After Tuesday by Ericson Renee

Author:Ericson, Renee [Ericson, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: MOBI, mobi, epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 2940016785868
Published: 2013-05-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

While paddling in the middle of the lake, Brent thinks he’ll be cute by kissing my neck, but instead he startles me, causing me to drop my paddle. Out of instinct, I reach over the boat to get it, making the canoe rock off balance. I end up plunging half of my body in the chilly water. Soaking wet, I have to take off my jacket and wrap up in a blanket for the remainder of the trip back.

It’s close to midnight when we reach the shore near Brent’s car. The air has cooled off since we first arrived earlier in the evening, leaving me somewhat chilled. It probably doesn’t help that my jacket is drenched.

When we get into the car, Brent turns on the heat. He grabs his jacket from the back and hands it to me. I put it on and wrap the blanket over me while Brent rubs my arms.

“Sorry about that, Ruby,” he says. He kisses my cheek. “I shouldn’t have scared you like that.”

“It was worth it,” I tell him through chattering teeth.

After about five minutes, my shivering subsides, and I begin to yawn from fatigue.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks.

“Yeah, I have to get up early, too. I have a shift in the morning. It’s my first day back at the restaurant.”

“That’s right. When are you done?”

“After lunch,” I tell him through another yawn.

“You’re tired. Let’s get you home,” he says. Sitting back in his seat, he puts the car in reverse.

Although I’d rather spend more time with Brent, I can’t deny my exhaustion. As Brent puts the car into drive, I hear my phone ring. I’m tempted to ignore it, but given the hour, I decide to pull it out of my bag.

The caller ID lights up with Ace’s. No! My heart starts beating like crazy, and suddenly, sleep is the furthest thing from my mind. The feeling of calm I was experiencing has quickly evaporated with the fierce ringtone wailing from my phone. I take a deep breath before turning to Brent with, hopefully, a face void of emotion.

“I have to take this. Sorry,” I say to him as he’s driving. Accepting the call, I say, “Hello?”

“Ruby, I’m so sorry. He’s here,” Benji says on the line.

“Okay,” I say, trying to keep control of my face. Everything is hitting me so hard right now. He was fine. He was just fine just hours ago. What happened?

“Someone needs to come get him. Jas didn’t answer his phone. I left a message with Cody, too, but no one’s called me back. I’ve got him calm now though. He’s resting in a corner.”

“What?” I almost shout, causing Brent to look at me with concern. I offer a look to him that hopefully conveys it’s nothing. I calm down and continue my conversation with Benji. “I understand. No problem. I can be there soon.”

“Thanks, Ruby.”

“Yeah,” I say, letting out a deep breath before ending the call.

“Everything okay?” Brent asks as we pull into my driveway.

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