RubySunday morning service is a tradition in my family, has been since I was a little kid. I'm not particularly religious, but even if you aren't, you're still expected to make an appearance."I promise, Mom, I'm fine!" I assure my mom for probably the nineteenth time since I showed up this morning. "The cop who helped me was nice, and there's nothing to worry about. He took me home, took care of everything, and made sure I didn't have to be scared. You don't have to worry.""I'm just not used to you living on your own," she worries, pushing my hair back, out of my face. "It's an adjustment period for us, I'm not trying to crowd you, but please remember, you're still our little girl."I want to tell her I've been on my own a while. When I was in college no one was there to make sure I came home at a decent hour, to make sure I went to class, or that I ate at a certain time. Funny how that worked out. I even had to make sure I did my own laundry. There was no one there to do th
Ruby"I'm so sorry!"As soon as I walk into the library on Monday morning after going to see Principal Taggert, the apology is already coming from Trinity's mouth."I had no idea Seth was like that. We've known each other a while, he was my next door neighbor." She runs to me, enveloping me in a hug. "Brooks always says I'm too trusting, but I just never imagined he would be like that. And to think I could have gotten you hurt. I'm really, really sorry, Ruby.""It's okay," I assure her. "All's well that ends well. I ended up having a great time anyway.""It's all over town, that you left with Caleb."My cheeks heat, I can feel it flush up my neck. There's no telling what people in this town are saying. "I did leave with him, he was kind of my knight in shining armor. If it hadn't been for him and his friend, things would have probably turned out a lot differently.""Thank God he was there." She squeezes my hand. "Again, I'm so sorry. I never meant for it to happen, and I
RubyI've never been so excited for a Friday night in my life. This week has passed slowly, with numerous text messages between Caleb and me. Even if we can't see each other much, at least we have this as a means to get to know each other. We haven't been able to get together, and maybe that's why I'm so excited. He's busy, I'm busy, and we don't have just a ton of free time to devote to one another.It's a commitment; I know I'm serious when I make one, and he seems to be serious too. This must be the difference in dealing with a man, rather than a boy who's unsure of what he wants.So far, I have to admit I'm liking it. Grabbing my phone, I scroll back through our messages, grinning as I see some of them, thinking back to our conversations.C: What's your favorite TV show?R: Whatever I can watch on Netflix and don't have to wait for. I like shows that are already over.C: Into that instant gratification, huh?I grin as I think about what he's saying. To most people I'm
RubyHe hasn't gone home, and I haven't wanted him to. We've been sitting on my back porch, watching the sun come up, talking about everything and nothing at all. Truth be told, I keep trying to come up with questions to keep him here. I don't want this night to end, don't want to let him go."You want kids?" I ask him, pulling a blanket around my shoulders that I went to get an hour and a half ago once it got too cold. My legs are in his lap and he's still playing with the rip in my thigh. He hasn't stopped doing it since we sat down, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling it in every part of my body. Each time he makes a trip forward and back, my nipples peak and my core throbs."At least two, probably three or four, if I'm given a chance. I want a family, something I didn't have until I was eighteen, when Karina came into our lives." His voice is deep with what sounds like the need to sleep. We've talked for hours, and even I have to lick my dry lips."I'm there for the
CruiseI'm dreaming, wrapped in the fogginess of whatever my subconscious wants me to know. My mouth is slanted, claiming the mouth of another, my fingers are thrust into hair I know, blonde and a mass of curls, as I tilt her face to the side so I can get in deeper."Caleb," she moans, and as I feel her hands at my biceps, I know this isn't a dream."Ruby," I hiss as I feel her legs part, allowing me to slide in between them.Sometime in the afternoon we've spent sleeping, we've rolled toward one another and started kissing. The kissing must have been going on for a while, because my cock is hard, pressing against the zipper of my jeans, and as I pry my eyes open I see love bites on her chest and neck. The belt at my waist is undone, and the button on my jeans has been popped. I'm thick against my boxers, searching for her core."Don't stop," she whispers as I lever myself away from her body. With the admission, she's bold, reaching back for me. "I've wanted this all night wh
RubyToday has been one of the longest days ever. It feels like every teenager I've spoken to has been a smartass to me, and I'm beyond ready to go home. Unfortunately, I have to submit my grades for the quarter, and it has to be done before I leave.My kids are doing well, and that makes me smile. History has always been one of my loves, and to know my kids are doing well with it, makes me incredibly happy. Maybe I'm doing something right. On days when I totally question it, I can look at these grades and know I've helped them accomplish this success.As a first-year teacher, this is everything I can hope for. Maybe I'm not changing lives, but more than anything, they're listening to me. It's enough to bring a smile to my face. Glancing at the clock on my computer, I give myself a goal of getting these all entered within the next hour. If I do, then I still have time to take a spin class at the gym. Putting in my earbuds, I crank the music on my phone and get to work.I'm into
CruiseOctober"You sure you're okay spending the evening with my family?" I ask Ruby as she climbs into my Jeep and gets situated. "I know this is kind of moving a little quickly for us, but Halloween is a family affair in my house.""No, I'm excited!" She reaches back to put her bag down in the back seat. "Plus I'm super excited to see that you're wearing your old football uniform. And I'm excited to wear my old cheerleading one for you."Truth be told, I'm kind of excited to wear it for her. I can only imagine what life would have been like when we were in high school if she had been my girlfriend. Maybe we would have fucked under the bleachers, maybe I would have had the guts to actually go all the way with someone in my house. I like to think I wouldn't have paid attention to the rules my dad laid down, and I would've done whatever it took to be with her. "So is that what you're really wearing tonight?" I question as I turn from her duplex toward my parents' house."Isn'
RubyWe pull into Karina and Mason's home, and immediately I see a Jeep that reminds me of Caleb's. Glancing over at him, I give him a grin. "Exactly how much are you and your dad alike?""So much!" Kelsea says as she jumps out of the backseat. "Sometimes I think Bubba and Dad share a brain.""She's not wrong." He hitches his chin toward the house. "C'mon."I'm slow getting out of the passenger's side, and I'm not sure why. I've seen Mason around school before, and I know we've said "Hi" a few times, but I'm nervous. After Caleb and I spent the night talking, I know how much his dad means to him. I know the relationship they've had with one another and just how much he seeks approval from Mason. It makes me want that approval too, and also gives me a fear that I won't live up to what Mason sees as the woman for his son.Caleb comes around to meet me, taking my hand in his. He turns me so that we're facing one another. His free hand comes up under my chin, tucking a finger the