Page 4 of Ruin

He laughs. “Shit… I’d probably go, but does she want you inside?”

“I don’t know. She said she needed security and moral support. Maybe she just wants me in the parking lot waiting for her. But … I can’t fucking do that. The thought of her all over some other guy, or some other dude all over her, makes my skin crawl.”

Country sighs. “You’ve gotta get this out of your head. She’s not an option. She’s what… twenty … twenty-five years younger than you? She’s your best friend’s baby sister. It ain’t happenin’.”

I swallow a lump that’s formed in my throat. He’s right. I’m not thinking straight. The sooner I get this out of my mind, the better. “You on the hunt? How’s the bounty you’ve been going after?”

“It’s a big one. Twenty grand. Bro’s been sellin’ illegal guns. I found his ex, so I’m gettin’ closer. What about you?”

I nod. “I’m taking in a couple lower end bounties this month. Nothing big like yours.”

He clasps his lure shut and pushes the magnifier out of the way. “I got a line to cast, man. Think about what I said. If you don’t go, chances are she won’t go either. She’s young. She doesn’t know what she wants.”

I stand from the chair and nod. I don’t expect him to understand. Hell, I don’t understand myself. If I were the man I thought I was, I’d have rejected this idea already. “Thanks for listening. Good luck landing the big one.”

Country gives me a lingering glance, then turns toward his back room where he keeps his gear. Understood or not, I’m thankful he talked to me about this shit. If he hadn’t, I’d probably have cracked by now.

The trouble is… none of his advice is going to sink in. When I’m here, listening to him… I know what he’s saying makes sense. Carmen's life is just beginning. She’s got a whole world of men and emotions to explore. The fact that I’m even remotely possessive over her is fucked up. I’ve lived my life on the muzzle of a gun. If I was set on someone, it never ended well.

I don’t deserve a sweet girl like Peach.

I climb onto my bike and wind through the pines back toward my place. It’s a little bungalow tucked away in the forest. It was a simple little thing when I bought it, but since then I’ve really made it my own. There’s pride in that adventure. An adventure not unlike what Peach says she needs.

When I’m finally home, I check my messages and grab a beer from the fridge. This weekend I need to hunt. The guy’s only worth ten grand, but I believe he’s going to be easy to find. Folks say he’s staying up near Eagle Rock. He’s not a violent offender, so I expect him to go down without much of a fight. Though, historically, the second I start expecting things is the second everything goes wrong.

My phone buzzes on the side table and I lift it to check the message. It’s Peach, and my cock throbs just knowing she was thinking about me.

Peach: ‘You make a decision yet? I’m leaving tomorrow night after work.’

She inserts a smiling face.

Peach: ‘What do you think of this? Should I wear it?’

She attaches a photo of herself in a short black dress that curves at the hips and shows way too much fucking cleavage. I swear she does this shit on purpose. Photos like this are dangerous. If she only knew how sick of a man I can be.

Me: ‘No.’

I toss my phone down and drag a hard gulp of beer, trying to forget the picture I just saw. If I’m going to move on and stop thinking of Peach like I do, I’m going to need to distance myself from sexy photos.

My phone buzzes again. I shouldn’t look, but I do it immediately.

Peach: ‘What does that mean? No, what?’

Me: ‘You can’t wear that dress.’

My cock hardens as I glance up at her in the clinging fabric. I can’t fucking do this. There’s no way I’m going to that club.

Peach: ‘Oh, so I can’t wear the dress, but you’ll come?’

I’ll come alright.

Me: ‘No. You can’t wear the dress and you can’t go to the club, but I will be the designated driver for you and your friends if you want to hit the bars in the Springs.’

My phone rings. It’s Peach.

I blow out a heavy breath and answer, though I know I shouldn’t. “Hey.”

“You can’t be serious.” Her tone is playful, but curt.

---