A Dirty Game - Chapter 11

I am SO SO SO SORRY! I haven't been on Buzzle for Weeks Now and I have kept you all on hold. But starting a new year is so stressful it's unbelievable. There will be big gaps of nothing between chapters for a long while and I'm sorry but I'm warning you from now I'm typing this in a hurry because I am in the middle of moving house so there will be no Internet for ages and thus I hope I have enough time to get this one done =] PLEASE ENJOY && Forgive Me xxx Thank you for ALL your comments, they're AMAZING and I can't stop grinning

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"I'll get it!" Ruby shouted as she opened the door. She blanched as she saw her dad standing at the door with a bunch of roses in his hand.
"Hi?" he said cautiously, almost like a question. Ruby didn't know what to say. Her heart had stopped and her mouth seemed to be connected to it. After a while of standing there staring at him she stepped aside and let him walk past. She caught that familiar scent of rain and chocolate that Phillip always had wafting around his body. It brought a wave of memories crashing over her head and she restrained herself from gripping at him.

"Happy Birthday" ,she felt like a little girl again as he kissed her on the cheek and handed her the flowers. And then she remembered why he was here as a guest. He noticed the change in her demeanor as she stepped back and folded her arms, half crushing the roses.

"Ruby, I know what you -"
"Don't you DARE try and pretend like you know what mum and me are going through! You're the one who caused all this chaos! You're the one who decided to up and leave your family for some other woman!" she screamed.

Phillip rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. Ruby noticed that he had stubble and shadows under his hazel eyes.
"I'm sorry" he finally whispered. Ruby tried to swallow the big ball that seemed to have lodged itself in her throat. She didn't have a clue what she was supposed to do next. Break down and fling herself into her father's embrace? Or tough it out and give him the cold shoulder? The decision was made for her.

"Who is it Ruby?" Lacy's voice carried down the stairs; Phillip's eyes darted from Ruby's face to Lacey's as she came level with him. Her jaw sagged a little.
"Mum...He...I...You should deal with this" Ruby stuttered and ran past her parents. On the first floor she sat down behind the banister and peered through as she eavesdropped.

"...My fault?!" Lacey flung up her arms.
"No Lacey, I did not say that!"
"I can't believe that you think running away from your wife and three children is tolerable" Lacey screamed. Ruby tensed.
"Wait...WHAT?" Phillip asked.
"Pardon?" Ruby could see her mum backtracking, but Phillip was very clever. He narrowed his eyes.
"Three children? We have two. What are you talking about?"
"Oh did I say three? I meant two, an easy mistake to make"
"No, not an easy mistake to make"

Lacey was flustered, Ruby could see that and so could Phillip. He lowered his tone and stepped forward, gently taking hold of Lacey's arm.
"Are you pregnant Lacey?" he asked quietly. Lacey hesitated, and then slowly nodded.
Ruby's head began to spin. What?
"Oh, Lacey. Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered and pulled Lacey into a hug.
"Because you CHEATED ON ME!" she cried and slumped into his arms. Ruby didn't want to look as her mum broke down into tears and snot. It was painful to watch. Also, she would have a baby brother...or sister soon?

The doorbell rang and Phillip stared at the door with a dreadful expression. It made Ruby's stomach turn. The letterbox opened.
"Phil? Honey?"
Lacey's head snapped up.
"You brought her HERE?"
"Well, she wanted -"
"You brought your whore to MY house while you were 'apologizing' for abandoning us?" she hissed, pushing away from him.
"Hey, don't call-"
"Get out!"

Lacey slapped at Phillip's chest and he stumbled backwards. He tried to fend her off.
"We need to talk!" he grabbed her hands.
"Get the FUCK out my house!" she screeched. Finally Phillip gave up and dodged out the door. Ruby got a glimpse of red hair and a bare calf before the door slammed shut. Her mum stood leaning on it, breathing heavily. Ruby risked being told off for eavesdropping and hugged her mum. Lacey blinked tears away.

"You heard?"
"Yeah"
"Are you angry?"
Ruby thought about it.
"No actually. I'm happy" she grinned.
"Urm....ok. We need to carry on with the organizing if we want this to be a great party!" Lacey laughed and untangled herself from Ruby. Ruby was still concerned., she could see that her mum was putting on a brave face.
"You sure? I can change the dates if you want, no problem"
"No! Don't be silly" Lacey dismissed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ruby took a few deep breathes. The house would start filling up in a few minutes and she was all of a sudden feeling very apprehensive. She didn't know why. She felt like maybe something was going to happen, but not necessarily good nor bad. Her mum stopped at her door.
"Ahh honey, you look beautiful. My beautiful little girl!" Lacey smiled.
"Mum, stop"
"Ok. I'm off to Madeline's house now to have a little girly night. You know the rules, don't let anyone break anything and if there's an emergency; all the numbers are on the fridge. Urm...what else? Oh Yeah! Your father's emergency credit card is on top of the fridge under the plant pot. Order pizza. Order lots of it!" she grinned, kissed Ruby on the cheek and breezed out.

Ruby laughed. She really loved her mum. And now she would have an extra sibling to care about. She wiped a smudge of make up of eyeliner off and heard the doorbell. When she opened it a load of people streamed in. They all said happy birthday, chucked gifts at her and headed straight for the kitchen. Ruby grinned and dumped the presents on the hallway table. The stereo came on and some heavy bass song that Ruby didn't recognize pumped through the house. She lodged the door open with a doorstop and threaded her way to the kitchen to grab a drink. There was food everywhere, just waiting to be opened and eaten. She took a handful of cashew nuts, turned around and bumped into Braiden.

He looked over her with hooded lids and grinned. Ruby felt warm.
"Hi" she shouted over the music. He didn't bother, instead he leant forward and talked in her ear, causing her to shiver.
"Happy Birthday gorgeous!"
She smiled. He looked really handsome.
"I know!"
Ruby had chosen the outfit with only one person in mind. It was a short metallic silver dress with sequins, a v-neck and a sexy gap in the back. She was wearing silver peep toe ankle boots and
her hair was curled and loose around her angelic face which was so subtly done up, it looked perfect. She told herself that she hoped Romeo loved it.

Braiden laughed and dragged her into the living room to dance. Ruby quickly chewed her cashew nuts and danced with him for a while. She was having a lot of fun. Everytime his hands brushed her waist she felt like giggling. Then Romeo walked into the room and as soon as she spotted him she disentangled herself from Braiden and straightened herself up.
Romeo did that guy handshake thingy with a few people, caught a bottle someone threw him and leaned against a wall. He looked soooo amazing. Braiden followed her gaze and his face hardened. He looked at her for a second, then walked off.

What was his problem? Ruby thought as she made her way to Romeo.
"Hey Romeo"
"Ruby! Happy birthday, you look great" he smiled. She pushed her luck and stuck her face near his. Hesitantly he kissed her cheek and then handed her a present. She opened it on the spot. It was a little silver charm bracelet. It was beautiful. She looked up at him, saw him looking back, waiting to see if she liked it or not.
"It's lovely! Thanks" she flung her arms around his neck. He was startled, and so he didn't expect her to kiss him, which she did. Almost immediately he pushed her away. She pouted.
"What the hell Ruby?!" he shouted. People were looking, gathering.
"Don't you like me?" she replied.
"No!"
"Liar" she smirked and ran a hand over his collar.
"Don't you get it? No means NO! Get out of my way Ruby, you're making a fool of yourself!", Romeo pushed her aside. She smarted.
"Don't you get it?! We're meant to be together! Ruby and Romeo. The two most popular people in school. You're making a big mistake by denying that" she hissed.
Romeo just shook his head and walked away, leaving Ruby standing there, glaring. She waited till he had slammed the door before looking around at the room full of people. They were all staring, sniggering and whispering. Braiden was standing in front of them all, watching her watching him. For the first time in her entire life, Ruby felt embarrassed. So she pushed her way past people, slid the garden door open and ran to the poolside. It was empty, and no one could see her from the house.

She climbed onto a deckchair hidden behind one of the shrubs. There was little light but she didn't need light to cry. The tears came pouring down her face, and she let them. She heard the back door slide open and she scrunched up further.

*Braiden's POV*

I can hear shouting from where I am sitting upstairs, so I make my way back to the living room. I recognize the voices, and after pushing through all the crowds I see that Ruby is glaring at Romeo. I briefly wonder if he tried something on but then realise that he's not that kind of guy. It's probably the other way round knowing Ruby. Romeo stalks off and Ruby spins around, sending fiery glares at all of us watching the commotion. When she spots me, her mouth purses and she slams out the back door, to where the pool is.

I know immediately what i'm going to do before I even do it. I remove the key from the doors, close them behind me, then lock it. A few people glance my way and then go back to gossiping. I feel disgusted. They don't care. As long as there's a free party with free food and a load of gossip then they're happy. I crunch my way down the little pathway of gravel, swiveling my head left and right. I can't see her. Where could she be hiding though? I stand still and listen. After a while I hear a long sniff and I know where she is. I peek behind a bush and see her sitting on a deck chair, knees cradled to her chin, tears streaming down her cheeks.

I sit down next to her.
"Ruby?"
"What?" she sniffles.
"Can I hold you?" I ask. She peers at me.
"Why?"
"Because you're upset!" I state. She waits for a beat and then shrugs.
I move closer and wrap my arms around her. She's freezing, and I feel her shiver as my warmth spreads into her body. All is silent and then;
"Am I ugly?" she wails and looks up at me. Her face is awash with ruined make up and the vulnerable look in her sparkling eyes pull on my heart. Gently I wipe under her eyes with my thumbs and as I meet her gaze I am aware of how fast my heart is beating.
"You're beautiful" I whisper.
I mean it with everything I have in me and more. Her lips part deliciously as she starts for another cry and I know I have to do something before she beats herself up even more. It seems as if time itself is slowing down as I lower my head and capture her mouth between mine. Ruby is startled, I can tell. I think she is about to push me away as she raises her arms. Instead she tangles her hands in my hair and closes her eyes. Its bliss like I've never felt before; all my nerve endings are on fire. I probe with my tongue, swirl it around her own. It pleases me to hear her moan, feel her clutch at my hair, so I hold on to her smooth, smooth skin harder and press deeper with my tongue because I never want to let go.

My lips start to ache and despite what my mind wants I need a break so I slowly pull away and place delicate kisses down her arched neck. Ruby is shivering and I get an uncomfortable desire to wrap her up where no one can get to her. I suckle on the soft skin at the base of her throat. I hear her whimper my name and the joy I feel is so intense I think I could die. I raise my face back to hers and kiss her eyelids. I watch them flutter open, watch Ruby smile. She is shocked, I can tell , but she is also happy. I can see no misery in that scorching gaze. At that moment I am in heaven, with an angel in my arms, I am content. Ruby stares back at me.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that" I grin.

She says nothing. Just carries on searching...for what? Something? Nothing? Her halo of golden hair is draped over my right wrist and I want to write this down so badly. How the moonlight shines over her graceful body, glitters on her face, highlights her features. She is beautiful. Achingly so. I feel the pads of her fingers on my cheek, my temple, my lips. I'm sitting still, relaxed so that she can do whatever it is she's doing. Then, when I'm beginning to wonder if maybe she's going to remain mute for the evening, she emits a short pealing laugh and pulls me in for another hear-stopping kiss.