Page 80 of Fractured Mind
He shrugs. “Just lucky, I guess.”
Ruby’s eyes narrow further. There are dark circles under her eyes. She went to bed early last night, so I’m not sure why she’s so tired. “Is everything all right with you?” I ask.
Her lips curve gently upward. “I’m fine... I was up late last night on my laptop. I’ve been wanting to get a start on writing my first book, so I started to put an outline together last night.”
“That’s so exciting.”
People underestimate Ruby. She’s so smart.
Levi walks over with a piece of toast hanging out of his mouth. “When you make it big as an author, don’t forget about your friends,” he mumbles with his mouth full, then takes a seat next to Ruby.
Ruby’s eyes soften. “The five of us will always be close friends. That will never change, wherever we are in life.”
Levi’s hand goes to his heart. “Awww...” He blinks, fake crying, pretending he’s moved by her speech.
Ruby snatches a piece of toast off Levi’s plate. “Hey!” he whines.
She takes a big mouthful. As she chews her eyes bug open and she gets off her chair, rushes to the bin, and spits it out, making Levi’s head fall back as he laughs out loud. Ashton and Roman are laughing too.
Ruby glances up at Levi with her face scrunched up. “That was disgusting! What is on the toast?”
His smile is wide. “Serves you right for stealing my food! It’s Vegemite. What did you think it was?”
She spits out more. “I hardly looked at it... It’s so gross.” She fakes a gag.
“Tsk, tsk,” Levi says, shaking his head. “There’s something wrong with you then because it’s delicious.”
She walks back over to us. “You have poor taste if you think that... it’s foul.” She takes a seat and turns to me. “When’s your next piano lesson?”
Joy radiates through me, stretching my smile wide. “Tomorrow.”
“When will you start teaching?”
I pause. “I want six more months of learning. Then I’m going to offer classes for beginners like children, but I won’t stop my lessons with my piano teacher. There is always room for improvement.” Not to mention I love it.
Jackson walks in, dragging his feet. He gives us a morning nod and grabs his smokes from the counter, walking toward the back of the house.
“Good morning to you too,” Levi yells out, amused.
Jackson sticks his rude finger up at him and keeps walking.
Ruby looks deep in thought. “I’m thinking about getting Jackson to do a tattoo on my wrist.”
“I didn’t think Jackson could tattoo yet.” He hasn’t been there long.
“He’s not supposed to yet, but I’m thinking of asking his manager anyway.”
My brows raise. “What are you thinking about getting?”
“Mom and Dad’s names on my wrist.”
My heart squeezes. “That’s special, and it’s meaningful for Jackson too.”
She gives me a sad smile.
“Make sure you let me know when you get it. I want to come with you.”
She bobs her head. “I will.”