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“How about this?” I paused and looked down at her. “I hear you. I’ll think about it, okay?”
Her lips turned up in the corners, and she nodded. “Fair enough.”
But what I didn’t have the heart to tell her was that life wasn’t always fair.
And I knew that better than most.
twenty-eight
. . .
Ruby
We’d been paintingfor hours, and everyone was getting exhausted. I was thrilled that my brothers were moving out of my mom’s trailer. It was a change for the better for both of them. My mother had called me, whining that she wouldn’t be able to cover her bills if they left, and I’d agreed to help her out until she got on her feet.
I’d be making more money soon, and I didn’t want her guilting them when they were finally branching out on their own.
Rico had been working at the gym for a few weeks now, and he actually seemed like he’d found his niche. He was training on the side with Romeo, and I was happy to see him feeling passionate about something.
He idolized River, that much was obvious. Rico called him every freaking day, and I told River that I’d tell him to back off, but he said he didn’t mind. I think my brother looked up to him, and seeing as it was the first time Rico had ever been motivated, I wasn’t going to do anything to interfere.
And I appreciated it.
I’d have to do something to thank him.
I stepped out into the garage with two bags of trash as we were just getting the place cleaned up.
“It’s a nice house, right? It’s got to make you feel better knowing they are going to be living in their own home now,” Kingston said as he came up behind me.
King and I had become very friendly. He was hilarious, and he loved razzing his brother as much as I did, so we’d bonded over that. “Yeah. I’ll worry a whole lot less. And honestly, I want to thank all of you for what you did for Rico. Helping him find work and giving him a purpose that he’s never had before.”
“He’s a good guy, actually. And he works hard.” He shrugged. “He’s a big fan of my brother, too.”
I chuckled. “He is. I hope it doesn’t drive River too crazy.”
“I don’t think River would have bought this house if he wasn’t equally invested,” he said.
“What? Bought what house? This house?”
“Fuck,” he said under his breath. “I didn’t realize he hadn’t told you yet. Don’t throw me under the bus because the dude is so on edge lately. I don’t want him all over my ass for something that shouldn’t be a secret anyway.”
“I won’t say anything. Why would he buy this house, and why is it a secret?”
“I don’t know, Ruby. What’s the deal with you two? From where I’m sitting, you’re always together. My brother has never seemed happier. Even when you’re fighting with one another, he’s—I don’t know, he’s lighter. More content than I’ve ever seen him.”
“You probably just didn’t pay much attention when he was with other women in the past. You know he likes to keep to himself.” I cleared my throat because that lump was there again.
“He’s never dated anyone,” he said, holding his hands up to stop me from interrupting that thought. “I know, I know, you two aren’t dating. You’re just hanging out—or whatever thehell you’re calling it. But he’s never hung out with one woman like this. For this long. This consistently. Buying houses for her family members and finding them jobs. He’s fucking invested, no matter what you two want to call this. And yeah, he’s bought homes before. He invests in things that he thinks will make him money. The dude is smart as hell. But this house is different. He didn’t buy it for the investment. Hell, it’s not as much of a fixer-upper as he usually gets. He bought this home to help out your brothers. And sure, he likes Rico, but he sure as shit wouldn’t be buying him a house if he wasn’t your brother.”
My heart raced so fast and loud, I was certain Kingston could hear it. “This is temporary. Neither of us is any good at this type of thing. He doesn’t want anything long-term either. I was a safe bet because I’m leaving. He’s just riding out his time.”
“If that’s what you think, then you don’t know River as well as I thought you did.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means my brother wouldn’t give a shit if you were staying or going if he didn’t like you. If he wasn’t crazy about you. He may not be admitting it to us, or even to himself, for all I know, but we all see it. If River wasn’t all in, he’d have bailed a long time ago. It’s different with you. It has been from the day you rolled into town.”
“We’ve talked about it. He’s fine with me leaving.”
