
“Nothing,” Declan and I answer at the same time.
Colt gives us a double thumbs-up. “I’ll just go say good night to Max and Susie.”
He disappears into the house, and I fold my arms and glare at Declan.
I don’t even know what to say. I’m so, so, so …
“I’m sorry,” he blurts out before I can put words together. “I knew it was wrong the moment I did it.”
I know he’s waiting for me to say something, but I still don’t know what to say. Saying I feel violated feels wrong after what I did this morning.
The longer he stares at me, the more my eyes sting, and when I know I’m about to cry, I turn for the door.
“Ruby, wait.” He grabs my hand and pulls me back. Only he tugs more than enough to pull me back and spin me into him. He wraps the hand not holding mine around my waist to stop my momentum.
On instinct, I look up into his eyes.
“I really am sorry.”
The sincerity in his voice is like a warm blanket wrapping me up.
He really means it.
“Thank you,” I manage to whisper.
He doesn’t let go of me, and I don’t let go of him.
His gaze shifts to my lips, and I inhale, closing my eyes.
All too quickly, I feel his hand leave mine, and my body goes cold in the distance he gives us.
He clears his throat. “I’ll uh, let you go say goodbye to Colt.”
I turn quickly and rush inside.
He was going to kiss me and chose not to.
I was going to let him, and he turned me down.
I step into the living room and spot the kids each in their own spot, now watching a movie.
“Where did your dad go?” I ask Max.
“He left. Said he would text you.”
I hear the sliding door open and close, but I don't turn to look.
I can't look at him right now.
Not when I don’t know what just happened—or rather what didn’t just happen.
My phone pings right then.
I pull it from my back pocket and stare at the text.
Colt:
Please tell me he kissed you. Also, full support here with anything you choose, but please keep Max in mind if you start something. I know you will, but yeah. Dinner was great. Night!
I exit the thread and groan.
Is this really my life right now?