Page 10 of Ruin

“Thanks. I tried buzzing her, but she didn’t pick up. Let her know I called and that we’ll do cake on Sunday. I’m assuming you’ve got your truck tonight if you’re designated driving, right?”

“You got it. I’ll give you a call in the morning and let you know how this turns out.” Guilt is an understatement to what I’m feeling right now. I’ve done a lot of fucked up shit in my life, but fucking over your best friend is at the top of the list. I have no business going to a sex club with Peach.

None.

“Talk in the morning, man. Be safe out there.”

“Later.” I hang up the line as I hold the door open for Peach. She’s so fucking gorgeous and the closer we get to even the thought of a bunch of assholes looking at her, touching her, thinking about her… makes me want to fucking rage.

“This new? You had an older truck before, didn’t you?”

“Bounties have been good. I needed an upgrade. Feel free to change the station.”

She leans forward and twists the nob, dialing to all the presets. “This is like… talk radio, talk radio, and more talk radio. Where’s the music?” She glares toward me. “Don’t tell me you don’t listen to music anymore either. You used to be a rocker.”

I laugh. “I still listen to music. I just also like podcasts. Everyone listens to podcasts.”

“Really? I don’t. I don’t get the point.”

“I get to learn things.”

She twists her hair to the side. “Like what?”

“Like this one I listen to is about motorcycles. The guy talks about new gear and shit.”

“Intriguing…” She grins and twists the knob slowly toward country music while glaring at me playfully. “I like classic country. The nineties stuff.”

“You weren’t born in the nineties, so what do you know about classic stuff?”

She shoves me playfully as I drive down the mountain toward the Springs. It’s about an hour’s drive from here to The Lookout and while normally, I take in the scenery and soak up the views, today the only thing I’m paying much attention to is my peach.

“You used to love nineties country too. Remember?” She smiles widely as she looks at me. All I want to do is hold her.

“No, I didn’t.”

She laughs. “Whatever! You love Garth Brooks.”

“Do I?” I stroke my hand over my beard.

“You do. You used to sing that Shameless song all the time.”

“Oh yeah.” I grin. “I do like that one.”

“And the low places song. You like that too.”

“Is that Garth Brooks?”

“Yes!” She laughs. “Stop messing with me.”

I like that she knows these pieces of me. I can’t think of another person who does.

“You remember that cover band we saw down at Mullet’s bar last year? The one that played that song. They were pretty solid.”

“I forgot about that.” She turns toward me, lifting her leg onto the seat as she moves. “Ya know, we’ve done a lot together. Maybe it’s you and me that are besties. Outlaw thinks he’s got you locked in, but I might steal you away, especially now that he’s busy with his family stuff.”

I glance toward her and smile. “Is that right?”

She nods. “Yeah, I mean think about it. We spent like all last summer at the lake together and you’re the first call I make when I need a friend. Besides, who do you share all your secrets with? I know it’s not Outlaw.”

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