Falling for the Wrong Guy (12 page)

Authors: Sara Hantz

Chapter Seventeen

“W
hat the…” Drew muttered as he drove up to the big gate at the bottom of the drive to his house.

His mom’s Mercedes-Benz was parked across the driveway, which meant Drew wouldn’t be able to get through the gate and park in one of their garages. He pulled into the side of the road and then got out of his car and went to the gate, where he keyed in the number on the keypad to open it.

As he walked up the long driveway, his thoughts about Ruby and the awful situation he was in were momentarily diverted while he wondered what state his mom was going to be in. It beat him how she’d only ever gotten one DUI in her life because she had to be over the limit more often than not when driving. He tried not to think about it too much because her
behavior
disgusted him. He’d talked to her several times about not getting behind the wheel when she’d had a few and to call him or a cab, but she’d just dismissed him and said she knew what she was doing.

He glanced at his phone to check the time. It wasn’t even seven, and she was already wasted, judging by her spectacular parking job. He braced himself for what was waiting for him inside. As he opened the front door, his nostrils were immediately assaulted by the smell of liquor.

“Mom,” he called out, poking his head around the door to the lounge.

She wasn’t in there, so he made his way to the media room, and before he had even entered, he knew from the smell that’s where she was. He walked in and saw her slumped in a chair, her arm hanging over the side, an empty whiskey tumbler precariously balanced in her hand.

“Mom,” he said. “Are you okay?” He stood there for a few seconds, and when she didn’t reply, he walked over to where she was and gave her a little shake. Her eyes remained shut, the only change being that she then started to dribble alcohol out of the side of her mouth and onto the arm of the chair.

It turned his stomach.

He would have loved to have left her there, but he knew from past experience that wasn’t an option. Not if they wanted a media room that didn’t stink of vomit. So he picked her up and half-carried, half-dragged her to her bedroom, where he took off her shoes and laid her down on her side, with a bucket beside the bed in case she couldn’t make it to the bathroom.

His dad, as usual, was nowhere to be seen. It really got to him sometimes how this stuff was left for him to sort out. The sooner he finished school and could get away from there, the better. Not that he had any plans where to go. Once upon a time, he’d set his heart on Columbia, but now he wasn’t sure he had enough time to get his act together and apply.

After getting something to eat, Drew went to his bedroom and watched a movie to try and take his mind off Ruby. He fell asleep on top of his bed and was still in his clothes when he woke up in the morning. He showered and changed and went to the kitchen for breakfast. It surprised him to see his mom already up and sitting at the table nursing a mug of coffee.

“Morning,” he said gruffly.

“There’s coffee in the machine,” she said.

“Thanks.”

He took a mug down from the dresser and filled it up, then popped a couple of slices of bread in the toaster. He leaned against the counter and looked at his mom. Her hair looked like straw, and mascara stained her face. Knowing her, it would take a couple of shots before she could muster enough energy to make herself presentable for the day.

“You hate me, don’t you?” his mom asked.

He turned away, pretending to check on his toast, not wanting to give away his true feelings. Because however she acted, she was still his mom. And deep down, he knew that he loved her.

“No,” he muttered.

“I don’t blame you. I’m going to change. I promise.”

Drew sighed. How many times had she said that? He couldn’t even begin to remember. But for her to change, it would take more than just saying it. It needed action. He’d heard the words countless times before. And while she still hung out with her friends, and went to all the same places, he predicted that she would stay the same.

Like me.

He hitched in a breath as it suddenly hit him. He was being just like his mom. Not with the drinking, but how he approached things. Since the fire he’d been obsessed with it being his fault, telling himself that he deserved to be punished forever for what he had done. It hadn’t once entered his head that maybe the blame wasn’t all his. At least not until Ruby had mentioned it. And even then he thought she was just trying to be nice. But now…even if he was partly to blame for not blowing out Reese’s candles, it had been an accident. He’d wished with all his heart that he could turn the clock back and rework things so she’d still be alive. But she wasn’t, and he was. His burns were enough of a reminder at the moment about what had happened, without him imposing a life sentence of misery on himself and everyone around him.

And how right had Ruby been when she’d said that his self-obsession made him just like her dad? Drew had thought a lot about Mr. Davis. He’d only been half a dad and husband to his family and, as if replicating that, Drew had only been half a boyfriend to Ruby. His gut clenched just thinking about it.

He also thought about Blake, and what he’d said about Drew and Ruby being good together. Maybe that was a sign that Blake wasn’t lost to him as a friend. That he hadn’t screwed up totally. He knew it would be a long time before their friendship could get back to what it was after his betrayal, but just the prospect of them being closer again gave him hope for the future.

“I hope you do change, Mom.”

She went back to nursing her mug. He gulped down his coffee and left his toast. He needed to see Ruby. But first he had an important call to make. About something he hoped Ruby would approve. After, he ran out of the house, down the drive, and jumped into his car, taking off for the hospital. Whatever her response, he realized that he had to give it one more shot. He’d prove to her that he’d never be just like her father, or his mother. She was too important to him to not give it everything he had. And if she said no, he’d try again.

And again.

“H
ey.”

Ruby’s heart skipped a beat when Drew poked his head around the door and before she could check herself, a huge smile crossed her face. Not that she didn’t want to look pleased to see him. She just didn’t want him to think she’d changed her mind. She still meant what she had said. They couldn’t carry on like they had before until he forgave himself and stepped into the light. It wasn’t good for anyone for her to keep enabling his self-imposed misery. Especially not him.

“Hi,” she said, silently congratulating herself for sounding calm.

“Can we talk?” Drew asked.

Her pulse quickened. Deep down, her heart wanted her to fling herself into his arms and ask that they go back to their secret relationship. Her head pulled her in the opposite direction, telling her that she needed to move on. And pay more attention to getting a scholarship. She had goals, and they should come first. Head, heart. Heart, head. How the heck was she supposed to work it out?

“Sure,” she replied with a nonchalance that belied the total and utter mayhem careering through her body at that moment.

The awkward look on his face was so cute, it took all Ruby’s willpower to not drag him over to the bed and kiss him. Not that she could do that anyway, without causing herself some major physical pain. Once the meds began to wear off, her arm would be agony, not to mention the bruises all over her body. Her good hand was about the only thing not hurting so much now.

“What you said yesterday, I
—
”

“I haven’t changed my mind,” Ruby interrupted.

Drew held up both hands. “Please, Ruby. Let me finish,” he pleaded.

“Sorry.” She bit down on her bottom lip, anxious to hear what he had to say but not holding out much hope that things would change sufficiently for her to reconsider.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said. And I get what you mean, but
—
”

“But you still can’t change,” Ruby interrupted.

“No. That’s not it.” He sounded frustrated.

Heat rushed up her cheeks. “Sorry. I promise not to speak at all until you’ve finished.” She pretended to zip her mouth with her hand.

“I’ve come to realize that my life is more than the burns on my body. I know nothing will change what’s happened, and I’ll never forget. But I want more. I want for us to be together. I’m over living like this, making myself miserable. Making you miserable. You don’t deserve that.”

Euphoria flooded her body. At last she’d finally gotten through to him. Except… A breath hitched in the back of her throat. Talk was cheap. What if all he wanted to do was for them to keep seeing each other but still not really change? “That’s good. And what are you going to do to change how you’re living?” She held her breath, waiting for his reply.

“I’ve started to sort out my shit with Blake. I hope.” He ran his fingers through his hair and frowned.

“Yes, I saw the state of his knuckles,” she said. “Although he seems to be less angry about everything.”

“It’s a guy thing. Fists first. Talk after.” He grinned.

“I’ll take your word for that,” she said, shaking her head.

“So what do you say? Will you give me another chance?”

She was desperate to say yes, but niggling at the back of her mind was that this change was too quick and too superficial. She wanted to see more of him, of course she did. She couldn’t imagine loving anyone else the same as she loved him. And she didn’t want to try. “I’m not sure, what if…”

“Good morning, Ruby. How are we feeling today?” a nurse asked as she bustled into the room. She walked to the end of the bed and picked up the notes, scrutinizing them.

“Fine thanks,” Ruby replied.

“And is this your boyfriend?” the nurse asked, grinning as she nodded at Drew, who had sat down on the chair next to Ruby’s bed.

Ruby swallowed. It seemed like some divine intervention. That her hand was being forced. If she said yes, then Drew would take that as her answer. If she said no, then that was it. And she hadn’t decided yet which way to go. It was all way too complicated for her at that moment.

“I hope so,” Drew replied, before Ruby had the chance to.

He glanced at her, a spark of hope in his eyes. She could already feel herself melting. He hadn’t hidden their relationship or his feelings. Sure, it was just from a nurse they might never see again after Ruby went home from the hospital, but…

“What are you doing about those burns?” the nurse asked like it was nothing out of the ordinary. She moved closer to Drew and stared at him. “Are you having skin grafts? They do wonders with them now, and it might help the pain that I’m sure you’re in.”

Ruby hitched in a breath. She couldn’t believe the nurse could be so direct. It worried her how Drew might feel about it.

“I’ve made an appointment with a plastic surgeon to see what he can do,” he said simply.

Ruby’s mouth dropped open. Had she heard right? He was really going to get something done about his burns? After everything he’d said about them being there to remind him of what he’d done? If ever there was a sign, then that was one. In neon with flashing lights.

“Yes, he is my boyfriend,” Ruby blurted out.

She grinned at Drew, who grinned right back at her. He reached over the bed and took her hand in his. She knew that it was going to be okay. And she would be there to help him, because it wouldn’t be easy. But it was clear that he was going to pull himself out of the darkness. And she’d be right there beside him.

The nurse left the room and Drew’s expression was suddenly serious. “I don’t ever want us to be apart. I love you.”

Warmth flooded through Ruby. “Me, too.”

Chapter Eighteen

“W
hoa,” Drew said as Ruby walked down the stairs.

“What do you think?”

His nerve endings tingled. Ruby looked awesome. He’d been waiting at her house for what seemed like ages for her to get ready for the Winter Formal. But looking at her now he didn’t care. The wait was worth it. And he’d been talking to Mrs. Davis while waiting. She’d given him a piece of her amazing chocolate cake. He thought she might have mentioned him bailing before when she’d made a cake especially, but she didn’t. And he really liked her for that.

“Drew?” Ruby’s voice broke into his thoughts.

“Sorry, what did you say?” He shifted awkwardly.

“Do you like my gown?” Ruby asked, accentuating every word.

Her eyes twinkled as she smoothed down the front of her pale blue dress. It had thin straps, and all Drew could think of was kissing the perfect skin on her gorgeous, pale shoulders.

“You look hot. I-I mean great,” he replied, sneaking a guilty look in the direction of Ruby’s mom, who stood there laughing. He hoped that Mrs. Davis couldn’t read his mind, or she definitely wouldn’t let Ruby go with him.

“Have a great time, the pair of you. See you later.” Mrs. Davis opened the front door and ushered them out.

“Yes, have a good time, and take care of her,” said Ruby’s dad who’d been standing beside Mrs. Davis.

Drew exchanged a glance with Ruby, and she gave an almost imperceptible wink. That was the longest sentence he’d heard Mr. Davis utter in all the years he’d been coming around to the house. Ruby had told him that even though he hadn’t come to visit her in the hospital, her car accident had shaken him up enough that he’d started taking his anti-depressant medication. Little by little, he was starting to improve. Ruby had told him they didn’t know if he’d stay on the medication or backslide, but it was a start.

They headed to Drew’s car, and he opened the door for Ruby to slide in. “Your carriage awaits, m’lady,” he said in a phoney and pretty terrible British accent.

“Thank you. And how
absolutely super
that you have actually cleaned it for the occasion,” Ruby replied, in an equally phoney although slightly more competent accent to match his.

“Nothing spared for you.” He closed the door and then scooted around the back of the car and got into the driver’s side.

“You know Blake will be at the formal,” Ruby said as they drove to school.

Blake had already mentioned it. They’d been talking a bit recently, especially when Drew was at their house with Ruby. Blake had tickets for the Giants game in three weeks’ time, and he’d actually asked Drew to go along. Of course, Drew had said yes right away. He couldn’t wait.

“He told me. Why didn’t you ask him to come with us?” Not that he minded it being the two of them. It just seemed odd for them not to go together.

“I did, but he said he had someone to pick up.” Ruby shrugged, and then pulled down the visor and checked out her face in the mirror.

“A girl?” Drew asked. He thought how great it would be for Blake to meet someone.

“I guess, he didn’t say. He’s not seeing anyone, so it will probably be a friend from school.”

They pulled into the school parking lot and headed around the back of the school into the side entrance which led to the gymnasium. The music was blaring, and when they pushed open the doors, it was filled with students. The decorating committee had done an awesome job. There was a glitter ball hanging from the ceiling and red, green, and silver lights flashing randomly.

“There’s Blake,” Ruby said, pointing to across the room. She waved, and when he saw them, he headed over, with a girl hanging on his arm.

Ruby quickly glanced at Drew, and he looked as puzzled as she did. The girl Blake was with didn’t go to their school. So who the heck was she?

“Hey, man,” Drew said as they got closer.

“Ruby, Drew, this is Andi,” Blake said. He pulled his arm from hers and then repositioned it around her shoulders, giving a tiny squeeze. Ruby recognized the gesture. They were definitely more than friends. And her senses were on full alert wanting to know everything.

“Hi,” Andi said.

“Hi, Andi,” Ruby replied. “So how do you two know each other?”

“We met at therapy,” Andi answered, glancing up at Blake and smiling at him.

What?
She turned to Blake, so Andi couldn’t see her face, and mouthed, “Therapy?” Her brother shrugged in a
what-the-heck?
way.

“Oh right. Good,” Ruby said, turning back to face both of them, unable to think of what else to say. Never in a million years would she have guessed Blake had been doing that. He’d always dismissed anything “touchy-feely.” Just like she knew Drew had done.

“I’m just going to the bathroom,” Andi said to Blake. “Won’t be long.”

She walked away, and the three of them stood in silence watching.

“Therapy?” Ruby said as soon as she figured Andi was out of earshot.

Blake nodded. He dipped his head, looking a little embarrassed. “Mom’s not-so-gentle suggestion. I think since Dad’s finally started to improve, she learned from you about making her demands known. Since I’ve been going, it’s started to give me a different perspective on what happened.”

Ruby couldn’t get her head around it. It wasn’t like she didn’t think therapy was a good idea for people. But Blake? It just seemed too weird to contemplate. Then again, she’d been thinking how much he’d changed recently. More relaxed. Not back to how he used to be pre-fire, but much better than he was.

“Why didn’t Mom tell me?”

“I asked her not to say anything.”

“Why?” It stung that they could keep something like that from her.

“Because it’s
therapy
. It’s not something you brag about doing.”

“But I’m your sister.” She hated that he felt he couldn’t confide in her. He never used to be like that.

“I know. I’m sorry. It wasn’t personal,” Blake said.

Ruby inwardly shook herself. Blake had his reasons, and she had to accept that. She didn’t want to jeopardize their relationship now that it had started to get back to normal.

“That’s cool,” she said, smiling at him. Andi returned, and she and Blake headed for the dance floor.

“Let’s go and dance,” Drew said, taking her by the arm and leading her to a spot near the deejay’s setup.

“Can you believe that?” Ruby whispered in his ear as they danced.

“I was surprised, that’s for sure,” Drew replied.

“It hurt that he didn’t feel he could tell me about it though,” she admitted.

“Don’t sweat it. I’m sure he didn’t mean to upset you. It was just his way of dealing with it,” Drew said.

Ruby looked straight into Drew’s green eyes, and her heart flipped. Being with him made her feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

“I’m just being stupid. The main thing is for him to be happy,” she said.

“Like we are.” He kissed her gently on the cheek.

Desire flooded through her, and Ruby wrapped her arms tightly around him.

“Yes. Like we are.” She turned her head slightly so their lips met.

They’d kissed a hundred times before, but there was something different this time. She pulled back and looked at him. He smiled at her, that gorgeous, devastating smile that she was seeing more and more of as the weeks went on. She loved him, so much. And no matter how rocky their start had been, she knew that it had all been worth it.