Ryder

by Hope Stone

  As she poured the coffee in my cup, I watched as Padre took his shot and then a long sip of beer. An audible “ahhh” came next.

  “Hey Padre,” I said.

  “Ryder.”

  “Did you get Trainer’s email about the Vegas run? Looks like we’re up to twenty guys.”

  “Yep. Saw that.” He didn’t look in my direction as he answered me.

  I really didn’t have anything else to say to spark a conversation without it seeming weird, so I grabbed my coffee and headed back to my table. Padre was in a weird mood and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was pissed at me for something. I couldn’t imagine what it would be, though, so I dropped it.

  As I sat back down, the Enforcer turned to Padre and said, “You were missed at church.” The combination of the peanuts in his mouth and the heavy accent made it almost impossible to understand what he was saying.

  Vlad “The Enforcer” Kushniruk came to us when he got asylum in the US from the Ukraine. It was some kind of political deal. He came here in exchange for doing some shady shit for the government. His reward was that he wasn’t tortured and killed by his own government. He moved to La Playa, got a job selling cars at the dealership down the street, and graced us with his sharpshooter skills. He was the only guy in the club who was a better shooter than me, and for that reason I made sure to stay on his good side. You can only expect so much loyalty from a guy who was willing to betray his whole country.

  “You were sick or something?” The Enforcer wasn’t one to pick up on subtlety. Asking Padre why he missed the meeting was not something to do. But Padre would let it slide.

  “Nope.”

  Just then the door opened again, and even though I couldn’t see who it was because of the darkness of the bar, I knew it instinctively. It was Paige. I could see the silhouette of her curves against the yellow light streaming in.

  The door swung shut behind her and she stood still while her eyes adjusted to the darkness. I instinctively shrunk down a little in my seat so she wouldn’t see me. At the same time, my cock decided it was time to come out and play. Further reason to leave the chick alone.

  Paige looked around and then pulled out the stool next to Padre.

  “What can I get ya?” Connie asked as she slid a coaster across the bar.

  “Uhhh…I don’t know. What chardonnay do you have?”

  “The white kind.” Connie chuckled at her own joke.

  “No, I mean the vineyard. What brand is it?”

  “Honey, I don’t know. Not too many people order wine in here. We have white and red. We might have some pink in the back. That’s it.”

  “Okay. I’ll have…”

  “She’ll have what I’m having.” Padre’s gruff voice interrupted her. He turned to Paige and said, “Trust me. That wine is older than you, and not in a good way. If you don’t want the shot of tequila, I’ll be happy to take it for you.”

  “Oh! Okay then.” Paige looked at Connie and said, “I guess I’ll have what he’s having.”

  Connie shook her head and turned around to get another beer and shot of tequila.

  Paige started to fish around in her purse, probably for money, when Padre said, “I got it.”

  “Thank you, but you don’t have to, really…” She smiled at him and I felt it like a kick in the gut.

  I didn’t like the way Padre was looking at her, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. “No problem,” he said as he looked at the TV.

  “I’m Paige,” she said as she stuck her hand out to meet his. “I just started working at Tiny’s.”

  Stay away from him, Paige. My inner alarm was screaming out, but it was probably just a strange case of jealousy. He was old enough to be her father, and didn’t fuck around on his wife Nancy. Not anymore, anyway.

  Padre shook her hand briefly and said, “Tiny’s a good guy. We’ve known each other since he really was Tiny.” He laughed at his own joke and then coughed a little. “I’m Padre.”

  “Well, Padre. Thanks for the drinks.” She took a dainty sip of the beer, and then threw back the shot like a pro. She didn’t even wince as she sucked on the lime.

  Well, well. Paige might not be as innocent as she looks.

  “My pleasure.”

  The shot took effect, and Paige slid off the barstool, grabbed her beer, and started to look around the room. It was just a matter of time before she was going to see me sitting in the corner, so I tried to make myself as invisible as possible. That woman was trouble, and I needed to stay far away. I needed to get out of here.

  As soon as she turned to look at the digital jukebox, I grabbed my bag and headed for the back door. Connie would close out my tab for me. Just as I pushed open the door, I heard Paige say, “Ohhh pool! I love shooting pool.”

  Imagining her bent over a pool table with those long fingers wrapped around a cue? Yeah, definitely time for me to leave.

  Eight

  Paige

  I was disappointed, I’ll admit it. When I went into the Blue Dog Saloon, I had been hoping to run into Ryder. Instead, I saw an old guy wearing an Outlaw Souls jacket, and down at the other end of the bar was another guy who looked foreign—maybe Russian—wearing the same jacket.

  It was really dark in there, but as far as I could tell, they were the only two there. That bartender had kind of an attitude, but whatever. I know that I didn’t look like I’d fit in, but I’d win them over in time.

  After the beer and the shot, and working a full day, I was tired. I didn’t really want to go back to my apartment, but I really didn’t have a choice. I had the afternoon shift tomorrow at work and I didn’t know anyone in town other than Rocky, and I really didn’t want to get to know her as anything more than coworkers.

  I stopped at the Mexican market that was just down the street from the bar. It was called Southgate Martinez and had a whole burrito bar inside the store. I made myself a huge one and got a bottle of water and a cup of mangoes and yogurt for breakfast. When in La Playa, right?

  As I was carrying my stuff inside, my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, and even though I don’t usually answer calls, I was hoping it was one of the jobs I applied for. I pulled the phone out of my back pocket.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Paige Anton?”

  “This is she.”

  “Hi, this is Elizabeth Maroni from Californians for Social Justice.”

  “Oh yes! Hi. Thanks for calling.” This was the job I’d been most interested in.

  “We received your application and would love for you to come in for an interview.”

  “Great! Oh that’s great news. Yes. When?”

  “We are interviewing several candidates and have an opening tomorrow afternoon. I’m sorry for the short notice, but our regional manager is only here for a short time.”

  “No, no. That will work.” I had my shift at Tiny’s, but hopefully I could do it on my lunch break. “What time?”

  “How about 1:30?”

  “You got it. I’ll be there.” This was such great news! “Thank you!”

  I was so happy the rest of the night that I didn’t even mind the sirens and the helicopters or the shouting neighbors. I had a job interview tomorrow!

  I should have known something was up when I couldn’t find parking in Tiny’s lot. There were so many cars that they overflowed onto the street. Even the lot across the street in front of the Blue Dog was packed. I had to park at the gas station on the other corner and hope my car didn’t get towed. I’d move it to the regular lot when I got back from my interview.

  Walking in the door to Tiny’s, the place was even more jammed than the parking lot. The waiting area was full, and there were parents and kids lined up to use the claw machine. Rocky and Julie were racing around with plates and cups of coffee, and customers were calling to them as they hustled by. “Excuse me, Miss? Can I change my order?”

  “What on earth is going on?” I asked Bobby, the cook.

  “Fundrais
er day for the local elementary school. Every year Tiny donates a percentage of the day’s meals to Carter Elementary.”

  “Are you going to just stand there or are you here to work?” Tiny’s wife Martha was plating orders and throwing them under the heat lamp. I hadn’t seen her since I’d been hired.

  “No, no, of course.” I washed my hands and grabbed a ticket to see which orders went to which tables. “By the way, can I take my lunch at 1:00 today? I have…an appointment.”

  “No lunches, no breaks today. We need all hands on deck.” Martha didn’t even look up at me as she was throwing orange slices on plates.

  “Right, but we are legally supposed to take breaks every shift.”

  She looked at me and her watery blue eyes were as serious as could be. “You gonna call the labor board? You’re free to leave if you got a problem, otherwise get these sandwiches to table 24.”

  Tears sprung to my eyes as I grabbed the plates. I needed the interview to get a better job, but I needed this job to pay my immediate bills. I just hoped I’d be able to step away and at least call to let them know I couldn’t make it. And hope that they would reschedule me.

  My feet were killing me. Actually, everything was killing me. My feet, my legs, my shoulders. Even my fingers.

  I’d made decent money in tips, but I hadn’t had one second to sit down or even go to the bathroom. It wasn’t until we finally closed at 10 pm that I got the chance to check my phone. There were several text messages from Elizabeth Maroni wondering where I was. It was too late to call now, but I’d return her call first thing in the morning.

  The night was chilly as I walked to the crosswalk to get my car from the gas station. I could hear music and laughing coming from the Blue Dog, but otherwise, the night was quiet.

  Maybe I’d get a package of cookies or something from the gas station for dinner. I didn’t get to eat and there wasn’t anything at home, but I was too tired to go to the market.

  Crossing the street, the awareness dawned on me and my stomach clenched in panic. Where was my car?

  Frantic, I looked around. The gas station parking lot wasn’t exactly large, and it was very clear that my Honda was not there.

  Bursting in the overly bright gas station, the clerk behind the counter was counting out lottery tickets for a woman holding a huge soda.

  “Excuse me. Do you know where my car went?”

  “Wait your turn, lady,” Lottery Woman said to me.

  “I just want to know where my car is. Was it stolen or towed?” My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.

  The clerk didn’t even look up. “I dunno,” he said.

  “Did you see a tow truck or anything?” Why was no one cooperating?

  “Nope, I just got here.”

  “Dammit.” I pushed the doors open and walked out into the brightly lit gas pump area. What the hell was I going to do now?

  I stood out there for a full minute looking around. My apartment was only a couple of miles away. Should I walk home? Was it even safe in this neighborhood? Maybe I should call an Uber or something. Then again, I didn’t want to waste my precious dollars on a ride.

  The first thing I needed to do is call the cops and see if the car was stolen. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and walked over to the space where I’d parked the car.

  I was about to call the La Playa non-emergency police number when a voice spoke behind me. “It was probably towed. They’re pretty crazy about it in this town.”

  I knew the voice before I even turned around.

  “Ryder!” I swung around to face him.

  “Paige.” He was looking down at me and I couldn’t help but notice those damn eyelashes again.

  “I didn’t hear your bike.”

  “I’m in my car.” He nodded to a VW Bug that was hooked up to a pump.

  “You drive a Bug?” That just didn’t compute.

  “It’s going to be my sister’s in a month or so when she gets her license. I could only afford one car and I let her pick it out.”

  I was listening but I was also very aware of how close he was standing to me. He smelled like leather, coffee, and…pie? It was almost enough to make me forget about my car.

  “Do you have the number?”

  For a second I was confused. Was he giving me his number? Did I miss something?

  “What?”

  “The number to the tow company.” He gestured to the sign that was on a pole right near where I’d left my car. “Aloha Towing Company.”

  “Oh. Right.” I punched in the number and spoke to the guy. They had my car, but the impound yard was closed for the night. I was going to have to wait until the morning to get the car.

  Ryder had gone back over to his car to finish getting gas, so I walked over to where he was.

  “Thanks,” I said. “You were right. They have my car.”

  He stood there staring at me for what felt like a full minute. Then he asked, “How are you getting home?”

  “I’ll take an Uber or something.”

  “Where do you live?”

  “Banner Manor.”

  His face registered surprise. “You live there? How did you end up there?”

  “It’s kind of a long story. Why?”

  “I’ll give you a ride home,” he nodded to the car. “Get in.”

  “No, really. I’m fine.” I didn’t appreciate the way he was ordering me around.

  “Seriously. Paige. I insist. That is no neighborhood for you to be alone in at night.”

  “Ryder, look. I appreciate your concern. But, it’s really…”

  “Get in the damn car, Paige.” It came out more like a growl than a sentence.

  I did as he said. It was only a couple of miles and I’d rather save the Uber money. “Okay. Thanks.”

  I slid in the front seat and noticed the evidence of a teenage girl everywhere. There were magazines and empty Starbucks cups, hair ties and empty candy bar wrappers. Ryder didn’t look like he ate too many candy bars. He was all muscle.

  “So, your sister is sixteen?” I asked, making conversation.

  His jaw was clenched pretty tightly, but he said, “Sixteen going on twenty-one.”

  “My sister is sixteen, too. I definitely get that.” I kept stealing looks at Ryder as we drove. His profile was strong and the angles of his face were incredibly masculine. His broad hands had long fingers, and there was a jade ring on his right ring finger. He tapped the steering wheel impatiently, as if he were in a hurry to drop me off.

  It took less than five minutes for us to pull up in front of my apartment complex. I started to open the door when he grabbed my arm. He leaned in really close and I could smell him. The scent went through my skin and my heart started pounding. He was silent for a moment and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me. But he released my arm instead.

  His voice was raspy as he spoke. “What are you doing, Paige?” The words came out like an accusation.

  “I’m going into my apartment.” I wasn’t sure what he meant.

  “No. I mean here. In La Playa. What are you doing here?”

  “I’m just…living here.”

  “You shouldn’t be here. You’re too…good for this place.” He nodded toward the big red doors. “This is not a safe place for a woman like you. I saw you yesterday at the bar. Talking to Padre. You’re playing with fire, Paige. Go back to where you came from.”

  I couldn’t believe he was saying these things to me! “Look, Ryder. I know I look soft but I’m not. I went to school in one of the roughest parts of LA. I worked at a free clinic in Terrance. I’m not some innocent thing that needs to be protected, okay? I came to La Playa so I could make a difference, and I’m not leaving until I do.” I yanked free from his grasp and opened the car door. “Thanks for the ride and the advice, but I can take care of myself.”

  “Fine. Suit yourself.” Ryder put the car in gear. “Just don’t say you weren’t warned.” As soon as the door shut, he sped off in
to the night.

  Nine

  Ryder

  Even though I drove away, I pulled over to make sure Paige got inside okay. Banner Manor was not the kind of place a woman like her should be living in alone. It was filled with druggies and criminals. And not the kind that were a member of an MC, either. At least we had loyalty and some moral values—even if most folks didn’t agree with them. We lived by a code of honor.

  But the kind of people that lived at Banner Manor? Those were the ones who didn’t have any code they lived by and they had no problem doing whatever they needed to do to benefit themselves.

  As soon as I saw the light to her apartment window turn on and I could see her shadow moving across the window, I pulled out from the curb and made my way home.

  I passed by the Blue Dog and thought about stopping in. But I had groceries in the car and I didn’t want to have coffee. I was mad at myself for getting so close to kissing Paige earlier. For the first time in a long time, I wished I had the mind-numbing effect that alcohol would provide. Except I didn’t drink, and alcohol would probably only make it worse. That woman was getting under my skin.

  I’d love to get under her skin, too…

  Passing by the shop, I noticed a light on. Padre was probably working late, doing the books or something. There were only two bikes in the lot—his and one I didn’t recognize. He’d been acting kind of weird lately, and if I didn’t know the guy so well I’d think he could be fucking around on his wife or something.

  What he did in the bedroom was none of my business, though, and so I turned the corner to head home. Lily’s Chunky Monkey ice cream was probably melted already and I needed to get it in the freezer before it was completely ruined.

  Lily wasn’t home when I got there, so I turned on Cops while I put away the groceries. I sure the hell hoped she wasn’t with Scorpion again, but I bet she was. I couldn’t stand the guy or anything he represented. But it was partly my fault that she was attracted to a guy prospecting with an MC. After all, I’d been the one who brought this world into her life.