Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

F orbidden Love

Macklin

When I get home from class at the end of the day, the guys in the house are all on edge. Charlie, our social media coordinator, had to quit. She’s also Ruby’s best friend and has been staying here in the house since their dorm flooded. And she’s been secretly hooking up with our captain. Now Finn is losing his shit because he can’t find Charlie.

Hayden is in Ruby’s room and there is some whispering going on. He’s probably trying to get her to divulge where Charlie is, because having a captain who is a loose cannon this far into the season isn’t a good thing. Hayden leaves Ruby and Charlie’s room, shaking his head. As I predicted, Ruby is a loyal friend and isn’t giving away her best friend’s location.

I head to my room and drop my bag on the floor. I also text Ruby.

Me: R U okay?

Ruby: I can’t tell anyone where Charlie is. I know they care, but I have to respect my friend’s wishes.

Me: I know. I wish I could come down to your room and. . .

There’s a knock on my door and Cade walks in.

“What’s up, bro?” I ask.

“This isn’t looking good. Finn is threatening to quit the team. I get that he’s upset but we need him,” Cade says, looking nervous. Right now, our stats are really good, but we need our captain to win the Frozen Four.

“I know Finn, he isn’t going to leave us hanging. He’s loyal through and through. He’ll figure this thing out,” I assure my friend.

“Right,” Cade says, running a hand through his hair.

“Is there something else going on?” I ask him.

He exhales but it sounds more like a sigh. “I saw Scar walking on campus with a dude today. She didn’t see me, but they were holding hands.”

This doesn’t surprise me in the least, but I feel bad for my friend and don’t want to hurt his already wounded feelings even more.

“I’m sorry, bro. Did you call her out on it?” I ask.

“She feeds me the same stories every time. She says he’s a friend, but I’ve had it,” he says.

“Bro, no offense, I’ve heard this before,” I tell him. “There are different kinds of girls, you know? There are the puck bunnies who like to get around and will sleep with almost anyone headed to the NHL, and then there are the girls who have self-respect. They want more for themselves. They go for a guy when their feelings are genuine,” I explain.

Cade’s lips twist in a crooked grin. “What do you know about genuine girls?” He’s laughing now. I can’t blame the dude. I haven’t tried to be serious with a girl since I came to Riverside. The puck bunnies have served my needs just fine.

“Nothing, bro,” I reply because, shit, when do I ever give advice like this? It isn’t like me and it’s clearly because of Ruby. Since she moved in here, she turned my world upside down. Now this plan has me putting my heart on the line because I don’t think any guy is good enough to take her virginity. Hell, I’m not good enough either, but I’m selfish enough to take what I don’t deserve because I have been crazy about her for too many years.

Cade still watches me curiously. “Did you meet someone?”

“Nah, bro. I’m all about the bunnies.”

“But I haven’t seen a bunny come through in months, or are you sneaking them in at night?” he asks.

“Night,” I lie to my friend. Admitting that I am ruined isn’t the way to go. All these guys respect Hayden. I respect Hayden and here I am stabbing him in the back because I am too weak to say no to his sister, who is everything I’ve ever wanted.

He nods with understanding. “I get it. We have the girls living in the house. They aren’t used to our ways.” He winks.

“Exactly,” I confirm. Not that Cade is the type. He’s all about Scar.

“’kay, thanks, bro. I know what I need to do,” Cade declares. I feel for the guy. He has real feelings for Scarlett, I just don’t know if that girl is capable of love. She always seems like she is all over the place.

Cade leaves my room, so I go back to texting Ruby.

Ruby: Don’t leave me hanging.

Me: Sorry. Cade walked in. I just wish I could have you in my bed.

Ruby: Maybe we can make it happen soon.

Damn. She isn’t holding back, and it is driving me crazy. I didn’t feel so guilty when it was me just getting her off, but having her on her knees in front of me. The way she took my cock. Watching it disappear into that sinful mouth of hers. . .well, there is no going back now. I’m like a drug addict after their next fix, and Ruby is my drug.

Me: Sounds like a plan, Periwinkle.

I don’t feel settled, so I get ready to head out for a jog. Finn has left the house. He’s probably gone to look for Charlie and all the guys are doing their own thing. The family room is empty. I eye the door to Ruby’s room, but I don’t go near it. Instead, I head out into the cool night air. I jog far enough that I end up in the small town connected to Riverside. There’s a florist shop and its lights are still on.

I walk in. “Are you guys open?” I ask because some of the lights are dimmed.

A young woman smiles. “For the next five minutes we are.”

“Do you have irises in a periwinkle blue color?” I ask.

She gives me a curious look. “It is a rare color, but we just so happen to have gotten a delivery of some yesterday. Were you thinking of a mixed bouquet?”

“I’ll come back for that another day. Right now, I just need one flower,” I say. “I know that sounds weird but given my situation, it’s all I can offer her.”

“Ah,” she says like she may understand, which she probably doesn’t. “Forbidden love?”

I nod.

She takes the periwinkle blue iris out of a vase and attaches a vial on the bottom. Then she wraps it in a clear cellophane and ties a matching blue ribbon around it. “This one is on the house, but please come back when you’re ready for a full bouquet.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it, but let me pay you for the one flower. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever have a chance to come back for the full bouquet,” I reply, and it earns me a solemn frown from her.

“Well, I hope that isn’t true,” she says. She charges me for the one flower, and I tap my debit card.

“Thanks, you have yourself a good night,” I tell her.

“You too,” she replies.

I leave and she locks up behind me. I jog back toward the house. Finn’s car isn’t on the driveway but other cars are here. I hide the flower inside my hoodie, hoping I am not going to completely ruin it. When I walk in the house, no one is around. I knock lightly on Ruby’s door but she doesn’t answer. I open the door and find her sleeping with her clothes on in her bed with no covers. I figure she must have been tired after our crazy tryst in the library. I place the iris on the pillow and kiss her forehead. Then I take the blankets and cover her.

I don’t know if Charlie is coming home tonight. Last I heard, she took off and doesn’t want to be found. I just hope it’s Ruby who finds the flower and not her because that will raise unnecessary questions.

I leave the room carefully and close the door without making a sound. I head to the kitchen for a glass of water. Hayden walks in a minute later.

“Hey, bro, where did you go?” he asks.

“For a jog,” I tell him.

“Things are pretty intense around here,” he states.

I agree.

“I spoke with Ruby. We’re going to take the bus next Friday afternoon into the city. Abuela wants all of us there early. Mario wants all of us to meet his family. They’re staying for the weekend too,” Hayden explains.

“A full house. Sounds intense,” I note, not liking the idea so much.

“It’s weird to think of Abuela with someone but she deserves this. She put her life on hold for me and Ruby. I’m happy she’s out of the apartment. She seems to really love their new house, and she’s head over heels for Mario and his children.”

“I’m happy for her. If anyone deserves the best, it’s Abuela.”

“So you’ll take the bus with Ruby and me?” Hayden asks and he gives my shoulder a brotherly squeeze.

“Thanks, bro. Yeah, I will.” I just hope things won’t seem awkward between Ruby and me now.

He yawns. “I’m beat. Have a good night.”

“You too, I’m going to shower and sleep. I bet Coach is going to whip our asses tomorrow morning to get us in shape for Wisconsin.”

“I have the same feeling,” he replies.

He leaves the kitchen, and I stay behind a few seconds. I picture Ruby waking up and finding the flower. I hope it brings a smile to her face.