Martin was coming around the house more than he had in the past year. Ruthie wished he would just stay away. Go back to Sandy and the baby and play house with them. Or do whatever it was that teen fathers did when they'd worn out their welcome with their former friends.
She didn't know her old friend these days. He was still gorgeous, even more so at age 19 with his clean cut good looks and lean muscle from all those hours of extra training at school. He acted like he could just pick up where they had left off, squeezing her shoulder as he passed or giving her a weak one-armed hug. Joking around like they were still best buddies.
But she was with T-Bone now. And Martin signified a part of her past that was dead to her. A heartbreak she'd finally moved beyond and had no desire to ever go back to.
Life with T-Bone was easy. Surprisingly so. She didn't have to read into every word or action. She knew he cared about her as much, if not more so, than she cared for him. She could spend hours kissing him, running her hands through his mop of brown hair. He looked like your standard issue teen boy in his hoodie and jeans. Awkward as hell. But she was beginning to realize just how good "awkward" and "normal" good be.
"Ugh," Lucy said as she walked in on them making out on the couch one day when the parents were out. "I don't need to see this."
Ruthie sometimes hated her straight-laced older sister. Not every one could be as perfect and holy as Rev. Camden Jr. "Don't you have a daughter of your own to hover over and boss around," Ruthie snapped.
Martin appeared in the archway with Aaron in his arms. He gave Ruthie a small wave.
"Over here," Lucy called to him. "I know Mom left some cake in the fridge. Aaron likes chocolate, right?"
"Aaron'll eat anything," Martin said.
Ruthie made a face and mouthed Martin's words, turning her head slightly from T-Bone. "I hate how chummy the two of them are these days," she muttered to her boyfriend. "It's weird. They were never like this when he lived in our house. He never had anything but negative things to say about my sister. Now they're best of friends. Ever since this annoying Sandy business."
"Maybe he appreciates the support," T-Bone offered. "She is a pastor, after all. Isn't that what pastors are here for?"
Ruthie shrugged, a frown still plastered on her face.
"Why do you even care anyway?"
"I don't," she said. And turned back to him, pulling his face down to hers.
