Page 22 of Holding You
“Alright, well, when you see him, have him call me. I want to ask him about the last blast. I saw pictures on the website, and I want to ask him about the tug-of-war.”
I halt.
“What pictures?”
“Well, to start, there is one of all the parents lying on the ground with the kids laughing. You’re full on sitting on some guy's lap, but honestly, by his size compared to yours, he probably didn’t notice.”
“Oh, he noticed and so did I. It was horrible.”
“Whoa, hold on, is that Declan?”
“Mmm.”
“I finally have a face to the name. This is great. Let me pull it up again real fast.”
“Why?”
“So I can confirm … yeah, you're right. His face is super annoying.”
I snort. The woman next to me stares for a moment but then keeps walking with a small wave.
I wave back.
“What’s this guy’s last name again?”
“Young. Why?”
“It just sounds familiar.”
“Probably because Max talks about Susie so much. I’m sure her dad’s name comes up.”
He hums on the other end. “Yeah, I guess. So, hey, listen, my dad mentioned that he emailed you last week about work—did you get it?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“And you didn’t reply?”
“No. I did not. He wanted to know how my numbers were this last quarter, and I don’t think it’s any of his business.”
“I’m sure he’s only asking because …”
“Because he wants to make sure I don’t miss a payment to him. I know.”
I missed a payment over the holidays, and they will never, ever forget it.
Like I said, I need to find a way to make extra money this summer. The sooner I pay his parents back, the sooner I’ll never have a reason to see or talk to them again unless it’s for Max.
“I know how he can be. I’m sorry, Ruby.”
How my son’s father came from such a pill of a man is beyond me.
“It’s not your fault. I’m the one who agreed to this.”
“Yeah, I sort of thought they’d let it go once you graduated, though. Lord knows, my family can afford it.”
I thought so, too, but the moment Colt and I announced that we weren’t going to continue dating, it was like a switch flipped. I was now the enemy, and they weren’t going to let me go without making sure I knew it.
“I wish you’d just let me pay it off for you.”
