You Rock My World (The Blackwells of Crystal Lake 3)

Wary, she watched her brother closely. “What did you hear exactly?”

Ryder leaned into her car, his eyes too penetrating, his mind too savvy. “I heard Blackwell showed at the spa last night, and you guys were locked in a room for almost an hour.”

She yanked her head back and glared up at her brother. “Where in hell did you hear that?”

“You know what Crystal Lake is like. It’s a well-oiled machine, and gossip is the fuel that makes the motor run.” He stood up and shrugged. “I went for coffee first thing this morning. Mrs. Avery was in getting her triple cream and sugar with a bit of coffee on the side. She couldn’t wait to tell me. And Ed Helms. And Joanne McBride.”

Ruby gripped the steering wheel. She was cranky, tired, and more confused than she could ever remember feeling. And that was saying something. She couldn’t do this with Ryder right now.

“It’s not what you think,” she managed to say.

“What is it, then?”

She drummed her fingers along the steering wheel, feeling defeated. “I don’t know, Ry. I spent half the night asking myself that same question.”

“Blackwell’s always been your kryptonite.” He was silent for a few moments. “You need to be careful with him. He might say he’s changed, but it’s hard to get your shit together when you reach a certain age. Too many battle scars. The idea sounds good, but the reality is different. On the other hand, sometimes a guy doesn’t know what he had until he’s lost it. If he’s smart, that can be motivation enough for someone.”

She looked up at her brother sharply. “Are you talking about Travis or yourself?”

“Maybe both.” He sighed. “Look, I’m not normally the guy to give out advice.”

“Then don’t.”

Ryder backed away. “Don’t let him in again. Some of us are born to disappoint. It’s in the blood.” With a small wave, her brother disappeared inside the house. Ruby didn’t want to dwell on Ryder’s warning. She wanted to go home and forget about everything.

Crystal Lake was hopping, which wasn’t surprising considering it was mid-July. It was still early, just past ten o’clock, and Ruby breezed through downtown, passing the coffee shop, which was conveniently located next to Mrs. Avery’s flower shop. The woman in question stood on the sidewalk, a bunch of daisies in one hand and tulips in the other. She was chatting with Mrs. McGrath, whose husband owned the local art gallery, and both of them turned as she drove by. Ruby fought the urge to make a face, and instead offered a small wave. She was pretty sure Mrs. Avery had filled in Mrs. McGrath on the juicy Ruby/Travis gossip. At least, judging from the expression on their faces.

With a sigh, she sped out of town, heading toward River Road. She’d been gone since early this morning so they could be at the dealership for opening, and was looking forward to kicking back on her deck, with a good book and a bottle of wine.

She glanced down at her phone. There were no new messages, voice mail or text. And maybe she should have felt some sort of relief, but what she felt was deeper. Darker. And more intense. Why hadn’t he made an effort to contact her? Was he rethinking all the things he’d said to her?

“Stop it,” she muttered. She wasn’t going to think about it.

Ruby followed the road as it curved around the large lake and eventually took an exit that led to an exclusive gated development filled with large, expensive homes that overlooked the lake. Hers was the last one, a large ultra-modern design of stone and glass. It featured an impressive wall of windows that brought nature right into her space, a large treed side lot, and a two-tier deck at the back that overlooked Crystal Lake.

The enclave was much sought after, and when she’d been approved to build, it had meant everything. That Ruby, the cliché born on the wrong side of town, had moved on up in this world. Of course, that feeling had lasted only a few months, and then she’d quickly realized money and prestige didn’t buy happiness.

“God, stop thinking of that stuff,” she muttered as she pulled into her driveway. Only then did she see a smart silver convertible parked near her door, and a man sitting on her front steps. Travis. He wore a ball cap, an old, worn-looking thing, and he hadn’t shaved, which should make him look unkempt, but instead made him look sexy as hell and incredibly male. Aviators hid his eyes, but she felt his gaze as surely as if his hands were on her. A plain white T-shirt, beige deck shoes, and stone-colored khakis gave him a casual look.

Ruby felt her cheeks go hot, and the palms of her hands were slick with sweat. She parked and made a show out of gathering up her purse, but in reality, she was wiping her hands across her lap and desperately hoping her complexion faded by the time she managed to get herself out of the car. She caught sight of herself in the rearview mirror and winced. Several nights with hardly any sleep was catching up with her.

She heard a bark and spied Tasha peering through the side window by the front door. Her tail was wagging like crazy, and she was looking back and forth between Travis and Ruby.

With a silent prayer, she got out of her car and approached him.

“What are you doing here?”

“Nice day.” Travis flashed a smile and ignored her question. He got to his feet and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his shorts.

“How do you know where I live?”

“Supposed to be low eighties.”

She swore under her breath and glared at him. “Travis. Why are you here?” she asked again.

“Thought it was a good day for a drive,” he said, stepping aside as she joined him on the steps.

“Really.”