Rising (Blue Phoenix, #4)(11)

“Why? Because of Dan?”

In response, Ruby drags a chair and sits opposite me, crossing her skinny legs. The light from the house casts across her face, her red-painted mouth, and the eyes that are the window to a place of hurt we share. She chews one of her short, black-painted nails and meets my scrutiny.

“You’re not what I expected,” she says. “Or you weren’t until you f*cked Sara.”

“I didn’t, remember?”

“Only because Bryn interrupted.”

“What did you expect me to be, Ruby?”

“A condescending dick who’d have his hand up my skirt at the first opportunity.”

“I like the band. If I piss you off, I have to start looking all over again.”

“So this isn’t your natural respect for me?”

“Nope. I’m a condescending dick who preys on women.”

“You’re not.”

“Recently.” The turn of the conversation disturbs me and I shift in my chair. Two can play at this. “You’re not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“A strong girl who wouldn’t let a dickhead screw her around.”

Ruby jumps to her feet and the light plastic chair falls over. “f-uck you!” she hisses.

“Wow. Okay. Sorry.” That escalated f-ucking quickly.

“You don’t know a thing about me!” she continues. “Don’t judge!”

And she’s back, the girl from the shadows gone. I stand too, blown away by the split second shift in mood. “Sure, whatever. But you can’t hide from what’s happening. Not forever.”

Ruby steps closer me, her height in the thick-soled boots places her close to my eye level. “None of your f-ucking business, Jem Jones.”

I want to grab Ruby’s shoulders and shake common sense in, pull her off the destructive path she’s on. Ruby’s glare softens to confusion and she briefly glances at my mouth before stepping back.

“Leave me alone,” she says quietly, and then heads back to the house.

As she opens the door and the light shines on her, Ruby’s frailty hits me. In her Ruby persona, the weakness is masked behind the attitude. I heave in a breath. I walked the destructive path and I know nobody can pull you off the road you’re destined to take; changing direction is a decision only she can make. I wish I knew who put Ruby on the path she’s on.

“Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday,” I sing softly to myself and laugh.





Chapter Five



Ruby



Tonight I’m home before Dan and cook instead of heating up ready meals from the supermarket. He likes pasta so I make spaghetti and hope he didn’t eat already. Even if Dan has, I’m expected to have a meal ready for him after work.

Tonight I tell Dan; I’m running out of time.

I sit at the table, chewing my nails and jump up as the front door closes. Dan appears and sweeps me into a tight embrace, before he looks over at the boiling water.

“Hey, angel.” He kisses me gently on the mouth. “You cooked, thank you.”

Why does he thank me if I’m in trouble when I don’t?

“I hope it’s okay.”

“Sure it is! Smells good. I’ll get changed.”

I busy myself arranging the bowls and the salad, straightening the cutlery into order and perfection. Dan returns in a clean checked shirt and smart jeans, and sits at the table. I open a beer and place it next to him.

“You spoil me,” he says. “Any reason?”

“No.”

Meal served, I attempt to eat; but the sickly pasta sticks in my throat. Dan eats plenty, always does. He has two more beers in the course of our silent meal and sweat beads along my back. Dan doesn’t need alcohol to make him nasty, but it doesn’t help.

We talk about work, his mainly. He’s a personal trainer at a local gym and a gym is the last place you’d find me. Some days Dan doesn’t have time for his own workout and they’re difficult days because he brings home the frustration with him.

The half hour we eat is excruciating because I try repeatedly to broach the subject but can’t. Even by the time we’re finished and I’m washing dishes, the words still choke me.

“Something’s bothering you, angel, what’s wrong?” Dan asks quietly.

I drop the cup back into the water. “Ruby Riot has another gig this week.” He doesn’t respond and I don’t look round, rubbing soapy bubbles between my fingers. “I don’t want to let the guys down.”

Dan sighs. “You shouldn’t get so involved. You know the band will fall apart soon, you’re pretty crap.”

I turn and rest against the sink. “But Jem Jones…”

At the mention of his name, Dan’s features harden. “Jem Jones. Still telling you you’re talented?”

“Yes,” I say in a meek voice.

“Why?”

“He likes our music.”

Dan flicks his tongue against his teeth. “Has he touched you?”

“No! And I wouldn’t let him.”

“Keep it that way. I don’t know what his game is but seems strange he’s getting involved with a crap band like Ruby Riot.”