Chapter Three #5
“But I’m still not interested. Please respect my wishes and don’t contact me again.
” Rueben turned and walked away, thankfully without a shadow.
It made him curious why the journalist hadn’t mentioned Keegan’s name or recognized him at the diner.
Kee didn’t take part in the ranch videos, and it was possible his picture never got published during the initial media frenzy.
Then again, Keegan didn’t look or sound like the same person who’d risked his life to escape so he could report the Carsons for cutting the brake lines that failed on Rueben.
Oliver was likely on the hunt for Keegan without knowing where to find him.
The urge to protect his friend got Rueben’s feet moving faster.
He glanced up the sidewalk as he rounded the rear corner of the building and breathed easier when he saw Oliver hadn’t followed.
Keegan leaned casually against the side of the truck while talking to the guy working the loading dock. He straightened when he caught sight of Rueben and ended his conversation to meet him halfway. “What’s wrong? You’ve been gone forever.”
“I’ll tell you in the truck. You drive.”
Keegan arched a brow but didn’t argue. They waved at the feed store employee and drove off. “Now tell me.”
Rueben filled him in, starting with the customer issues and ending with Oliver Hawkins approaching him about the podcast. He left out the bit about buying a burner phone, and he didn’t want to dwell on the reasons why.
“Wow. That guy sure is ballsy.” Keegan glanced over at him and smiled. “You’re not even a little interested in doing the podcast.”
“Nope.” Rueben looked over at him. “Are you?”
Keegan pursed his lips. “Not right now. Anything I say could be used as a weapon in court, and putting Mick and Quinton away is too important to me.”
Guilt pierced Rueben’s heart, and the bag on his lap suddenly weighed fifty pounds.
Just because he purchased the phone didn’t mean he had to use it.
He kept repeating that to himself as he plugged it in to charge and contemplated what he’d say to Seth throughout poker night on the ranch.
He spoke the words out loud even as he dialed the number he’d memorized nine months ago before deleting it from his phone.
Rueben convinced himself Seth wouldn’t answer.
It was late. He’d had an emotional day that might not even be over yet, and Rueben called from a number Seth wouldn’t recognize.
He answered on the second ring. “Burke.”
There were so many things Rueben wanted to say, but all he could manage was a shaky inhale.
“Rueben.” His name rolled off Seth’s tongue like a whispered prayer.
“How’d you know?”
“You make that same shaky breath every time I’ve slid my dick inside you.”
Rueben bit his lips to hold back the answering whimper, but he was no match for it.
Seth chuckled. “I know that sound too.”
“Would you believe me if I said I didn’t call for dirty talk or to breathe heavy in your ear?”
“Yes,” Seth replied simply. “So, why did you?”
“You’ve just been on my mind. Your entire family has, actually. I know tonight must’ve been so hard for all of you.”
Seth inhaled deep and slow. “It was, but we found comfort in the love that surrounded us. People created beautiful video montages of Natalie. We laughed, cried, and remembered her through hours of shared stories and love. She was so damn special.”
“Runs in the family.”
“I don’t know about that,” Seth replied. “Where are you calling me from?”
“Um, I’m using an unregistered prepaid phone I bought with cash.”
Seth was silent for so long Rueben thought he’d disconnected until a soft chuckle reached his ears. “You bought a burner phone?”
Heat bloomed in his cheeks. “You make it sound so shady.”
“Because it is.”
“No one will know it’s me if I don’t register it,” Rueben said.
“Checking the cell tower pings will narrow the suspect pool. And what about security cameras in the store you bought it from?”
Rueben grimaced. “I told you once that I made an awful criminal.”
“That you did.” Seth sighed. “I am so glad to hear your voice, though.”
“So, you won’t mind chatting a little longer?”
“Maybe for a few minutes.”
That turned into a few hours, and it was well past midnight when a huge yawn cracked Rueben’s jaw.
“Sounds like it’s bedtime for you.” Seth’s voice was the sleepy softness Rueben loved. “Thank you for checking on me.”
“My pleasure.” Rueben’s words held a little purr in them, but neither remarked on it.
“But you’re not going to call me again, right?” Seth asked.
“Of course not.”
Seth groaned huskily. “Liar.”
Rueben bit his lip to keep from laughing. “You don’t have to answer.”
“And I won’t.”
“Liar. Good night, Seth.”
“Night, baby.”
Rueben didn’t catch Seth’s slip until the echoes of their goodbye woke him the next morning.
He glanced at the clock and saw it was only six.
Rueben picked up the burner from the nightstand and caressed it like it was his lover.
“One more phone call just to hear his sexy morning voice. Then I’ll smash you under my boot. ”
Seth’s words from the previous night taunted him. Liar.