Chapter Seventeen

Ruby

The muscles in my legs burned with protest, pushing myself on and on until I put a safe distance between us. I didn’t stop until I reached the parking lot in the center of town. Gasping, panting, and clutching my sides, then eventually breaking down into tears. Nothing could have prevented the floodgates from opening. Tears flowed like rivers and I cried out loud. People were walking past, staring at me like I’d gone insane.

“Are you alright? It’s Ruby, isn’t it?” I heard a man’s voice beside me.

I whirled around and wiped my tear-soaked cheeks with the backs of my hands. Standing there beside a black SUV, was my Mom’s boss, Mr. Grant.

“Um, yeah, sorry.” I gestured at my distressed state. It was way too late to pretend that ever