Page 77 of Hollywood

I let out an annoyed huff and focused on buckling Ruby into her seat because I knew Joyride was right. I was doing a shitty job hiding my feelings for Tex.

Joyride settled into the passenger seat of my Toyota, his cardboard drink carrier still in his lap. I started the car and adjusted my mirrors while he pried the coffees out of the holder and put them into the car’s cupholders.

“Sorry,” he said. “I opened my big mouth and stuck my foot in, like always.”

“No, it’s not that. Just…” I glanced sidelong. “You can’t say things like that to Tex.”

“I wouldn’t,” he said. “He’s kinda scary.”

I gave him a skeptical look as I reversed out of the parking spot. “Scarier than Knight?”

“Most of the time, yeah. Knight likes me.”

I chuckled. “Tex likes you too.”

“He hasn’t been overly friendly. I think he’s worried I’ve got the hots for you or something.”

I choked on my sip of coffee. “You don’t, do you?”

“No!” Joyride turned red. “I don’t see you like that. We’re friends, right?”

“Right. You’re more like a brother to me. An annoying little brother who shouldn’t tellanyonewhat he thinks about me and Tex.”

“I got it.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.” He pantomimed zipping his lips. “Your secret is safe. I just don’t know why it’s such a big deal.”

“Because it’s up to Tex when he wants to come out.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh. This is all new for him. He didn’t expect to be with a man, ever. He’s going to need a minute.”

Joyride nodded. “Okay. I hear you. I was pretty weird about it at first, too. I mean, I knew I was gay, but I was a little afraid of anyone else knowing. I’ll keep my trap shut.”

“Thank you.”

He held up the smallest cup from the carrier. “Can I give this to Ruby?”

“How hot is it?”

He took a sip of it. “Lukewarm now. It’s had time to cool off.”

I nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.”

He twisted to offer the drink to Ruby, who abandoned her sippy cup to grab it. She took a gulp without hesitation, despite having no idea what was in the cup. It must be nice to be so trusting.

She smacked her lips, stared at the cup as if it was the holy grail, then started guzzling as fast as she could.

“Slow down, girl!” Joyride said with a laugh. “Damn. I feel like a drug dealer.”

“You are,” I said as I drove down the bumpy trailer park road toward the park exit. “Chocolate is addictive.”

“Oops.”

I turned onto the highway and headed for the north side of town, where the River Rocks Rehab Center was located two blocks from the hospital.