Page 49 of Fractured Mind
“Hey, I just wanted to see if you’re free for brunch today?” Her voice isn’t as cheery as usual.
“Yes, I am.” I need to get out of this house.
“Okay, great. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“Sure, see you shortly.”
I know I’m right when Ruby picks me up in her car and is strangely quiet. I peer at her every so often, and when she stops the car, I ask, “You seem different today. What’s going on?”
She blows out a gush of air, shaking her head like she might combust. “I’m shocked!”
My nerves coil. “What about?”
She whips her head to me, her high ponytail of shiny, black curls landing on her shoulder. “Ashton, obviously,” she replies sarcastically. “But let’s go inside and talk about it. I’m dying for a coffee.”
I agree, knowing I’ll need a strong coffee for this conversation.
The air-conditioning greets me upon entering. It’s the same place I went to with Ashton, and it’s bustling with people. A few families are here, but mostly the age group is eighteen-plus. Following behind Ruby, I smirk as we pass the table Ashton and I sat at. But I wince when I remember what happened yesterday.
Ruby chooses a two-seater table on the far side. We take a seat.
“I can’t believe Ashton got suspended from fighting.”
She has my full attention.
“He’s got a six-month ban. I thought he’d lose it, but he didn’t,” she says, not taking a breath in between. “What did he say to you about it?”
A tiny prick of guilt hits me, but the other, larger part is relieved. I got my wish. “He didn’t say much.” I lean in toward her across the table. “Why did he get suspended?”
Her eyebrows draw in. “He hit Theo before their fight. You can’t touch another competitor, and the MC would have lost money from it.”
That explains some of his mood yesterday.I tap my fingers. “You said before that he didn’t lose it. What did you mean by that?”
“He told us like it was no big deal. It was so strange.”
Well, last night he cared—he cared a lot. My stomach grumbles as I pick up the menu, but I’m not sure I can eat anything.
“What are you having?” asks Ruby.
I browse through the coffee options. “I need something strong, so it looks like an espresso.”
Ruby grins. “That sounds perfect. I’m going to have one too.”
She grabs her bag, but I put my hand on it, narrowing my eyes just a fraction. “It’s my turn to pay.”
She huffs, pulls her bag out from under my hand, and stands. “I invited you, so that means I pay.”
“I have money now, and I’d like to treat my friends as well.”
She rolls her eyes, but then they brighten. “So, Theo, hey?” she teases.
My head falls back as I groan while she grins.
“We have much to talk about.”
There’s a hum of voices. When Ruby approaches the counter, the male cashier’s eyes pop out and his cheeks bright red. When she returns to our table, I ask, “What did you say to the poor guy?”
She giggles and takes a seat. “He blushes when I speak to him. It’s kind of cute. Anyway... So I think I know why Ashton didn’t care when he got suspended.”