Page 135 of Stroked Long
Paisley holds out her hand, and I watch Bodi’s large hand take hers, sending a tinge of jealousy through me. How I wish that was my hand connecting with his.
Giving Reese a confused look, he says, “Girlfriend?”
Reese laughs and claps Bodi on the shoulder. “Long story, man. I’m having a barbeque next week; come by and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Sure,” Bodi says with no hint of promise.
“I need another drink. What about you, baby?” The adoring look Reese gives Paisley cuts me in half one more time.
“Yes, I plan on getting liquored up.”
“Just the way I like you.” Reese winks and then turns to Bodi and me. “Please excuse us. Make sure these people pay for my painting. I don’t think you could get any more artistic than that.”
“Pretty sure you can.” Paisley rolls her eyes and drags Reese to the bar, leaving Bodi and me alone.
I lower my glass of champagne so he can’t see the trembling of my hands. Taking a deep breath, I lift my head to meet his eyes, and I’m hit with an overwhelming anguish. This beautiful man who owns every inch of me has no light in his eyes, no smile to his lips, and no excitement to be standing next to me. He looks at me as if I’m a stranger, someone he can barely stomach standing beside.
What happened to us?
“Place looks good, Ruby.”
Ruby. Not Rubes, not even baby.Ruby. The use of my full name stings more than I thought it would.
Holding back tears that threaten to make an appearance, I swallow my sorrow and say, “Thank you. Lola was a big help.”
He nods and looks around. The most intense feeling of awkwardness is between us. I want nothing more than to wash it away, but I don’t know how. For once in my life, I’m at a loss on how to react, and my normal blabbering mouth seems to have vanished.
I feel broken.
He grips the back of his neck, a nervous tick of his and takes a step back, my heart lurching forward, begging him to stay and talk. “You look . . . beautiful.”
That’s my undoing. One single tear rolls down my cheek and I quickly swipe it away, hoping he didn’t see it. But from the tortured look on his face, I know he did.
“Thanks. You look very handsome.”
Taking another step backward, he nods. He’s retreating and even though I want him to stay, I have nothing left in me to convince him otherwise.He doesn’t want me.He doesn’t want us. Nothing has changed, Ruby. Nothing has changed.You have nothing he wants or needs.
Swiping under my eye again, I give him a small smile. “It was nice seeing you. I hope you’re well. Have a good night, Bodi.”
Mustering all the bravado left in my body, I turn and walk away, leaving Bodi’s burning gaze on my back. I walk to the farthest corner of the gala and take deep breaths, trying to put on a good face, but it doesn’t work. Every emotion I’ve been bottling up the entire night takes over, and I lose it. Warm arms wrap around me and pull me into one of the Staff Only hallways.
Paisley encases me in her embrace and holds my head to her shoulder as I cry. Her hand rubs my bare back, and she whispers soothing words into my ear.
I don’t know how long we stand there, but before I know it, I can hear the MC announce the purchases made. I should be out there but there is no way in hell I can be seen now. I know that I look like a drowned raccoon.Although I truly don’t care what I look like. My heart is breaking. I didn’t think it had any more pieces left to break. Clearly I was wrong.
I pull away and swipe at my eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Paisley hands me a napkin that is damp from her drink. “Melony told me about your relationship with Bodi. From the looks of it tonight, it doesn’t seem like things are going well.”
“They’re not.” I sniff. “It’s over. I would prefer not to go over it right now. I need to get out of here.”
“No problem. There is a back entrance here. Did you drive?”
“No.” I shake my head, still wiping away at my tears. The napkin has been used but I continue to get the most out of it. “I didn’t know how much I would be drinking.”
“I’ll wait with you until we can get you an Uber. Hang in there, sweetie.” Her arm wraps around my shoulder as she guides me out the back.
Within ten minutes, a car pulls up next to the curb. Paisley gives me a big, warm hug and makes me promise to call her tomorrow. I give the driver my address and let my pain fall from my eyes the entire way home.
