Page 71 of Golden Ruin

The passenger side window lowers next, and I blink wildly as Sterling stares back. His expression is uncharacteristically stern, and I instinctively take half a step away from Matt.

“H-hey,” I stammer. “What are you two doing here?”

He flashes a look toward Matt, then his focus is on me again. “I saw that you forgot your lunch on the counter, so I figured we’d take you to grab something since Jax had a half day.”

I take note of the fact that he could’ve just dropped it off to me. Then, my stomach sinks because three sets of eyes are aimed my way, and I feel stuck. Like no decision is the right decision.

“Come on, Mommy!” Jax calls out, and I feel the way my heart tugs at the sound of his voice.

A gentle hand rests against my back. “Go,” Matt says sweetly. “You can’t disappoint Jax.”

There’s a sense of relief that he’s not freaking out about this, but also a touch of sadness, knowing this situation is so much more complicated than it seems on the surface.

“You’re sure?”

Matt nods. “Of course. See you when you get back.”

He doesn’t wait for me to respond, maybe knowing how difficult this is. He reaches to open the passenger door for me, and I’m silent as I hop in beside Sterling. Then, Matt closes me in, exchanging a nod with Sterling before walking off.

I catch his reflection in the rearview mirror, and I fucking hate this. Feeling like I’m disappointing someone no matter what I do.

We haven’t pulled off yet, and Sterling’s stare is practically burning a hole into the side of my head.

“Sorry,” he says gently. “I should’ve called first.”

I shake my head, forcing a smile as I pretend this situation hasn’t been silently tearing me apart. “It’s fine. Where are we going?”

He doesn’t speak right away, doesn’t drive off right away, and I know he’s not a fan of how this just played out. There’s no ego, no gloating that I’m sitting in his car instead of Matt’s.

He finally pulls back onto the road as he answers my question.

“It’s a surprise.”

That makes me smile a little as I snap my seatbelt. “I like surprises.”

He laughs quietly. “I know.”

We drive, and I don’t try to guess our route. Instead, I just enjoy the music and the ride. However, the moment we turn onto Elmway, I know where we’re headed.

“You’ve gotta be shitting me.” I’m only loud enough for Sterling to hear, and he laughs.

“Figured we’d grab a few things, see if the food’s gotten any better over the years.”

The infamous after-sex food truck still has the same logo, but it’s gotten a new paint job. So, I suppose it’s possible they’ve stepped their game up.

“Be right back,” he says, opening his door.

“Just fries for me.”

He nods, then turns to Jax in the back. “Hot dog, bud?”

“With ketchup, please.”

“You got it.”

Sterling climbs out, and as I watch him round the front of the truck, smiling just a little, my heart flutters. It’s like I’m seeing him in his element, his happy place. Whether that’s about him having Jax around twenty-four-seven or having us both around is hard to tell, but… he seems at peace.

And I’m not sure what to make of it.