Role Play - Alison Hendricks Page 0,53

not wanting me to move out there with you so we can both keep taking care of David."

"It's disruptive to do it this way, Reu. Going back and forth between two totally different environments. Marcus and I are stable and predictable, and you know how important routine is."

"You think moving across the damn country isn't going to upset his routine?!" My voice was raised, but I didn't care. "And how am I not 'stable and predictable?' Just because I'm not married--"

"You have guys coming in and out of here all the time!"

"I have never brought a hookup here," I said through gritted teeth. "Don't act like my place is just a fucking parade of debauchery. Are you seriously doing this right now?"

I swore in Hebrew, my hands going to my head, raking through my hair. I wanted to yell back that what I had with Elliot was just as real as what she and her husband had, but then I realized:

I hadn't told her about Elliot. Not beyond his involvement with David and Horizon.

"It'll be an adjustment. Of course it will. But don't you want what's best for him?"

"I'm what's best for him! I've been the one providing for him, helping him, learning as much as I can to make sure I'm not fucking it up. You come around when it's fucking convenient for you, Ruth. You always have."

Tears swam in her eyes and her face reddened with hurt and anger. I knew I'd crossed a line. What I said hadn't even been the truth, even if it felt that way sometimes.

"I can't talk to you when you're like this," she said through tears, grabbing her purse.

Suddenly that anger returned, along with a shot of disbelief. Was she actually going to just leave in the middle of this?

"Are you fucking kidding me? You can't just--hey!" She went for the door and I reached out for her. As soon as she shook out of my grasp, though, I let her go.

"I'll call you later, after you've had some time to cool down."

I held back all the terrible things I wanted to say to her. Anger burned deep in my chest, all of it directed at my sister. I knew it wasn't productive, and so I tamped it down, grinding my teeth as she all but slammed the door behind her.

With a pained sound of pure frustration, I picked up the map I'd been working on and tore the paper apart, over and over, until it was nothing but tiny shreds.

22

Elliot

I knew something was wrong as soon as I got the text. It was almost like the time he'd been railroaded into forcing Ty back onto the roster, but there was something different about this one. It was less desperation, more sorrow.

Reuben: Can I come over?

Reuben: I need you.

Also, the fact that he didn't specifically mention sex. That was his go-to when he was feeling bad, and I'd learned not to press him to talk too much until after he got it out of his system. He'd always respected my consent, I just wasn't going to say no to him nine times out of ten.

I sent him a text back saying he could come over. I grabbed a quick shower since I smelled like high school, then I picked up a few things and put on some coffee. I considered pulling down the Bailey's, too, but left it at just coffee for now.

When I let him in, I could see his eyes were red and puffy. He wasn't crying now, but he had been. Probably on the drive over.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

He stepped forward, arms outstretched, and I folded him into a tight embrace. I just held him for several minutes, rubbing his back, feeling his shoulders shake as he silently cried. I wanted so badly to ask what was wrong, but he needed this time to just get the emotion out without having to worry about words.

When he finally pulled back, he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms. I stepped back from him just long enough to grab a Kleenex from the end table, handing it to him.

"Thanks," he said, nose obviously stuffed up.

"What's going on, Reuben?" I asked gently.

"Can we... sit down or something?"

I nodded and helped him over to the couch, pulling the afghan off the recliner and draping it over him. It was rarely cold enough in Florida to even have it, but he looked like he needed the comfort. As he dried his