Chapter 34

Ruby

I try to force the tremble from my hands as I pace back and forth in the entryway, my heart hammering away in my chest.

I can’t believe what just happened, can’t seem to process the situation now laid out before me.

As if held by a magnet, my eyes track non-stop to Fentress’s still unconscious body, repeatedly taking in the sight.

Blood still trickles from his crushed nose and from a nasty gash at his temple, dripping slowly to the floor. I watch in rapt fascination as it spreads along the tile.

How could Wyatt do this?

I’ve never seen him like that before, so violent and full of rage. The way he relentlessly pummeled Fentress plays through my mind on a loop, the fury that burned through his eyes.

I feel fear bubble up in my chest at the thought.

I would never have thought it possible for me to be afraid of Wyatt, but here we are. I run my hands through my hair in frustration.

Why would Fentress even show up here, and so forcefully at that? This was supposed to be my vacation, my second chance with Wyatt. Now, in the blink of an eye, it’s turned into nothing but a huge disaster.

And it’s not just my trip that’s been ruined. I groan, wondering whether or not I’ll even have a job tomorrow.

At this point, no one could blame Fentress for firing me. Being beaten by your employee’s man is a pretty good ground for termination.

I have no idea what I’m going to do, if I lose that job, no clue how I’ll even make rent.

The fear in me mixes with anger as the true implications of Wyatt’s anger strike me anew.

I’m fucked. Totally and completely fucked.

The sound of footsteps draws me from my thoughts, and I turn to find Jake strolling through the door.

There’s a smile on his face, and he opens his mouth as if in greeting. The moment his eyes track to the huddled mass before him though, all pleasantries die in his throat.

“What the fuck?” he says, his eyes widening in surprise. “What happened, Ruby?”

I can only manage to shake my head, tears stinging at my eyes again.

“Ruby,” he demands, crossing quickly to me. He grasps my hand, focusing intently on my eyes, “What the fuck is going on here?”

“I—Mr. Fentress showed up and—and Wyatt…”

“Wyatt did this?” He asks, looking back towards the slumped form of Fentress, “Why?”

“Well I got startled. I screamed, I shouldn’t have.”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

I groan, throwing my hands up in defeat.

“I tried Jake, it was like he didn’t even hear me!”

I can no longer hold in my tears, they’re rolling freely down my face, as I stare questioningly at my brother.

“What do we do?”

He releases his hold on my hand, turning to look around and assessing the situation from the entryway.

“Where’s Wyatt now?”

“I—his room I think. I’m not sure.”

“Okay, we need a story here, Ruby.”

“What do you mean? I told you what happened.”

“I know, but I’m gonna have to call the cops, and if we tell them what you told me, Wyatt’s fucked.”

I hadn’t even thought of that, my mind too busy worrying over all the other issues at hand.

“Oh my God, you’re right. But what can we say?”

He drags a hand through his hair, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his mind. After a long moment, he looks back to me, determination now written across his features.

“We have to say Fentress broke in, that Wyatt was just defending you.”

“Will that work?”

“I think so… It has to.”

I nod, unable to think of a better solution.

“Do you think Wyatt will go along with it?”

“He fucking better,” he answers simply, already reaching to pull the phone from his pocket.

I can feel the adrenaline leaving my body as he dials, exhaustion rushing up to take the place of my fear. My legs feel suddenly rubbery, my eyelids heavy.

I know that we’re in a fairly desperate situation here, I realize that this has to be handled. At this particular moment though, all I really want to do is lie down and take a nap.

Instead, I cross to the staircase, sitting down and resting my head in my hands for support.

As if from a distance, I hear Jake placing the call to the police. He runs through our made-up version of events quickly. Fentress broke in, Wyatt tried to fight him off, the whole nine.

I can’t believe it’s come to this, Jake lying to the police to cover for Wyatt’s erratic behavior. I can honestly say that I did not see this one coming.

“Okay, thank you,” I hear Jake say. “Yes, we’ll wait here.”

The sound of the call disconnecting reaches me a moment before I feel his hand on my shoulder.

With profound effort, I lift my head, trying to force a smile to my lips and failing miserably.

“Are you okay, Ruby?” Jake asks, taking a seat beside me.

NO.

“Sure, I’m alright.”

He laughs humorlessly, “You’re a terrible liar.”

“I know.”

“Everything’s gonna be fine” he offers, shooting me what I imagine is meant to be a reassuring smile.

It does nothing to calm my racing mind.

“Do you think Fentress is gonna be okay?” I ask, looking pointedly towards where he lays.

“Of course. He’s just knocked out. Ruby, he’ll be fine.”

“Good. I doubt we could talk our way out of this if he was hurt too badly.”

He wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a quick embrace. “Don’t worry about that right now, okay?”

Easier said than done, but I nod regardless, trying to force some calm to my fevered mind.

We sit in silence, minutes dragging slowly by as we wait for the police to arrive. I run over the plan in my mind, hoping that we’re believed.

Despite Wyatt’s disturbing behavior, I can’t stand the idea of him being harmed by this.

It seems like a very long time before I finally hear knuckles rapping against the door, and see lights flashing through the window shades.

“I’ll handle it,” Jake says, crossing to answer.

I watch as the police enter, their attention drawn quickly to Fentress, who is just now beginning to stir.

Jake runs through our version of events, and I interject minimally, an occasional ‘yes’ seeming to suffice.

By the time they’ve finally clasped cuffs around a confused Fentress’s wrists, I can barely keep my eyes open. Still, I force myself to my feet, crossing the entryway on shaky legs.

From the doorway, I watch my boss being escorted to the police car. He walks silently, head down turned, as if in thought.

I wonder what he’s thinking, wonder what will come of this awful turn of events. Mostly though, I wonder about Wyatt.

Who has he become in our years apart?