Ryker (The Ride #4) (19 page)

“I know, Tink, me too,” he replied, kissing my temple. “But look where he gets to spend his days.” He gestured to the surf and sand. “There isn’t a better place for him to rediscover himself. To get whole again.”

“I know,” I agreed, ready to change the subject. “Everything okay at home?” He’d checked in with Cole earlier in the evening.

He shrugged. “For now. Jill’s being stubborn as usual and not accepting much help, even with a goddamned cast. Wes has Connie on lockdown and she’s probably climbing the walls. Other than that, doesn’t seem like our dogs have eaten through Mack’s furniture, so that’s a plus.”

My heart soared at him referring to Tank and Roxie as ours.

“That’s good.” I grinned.

“Let’s hit the sheets, babe, tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”

I nodded, accepting his outstretched hand, and following him inside for what I hoped was a restful night.

The next morning after breakfast, my dad and I took a walk along the water. It was a beautiful morning with a slight breeze blowing around us.

We walked in companionable silence with the gulls calling overhead. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” he commented, his tone serene as he looked out toward the water.

“It is,” I agreed. “You gonna be okay here?”

“Yeah, bunny, I really think I will,” he replied. “I’m grateful to have a fresh start—one that includes you coming to visit,” he added with a smile.

“I will,” I assured him.

“You and Ry take such good care of each other. You always have. It gives me more peace of mind than I can say.” He sighed, seeming more content than I’d seen him in a long time.

“We do,” I agreed. “We’re happy.”

“That’s all I ever wanted.” He put an arm around me, squeezing briefly before letting go.

I knew the feeling.

“You think you and Aunt Caro will survive under the same roof?” I teased, as we headed back toward the house.

“I’d give it about a fifty-fifty shot,” he quipped. “I’m glad you and Ry came down. That was a good idea.”

I nodded as we made our way back to the deck. “It’s nice to see you settled. And as always, Aunt Caro is pure entertainment.” I grinned.

“She’s a pistol,” he agreed, just as the woman herself opened the slider. “You two ready? These lovebirds need to hit the road,” she called.

“Yes,” we both replied in the same exasperated tone, causing us both to crack up.

Before I knew it, it was time to go. I hugged Caro and my dad, exchanging “I love yous” but not wanting to belabor our goodbyes, and piled into our new SUV. I sat watching as Ry and my dad exchanged words and a hug.

Ry hit the ignition and the SUV roared to life. “Ready?” he asked me with a warm smile.

“Ready.” I nodded, waving as we backed out of the driveway.

“Have fun! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” my aunt called, waggling her eyebrows.

“That leaves the door wide open then,” I answered back with a grin, watching until she and my Dad disappeared from sight.

“Okay?” he asked as we picked up speed.

“Yeah, I am,” I replied, surprised at how true the words were. “And I think he will be too.”

Chapter 18

“W
hat’s up, bitch!” Sam greeted with a squeal, ushering us into my former house in Silverlake.

“Sam, seriously, you have to stop greeting me like that,” I replied, my eyes sweeping over the living room and kitchen.

“It’s cleaner than I expected,” I admitted, and she socked me in the arm. “Well, Sid and I were always the cleanest,” I defended.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m better these days. Cade still lives like a pig.”

“Pigs are sexy,” Caden replied, his timing on point as usual. “Good to see you guys.” He grinned at Ry and me.

We went to put our things down in my old room, which had become storage for musical equipment, bikes, and some weight lifting odds and ends. Luckily, the bed was still usable, though it was a squeeze to navigate the cluttered room.

“Is there no garage?” Ry asked with a raised brow.

“It’s where they practice.” I shrugged. “When I lived here they used to pay for a storage space.”

“Ah.” He nodded, setting our duffel down and following me back out to the kitchen where Sid had joined Caden and Sam.

“What’s the plan?” Sid asked, after giving me a quick hug and delivering a chin lift to Ryker.

“Gonna show these two how to do L.A. right!” Caden exclaimed theatrically.

Sam rolled her eyes good-naturedly at his antics. “I was thinking we’d hit Yume for dinner, since it’s Pipe’s favorite, and then head over to Motto’s for drinks.” She turned to face Ry. “It’s our regular spot, nothing fancy. If that doesn’t sound good, we can up the ante a bit.”

Ry shook his head. “Nah, sounds good.”

I nodded my agreement as Caden pouted. I grinned at him. He was full of it. I knew he preferred our regular dive over a flashy L.A. club any day.

“You’re no fun,” he muttered, before turning to Ry. “Sid and I are headed to the shop for a few hours, want to come?”

Caden owned a tattoo shop just a mile from the house, and over the years had built up a highly sought after business. Sid, on the other hand, worked in private security following his years in the Marine Corps. I continually marveled at how different they were. It was sometimes hard to believe that they were related.

Ry shrugged. “Sure. You good?” he asked, his eyes heating as they turned to me.

Damn, I loved that look.

I grinned, pulling him closer by his t-shirt and delivering a quick kiss to his gorgeous mouth. “I’m good.”

“Let’s hit it.” Sid nodded, his intelligent blue eyes flitting to Sam before he turned away.

I couldn’t help but notice how Sam’s eyes followed him as he grabbed his leather jacket.

I raised a brow at her. “You two still torturing yourselves?” I surmised after the guys had left.

She crossed her arms. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she huffed.

I laughed, slinging an arm around her. “Sure you don’t. Well, the guys are gone, what do you say we hit up some vintage stores? The shopping in Hawthorne is seriously lacking,” I complained, wrinkling my nose.

“We can do that,” she agreed.

After a few hours on Melrose, I’d scored some awesome new things, including a killer leather jacket and some t-shirts for Ry.

“You’ve always been my shopping good luck charm.” I smiled at her over our late lunch.

“You too, lady. I miss you,” she sighed.

As close as Sam and I were, I was surprised she was admitting that. “You okay?”

“Fine,” she muttered.

“It seems like you guys are playing less and less, you ok with that?” I asked.

She nodded. “It was always meant to be for fun anyway. It still is. We just have our day jobs to contend with as well.” She shrugged.

I watched her knowing that wasn’t what was bothering her. “I can tell something’s up. You want to talk about it?” I pressed.

She scoffed. “Pipe, your shit is way more fucked than mine; we should be talking about you.”

“Well, when you put it that way,” I mused, with a teasing grin.

It worked; she laughed.

“Seriously, Sam, you haven’t seemed like yourself. I’m here—even when I’m… well, not. You know what I mean.” I smiled at her.

“I know you are,” she assured me. “Should we go see what kind of trouble those guys got into?”

I let her change the subject. It was Sam’s way. She’d talk when she was ready and not one second before. “Hopefully none,” I muttered as we settled the bill.

We’d started getting ready to go to dinner by the time heavy boots sounded on the outside steps. Their deep voices carried through the house, as Sam and I stood side by side putting our makeup on.

“Tink?” I heard Ry’s deep voice call.

“Hi, babe.” I smiled, when I popped out into the hallway to greet him. “Have fun?” I asked, as he wrapped his arms around me.

“Yeah, those bozos are all right.” He chuckled.

“Heard that!” Caden called from his room.

“This new?” he asked, eyeing my leather jacket.

I nodded. “Got you a few things too. There’s nothing like vintage shopping on Melrose.” I sighed in satisfaction.

He gave me a funny look, but shrugged as though to say
if you say so
. “You gonna be ready to go soon?”

I grumbled something about him not appreciating a good bargain, but nodded.

Sam and I hustled, since the guys were whining loudly about being hungry. “All right, all right, we’re ready,” Sam announced when we walked out to the living room.

I watched Sid’s eyes heat as his gaze swept over Sam. She looked hot in skintight black jeans and an off-the-shoulder t-shirt.

“Ready?” I asked, my eyes on Ry.

He offered a slow grin as he took me in.

I wore my high-waisted jeans with a tank top tucked into them and my leather jacket. I’d left my wild hair down, letting it fall in untamed chaos around my shoulders and down my back.

Caden rolled his eyes and propelled us along. “Come on, lovebirds. I know you have this whole smoky stare, lovey vortex thing that you get sucked into, but I’m hungry.”

“What exactly is a smoky stare?” I laughed, following them out the door.

“I’ll tell you at dinner,” he mumbled.

After a delicious meal, we found ourselves commandeering a booth at Motto’s. Ry fit in so well with my friends and I was in bliss at my old dive, having a cocktail with my best girl and the love of my life on either side of me. Caden and Sid weren’t so bad either.

I slipped out to buy the next round as Sam walked off to go to the bathroom. I grinned, watching the guys continue their animated conversation about music before turning to the bartender to put in my drink order.

“Piper?” a vaguely familiar voice inquired. “I thought that was you.”

I turned and fought to keep my face devoid of expression at finding Mark, a guy I’d dated casually off and on during my time in L.A.

“Shit, you look amazing, did you move back?” he continued hopefully.

I shook my head as the bartender began placing the beers and cocktails I’d ordered in front of me. “Just in town for the night with my boyfriend,” I added the last part deliberately, wanting him to know where things stood.

Mark was a good-looking guy and we’d had fun together. I just never wanted anything more than a casual relationship with him.

Ry appeared at my elbow, his countenance relaxed, though I knew better.

“This is Ryker,” I introduced, feeling awkward.

Mark looked at the two of us, his expression thoughtful. “Is he the reason?”

I knew what he was asking—was Ryker the reason I hadn’t wanted to commit.

I met his eyes and nodded with an apologetic shrug.

“Well then, I’m glad it worked out for you, Pipe.” He nodded. “Take care.”

“You too, Mark.” I smiled, watching as he turned and left the bar.

“Am I the reason for what?” Ryker asked, turning me to face him.

I looked up into his beautiful green eyes and placed my hands on his shoulders. “The reason I never wanted anything serious. He wasn’t you,” I replied. “You’re my person.” I shrugged, having no other way to describe it. “You always were.”

He smiled, his hand on my hip as he pulled me closer. “You’re my person, too.”

“Good.” I grinned against his lips. “We better deliver these drinks before we’re accused of the smoky-eyed stare again.” I smirked.

“True,” he agreed, chuckling.

It was late by the time we returned to the house. Everyone parted to head to bed with murmured good nights.

Ry and I headed to my old bedroom, hand in hand. “Want to know a secret?” Ry smiled with a playful glint in his eye, once we’d shut the door behind us.

I cocked a brow, curious. “Sure.”

“I got something new today too,” he replied, looking almost nervous.

My brow rose in surprise. “Oh?”

He nodded as he slowly removed his jacket, his gaze holding mine as he pushed up his shirt to reveal a brand-new tattoo covering his entire forearm.

I gasped as I grappled with what I was seeing. It was a road, drawn in blacks and grays, leading to a very simply drawn house. It could be any house, anywhere. Birds flew overhead, the sun peeked through stormy clouds, and flowers bloomed in bursts of reds, oranges, and greens.

It was an overwhelmingly beautiful tattoo. But it was the writing along his wrist that stole my breath. There in black script was my name.

My
name
.

“Oh my God,” I managed after a few moments. “That’s my name,” I said stupidly.

He chuckled. “I fucking hope so, otherwise I’m going down the hall and kicking Caden’s ass.”

So that’s what they’d been doing all day.

I looked at it more closely, again admiring the blacks and grays contrasted by the colors woven in. It was sadness and joy, darkness and light. It was as badass as it was sweet. It was Ry and me.

I looked up, my gaze locking with his. “This is permanent, Ry,” I murmured, awestruck.

“So are we,” he replied without hesitation. “You said I’m home to you—you’re home to me too, no matter where it is, no matter what it looks like. You’re under my skin—and I wanted you on it.”

My eyes filled with tears as I pulled him close. “It’s beautiful, I love it. I’m completely overwhelmed.”

He pulled me close, kissing the top of my head as I held on to him. “I love you,” I told him, the words muffled since I was pressed so close to his chest.

“Love you too, babe.” He squeezed me tighter. “Looking forward to tomorrow night when we have our own hotel room. You can scream for me then. For now,” he paused, stepping me back toward the bed, “you’re gonna have to be quiet.”

Judging by the look in his eye that was going to be quite a challenge, but I was certainly up for it.

Chapter 19

“B
aby, you’re lucky you’re beautiful because you can’t sing for shit.” Ry chuckled, as we drove home after a great day and night in San Francisco. It had been a quick, foggy trip, but I’d loved every second.

I paused mid-song to glare at him, before continuing to sing along to the new Best Coast album. Those chicks could sing—unlike me.

“You know you want to sing along,” I teased, as he reached over to run a hand over my head, squeezing my shoulder. “You want me to drive at all?” I offered, leaning into his touch before his hand returned to the wheel.