Page 47 of Hollywood

The way I’d fucked up my life by getting busted and sent to prison.

Hollywood was too special to get dragged down into my brand of hell. But these feelings weren’t going away. And when I was with him and Ruby, I could almost believe this time would be different. This time I really wouldn’t fuck up everything.

Because I washelpinghim.

Whatever happened, I couldn’t forget the reason I was here. Not to indulge my curiosity. Not to get laid. To help Hollywood and Ruby through a difficult time.

If something more was meant to happen, it couldn’t be rash or impulsive. I had to tread carefully, to make sure I was really ready. That we both were.

Because I never wanted to hurt Hollywood—or myself—like that again.

CHAPTER 11

Hollywood

“Sorry.”Tex bent to kiss Ruby’s forehead, eyes flicking up to meet mine. “Wish I didn’t have to go.”

“Don’t worry about it. Me and the girlie will have some quality one-on-one. Won’t we, Ruby?”

Ruby squirmed to get loose, lifting her arms for Tex to pick her up. Typical.

“Teck,” she said. “Fly.”

By now, I was well-versed in Ruby speak. She wanted Tex to toss her around. I was plenty capable of piloting duties, which I’d tried to show her a time or two, but she’d assigned Tex this role in her life and she wanted no substitutes.

He plucked her from my arms and held her over his head, making a motor noise as he turned in a circle. She squealed and giggled, stretching her arms out. “Ruby fly!”

His grin stretched wide. Tex never looked more carefree than when he was playing with Ruby. Some part of him came alive when she smiled. It almost made me jealous. No. Lie. Itdidmake me jealous. I wished I could be that effortlesswith my daughter. Wished I was confident and secure enough as a father.

I was trying. But it was always an effort, like I was going through the motions but wasn’t sure if they were ever the right steps. Tex just knew.

He lowered Ruby to place a raspberry against her tummy where her shirt had ridden up. She squealed and kicked until he set her down. She ran to me, but only to hide behind my leg and peek out at him playfully.

Tex groaned. “Damn, I don’t wanna bail on you guys.”

“You’re not bailing,” I said. “You’ve watched Ruby while I worked the past three days.”

He nodded. “Yeah, but that was different.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Because you trust yourself to take care of her, but not me?”

“What?” He looked startled. “Of course not, Holly. You’re her dad.”

I shrugged. “Doesn’t make me good at being a father.”

He shook his head. “Are you kidding? I’ve seen the way you give her your love and attention. You’re doing great. I only hate to leave because I’ll be in another town and dealing with my dad and, ugh…I justlikebeing here with you guys.”

His eyes caught mine and held, and that odd tension that had been building between us took hold once more. Or maybe I was the only one strung taut. I wasn’t sure.

Two nights ago, Tex had looked at me and touched my face as if I was something precious to him. But he’d touched me casually before. A brush of the arm. A pat on the knee that lingered a beat. Sitting close enough to press thighs and shoulders together.

He’d even kissed me back when I’d tried for something more.

And yet none of that had stopped him from rejecting me and walking away.

As if he could read the path my mind had just taken—or maybe just following the trails of his own memory—he pulled me into a hug. “I’m coming right back this time. As soon as I can, okay?”

That’s when it hit me. He hated leaving because he was going to the same place he had when he’d run before. I swallowed hard, throat tightening. “I know.”