Rising (Blue Phoenix, #4)(42)

Or die.

One thing Dylan said sticks uncomfortably, his words about looking into Sky’s eyes and seeing himself - his heart and soul. I’m unsure I’d go that far, but I do see something in Ruby’s eyes. It can’t be my heart because I don’t reckon I have one when it comes to emotional shit. My heart’s a muscle that pumps blood around the body, including to the part of me I normally think with when it comes to girls. That’s all. My soul? What the hell does soul mates even mean? That you both need each other so much you’re scared to leave? Makes my head spin.

A chick walks by with a coy smile thrown my way. Long legs, glossy brown hair, and a killer ass moulded into her skinny jeans, she heads to Jax. I watch in amusement as Jax ramps up his semi-star status, loudly showing her around the studio. As usual, Will and Nate have disappeared to continue their drinking at the pub round the corner, and nearby Ruby packs up her guitar. Her reaction to Jax and the girl is non-committal, but something about them bothers her because she’s frowning at the discussion Jax and the girl are having. I heard what Jax said to Ruby outside the room that night, have they acted on it? Jax doesn’t introduce the girl to us; maybe he doesn’t know her name. Ruby switches to ignoring them, until Jax announces he’s leaving, arm around the shoulders of his brown-haired goddess.

“I thought you were giving me a lift home?” asks Ruby, straightening.

“Shit. Forgot. We’re joining Will and Nate. I doubt I’ll be driving. You can come too?” suggests Jax.

“Thanks a f-ucking bunch,” she snaps. “I have a six a.m. shift, then the afternoon here. I’m not going anywhere apart from home.”

“Sorry,” says Jax but he isn’t; he’s too focused on groping the chick’s ass and kissing her eager mouth.

“I was waiting for you; now it’s getting dark! I’ll get the f-ucking bus,” mutters Ruby and grabs her bag.

“I’ll take you,” I say, happy to find an opportunity to talk to her about this crap with Dan.

Ruby’s tense shoulders relax. “You sure?”

“Yeah. It’s cool. I’m not busy tonight. How far is it?”

“Maybe twenty minutes from here. At this time, anyway.”

Ruby’s house is closer to half an hour away. The journey is polite conversation, Ruby keeping the topic on what I’ve been doing in the States and carefully steering away any questions about her. In return, I don’t answer much of what she asks. I pull my BMW up outside her small house. She’s chewing her nails and surveying the street. The happier Ruby has retreated since we last spent time alone together.

“Going to invite me in for a coffee?” I ask, switching off the engine.

“You do know that’s a euphemism for f-ucking?”

Jesus, this girl’s barriers are high again.

“Yeah, but I actually mean coffee. Decaf.”

Ruby allows me a smile. “You really have kicked every addiction, haven’t you?”

“Most. So? Do I get my decaf?”

She opens the car door and pauses. “Sure.”

Inside Ruby’s house, a girl sits in the lounge, ordinary looking chick with short brown hair clipped back at the side, curled up reading a book. She looks up at me and recognition flickers.

“Oh. I didn’t expect you to bring him home,” she says to Ruby.

“This is Kate, my housemate.”

“Hey.” I nod and she continues to gawk at me as we head to the kitchen.

“Do you ever get used to people’s reactions to you?” Ruby asks, flicking on the kettle that rests on the counter in the narrow room.

“That wasn’t a reaction. A reaction is her unable to resist my charms and wanting my attention. She didn’t give a f-uck.”

“That’s the Jem Jones I expect,” she says quietly and pulls mugs out of the cupboard. “Besides, she’s more of a boy band girl.”

“Ugh.” I pull out a dining chair and sit at the scratched wooden table.

Ruby pulls her phone out of her bag and places it on the counter before throwing her bag into the corner. “Losing your touch, Jem.”

I pull a face and she laughs. I f-ucking love it when Ruby laughs. She rakes her hair upwards and ties it into a high ponytail. “I wish this weather would break; it’s too f-ucking hot.”

I don’t listen. I stare at Ruby’s mouth, at the curve of her neck, at where her fingers trail through her hair, and I want her. There’s no room in my head for anything but Ruby, the daily obsession isn’t helped by putting myself in the situation of time alone with her again.

Does she recognise my not-so-hidden thoughts when she returns my gaze? Probably because she looks away. “I want to get changed. I’ll be back in a sec.” Ruby heads out of the kitchen.

I tap my fingers on the table. Seems Kate isn’t the only girl in the house immune to my charms. Since the night in the hotel room and after the time apart, we’re back at square one because, despite what I see when I look at her, Ruby has me at arm’s length.

Ruby’s phone buzzes with a message and I glance at the door before crossing to pick it up. Yeah, I shouldn’t but I’m worried about her.

Dan.

<We need to talk>

What the f-uck is she doing communicating with the dickhead?