Page 58 of Hollywood

He huffed an annoyed breath. “I know. I try, but it always seems to happen.”

Knight joined us. “Hey, guys. No Tex yet?”

I shook my head, throat tight.

“Matteo said we’ll wait another five minutes. Then we have to get started.”

“Shit,” Joyride said, then clapped a hand over his mouth. “Sorry, Holly. I mean, shoot. It’s not good if Tex doesn’t show.”

“Understatement,” I muttered.

Tex had just gotten back into the program. Personal reasons aside, he’d burn bridges with Redemption Road for good if he bailed again.

I held out Ruby toward Knight. I was afraid she’d get her fingers smashed in the ball return if we didn’t keep a close eye on her.

“Take Ruby for me? I’ll try to call him.”

Knight stepped back, hands up, with a look of fear I’d never seen on his face. Not even the night he had to take on a big-ass brute in an illegal fight to get out of his biker gang.

“She doesn’t bite.” I paused. “Most of the time.”

“I know,” he said quickly. “I just don’t, uh…know how to…”

Joyride took Ruby with an eye roll at Knight’s reluctance. “I’ve got her.” He walked her over to the balls. “Hey, Ruby, you want a turn? Let’s take a turn together.”

“Careful,” I warned. “Those balls are heavy.”

“That’s what he said,” a voice drawled behind me.

I whirled, heart leaping into my throat. “Tex! You’re back.”

He wore a ball cap, dirt-streaked T-shirt, and jeans with grass stains on the knees. He’d never looked better to me. I wanted to throw my arms around him. Wanted to hold him tight and tell him to never leave again.

I couldn’t do any of that. I’d look like a lovestruck fool. Shit. Iwasa lovestruck fool. But I couldn’t show it. Not when I didn’t know where he stood. I had to get a handle on these feelings and lock down my heart before it got broken again.

Tex didn’t know the spiral going on in my brain, though. He walked right up to me and yanked me into a sweaty hug. “Sorry I’m late. The job was a big one, and I didn’t want to leave Dad in bad shape, especially?—”

“Teck!” Ruby squealed and wrapped herself around his leg, clinging to him the way I wished I could.

He broke off with a laugh. “Hey, darlin’. I missed you!”

Tex picked her up, and she wrinkled her nose. “Stinky Teck. You stinky.”

“Sorry, Ruby. Teck was running late. I should take a bath, huh?”

She giggled. “Bath time for Teck.”

“Soon.” He set her down. “We have to go have pizza first.”

We all headed toward the cafe where Matteo had laid out food and drinks.

“I was just about to call you,” I said in a low voice. “You cut it close.”

“Sorry. I wanted to call and let y’all know I was running late, but I forgot my charger and my phone died. By the timewe wrapped up work, I was already running late. I just hightailed it over here as fast as I could.”

“It’s okay. I was just worried you weren’t going to make it.”

He shot me a crooked smile. “Angry dogs couldn’t keep me away.”