Page 83 of Untamed
Hopefully we don't run into the same issue looking for dirt on William, because I’ll go out of my fucking mind if I have to send Ruth to Maryland with no way to keep him under control.
Heidi promises to let me know as soon as she has something on the dead Dans and we end the call. Nothing to do now but wait.
I pour myself a cup of coffee, drinking down half before sitting at the kitchen island to handle a task I've been dreading. I’ve already booked movers to haul Ruth’s belongings across the country. I’m sure they charged me a premium since the notice was short, but I was able to secure a company I have complete faith will get everything to Maryland safely.
And that leaves me with the task of getting Birdie and Ruth to their new home.
I pull up flights and scroll through the options, stomach twisting tighter and tighter as I narrow the field down to the best options. I don't want a bunch of layovers, and I want to get there as early as possible so I can get everything in line before I turn around and fly back home. I can't stay there any longer than I absolutely have to, or I’ll never want to leave. And I have to leave. I can't live in Maryland. I have responsibilities and a business to run here.
Plus, Ruth hasn't even come close to mentioning the possibility of our connection continuing. If she did, there's a good chance I’d try to work something out. Even if it's just flying out after work on Friday and home for work Monday morning. I’d do whatever it took to see her. To see Birdie.
But we have a deal, and she has a plan. One she’s worked hard for. One that will make her feel safer. One I hope will make her happy. All I can do is help while I still can.
Having booked the flight that will best meet our needs, I slam my laptop closed, the great mood I woke up in souring quickly. I'm pouring my second cup of coffee when there's a quietknock on my door. I expect to see my mother smiling at me on the porch—ready to steal Birdie again—but instead it's Walker.
I can't hide my surprise at my cousin’s unexpected arrival. "What in the hell are you doing here?"
He angles a brow, leaning to peer over my shoulder. "Since you haven't been interested in telling me on your own, I decided it was time to come find out what the fuck you're up to."
Walker is the only member of my family who hasn't bought the tale Ruth and I are telling hook, line, and sinker. He's been skeptical at best, completely disbelieving at worst.
And honestly, I'd really fucking like to know why.
Stepping back, I make room for him to come inside, closing the door before following him into the kitchen. "Want a cup of coffee?"
"Yup."
Walker parks his ass on the stool I just vacated, leaning back in the seat as he watches me pour him a mug of scalding hot liquid. I slide it in front of him then wait silently. If he wants to have this conversation, he's going to have to be the one who starts it.
He takes a long drink, swallowing down the beverage like it's not the equivalent of boiling hot lava, before leveling me with his stare. "How bout you tell me where in the hell you found a woman willing to go along with your bullshit?"
I could lie. Continue with the story Ruth and I concocted. But so much of what we claimed has slowly started becoming true, that I find myself admitting, "I didn't find her. She found me."
Walker's brows climb his forehead, shock working its way onto his face. "Please don't tell me you fucked a girl and then talked her into pretending to be your girlfriend, because?—"
"I haven't fucked Ruth." And I won't fuck Ruth. There has to be a line somewhere I don't cross. And I’m pretty sure crossing that one would make it impossible to let her go.
Fuck me. After years of claiming I'm not an asshole for the way I treat women, for once, I want it to actually be true.
Walker snorts. "I don't believe that for a fucking second."
I shrug. "You don't have to believe it. Doesn’t make it a lie."
Walker's eyes narrow in suspicion. "Then how in the hell else did she find you?"
"She showed up on my doorstep and tried to convince me Birdie was my daughter." It sounds bad when I say it out loud, so I try to soften the explanation. "She had a really good reason for doing it, and I always knew it wasn't true."
"Still fucked up." Walker crosses both arms over his chest. "And what was thisgood reasonshe claims to have?"
I'm willing to tell Walker a lot, but disclosing Ruth's private life isn't part of that. "If she ever wants you to know, she’ll be the one to tell you."
Walker brings a hand to his face, scratching at the light brown beard covering his chin and cheeks. "How long are you two planning to drag this bullshit out?"
I swallow hard, nearly choking on what I have to say next. “Less than two weeks from now she’s moving to Maryland.”
Walker looks me over, his expression unreadable. “And how do you feel about that?”
I force myself to shrug, but it’s nearly impossible to look casual about Ruth leaving. Just the thought of it makes me want to heave. “Doesn’t matter how I feel.”
