A blessing and a curse,
Playing my heart like that old guitar.
I play around with the chorus, making up the notes as I go.
Ruby hums along, brow furrowed. “Wait, play that again.”
I restart the chord progression from the top, and more lyrics seem to flow through her.
You whispered words he’d never say,
Laid bare all my fears and doubts.
Found a way to bring me peace as the last chords faded out.
And when the song was over,
And dusk turned into dawn,
You were heaven-sent and hell-bound,
And I was already gone.
She smiles wistfully and leans back on her hands, swinging her legs back and forth over the tailgate. Some of her earlier tension has melted away. Ruby has always been beautiful, but never more than she is now, bathed in moonlight with a simple line of music setting her soul on fire as if its very existence is the reason she’s breathing.
She’s breathing for the both of us because I can’t seem to catch mine. Our gazes lock as the music flows through us, and my resolve wanes with each passing second. If I don’t walk away now, I might do something stupid like kiss her.
Could I do it? If the opportunity presented itself, could I betray my brother? Betray the only family I have left?
No, and that's why this is dangerous. Ruby is a temptation I can’t afford.
I stop playing.
I lean back on my hands, and my fingertips brush hers. A warmth spreads through me, starting at the point of contact and working its way through my body. Ruby shifts closer, almost imperceptibly, with her soft lips slightly parted.
I don’t move. Can’t move, but I have to. I won’t do this to Connor.
I look away and tug at the back of my neck, kicking myself for what I’d almost done.
“Why did you stop?” she asks.
I can’t tell if she’s talking about the almost kiss or the music, but I don’t ask. “It’s late. I… um… I should take you home.”
“Oh. Yeah. Ok.” She looks away, and regret settles in the pit of my stomach.
I help Ruby off the tailgate, and a pair of headlights hit us like a spotlight in the dark, coming to a stop beside my truck. When the passenger door swings open, Connor rolls out of the backseat. Laughter follows him as he stumbles on the gravel, catching himself before he can fall face-first into the dirt.
“Liam,” he slurs. “How’s it hanging, bro?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You’re trashed, Connor. Go inside.”
“Pfft. I’m fine. Just had a couple beers with the team.”
Ruby steps up beside him and places a tentative hand on his back. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Her voice is soft and soothing, and it grates on my nerves. She should be furious that he left her, not comforting him. She’s too kindhearted for her own good.
He scrunches his nose and pulls away. “You two are harshing my vibe.”
