A muscle ticks in my jaw. “You have no right to say a damn thing about our relationship after how you treated her in the end.”
He huffs out an irritated breath. “That’s rich coming from you. Just admit you wanted her the whole time, Liam. I know you did. Did you fuck her back then, too?”
“Watch it. You may be my brother, but you don’t get to be disrespectful. Ruby never cheated. I can’t say the same for you, though, can I?”
He pinches his eyes shut and leans forward, propping his elbows on his legs. He seems taller somehow, or maybe I still think of him as that little kid who was forced to grow up way too quickly alongside an unqualified big brother.
“I came here because I care. Because you’re my brother,” he says, his tone almost remorseful. “I didn’t come here to rehash the past. It’s been ten years. Ruby can date whoever she wants… even you. But I hope you know you don’t fucking deserve her.”
“We can agree on that, but neither did you.”
“You’re right.” The next few minutes pass in silence. When he finally looks up again, he says, “Are you really ok?”
“Hurts like a son-of-a-bitch, but I’ll be fine.”
“Good. Look, we have a lot of shit to talk about, but I don’t want to do it here. Can we meet for dinner later this week? I’m staying at the Willow Creek Inn.”
“I take it Miles called you?”
“And Cade. It was a joint effort.”
I nod. “Dinner sounds good. I have your number. I’ll text you.”
He stands and squeezes my shoulder. “I’m really glad you’re ok.”
“You look good, kid. Happy.”
“I’m getting there,” he says. “Be a better man than I was. Ruby deserves the best.”
I give him a tight-lipped smile and watch him leave, years of pent-up frustrations walking out the door with him, leaving behind the guilt I can’t seem to shake.
He’s right in a way. Connor pulled away first, but I was the one who gave up after so many unanswered calls and texts. I stopped trying, and that’s on me. I can’t help but wonder if I failed him in some way. I’m his big brother—I was supposed to be there for him.
No matter what happens, I could never hate him. I know what he’s been through; I was there too, and I won’t fault him for how he chooses to cope, whether he wants me in his life or not.
Ruby returns shortly after Connor leaves, immediately resuming her position. Having her in my arms eases the residual tension. She draws patterns over my heart, and I kiss her hair. This is how it should be, the hospital bed and revealing gown notwithstanding.
Quiet moments with Ruby make everything worthwhile.All of the heartache and loss, every shitty foster home and terrible ex—it all led me right here, to this amazing woman. I just wish this moment could last a lifetime.
Chapter 16
Something To Live For
? I Found - Amber Run
Liam
I’ve been damn near bedridden for four days, and I’m on the verge of losing my mind. Ruby hasn’t left my side, and her care and attentiveness are the only reasons I haven’t gone completely insane.
I’m not used to being taken care of. The last person to truly care for me was my mother, and I don’t have many good memories left. She was a great mom while we had her, but when I think of her, my mind goes to the worst moment of my life, so I try not to.
I glance to my right, where Ruby is sitting crisscross on the floor with her guitar in hand. Her face is perfectly highlighted by the sun streaming in through the windows. Fuck, she’s beautiful, and the biggest goddamn temptation, torturing me with those silky pajamas she loves to wear.
I pull out my phone and capture the moment, wanting to remember her just like this. She strums a few more chords andwrites something down, traps the pen between her teeth, and the process repeats.
“Does that one have lyrics?”
“Getting there.” She bites down on her bottom lip. “Do you like it?”
