Reaper's Legacy(117)

“Noah never bothers me,” Ruger said, cocking his head at Josh, who tried to offer him a smile.

“He’s a great kid,” Josh said. “You must be proud of him.”

“Yup,” Ruger said to him. “You need to go now. Probably be best if you don’t call Sophie again.”

Josh’s eyes widened.

“Go f*ck yourself, Ruger,” I snapped. Josh glanced over at me, looking nervous. “Josh, please ignore him. He’s leaving.”

“Nope, I’m not leaving,” Ruger said pointedly. “And I won’t be leaving. You’re not welcome here. Don’t know what Sophie’s told you, but she’s taken.”

“That’s not true,” I said quickly. Josh looked between us, swallowing.

“You need a hand, Ruger?” Horse called from the sidewalk. He offered Josh a wolfish smile.

“Not with this *,” Ruger replied, holding Josh’s eyes steadily. Josh broke, looking away.

“Um, I gotta get going,” he said, offering me a quick, sheepish smile. Then he turned and walked away very quickly.

I stared, dumbfounded.

“Looks like your new boyfriend scares easy,” Ruger murmured. “Didn’t even make sure you were safe with me. Wouldn’t want a man like that at my back. Of course, I don’t need to worry about backup. My brothers are there for me, no matter what.”

He took my shoulders and turned me toward the steak house. I saw Horse, Bam Bam, Duck, and Slide standing around my son. Bam held Noah’s shoulder protectively. Ruger leaned down behind me, speaking softly in my ear as his fingers squeezed my shoulders.

“Look at that,” he said. “You know them, so you know Noah couldn’t be safer. But your buddy Josh? He knows shit about those guys. That didn’t stop him from walking away to cover his own ass while they had your son. Hell of a man you’ve found.”

I swallowed, because I knew he was right.

So Josh wouldn’t be getting a second date if he bothered to call. Probably a moot point, because I had a feeling he wouldn’t.

“You need to stay out of my life,” I told Ruger, watching Noah carefully show off his prizes, offering Horse one of his precious rings. Horse accepted it, sliding it a quarter of the way down his pinkie.

Noah glowed with pride.

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” Ruger said. “Don’t take Noah out with a guy like that again. You’ll send him the wrong message.”

“None of your business.”

“It’ll always be my business.”

“You don’t get to win every single time,” I told him seriously. “Just because you say something, that doesn’t mean it’s true.”

“Just ’cause I say it doesn’t mean I’m wrong, either.”

I glared at him, then marched over and collected Noah, trying not to grit my teeth. I took him home and put him to bed, feeling bitchy the entire time.

When I fell asleep that night, it wasn’t Josh I was dreaming of. Nope, stupid Ruger. Again.

Even in my dreams he won.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN




SUNDAY



KIMBER: Josh won’t tell Ryan anyting about ur date. Did somethig go wrong?

ME: Ruger

KIMBER:???

ME: We had a great time then Ruger showed up. Pretty sure I’ll never hear from Josh again

KIMBER: Jesus Ruger. Stalk much?!?!???

ME: No it wasn’t like that. He was having dinner with the guys we ran into him in the parking lot. He had a little bullshit talk with Josh then Josh ran off. I realize he doesn’t know us very well but he didnt even make sure Noah and I were safe when he left. Epic fail all around

KIMBER: Pisser. Josh loses margarita privileges. Hate wimps

ME: Meh …

KIMBER: So u talk to Ruger at all?

ME: Nope. Fuck him

KIMBER: Gotcha. Hey u going to the bachelorette party? Marie invited me and I wnat to go, but it would be wiered without u

ME: Can’t decide. Like her and would love it, but … you know …

KIMBER: Yup, I get it. Keep me posted

MONDAY



RUGER: Can I pick Noah up after school? Got a thing I want to take him to

ME: What kind of thing?

RUGER: Got a friend who races, his car is down at the track. Said Noah could have a ride

ME: Is it safe???