Chapter 9

Wyatt

Ruby stands on the tips of her toes trying to reach my height to no avail. She’s fooling herself if she thinks she’s nearly as tall as I am. That’s okay, though; her head is the perfect height to lay against my chest.

We’re standing outside Jake’s car, facing the lake house. “Is it anything like you remember?” she asks in a sweet, hushed tone.

Without looking at her, I smile at the question and the view of the house, sitting beautifully with trees and mountains framing it in the background.

I furrow a brow, thinking about it. Reminiscing. Enjoying it.

I remember being young telling myself I’d make enough money to build a house just like it to end up in. I’d grill steaks while Ruby sat and watched with our baby in her lap…

Fuck. No. Too much, Wyatt. Too much, too soon.

Jake briefly disturbs our view and my thoughts by running onto the large, wrap-around porch screaming, “Gotta pee! Gotta pee!” while struggling to unlock the door.

Rowdy follows behind him, wagging his tail playfully as though it’s a game. What a good boy, always leaving me entertained like this.

Ruby and I share a laugh at his expense before I answer her question.

“It is,” I reply, finally turning to face her. “Exactly.” Her small calves give out and she clumsily shifts back onto flat feet.

This would be the perfect moment for a kiss. But what kind of problems would that cause? I’m not fit for such a good woman. I don’t ever want to hurt her.

And with as much as she’s been hinting at me, I still can’t help but think she’s just being nice to me with her little smirks and flirty eyes. I don’t know how I could handle that blatant rejection if she’s not interested. It’s best to just not do this right now.

Sensing my need for affection, for her affection, Ruby leans her head on my arm, a warm breeze pushing her soft, fruit-scented hair into my face. This only increases my silent suffering, and leaves me little glimmers of hope that I’m right about her.

“Let’s go in!” she skips ahead of me as I take the scene in once more, remembering my first time standing in front of this house.

It’s still big. It’s still beautiful. And I’m sure Mrs. Watson has redecorated it a million times. Keeping it fresh and stylish like one of those five-star luxury hotel cabins, but it doesn’t feel as big today as it did to me that first time.

I’m no longer overwhelmed by it all. I just feel at home here. I could easily buy a house just like it.

Ruby pokes her head out the front door, probably wondering what’s keeping me. I smile, hoping to assure her. She smiles back, and disappears off into the house.

I’d always wanted a woman I didn’t have to explain my every little damn thought to. And Ruby seems to know how to read me like no one else.

I just need a minute to soak in the clean, crisp air now that I’m far from the city and from combat. The quiet here is pleasant, not eerie like it’s been at home.

I’m hoping the anxiety, sleepless nights, and nightmares haven’t followed me. That somehow, the tranquility can overpower what’s in my brain.

When I enter the house, Jake and Ruby are nowhere in sight. I’m sure they’re off somewhere bickering over something or another.

That’s the one thing I’ve never missed about having a sibling of my own. There’s always something to bitch at one another about.

Rowdy finds me relaxing on a leather recliner in the living room. He positions himself against my legs. The curtains are drawn, probably because no one has been here. But I know the windows in this room have the best view of the mountains.

I breathe deeply while nothing but happy memories crowd my mind in bunches. It feels nice.

Mr. and Mrs. Watson always treated me like I was one of their kids. They never addressed me with pity or even excessive kindness.

I was always equal to Jake and Ruby, and not just at the lake house. They’d invite me to their home for dinner most nights because they knew there was no one in my house to look after me.

The Watsons are the parents I’ve never had. I would kill for them.

Mr. Watson taught me how to be a man and how to build things, just like he’d done with Jake. He’d helped us train to get on the Junior Varsity football team when we were high school freshmen.

I’m not that helpless kid anymore. I’ve got my own money now. But I will never forget all the kindness they showed me.

I wonder whether I could ever make them proud.

How could I after what I’d done?

I can’t think about this shit. I need a damn drink.

Instead, I make my way to the back of Jake’s truck to grab both my and Ruby’s bags. Jake’s a big boy; he can handle his own.

Just as I close the trunk, I see lights approaching me from behind. I dive to the ground in search of my hidden weapon. I can’t find it.

Shit!

I try not to panic. I jump to my feet prepared to meet the enemy face to face. Ready to fight or even die like a goddamn man for my country.

“Oh, my goodness, look at you!” Mrs. Watson runs to me with outstretched arms, pulling me into her embrace. “Honey, Wyatt is a grown man! Look at him!” She swiftly turns to her husband, still squeezing me.

“You look great, son, I’m proud of you.” Mrs. Watson stands aside so her husband can hug me. Our hug is quick and firm.

“What were you doing on the ground there?” he asks with furrowed salt and pepper brows.

“I was, uh, getting the bags from the trunk and thought I had dropped something,” I smile. “I must still be tired from the ride because nothing was there.”

“Of course. Of course,” Mr. Watson replies, squeezing my shoulder. “If I had a nickel for every time—”

His thoughts trail off.

As we walk into the house, Mr. Watson proudly tells me about the projects he and Jake have worked on over the years. But it’s difficult to listen once we enter.

Ruby and Jake are sitting in the living room floor like little kids, playing with Rowdy. This is my first time getting a good look at her without the distractions of keeping old ass scum bags away or trying to impress her.

She is stunning, sexy, and just breathtaking. Her hair is pulled away from her face into a loose ponytail, showing off the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes I’d ever seen.

And now that she’s changed from her work clothes and into shorts and a tank top, I can finally take in her fully grown perfect form.

I’d love to feel her long, slender legs wrapped around my waist while I push my cock deeper and deeper into her. She’d moan into my mouth while we kiss and I make her mine.

She wouldn’t want another man after having my cock.

Her infectious laugh fills the house while she and Jake pass Rowdy’s favorite ball back and forth. Rowdy seems to love her, which is a bonus.

Do I love her?

Could she love me for what I really am?

I grimace at the possibility, but I find myself wanting the answer more and more with every second that goes by.