Page 82 of I Hate You More

No sooner had he settled himself in than a small creature climbed up into his lap as well. His wasn’t human. The three-month-old border collie had cost them a small fortune—Spencer’s parents didn’t believe in family discounts—but he’d been worth every penny. Ruby didn’t know much about dog breeding, but even she could see that the perfect black-and-white patchwork of his fur was something to behold.

Not that it mattered. Spencer refused to train him to do anything but cuddle. Since they only had partial custody of Caesar these days, and Wheezy only paid them an occasional visit, it had seemed wise to add to their collection. There was more than enough love in this house to go around.

“If you didn’t plant drugs, what did you do?” Ruby asked. “Or—wait. Is it possible to be an accessory after the fact? Maybe I don’t want to know.”

Mrs. Orson laughed. “We didn’t break any laws, so don’t look so worried. It was your mother’s idea, actually. We videotaped him in the act.”

Ruby and Spencer shared a look of understanding. Of all the things Ruby had never expected out of a relationship like this one, the sharing of family burdens was at the top of the list. The day she and Spencer had decided to make things official, she’d acquired a charmingly unreliable twin brother and he’d been granted a dramatically overbearing mother.

It was wonderful.

“I helped them set it up,” Caleb said. “I had no idea your mom was such an audiovisual enthusiast. Some of that equipment she has is really valuable.”

“Equipment?” Ruby echoed. “What kind of equipment could she possibly have?”

“She said something about it belonging to Stepfather Trois,” Mrs. Orson said. “Apparently, he was a big fan of recording them during—”

Spencer had spent enough time learning about Ruby’s trio of stepfathers that he jumped to his feet and brought the entire conversation to an end. He also somehow managed to get everyone out the door, including Xavier, and all while the puppy remained cradled in his arms.

“That was a close one,” he said as he pushed the bedroom door shut and leaned against it to prevent anyone from sneaking back inside. “What happened to Stepfather Trois, if you don’t mind me asking? I know the first one snuck out in the dead of night and the second one left in a fury, but where did the third one go?”

Ruby shrugged and unfolded herself from the bed. They’d eventually have to get back out to the barbecue, but it was nice to have this moment first. She drew close and ran a finger under the puppy’s chin. The tiny puppy allowed it but didn’t bask in it—which made sense. He liked Spencer best.

So did Ruby.

“For all I know, she murdered him and buried him out somewhere underneath all my old pageant stuff,” she admitted. “Maybe that’s why she won’t get rid of it. It’s hiding the bones of all the men who broke her heart. We Taylor women aren’t easily scorned.”

“Is that a threat?” Spencer asked. He didn’t sound alarmed so much as intrigued.

“You know me, Spencer,” she said and grinned. “Nothing I say is a threat. Only a challenge.”