Page 64 of Mr. Broody

“So not a date.” There’s disappointment in his voice, and the dad guilt weighs down on me for getting us into this situation.

“A date can be like what your dad said, we get together. What do you think a date means?” Jade asks.

As we get closer to my condo, all I really want is to get the hell out of this car.

“I don’t know, but it’s what Rowan says he’s taking Kyleigh on all the time.”

And there it is.

Mack pulls down the alley behind Peeper’s Alley.

“We’re here!” I say, all too happy to flee this car and this conversation. I step out of the passenger side.

“Oh no, you don’t!” Ruby comes out the back door.

“It’s Saturday. All your deliveries are done,” Mack says.

“Hi, Ruby!” Bodhi climbs out of the back seat. “Miss Jade is here!” He jumps out of the car onto the pavement.

“Miss Jade?” Ruby asks, using her softer voice with Bodhi. “Who is Miss Jade?”

I open Jade’s door, and she steps out.

Ruby’s eyebrows rise. “You.”

“Hi, Ruby.” Jade smiles and waves.

Their energy feels almost competitive.

“What am I missing?” I ask.

“Come on, Bodhi, let’s get this stuff inside.” Mack hands Bodhi one of his gifts and takes the basket with the others.

“Back room is free,” Ruby says over her shoulder before narrowing her eyes at Jade. She’s protective of all of us—makes sure we’re not bothered, makes the women who come to the bar specifically to find us uncomfortable and probably scared. But Jade’s here as my guest.

“You two know one another?” I ask, leading Jade over to the steps by the delivery dock.

“We met once, but…” Ruby starts.

“Ruby didn’t want me to get into the back room that night,” Jade says, her eyes never leaving Ruby’s.

Oh shit, this isn’t good.

“She and her friends were looking for you guys,” Ruby says with no small amount of attitude.

The last thing I need is for these two to be enemies.

“Let me introduce you two properly then. Ruby, this is my old friend, Jade. She was my first friend, first girlfriend, first love.” I place my hand on the small of Jade’s back to show Ruby that she’s really important to me and not a threat. “And Jade, this is Ruby. She looks out for us, and she’s probably prevented Tweetie from becoming a baby daddy a few dozen times.”

Jade puts her hand out first. “Pleasure to meet you, Ruby.”

Ruby stares at it.

“She’s good people.” We all look toward the doorway where Kyleigh leans against the frame. “Relax, Ruby. I’ve got this one covered.”

Ruby doesn’t shake Jade’s hand. “Fine. If you say so, Kyleigh.” Then she turns around and heads back inside, sliding by Kyleigh.

“She’ll love you. Eventually.” Kyleigh shakes her head and follows Ruby back inside.

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