Page 46 of Hollywood

I pulled open the door to see Joyride on the porch. Cute, young, gay Joyride—who probably had a crush on Hollywood, because why wouldn’t he? Ugh.

“Nice to see you too,” Joyride said with a smirk.

I schooled my expression to neutral. “Sorry, we were just in the middle of something.”

Joyride’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? Do tell.”

“Hey, Joy.” Hollywood came up behind me, Ruby swaddled in a fuzzy little robe. “What’s up?”

“Just came by to help out,” he said hesitantly, eyes flicking to me. “I thought you’d be unpacking…”

“Yeah, come on in,” Hollywood said. “We were just getting Ruby cleaned up before we tackled that. Right, Tex?”

“Right,” I murmured, stepping back to let Joyride squeeze by.

Joyride gave me a bit of side-eye, probably because I’d led him to believe he was interrupting something else. I should probably feel bad about that, but I didn’t. I wasn’t sure what, if anything, could happen with Hollywood. But I knew I didn’t want Joyride muddying the waters before we’d figured it out.

“I can watch the munchkin while you unpack boxes,” Joyride offered. “Or I can help unpack, too. Whatever. Just figured unpacking with a toddler probably wasn’t the easiest thing.”

No kidding. I’d made an attempt in the late afternoon, but I hadn’t gotten as far as I’d have liked. Ruby had been into everything, wanting to help by dragging stuff all over the house.

“Thanks, Joey,” Hollywood said, his tone warm. “That’s awesome.”

“Joey?” I said sharply.

“It’s my real name,” Joyride said dryly. “But it’s Joy to you.”

“More like no joy,” I grumbled.

Hollywood had already handed Ruby over to Joyride and was paying little attention to me. “Should we start in the kitchen? Those boxes should be pretty easy to knock out.”

“Yeah, good idea,” I said.

I followed Hollywood to the kitchen. To my irritation,Joyride did too. Hollywood glanced over his shoulder. “You want a drink?”

“I’d take a Coke if you’ve got one.”

“Sure.” Hollywood opened the fridge and pulled out a soda, handing it to me.

I held it out to Joyride wordlessly.

He took it from me, head tilted. “Thanks, Tex. Play your cards right, and maybe I’ll volunteer to babysit whenever you guys need. You know, so you two could go out and have some fun.”

Hollywood chuckled as he opened a box that contained mixing bowls. “Fun? Not sure I remember what that is.”

I caught the subtext of what Joyride was saying, though. He was clearing the path for me. Saying he’d watch Ruby if I wanted to take Hollywood out for a date.

Holy shit. This kid saw right through me.

I swallowed hard and turned to open another box. The tape held fast, and I had to rip the cardboard to get it open. It felt good to let out some frustration. To tear that box open and be in fuckingcontrolof something. Fuck knew I wasn’t controlling myself very well these days.

Good thing Joyride showed up when he did. I wasn’t sure what I would have done if left alone with Hollywood for too long. My self-restraint was cracking after three days in his company.

It made me wonder how I’d endured three months away when all I wanted to do was get closer, to soak in his warmth, to draw out a smile, to have those eyes locked on me like they used to be.

Before I’d shut down that first kiss. Before I’d run to Hayworth instead of facing my truth. My sister had needed me—and Hollywood would have understood that if I’d justtalkedto him. Instead, I’d used it as an excuse to hide fromfeelings that overwhelmed me. From the certainty I’d only fuck up with him the way I’d fucked up with my dad over and over.

The way I’d fucked up with Redemption Road, unable to hold down a job.