Rebel (Renegades 2)

RUBI: Cute. They look like you. And you look happy.

WES: I’d be happier if you weren’t still mad at me.

RUBI: Me too.

WES: What are you doing?

RUBI: I’m the early bird at Stilettos. What do you think I’m doing? I have a deadline…unlike some other people.

A wry smile twisted his mouth. She had every right to be angry. “I love you” carried responsibility—even if the receiving party didn’t reciprocate. He knew that firsthand. He hadn’t been able to return the sentiment to anyone since Melissa. But he’d felt the weight of responsibility toward every woman who’d offered those words to him.

WES: You’re pissy.

RUBI: Someone emotionally ambushed me earlier. Call me crazy, but I don’t like it.

WES: You’re right, I did. I shouldn’t have. I didn’t plan it, but I couldn’t help it either.

RUBI: Hardly compensation. Some things, once said, can’t be taken back.

Heaviness layered his shoulders. She was right. And his impulsiveness could very well turn her cold. Wes knew exactly how those words said too soon could kill what existed between two people.

WES: The fact that it upsets you should tell you something. If you didn’t care, you would just brush me off.

RUBI: No Lexi-speak allowed. I’m sick of you both. Leave me alone so I don’t totally fuck up this deadline.

“Are you writing a damn novel?” Whit asked.

“Shut up. ”

“Ooooo, Uncle Wes,” Emma said from the backseat.

“Sorry. ” He pocketed his phone with a sense of failure and loss creeping in.

“So what does she do?” Whit asked.

“Computer programmer. She’s the one who helped me with Wyatt’s rig. ”

Whitney lifted a brow. “Seriously? That’s as exciting as a CPA. Hardly any different from Melissa and physical therapy. Or a waitress. Or an art student. Or an insurance broker. Or —”

“Enough. ” Wes didn’t need her cataloguing every profession of his previous girlfriends. “What, exactly, were you expecting? A pole dancer?”

“Maybe an actress, considering your profession. Director. Producer. Musician. Hell, a Harley dealer or a tattoo artist would be more your speed. Someone, I don’t know, different. Outside the box. A rebel, like you. ”

That made Wes laugh. “Hardly a rebel—at least not in Hollywood terms. And believe me, Rubi’s plenty different. You know it the second you meet her. And, damn, she’s so freaking smart she blows me away. She made this rig for Wyatt really special. She upgraded my design with relays and a custom program. Made it wireless. Connected it to a server where she can make adjustments on the fly. Really freaking brilliant. ”

“She challenges you. ”

“In every imaginable way. ”

“Definitely novel as far as a girlfriend goes. Is that what’s got you hooked?”

Wes shook his head and exhaled heavily. The suburbs gave way to farmland, bordered by thick, lush trees. He could feel the LA grime melting away. “There’s so many things about her that have me hooked, I couldn’t name them all. She’s strong, independent, feisty. She’s ridiculously generous with both time and money. And she’s got a really thick sweet streak she only shows to those closest to her. ”

“Which, I’m guessing, isn’t many. ”

“Right again. Lots of acquaintances, very few close friends. ” He shook his head. “I don’t know if it’s going to work out. I know she wants to jump, but wanting and doing… There’s a big-ass gap in there. ”

“Where was her neglect?”