Page 120 of Playing to Win
“Are you all right?” I finally ask after she still hasn’t said anything.
A sigh leaves her and she drops her half-eaten taco onto the wrapper that’s spread out on the table with a plop. “I’m eating my feelings.”
“Say what?”
“I’m eating my feelings,” she says slowly, like I’m an idiot.
“Oh, I heard you, I just don’t know exactly what you mean.”
She throws her hands in the air. “Derek and Natalie are dating.”
I blink at her, startled by her rapid change of subject. Shocked more by what she said. “They are?”
Ruby nods, seemingly miserable. “Isn’t it great? They’ve been together for like six weeks. I think they’re in love.”
I take a step closer, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why do you sound so sad about it?”
“Because I’m jealous.” She backs away from me, grabbing her taco so she can nibble on it. “They’re not the relationship type.”
“Okay,” I say slowly.
“They both admitted that to me.”
“Did they tell you they were together?”
“I caught them kissing on our couch. Like full-blown making out, their hands everywhere. It was…oh God, I was so shocked. Like this is the last thing I expected. Natalie’s told me before that she hates him.”
“Doesn’t sound like she hates him anymore.”
“She doesn’t,” Ruby wails. “I think she might love him. God, I hate this.”
She polishes off the taco, wipes her hands and mouth with a napkin and then stalks off, headed down the hallway.
“Where are you going?” I call after her.
“Running away from my problems!” she yells.
This woman. She makes absolutely no sense.
I follow after her, grabbing her arm before she can sneak off into the bathroom and turn her to face me. “Ruby. Baby. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“I’m tired of keeping this secret.”
“Keeping what secret?” I’m fairly certain I know what she’s talking about but I’m just making sure.
“Us. You and me.” She sounds miserable. “I like you.”
“I like you too.” I try to ignore the way my heart swells, but there’s something about the way she just said that.
“I want everyone to know we’re together.” She pauses, her eyes going wide and she nibbles on her bottom lip. “Wait a minute. I’m probably getting way ahead of myself.”
“Are you?”
“You tell me.”
I’m starting to sweat. Do we have to have this discussion now? Right now? In the doorway of her bathroom after she just ate her feelings?
“I am,” she says, not giving me near enough time to speak. She yanks her arm out of my hold. “Thanks for the snacks, Ace. You can go now.”
