I waited on the porch as he walked around to the back passenger side of his truck. He opened the door and lifted Rus out, then gently placed him onto the ground. He had a leash on so that he wouldn’t attempt to run. To be honest, he didn’t look like he even wanted to walk.
“How is he?” I asked while they made their way to us.
“He’s a bit loopy. I gave him a pain pill so he would be a bit more chill when I brought him over.”
Rus managed to hop up the few steps and make his way over to me. I took the leash and gave him a good petting.
“Hey, buddy. Looks like we’re two peas in a pod.”
My dog simply gave me a small whine.
“I’ve got his dog bed and stopped and bought a water and food bowl. I also bought him some food since I couldn’t get into your place.”
“Roger should have let you in,” I stated.
Ryan shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “No worries. I think Rus is just glad to be back around you. I’ve got a crate as well, if you want it.”
“Nah, I think he’ll be okay,” I said as I extended my hand. “Thank you so much for taking care of him, Ryan. I really appreciate it.”
He gave me a firm, quick handshake. “That’s what friends are for. You need help getting back in?” he asked with a quick glance over my shoulder and into the house.
“I think we can manage, can’t we, boy?”
Ryan nodded then stared at me for a long moment.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“She really likes you, Truitt. A lot.”
I smiled. “I more than like her, Ryan.”
“So I heard,” he said with a smirk. “Don’t you think it’s a little early to declare your love after the first date?”
With a chuckle, I answered, “It was the drugs. But I am falling in love with her and Liliana.”
“They’re easy to love.”
His face went blank, and he looked at his folks’ house, then back to me. He looked conflicted about something and exhaled loudly. “Listen, Tim is still in town. Guess he was at the Rusty Nail last night talking shit. He’s telling people you and Saryn have been hooking up since high school.”
“What!” I nearly shouted.
“Yeah. I was hoping he would get his money and leave town, but it doesn’t look like that. I’m glad you’re here, because I have a feeling he might be trying to stop back by. I told Dad he needs to change the gate code, but he said too many folks have it and it would be a hassle. So, just a heads up.”
“What’s wrong with this guy? He cheated on her, gave up Liliana. Why can’t he leave them alone?”
Ryan rubbed the back of his neck and glanced toward the main house, obviously to make sure Saryn wasn’t on her way back.
“Tim had a thing against you in high school, I’m not sure if you knew that or not.”
“I’m beginning to see that, but no, I had no idea back then.”
“Apparently, last night he got a little too drunk and started spewing out all this shit about you to Shay, who happened to be at the bar. How you were the high school football star. How you had any girl you wanted, but the one you wanted most was out of reach. He told Shay that you swore you were going to take Saryn’s virginity and would stop at nothing to do it.”
“I never told that fucker that,” I quickly said.
“Dude, I know you didn’t. Anyway, he went on to tell Shay that he felt it was his duty to protect Saryn. That he never really loved her, just wanted to keep her from you.”
“This isn’t new information, Ryan.”
“Yeah, well this next bit is. He also told her that Liliana is your kid, not his.”
I nearly stumbled back and lost my balance. Ryan reached out and steadied me again.
“He said what! Why in the hell would he say that?”
“Because he’s an asshole, and I think he’s trying to stir up shit about Saryn. Get people talking about y’all, because he’s not happy Saryn has adjusted to life without him. Of course, Shay didn’t believe him. He doesn’t know that you and Shay have…”
“Had,” I clarified.
“Right, had. He doesn’t know y’all had a friends-with-benefits thing going on. Shay called me this morning to tell me what Tim was saying. She thought you’d want to know.”
My hand scrubbed down my face. “What in the fuck is wrong with this guy?”
“Saryn also told me earlier that she left her job because they were moving her back to the ER. That’s not true. I called Pete and asked him. Tim showed up at her job today and caused a scene. Saryn was so embarrassed, she simply apologized and stepped down from her position when her boss called her into her office. Pete asked me not to let Saryn know that he told me the truth.”