To the Love of My Life

Chapter 340: 340: Blessing in Disguise (30)

So after dinner, they all went to the park next door.

Everyone lay down on the grass, but Steve Burton didn’t say a word.

Howard Coleman, Rusell Henris, and Edward Woods kept chatting on and on.

“Howard, didn’t you kick me in the butt during the fight today?”

“You have the nerve to talk about that when you scratched my face?!”

“You two shut up! Who pulled out a chunk of my hair? Was it you, Edward?!”

“Well, you kicked me in return!”

“Shut up! Didn’t you scratch my face? I rely on my appearance to make a living…”

“You don’t even have a face to feed yourself with!”

Madeleine listened to the three’s argument, taking pictures of their bruised faces with her phone, giggling all the while.

Ruby Gregory and Steve Burton sat not far away, quietly leaning against a tree, side by side.

Ruby was amused by Howard Coleman, Rusell Henris, and Edward Woods’ squabble, her lips forming a smile. It was only after a while that she noticed Steve Burton, sitting beside her, gazing at the starry sky expressionlessly.

Ruby stopped laughing: “Steve, what’s wrong?”

Steve didn’t speak.

By this time, Ruby could tell his emotions apart, and she could see that he was not in a good mood. She pouted and thought for a while, then looked at the band-aid on the corner of Steve’s eye and asked, “Is it because your wound hurts?”

Steve turned his head and looked at Ruby, still remaining silent.

Ruby pursed her lips and closed her mouth as well.

The night grew darker, and their conversation was gradually replaced by drowsiness. The youngsters fell asleep right where they lay on the ground.

Ruby slowly began to doze off, leaning against the tree.

It wasn’t the comfortable princess bed at home, so Ruby’s sleep was restless. She woke up frequently, and during one of her awakenings, she found herself nestled in Steve’s arms. He held a piece of cardboard, fanning away mosquitoes from her.

A warmth rose in Ruby’s heart, dispelling her sleepiness. She moved her head slightly in Steve’s arms and met his gaze. She blinked and whispered, “Steve, are you still in a bad mood?”

Steve didn’t answer her question, but instead asked her directly, “Didn’t I tell you before that you can come to me if you’re in trouble? Why didn’t you call me first today?”

Steve’s tone was slightly accusing, making Ruby pause for a moment. After a while, she said softly, “I was too nervous at the time and forgot.”

Ruby looked at Steve’s still somber expression, and after some thought, she raised her hand, making a promise gesture, “I swear this is the last time. Next time I’m in a similar danger, I’ll call you first.”

Steve’s expression finally softened a little.

Ruby’s eyes danced with laughter. Biting her finger, she looked innocent and carefree, “You call me Ruby, but I can only call you Steve. It makes us seem distant. How about… Steve… Ruby laughed, then gently whispered a name, “Time… Steve, how about I call you Time from now on?”

“If I’m ever in danger again, I’ll say, ‘Time, save me…’”

PS: That’s it for today, continue tomorrow ~ the winning reader is: The Forgotten Time.