Chapter 6 #2
Ivy rolls her eyes, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “I’m heading home. You need a ride back to the ranch?”
“I’m good. Liam’s taking me by the bar to pick up my truck.”
She gives me a knowing smirk. “Alright. I’ll see you Sunday at family dinner then. If I don’t see you before that.”
Ivy pulls me in for a quick hug and waves over my shoulder at Liam.
When I step into the truck, Liam asks, “What were you and Ivy talking about?”
I shrug. “Nothing.”
He studies me for a second before pulling away from the curb. “Didn’t look like nothing,” he says, his fingers flexing on the steering wheel.
What I wouldn't give to have one of those hands wrapped around my…
“Must’ve been some conversation for you to be blushing like that,” he adds.
“It’s hot outside.”
“It’s not that hot.”
I snort. “Says the man who’s like two percent body fat. I’m always hot.”
He grumbles something under his breath and flicks the turn signal.
I steal a glance at his profile and try to conjure up images from the night before when I supposedly tried to kiss him. Nothing comes to mind, though I do remember him giving me medicine.
Did he… call me baby? No. That can’t be right.
I’m tempted to bring up the almost kiss, but I’m not sure if I’m up for that brand of humiliation this early in the day.
When we pull into the parking lot, Dolly is right where I left her.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say. “And breakfast.”
“Thanks for making Aiden’s day. He’s… had a rough go of it with some of the kids at school. This was a big win for him.”
“Anytime.” I want to ask more, but I don’t want to pry, so I leave it at that.
“You’re good with kids,” he says.
Is he trying to prolong our goodbye?
No. You're delusional, Ruby.
“Thanks, I had a lot of practice dating your brother.” I wince. “Sorry, that was rude.”
“No. No. It’s fine. You’re right. Connor had a lot of growing up to do back then. Still does, actually.”
“Nothing’s changed between the two of you then?”
“Things are… strained.” He doesn’t say any more than that, and it’s not my place to ask questions about his brother. Not anymore.
I pause with my hand on the door handle, “If you ever need me to watch Aiden or help out in any way, call me.”
He nods. “Thanks.”
With a small smile, I head over to my truck, hoping he takes me up on the offer. Maybe it’ll be the excuse I need to finally admit I might have more than just a passing attraction to my ex-boyfriend’s brother.
I roll my eyes and slide behind the wheel of my truck. “Not likely.”
Liam
It’s a slow afternoon at The Ridge, and the crew’s all here. Cade is back from his family vacation, and Steph is working on inventory. I’m keeping myself busy stocking the coolers, but my mind keeps replaying the almost kiss from the other night.
She was so willing and pliant. I could’ve taken everything she was offering, consequences be damned, but I’m not that man. When I finally have Ruby, I want her to be in her right mind, because fuck knows I won’t be. She’s too goddamn intoxicating.
My phone vibrates under the bar, illuminating the dark space. I flip it over and see that it’s my boss calling from the station.
“Hello?”
“Liam. It’s Chief Grant.”
I clear my throat, preparing myself for the bad news. “What can I do for you, Chief?”
“We've reviewed your written exam, physical assessment, and you’ve passed all of your screenings. We’d like to offer you a full-time paid position starting as soon as next month.”
My eyes widen. I was fully expecting to be turned down. I’ve been applying for a full-time position for a year with no luck. I need this. It would give me more stability, and more time with Aiden.
I glance across the bar at Cade, his eyebrows raised in question. A pang of guilt lances me, but I tamp it down.
“Can I have some time to think about it?” I ask.
“I can give you until tomorrow. After that, we’ll move on down the list.”
“Thanks, Chief. I’ll be in touch.”
The line goes dead, and I stare at the blank screen. Am I hallucinating? This is everything I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember.
After mom and dad died, I shouldered every hardship that came our way so Connor wouldn’t have to.
I slipped into the protector role seamlessly, like it was always supposed to be my fate.
Soon, I realized keeping people safe, protecting them from the horrors life can throw at them, might be my calling.
I also knew I wanted to be the one to get there before the accidents turned into tragedy, before the death, destruction, and inevitable heartbreak.
Looking back, I know that was shortsighted.
I’ve seen my fair share of tragedy in the line of duty, but knowing there’s a chance to save a life makes it easier to bear.
Connor once said I was trying to atone for my father’s sins.
Maybe he was right. Maybe I’m trying to save my mother over and over again, but I know it’ll never bring her back, no matter how many times I run headlong into danger.
“Is everything ok?” Cade asks, drawing my attention back to him.
“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Can I… talk to you for a sec?”
“Steph, can you hold down the fort? We’ll just be in my office.”
Steph says, “Sure thing, bossman.”
Cade leads me to his office and pushes the door open. He leans against his desk, his feet and arms crossed. “What’s up?”
I slip my hands into my pockets. “I was offered a full-time position with the fire department. If I accept, I’ll have to quit.”
A wide smile spreads across his face, and he claps a hand on my shoulder. “Hell yeah, man! That’s great news. Congratulations.”
He holds out his hand for me to shake; I reciprocate.
“You’re cool with it?”
“Why the fuck wouldn’t I be? I didn’t expect you to stay here forever. Is this your two-week notice?”
I rake a hand through my hair and let out an incredulous laugh. “Yeah. I guess it is.”
I met Cade when Connor owned the place. We tended the bar side by side for years until Connor decided to sell.
He offered it to me first, but my heart was never in it.
When I told him I wasn’t interested in buying him out, Cade jumped at the opportunity.
He’s a good man, one of the best I’ve ever known.
I shouldn’t be surprised by his steadfast support.
“Steph was asking for more hours, and I can start looking for another part-time. I’m happy for you, man.”
“Thanks. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me over the years.”
“Don’t mention it. What do you say we have a farewell party next week? Drinks on me.”
I nod, grateful to have a boss who’s also one of my closest friends. “Sounds good.”
“Alright. Technically, you’re still on the clock, so get your ass back out there and start slinging drinks.”
“You got it, bossman.”
“I really need y’all to stop calling me that.”
I stop with my hand on the doorway. “Yeah, well. You’re still my boss for two more weeks.”
The evening crowd filters in the same way it always does on Friday night, and true to her word, Ivy arrives for her complimentary margarita with her husband, Luca, in tow. I don’t bother asking what they want, sliding their usual drinks across the bar.
Karaoke nights are always busy, but the torture doesn’t start for another hour. I’ll enjoy the peace while it lasts. Shit can get crazy when you give a bunch of drunk townies a microphone. More often than not, I end up doing double duty as bartender and bouncer.
I make my way up and down the bar a few times, serving drinks and cleaning up empties until Steph comes back from her break and takes over the left side of the bar.
Heading back to my friends, I switch out Luca’s empty beer for a refill.
“Heard you’re going full-time at the station. Congrats, man,” Luca says, holding his drink up in salute.
Ivy dramatically clutches at her chest. “Say it isn’t so. You’re really leaving? Who’s gonna make my margaritas extra spicy?”
“I’ve left Stephanie with explicit instructions to take good care of you.”
“You’re the best,” she says, taking a sip of her drink.
“I see how it is.” Cade sidles up beside me to fill a pint glass from the tap. “I’ve been keeping a stash of sour Skittles under the bar just for you, and you’ve been cheating on me with the ginger.”
Ivy shrugs. “What can I say? He’s prettier than you.”
Luca cages his wife against the bar from behind. “And you’re married, Trouble.” He leans in next to her ear, whispering something that makes her face flush. She downs her drink and snags her purse off the back of her chair. “Gotta go.”
As Ivy drags him out the door, Luca calls over his shoulder, “Congrats on the job.”
“They’re totally going to fuck in the parking lot,” Cade says.
I nod, wiping down the bar top and picking up Ivy’s empty glass. “Yep.”