Here Comes Trouble (Nothing Special #3)(28)

Ruxs tucked the cigarette box under his arm and went to open the door. He paused, changing his mind and knocked instead.

“Who is it?” his mom yelled. “I’m busy.”

“Momma, it’s me. Can I come in?” Ruxs yelled back.

“Armin, what do you want? I’m watching TV.”

What the hell? Ruxs ignored her and opened the door. He stepped inside the foggy room, closed and locked the door behind him. “Hey momma. I brought you something.” He smiled despite the frown she had on her face.

“Armin. I said I’m busy.” She tucked her legs under her and turned back towards the TV, ignoring him.

He walked through the small living room space, kicking the recliner closed so he could sit next to her on the couch.

“Mom. I really wish you’d call me Mark.”

She scowled at him. “I’ll call what I named you.”

“You named me after a man that left you as soon as he found out you were pregnant. I’ve never even seen him. I go by Granddad’s name. I go by Mark Ruxsberg.”

“I will call you whatever I goddamn please, if I want to call you assh —”

He waved his hand in the air cutting her off. “Okay, okay. Never mind. Forget the name. That’s not why I came over.” He picked up the flowers and held them in front of her. “Look what I brought you. Aren’t they pretty? Roses are still your favorite, aren’t they?”

She didn’t smile at him but at least she dropped the frown. “Thanks,” she mumbled.

“You’re welcome. Here, I brought you these too.” He held out the carton of cigarettes. She quickly snatched them up and put them on the table beside her.

“I’ll just put these in some water for you.” Ruxs ignored her groan of annoyance and got up to get the one vase he knew was under the kitchen sink from the last time he’d brought her flowers. He vaguely looked around the small space as he carefully placed the flowers inside the thin glass container, filling it halfway with water. He smiled wide when he placed them on the table in front of her.

“Do you like them?” he asked.

“You can’t stay. I’m busy,” she said, not looking at the flowers or him, her bloodshot eyes focused on the television instead.

“Well, actually I have no plans tonight. Thought I’d come and take my favorite girl to dinner.” He gently placed his hand on her knee over her faded pink robe. “Maybe take a walk in the park. Hmmm. That sound nice? You love Atlanta in the fall.”

She turned to him and the harsh look of disdain she wore made him close his eyes. He couldn’t look. He loathed that fucking look. Why the hell does she hate me so much? With his eyes still closed he kept talking. “Come on, mom. You gotta meet me half way here. It’s just me and you now. We’re family. We’re all we’ve got. I’ve been here for you the whole time. No matter what you’ve done and said to me, it’s in the past. I forgive you. But I really need you to be here for me, now. I-I’m going through some things and I could sure use my family right now. I remember —”

“Don’t go that way!” his mom yelled, interrupting his aching plea.

He opened his eyes and saw she wasn’t even paying attention to him, her concentration on the television program. Ruxs huffed a small sigh. He wasn’t giving up. He’d wait until the show went off. He didn’t have shit else to do. He removed his hand from her knee and sat back on the couch, draping his arm around her. “So what are you watching?”

She shrugged his arm off. “None of your business.” She stood up and went to the front door. “You have to go. I’m tired.”

Ruxs ran his hand over his hair, squeezing the back of his neck. This whole situation was so fucked up. He literally had no one to turn to. He looked up at her, just now fully taking in her appearance. He frowned at the ratty house robe closed tight around her narrow waist. Her lipstick was smeared around her mouth; her eyes looked like a raccoon, her dark eyeliner smudged like she’d been crying – but that was impossible – she was incapable of such an act. He tilted his head to the side, her eyes were everywhere but on him, shifting back and forth, her leg bouncing nervously. Ruxs looked around the small space, finally standing up. His anger was rising quickly, he couldn’t believe this. Didn’t want to believe it. He walked back towards her bedroom. Ignoring her screeching for him to leave.

“What are you doing?” she yelled. Her small fingers uselessly grabbing at his thick bicep.

He ignored her still. He marched back to the front of the apartment and peered out the kitchen window. Nothing back there. He took in the scene in front of him. The usual dirty dishes littered the sink, but there was also takeout.

“That’s it! Out! Right now, Armin! I don’t want you to come back, ever!” She opened the front door, pointing outside.

Ruxs came back into the living room, yanking the door out of her hand and slamming it closed. She jumped at his anger. Good. He took a calming breath, not wanting to act too rashly. Green wasn’t here to keep him out of trouble. He leveled his angry gaze on her and hissed his question. “Who’s the man in the closet?”

Her eyes widened before narrowing. “You’re crazy. Get out of my house.”

“Who’s in there? It’s got to be a man because you wouldn’t hide a female.”