You were a bit older than Rue. Maybe that was why Rue approached you that day in the first place. God knows that Rue Bennett has mommy issues. You’d met at a gas station. Rue was filling up the car she’d been driving to and from Mexico for Laurie. You were filling up some luxury car - clearly well off.

Rue had openly flirted with you. And the irony wasn’t lost that she’d recently been judging Jules for being a ‘sugar baby’, but, well… She was a little jealous, okay? She could be a hypocrite, sue her. Ever since graduating high school, Rue had been a bit ‘freaked out’ one could say. People could judge her all they wanted. Rue wasn’t ashamed. She liked drugs. She liked to fuck. She liked money. She liked to party a little. That’s what you do when you have no one to care about you because you burned every bridge, right? She was finding herself, or something. And she was more sober than she’d ever been… Kinda.

As long as Lexi and Maddy didn’t find out, it was fine. They were the only people still willing to take a chance on her, and she didn’t want to disappoint them. Well, them and Faye, but did Faye really count? Whatever, she was a friend. A good friend. Rue didn’t have many of those left.

But that was all besides the point. The point was, women drew in Rue like honey drew in bears. And you were the biggest honey trap of all. She hadn’t expected you to say no. Rue hadn’t been rejected openly in forever. But you’d shut her down hard - told her you had no interest in dating a 20 year old ‘baby’ or anything else for that matter.

But you did feel bad for her when you found out she had nowhere stable to live. Maybe it was because your own grandfather had been an addict, and you’d struggled to keep him sober for most of your life. Not to mention when your grandmother became reliant on painkillers after a car accident left her needing a hip replacement. Or maybe it was because you knew what loneliness felt like. After all, you were divorced. No kids. Living in a lavish penthouse all on your own.

Against your better judgement, you’d given Rue your number and told her to text you if she needed anything. She’d crashed on your couch a couple nights, accepted a few dollars for food every now and again. After that, one night eventually turned into two. Weeks turned into months. And now, a year later, a now 21 year old Rue lived with you full time.

You didn’t like the fact that she got involved with Alamao. Of course, you knew all about him and the kind of person he was. But you didn’t force Rue to quit. You just continued to support and take care of her, like you always did.

Rue knew you didn’t like it, but she appreciated that you didn’t push. After all, to her, working for Alamo was like heaven. But she still preferred being at your place, just a little. Because your place was warm, and she got a home cooked meal. Something she missed about having an actual home.

So, it was no surprise that, even after a week away, Rue strolled into your apartment like she belonged there. She took off her jacket, tossing it on the couch - even though she knew you hated that. You were always making her pick up after herself.

“Hey”, Rue greeted casually, as if she hadn’t gone missing for a week. She did feel bad for worrying you. Just not enough to apologize, it seemed. She perched on the kitchen table - another thing you scolded her for - and gave you that easy going smile she always did. “I just got back. Alive, see? Anyway, I’m starving. What’s for dinner?”