Page 37 of Trash Talk

“I know pregnancy hormones can affect your brain function, but you might need to seek professional help. Brit, you’re going to have to tell your parents. They need to know. They’ll help you. They may be the only ones who can at this point. They should've known from the start, before you concocted this crazy-ass plan of yours. If this guy is as dangerous as you think, it sounds like you’ll need all the help you can get. But I can’t be that for you.”

“I know. I actually told them earlier, after I left lunch with Ruby. They weren’t happy, but they agreed to help me. They’re scared too. I’m so sorry I dragged you into all this, Knox. I don’t blame you if you hate me. I’m leaving town tonight and I probably won’t see you again. So, I just wanted to tell you the truth and let you know how sorry I am, for everything. I hope I haven’t put you or Ruby at risk. I’m… I’m so sorry, Knox.”

I can’t even accept her apology. Her life is fucked, but she did not need to involve me in it. How could she do this to me? Twice! I can’t look at her anymore. I can’t listen to one more word. She has to go. Now.

“I hope you and your child are safe and have a long and happy life, but you need to leave.”

“Knox,” My brain can’t even comprehend how I heard my name, when it didn’t come out of Brit’s mouth. What is she a ventriloquist as well as a liar now?

“Please, just get the fuck out, Brit.” She nods and turns to walk out the door.

She pauses just before she closes it behind her and looks over my shoulder; “I really am sorry.”

Holy shit. That was the most fucked up shit I’ve ever heard. My head is spinning. I sit on my couch trying to make some sense of it all. Who gets involved with the Russian mafia without realizing it? Who dates a man for a year without knowing he’s married? Like I said earlier, she needs professional help.

That woman has stolen years from my life. Years with Ruby I can’t get back. I don’t want to spend one more second without that woman by my side. Realization dawns. I want her to move in with me. I want to get married. Have babies. Spend the rest of our lives together. Starting now. Shit, I need a ring. But first, I need to find her, talk to her. I look up to see her sitting on the couch next to me. With everything that just happened, I’d forgotten she was here. She must’ve heard it all. Her stunned face mirrors mine.

“That was the craziest…” she doesn’t finish, just sits there, clearly in shock. But Yeah. It was the craziest shit ever. “I mean, what the fuck? I knew Brit was a bitch, but this is just beyond.” She’s just voicing all my inner thoughts.

We sit in silence for a minute while we both process everything. “Are you going to press charges?”

“I mean, I know what she did was wrong. But I’m not sure I could go to the cops with anything concrete. She was desperate. People that are used to a certain lifestyle do crazy things when that lifestyle is threatened.” Can you press charges against someone for slipping you allergy meds and lying to you? It feels like she did something criminal. I understand that she was desperate. I don’t know what lengths I would go to if Ruby’s life were in danger. I’d probably do crazier things than Brit did. I don’t want to think about it.

“You’re a millionaire?” She whispers. I nod. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It’s not something I go around telling everybody.”

“I’m not everybody, Knox.”

“Believe me, Ruby, I know. You’re the best thing in my life, and I love you.”

“I love you too.” She scoots over and straddles my lap, her hands coming up to cup my face as she leans in to kiss me sweetly. I love when she does that. “And I’m sorry your ex-girlfriend is so fucking crazy,” she ends with an exasperated laugh and I join in. It feels like the only thing to do. If I don’t laugh, I’ll scream. “Even though I know what she did was wrong, I don’t know what I’d do in her shoes. She went about it the wrong way, but I understand why she did it.” I do too, but I’m not feeling super forgiving right now. Maybe one day. But right now, I don’t want to think about Brit. I’m done wasting time on her today. I have someone much more pleasant right in front of me.

“I don’t want to talk about Brit anymore. I want to talk about us.” I swallow hard and look deep into her beautiful blue eyes. Eyes the color of the sky on a cloudless day. “Ruby, I want to be with you.”

“You are with me, Knox.” She smiles, and it lights up her whole gorgeous face.

“Forever.”

Those eyes get huge. “What are you sayin’?”

“I want us to live together. I want to marry you. I want us to spend our lives together, betting, playing, laughing, working hard, making love. Making babies. I’m tired of wasting time. You’re it for me, Shorty. You always have been. What do you say? Make me the happiest man in the world?”

“Are you askin’ me to marry you? While I’m sitting on your lap? After your ex-girlfriend unloaded all that shit? And without a ring? Are you serious?”

God, this woman. I swear she’ll be giving me hell on my death bed. I smile at the thought of us spending a lifetime together. The way it should be. “My timing kinda sucks, but that’s nothing new. And yeah. I want you to be my wife. You and me. Forever.”

“You, me and nine million dollars.” She adds cheekily.

I laugh, “Well, it’s closer to twelve now.” She slaps my chest. I made a few investments that have paid off. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. “So, that’s a yes, then?”

“With all my heart. You’re it for me too. I’m just sorry it’s taken us this long to get our shit together.”

“I think you mean; it’s taken you this long. I knew you were the one when I was eighteen. It’s taken you over a decade to catch up.” She slaps my chest again and huffs out a laugh.

“Shut up, Teller and kiss me before I change my mind.”

I bring my lips to her forehead and whisper against it. “Now that I’ve got you, you’re not going anywhere. I won’t let you.”

“Wanna bet?” She asks, rubbing her lips along my jaw.

“Double or nothin’, Shorty.” I take her mouth with mine and seal the deal. It’s the first bet I’ve made with her, I have no doubt, I’ll win.

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