Page 29 of Holding You

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I stand up quickly, ready for redemption.

Ball in hand, I serve it over.

Like before, Ruby bumps.

I bump.

Then Ruby spikes the ball with fury, and it hits me dead center in the face. I feel the blood rush down, over my lips and chin.

“Shit!” someone yells as I drop to my knees and cover my nose.

“Are you okay?”

“Damn, Ruby, how hard did you hit the ball?”

“Let me see it.”

Quinn, Shay, and Miles all hover over me. They ask question after question, and I answer as best I can in rapid-fire response.

But my next words freeze on my tongue as Ruby drops to her knees next to me and places a wet towel to my face.

I reach up, my hand grazing hers, and our eyes lock as everyone fusses around us.

Normally, I can read the expression on her face, but right now, I can’t.

“Are you okay?” she asks quietly. Again, her voice is void of any emotion, but her hands are shaking.

Oddly, I’m a little more concerned about her now.

She’s always been easy for me to read.

I don’t like this.

“I’m good.”

“Good.”

Although her answer is short, she doesn’t pull her gaze from mine.

The others make their way back to their seats, and I lean closer to Ruby.

“Are you good?”

She nods.

“Are you sure?”

Another nod.

I use the napkin Ruby brought me to dab at my face. The bleeding has stopped.

“That was fun though,” I tell Ruby. “Your dad said you’ve played before. Was it in high school?”

“Yep. Before I got pregnant, of course. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.”

A smile touches her lips.

“Wait, wait, wait. Does this … did you just have fun … with me?”

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