“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 fuck.”
“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 drag 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 fucking love when Ruby laughs. She rakes her hair upwards and ties it into a high ponytail. “I wish this weather would break; it’s too bloody 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 time alone with her again.
Does Ruby recognise my not-so-hidden thoughts when she returns my gaze? Probably, because she looks away. “I want to change. 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.
What the fuck? Why is she communicating with the dickhead?
I scroll back through the messages. Dan texts several times a day but she never replies. Veiled threats about waiting for her after work, or coming over to the house. Another text appears as I hold the phone.
“What the hell are you doing?” hisses Ruby. She reappears next to me and snatches the phone.
“I could ask you the same question. What the fuck is this?”
“None of your fucking business!” She lowers her voice. “I’m dealing with it.”
“This is my business. Remember, Ruby Riot’s my business.”
“Don’t pull that bullshit!” She’s trembling, cheeks pink.
“You okay?” calls Kate from the other room.
“Yeah. Differences of opinion. It’s cool. Jem’s leaving once I’ve put him straight,” calls back Ruby and closes the kitchen door. She’s changed into a short blue cotton dress covered in a cherry print. With thin straps and barely skimming her knees, this dress reveals an uncomfortable amount of her body. She might be cooler, but the amount of Ruby’s skin on show heats my blood.
“No, I’m not leaving. Not until you tell me why you’re communicating with him.”
“I’m not! I don’t reply, do I? Or did you not get far enough with your spying to see that?”
I inhale and hold the breath, calming myself. “Change your number. He’s still in your life.”
“I said I’m dealing with it.”
“If you let him back in…”