Page 16 of Trash Talk

Then I hear her sob, “Oh God. No.”

I rush back into the living room to see Ruby holding a sobbing Emma on my couch, shock written on her face. “Graham’s dad and Wyatt.” She stops there, but I know. It isn’t good news.

“What happened?”

“Lightning struck the stables; there was a fire. Cyrus ran in to save the horses. Wyatt ran in after him to help. Wyatt barely made it out, his dad didn’t.” Cyrus Freeman is (damnit, was) one of the best men I have ever known. He was like a second father to me. He was hard on his kids, but it was because he loved them. He saw their potential and encouraged them to reach it. He was so proud of all of them. God, I hate this. I imagine what Graham and the rest of them are going through (what it felt like to lose my parents and the wound opens anew). The Freemans didn’t deserve this. Why does such bad shit always happen to such good people? Life isn’t fucking fair. “Wyatt’s in the hospital. He has third degree burns and he inhaled a lot of smoke.”

“I’m gonna go pack a bag. Emma do you want to ride with me?” Graham is going to need support right now. Ruby looks hurt, like she wants to come too. I reassure her, “baby, it’s not that I don’t want you there. You’ve got games and practice this week. If you sit out, you could lose your starting position. You shouldn’t come with us. We’ll call you with an update when we get there, okay?”

“But,” she knows I’m right, even if she doesn’t like it. She has other obligations. “I’m so sorry, Em. I’ll drive down right after my game on Thursday.” She hugs her tight.

“I know. I just need to be there. You come when you can.” Loss is hard. The loss of a parent cuts deep. Unfortunately, Em and I both have first-hand experience. Hopefully, we’ll be able to bring some comfort to Graham and his family by being there.

Ruby walks with me to my bedroom and pulls on her leggings and fleece. She leaves on my shirt. I don’t give a fuck. I’d like to see her in it again. I throw some clothes and toiletries in a bag for me, then go over to Graham’s room and do the same for him.

When I get back to the living room, Em is handing her keys to Ruby. “I’m sorry for interrupting your morning,” she says quietly.

“Hey. No. I would’ve done the same thing. I can’t even imagine. Graham needs you. Y’all need to be there for him. I’ll leave your keys in the bowl by the door. Call me when you get there, okay?”

“I will.” She looks up at me, “You ready?”

“Yeah,” I hand Em my keys, “go ahead and start the truck, I’ll be out there in a minute.” I want a private moment with Ruby. If I’m reading her body language correctly, she’s sad, anxious and angry, in short— freaking out. I don’t know if it’s what’s going on with the Freemans, that we had sex, or if it’s that she’s second guessing her readiness for us to be an us. Whatever it is, I need to talk her down from the ledge before she jumps, and I lose her. Again.

I pull her to my chest in a tight hug, “I wish I didn’t have to go. Now that I have you back, I don’t want to leave you.”

“Graham needs you. Y’all have to go.”

She’s pushing me away. Not a good sign. “Ruby, I want to talk when I get back. We need to talk.”

She looks up, but doesn’t meet my eyes, “yeah, we will.” She leans up on her tip toes and kisses my cheek. What the fuck is that? I had my face buried in her pussy not thirty minutes ago and she can’t even give me a proper kiss goodbye? I tuck my finger under her chin and lift until she’s forced to meet my gaze.

“Are we okay?”

“I think so.” She swallows hard, then adds, “you better get going. Em’s beside herself.”

Maybe she’s just worried for her friend, but something is off. I can feel it. I lock the door and walk her to Em’s car. “Y’all be safe,” is all she says before closing the door. No kiss, no hug, not even a goodbye. Something’s wrong. Before I can tap on her window, she’s pulling out of the lot. I hop into my truck, with the gut feeling that something bad just happened and there’s nothing I can do to fix it right now. I have to get on the road.

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