Page 28 of Royal Desire

“Ruby,” I whisper. “We’re not supposed to be in here.”

I look around and head into the bedroom. Their new furniture is big and dark, and everything is covered in the color of mashed potatoes but not gravy.

“Ruby!” I whisper again. “Where did you go?”

She doesn’t answer, but I hear a giggle.

I enter through the tall doors to their bathroom that’s almost as big as their bedroom. Ruby’s chewed up flip flop is upside down on the floor. That’s when I see her yellow hair pop up and down from inside the bathtub.

I walk over to the tub. When she sees me, she erupts into giggles that take over her whole body. And she’s not quiet about it. I’ve never seen anyone laugh like that.

“You found me!” she exclaims. “You could be faster, but good job, Payne-Wayne-Slayne-Cayne! Get in.”

I turn around to see if anyone followed us.

If for no other reason than to hide so I don’t get in trouble, I hurl myself over the edge and duck down. We’re both sitting criss-cross applesauce facing each other. Ruby proves to be the weirdest girl I know, which isn’t that weird since I don’t know any other girls. “Do you have a best friend?”

I shake my head and do my best to keep up with her. “I don’t have any friends.”

“Me either. I mean I did, but Mama and I just moved here. We live with my Grandma because we don’t have our own house.” She leans forward to grab my hands in hers and pulls me so close, we’re almost nose to nose. “Since we don’t have any friends, do you wanna be best friends?”

I shrug. “I guess.”

She squeezes my hands. “That means you always have to pick me before anyone else. And if someone is being mean to me, you have to stand up for me. And you always have to be nice to me, and if you have candy you have to share halvesies.”

I shake my head. “Mama says candy is bad for me.”

Her eyes widen in horror. “Then I’ll share mine. And I’ll do all those things for you. But I won’t slow down to let you catch me. That’s no fun. You need to be faster.”

I nod because I like the idea of candy and knowing someone has to be nice to me no matter what. “Okay. I can do that.”

She leans forward and lowers her voice. “All of it? You promise?”

“Yeah. All of it.”

Her smile reaches her ears again, and I realize how much I like that too. “Cool beans. Ruby and Payne ... best friends for life.”

“Payne! Where are you two?”

We both freeze when Mama’s voice thunders from somewhere far in the house.

I stand but keep hold of one of her hands. “Come on. I’ll show you all my hiding spots.”

We climb out of the tub, and I grab her shoe. This time I run as fast as I can, pulling her along. Her giggles start again.

When I turn back, her messy yellow hair flies behind her.

I like Ruby.

CHAPTER TEN

STALKER

Payne

Present day

I’m a man.