Page 13 of Knight

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"Do you need help, Mom?" Kels asks as she comes through the back door.

Everyone got here about an hour ago, and I'm in my element. "I wouldn't say no to it. Can you grab the deviled eggs out of the fridge, and stick those rolls in the oven?"

"No problem." She does as I asked then leans back against the countertop, crossing her arms over her chest. "Mom, do you think something's going on with Caleb and Ruby? They haven't spoken to one another since they got here. He's not wearing his wedding ring, [KN1] and he hasn't touched her, which we all know is super odd for them," she hisses. "He's never been able to keep his hands off her. And the ring?"

"It's not our business, Kels." I remind her, although I want to know, too. "I can't imagine whatever it is, is good. We both know how hard they've fought to be together. If he's taken off his wedding ring and they aren't speaking to one another, it's bad."

"I know," she sighs. "He's my brother, one of my favorite people in the world, and I don't want to see him upset. If she's done something to him, I wanna kick her ass."

I laugh, cutting my eyes over at her. "Who's to say he didn't do something to her? We both know how he was before he met her. However, I go back to it's not our business. If they want us to know what's going on, they'll tell us."

She blows out a breath so hard it moves her bangs. "Okay, Mom."

"C'mon, let's take this out to your Dad. He should be done with the steaks and burgers by now."

Chapter Ten

Menace

"Can we take that drive?" D asks after we're done eating.

"Yeah, if you want to."

"Taking a drive?" Rina asks, leaning her head over on my shoulder. "What kind of drive?"

"D's going to be getting his license before we know it. I told him he could practice in the Jeep." I give her a wink as I stand up.

"The Jeep?" she questions, her eyes shining brightly. "You sure you wanna do that?"

"Yes, the Jeep. What is it I told you, D?"

"Chicks dig the Jeep."

"Am I wrong about that, Rina?" I look over at her, taking a last drink from my glass.

"Can't say that you are. Your Jeep was one of the first things I noticed about you. It definitely kept me coming back."

"See, D? Take note."

"Y'all mind if I come with ya?" Caleb asks. "Been a long time since I rode in a Jeep."

"Jesus Christ, Caleb, I told you to go buy another one if you want to," Ruby snaps, cutting into our conversation.

He turns on her and I'm taken aback, because I haven't ever seen the disdain in his eyes that are there right now. "Did I say anything at all about the Jeep I sold?" He speaks through gritted teeth. "Don't begin to assume you know what I'm getting at, because you haven't asked and really wanted to know in almost a year."

My mind immediately starts counting backward a year, trying to figure out what's happened between the two of them. There's only one thing I can think of, and surely to God that incident didn't cause this. "How about we not do this in front of everyone?" I play the mediator. "Caleb, if you wanna come with us, that's fine, but we're not gonna sit here and do this."

Chastised, they each look away from one another. "I'm gonna head out with Dad, D and Nick, if that's okay with you."

"We'll be here when you get back," Ruby answers quietly.

It looks as if Caleb wants to say something else, but he doesn't. "Alright, we'll be back in a bit."

"Be good for your Mom," he says, pointing to Molly and Levi. "Next time you can come," he tags his son on the chest. "Sound good?"

Levi nods. "Have fun."

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