Chasing Mr. Wrong

by Joya Ryan

  “This is the first time I’ve had clarity in weeks.” Ryder defended himself. “I’ve been slacking at work, was late to a damn meeting with Davenport the other morning, and now I have a big land development project on the line. I don’t need distractions.”

  “Bullshit,” Huck said. “A distraction’s exactly what you need. The love of a good woman’s the best kind of distraction on earth, and you’re lucky to have such a thing. But you’re pissing it away.”

  “What I’m pissing away is an opportunity for this—”

  “Blah blah, land project, blah. I heard you,” Huck said. “And so what? This whole town is behind you. Has been from the beginning. Diamond Construction is thriving.”

  “Because of how it’s operated. I start slacking now and I may miss an opportunity that I can’t ever get back.”

  “Oh, I agree with you there,” Bass said. “Only I think it’s the wrong opportunity you’re missing.”

  Ryder just frowned, and Bass shook his head like he felt sorry for him. Fuck that. He was fine. Had been fine. And would be fine again. His chest didn’t hurt that bad from letting go of Whitney—from actually pushing her away. It only hurt when he breathed. Or moved. Or stood still.

  “I know letting go of control is hard, believe me, I understand more than I can tell you,” Bass said. He had his own issues with it, and somehow, he’d stepped up and adjusted when it came to keeping Penny. “Sometimes you have to give a little slack to get the reward.”

  “I tried that once. Didn’t work out.”

  “You tried that with the wrong woman,” Bass said. “Whitney is not looking for what you can offer, she’s looking for you.”

  “How would you know?” Ryder said.

  “Because I have eyes, you idiot,” Bass replied. “She brings out the good in to you. The fun side. You just have to realize that you don’t have to keep living in the shadow of one mistake. You may think you’re keeping control, but you’re really letting the wrong things control you.”

  That hit Ryder like an anvil, harder than any slap ever could. Bass was right. He was so determined to keep a tight hold on what he thought was right. He’d thought to tackle the situation with Whitney like he would every other thing in his life. But she wouldn’t let him put her in that box of polite niceties and respectable dates. She was different. She had been from the beginning.

  “You don’t have to prove who you are anymore,” Huck said. “We know. Everyone knows. And if they don’t, that’s their problem. You’re a good man. A responsible business owner. For Christ’s sake, you haven’t taken a vacation in ten years, and you’ve kept Diamond Construction in the black from day one. So stop making excuses as to what this is really about.”

  Well, shit, Huck had just handed him his ass. The man was right. The real issue was Whitney. How Ryder felt about her and how he’d acted.

  “I love her,” he said, the realization hitting him like a truck. “And that scares the shit out of me.”

  Both of his friends nodded.

  “It’s a lot of power to give someone,” Bass said. Ryder could tell by the look on his face that he knew, first hand, exactly what he was talking about. “But it’s worth it.”

  “What if you give over the power and she breaks you?”

  “It’s a risk,” Bass said. “But either you take it, or you let her go and always wonder.”

  Ryder pinched the bridge of his nose. The throbbing ache of his mistake was hitting fast. He’d pushed her away to salvage his misguided need for boundaries. He didn’t have faith that she could really want just him.

  “What do I do if the town doesn’t approve? It’s not just my future on the line if my business falls apart. A lot of people rely on me.”

  Huck and Bass glanced at each other and raised their eyebrows, like they were in the company of a madman.

  Bass shook his head. “Who gives a shit if no one approves of you and Whitney? You think it mattered one bit if you approved of me and your sister? I loved her too much to let her go.” He put his hand on Ryder’s shoulder. “And listen, man. You came around. So will the people of Diamond.”

  “More than that,” Huck said. “If you’d open your damn eyes, you’d see that half of Diamond’s already in love with her. This could be her home. You could be her home.” He shrugged. “Assuming you’ve got the balls to give it a shot.”

  Ryder swallowed. “I think I fucked up…bad.”

  “No shit,” Huck said and slurped the rest of his juice.

  “All you have to do is decide what you’re willing to risk to make it right,” Bass said.

  And that was the hardest part, because Ryder knew the answer to that:

  He’d risk everything.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Whitney adjusted the trays on the large table in the grand hall. Ryder and his crew really had done an amazing job. She was hoping to set up the food and then hide in the kitchen. People were already starting to trickle in, and Penny was busy running back and forth between the BBQ and the Hall with food, which left Whitney doing set up.

  She felt like a piece of cattle on display. Any moment Ryder could walk in and see her. She wanted to be gone before that happened. In fact, the only reason she’d stuck around was because she’d promised Penny she’d help, and she wouldn’t leave her in a bind. There was more on the line here than good service. There was the “Diamond” family name. Penny had told her she could go anyway, but Whitney refused. She wouldn’t leave her friend high and dry like that.

  But once she finished helping set up the food, she’d skedaddle out of there. With any luck, she could be out of town so fast no one would remember she’d ever stepped foot in it.

  “Excuse me,” Clara Davenport said. She was in a floor-length sparkly gown with a perfectly sleek up-do, looking very much the princess of Kansas. “I would prefer the hors d’oeuvres to be circulated for the guests.” She looked down Whitney’s front. “Where is your uniform?”

  Whitney glanced down at her black jeans and T-shirt. “Uh, I think you’re mistaken. I’m just helping Penny set up the food.” Penny was back at the BBQ, getting the rest of the food she’d made and bringing it to the hall.

  “My father hired Penny to provide the food and staff. Aren’t you her staff?”

  “Yes,” Whitney said.

  “Good, then I want you to serve.” She gave another dissatisfied huff at her appearance. “We have several extra uniforms in the back of the building. You’ll wear a white button-down.”

  “I’m not going to wear your uniform,” Whitney said instantly.

  Clara’s blond brow peaked. “Oh no? I can’t have the waitstaff looking homely. This Hall is a staple of the town, and tonight’s event is important. For that matter, it would be a shame to mar Penny or Ryder’s name with your poor behavior and lack of professionalism.”

  Whitney took a breath and tried not to retch. But for all her awfulness, Clara had a point. Whitney didn’t want to make Penny or Ryder look bad. If there was one thing she’d learned, it was that the Diamond name, especially in public, was sacred. She’d hate herself later, but for now, she was prepared to play the puppet.

  “Sorry, no a-holes allowed in my place,” Penny said, hands on her hips, heading Ryder off at the entrance of the BBQ.

  It was Saturday afternoon, and the place was empty, partly because most of the town was heading to the Davenport Hall—which was where Ryder should be—and also because Penny had closed for a few hours to transport all the food she’d made to the event. The trays of hors d’oeuvres were on the bar and ready to be packed up. He’d thought Whitney would be there working and helping Penny with the food. Maybe she was in the back? That is, if he could get past his sister to check.

  “I came to see Whitney.”

  “Oh, well, isn’t that nice. Seeing as how you told her to leave the other night. What’s the matter with you?” Penny said.

  “A lot,” Ryder replied, not defending his actions. He’d been an ass, he knew it, and his sister w
as right to give him grief. “But I’m here to make it right.” He glanced over Penny’s shoulder and saw Rocco behind the bar. “Where is she?”

  “She left. Like you told her to.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, she came in and told me she couldn’t stay. That she was sorry, and would have given me notice, but she was thinking of you. Wanted to get out of your town so she didn’t cause you anymore trouble.”

  Ah shit. He’d really, really fucked up. The glare on his sister’s face could melt skin and her tapping boot just got heavier and heavier.

  “I need to find her, Pen.” He’d spent all morning working on his master plan to get her back. Because, yeah, he had to have a plan. He wasn’t barbaric. But something told him good manners and a sweet weren’t going to cut it.

  “She’s gone. Took off a few minutes ago.”

  “Where?” Ryder said quickly.

  Penny just shrugged. “Don’t know.”

  He looked at his watch. The event was set to start in half an hour, and he wasn’t even dressed. And he had no idea where Whitney was. But he still had time to check the roads. Maybe he’d get lucky and find her driving before she got too far.

  Ryder didn’t pause. He ran out of the BBQ, hopped in his truck, and barreled down the road. He had to get to her, had to do everything he could to catch up to the one woman who was running off with his entire soul, and taking his future with her.

  After spending thirty minutes driving down the major highway out of Diamond and finding no sign of Whitney, Ryder showed up to the grand opening of the Davenport Hall dressed in a tux and feeling like shit. He didn’t care that he was over twenty minutes late. Didn’t care that Davenport’s voice boomed from the other side of the room, or that the entire town was packed inside the main hall. He cared that he wasn’t with Whitney.

  “You clean up very nicely,” Clara said, walking up to him and taking his arm. “My dad promised me you’d save a dance just for us together.”

  She wasn’t letting go of the idea of being seen together, but Ryder was done with this game. He was done pretending to be the man everyone wanted him to be. He only wanted to be the man Whitney needed.

  “Clara, no disrespect, but I’m a bit preoccupied.”

  Jesus. He’d never felt so nervous in all his life, but then nothing had ever been so important to him than proving to Whitney she hadn’t made a mistake by wanting to be with him. He needed a drink. Fast. A tray passed by, and he took a glass of champagne and damn near knocked the waiter over.

  “Sorry,” he grumbled. But his brows shot up when chocolate eyes met his, and he realized that it wasn’t a waiter. It was Whitney.

  She stared at him for a second through her thick lashes, and then she turned quickly and bounded away.

  “Wait,” he called after her, but she wove through the crowd like a pro, and between Clara’s hold on his arm and the hordes of people, he couldn’t catch up to her.

  “There are lots of people to talk to,” Clara said. “Now isn’t the time to go chasing after the help.”

  He frowned at her. “She’s not the help.”

  “Don’t make a scene,” Clara said quietly. “If she’s not the help, who is she?”

  Ryder just shook his head. “For your information, she’s the woman I love.”

  He caught a glimpse of Bass and Penny and moved toward them, ignoring Clara and her protests.

  “Have you seen Whitney?”

  Penny frowned. “Why? So you can break her heart again?”

  Ryder shook his head. “I know I hurt her, sis. That’s why I need to find her.”

  “I just saw her and apparently Clara is a beeotch that made her carry trays,” Penny said, then got up in her brother’s face and poked him in the chest with her finger. “Do you know why she even came here tonight? For you. She was just going to drop off the food and leave, but she stayed. Because she didn’t want to damage your image, your name, or… Jesus! She’s walking around crushed, serving your town so you look good.” She glanced at Bass. “Honey, please hit him. He deserves it way more than you did.”

  Bass gave Ryder a look and shrugged, like he was saying, what am I gonna do, tell her no? He started rolling up his sleeves.

  Shit, Penny was right. He did deserve to be laid out. Whitney was humiliating herself for him. No stronger woman lived than her. She’d put herself in a situation that made her feel horrible, all because he’d made such a big deal about his public persona.

  “Bass, buddy,” he said. “Penny, my darling sister. You can both deck me. I promise. But right now, I have something much more important to take care of.”

  If he couldn’t find Whitney, he’d figure out a way for her to find him.

  …

  Whitney sniffled and rubbed her eyes. She was not crying again. She hadn’t all day, but after running into Ryder—no, serving him—she was ready to break in half. Her face already hurt from staying up last night packing, drowning in ice cream, and bawling her eyes out. Now she was just humiliated. She hid in the kitchen for a moment, too afraid to peek out and even look at the massive crowd in the ballroom.

  She should be on her way out of town, heading to her next stop like the tumbleweed she was. Only this road trip wasn’t full of adventure and hope.

  It was full of regret and despair.

  She thought of the last time she’d been alone with Ryder. How he’d confided in her. Made her feel like more. Like she wanted more with him. But the Ryder in private and the Ryder in public were two different people. And she couldn’t have him both ways. No matter how much she wished otherwise.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention please?” a loud voice boomed out. She knew that voice, had heard it whisper her name several times in the dark. It was Ryder.

  She glanced from the kitchen entryway and saw him standing on a large cabinet, holding a microphone.

  “There’s something I’d like to say, and with the majority of the town turning out tonight, I think it’s the perfect time.”

  A few hoots and claps rang out.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m Ryder Diamond, and I’m done.”

  “What the hell?” Whitney whispered.

  “All my life, I didn’t think there was anything or anyone I could love as much as I love this town,” he said. “But I’ve recently discovered that I love someone more. And her name is Whitney Drake.”

  Oh holy God. Her heart fell into her stomach, and she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “See, I’ve been living in a shadow. But Whitney has made me want to step out of that and be a better man. With her, I’m just Ryder. And that will have to be good enough. Because I’m going to be spending all the energy I have making her believe how much she means to me.”

  Whitney stepped out of the kitchen, her gaze locked on Ryder’s and her chest cracking from the pressure of hope.

  His eyes met hers and his face softened to a painfully tender expression. “I’m sorry, sweetness. I’m so sorry.” He hopped down off of the counter and walked her way. The crowd parted slowly as he got closer and closer. “I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay. I want you any and every way I can have you. In public, in private, and everywhere in between. I want to show you how much I need you.”

  She shook her head. “You told me to leave,” she whispered. It was the one thing he’d made clear. So why was he changing his tune now? “You worked hard for all of this.” She opened her hands and motioned to their surroundings.

  “I should have been working harder for you. Because none of this matters without you.”

  Her anger rose fast at how quickly she felt tempted to give in to him. But no, she had to get out of there. She couldn’t let him throw away his precious reputation.

  “What the hell is your problem?” she whispered, trying to keep the pain out of her voice. “Go back to your life. You don’t need me.” Everyone was staring, and Ryder didn’t seem to care. But she couldn’t let him draw attention to himself like this.
<
br />   His shoes scraped the polished floor as he took another step toward her.

  “My problem is that I’m chasing a woman that is damn difficult to catch,” he said, dropping the mic and coming toe to toe with her.

  “I’m leaving, Ryder, just like you wanted.”

  “I thought that’s what I wanted. But what I want is you.”

  She shook her head. “You have a big deal going on with Clara, and you made it clear that I don’t have a part to play inside your boundaries.”

  “I don’t care about any of that. And to hell with boundaries. I want you. I’m so sorry, sweetness. When you came at me, wanting me, I didn’t believe it and thought the worst.”

  Her throat struggled to swallow. No, she couldn’t give in. She’d already put herself out there and lost him. No way could she bear more heartache.

  “I’m a wild one, remember. You said so yourself. I don’t have roots and you do.”

  “Yes, but I see now that we can have both. A home here and an adventure wherever your heart wants to go. If you’ll have me with you.”

  Her eyes shot wide. “What? Have you lost your mind?”

  “I think so…yes.” He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his back pocket and handed it to her. She opened it to find some kind of color-coded chart. Looking closer, she realized what it was.

  “A vacation spreadsheet?”

  He nodded. “Seems I haven’t taken any vacation time in…ever. I have quite a bit saved up.” He tapped the sheet, and she saw just how much he did have. “Diamond is my lineage. But you are my home, sweetness.”

  She folded her lips. He stood before her, following his impulse to declare his love for her, ready to give up every bit of control if it allowed him to be with her. The thing that terrified him most, and he was doing it, for her. He wasn’t asking her to change. He was willing to change for her.

  She saw Clara in the crowd, her arms crossed and a tight grimace on her face. “Ryder…this is too much. What about your deal with Davenport? What about your business?”

  “I’ll figure it out. You are the deal I want to pursue. I don’t want to miss out on a life with you. Whatever the cost.”