Ryker (The Ride #4) by Megan O'Brien Read Free Book Online Page A

something more. So I said I needed space, hoping that with a little distance we could come back together someday. It was fucking stupid, I know,” I lamented. “Of course once I let you go that was it, but I still don’t regret it,” I stated firmly.
    For a minute we just stared at each other, his eyes bright with knowledge while mine were filled with tears. I felt completely wrung out.
    “You stayin’?” he asked, surprising me momentarily with the abrupt change in conversation. After the way it had been between us, I wasn’t sure he’d want me to stay in town.
    “That’s the plan,” I replied quietly, hating how my voice shook as I forced out the question burning on my tongue. “You think you can forgive me, Ry?”
    The silence hung between us, the tension so thick I could scarcely breathe through it.
    “I’m gonna try,” he answered.
    Aside from the other three little words he’d uttered to me long ago, I thought these were the most beautiful I’d ever heard.
    I audibly sighed in relief.
    “Night, Pipe.” He turned toward the door without looking back.
    “Night, Ry,” I replied, as the door shut quietly behind him.
    I’d finally said what I needed to and I thought he’d actually heard it. What he did with it was another matter. For the first time in forever, I slept soundly.

Chapter 6
    W hen he knocked on my door early the next morning, he was broody and quiet. I didn’t press him to talk, but instead, gathered up my things and quietly followed him to his bike.
    That was one of the many great things about being on the bike. You could be left to your own thoughts.
    We stopped once for coffee and bagels, sitting side by side on a bench outside the little roadside café in the middle of nowhere.
    I didn’t think he’d slept much, if at all, but I didn’t pry.
    “Well, aren’t you the most beautiful couple!” an old lady crowed, as she shuffled by on the arm of her husband.
    I almost choked on my coffee. Talk about timing.
    “Francis, just look at the two of them!” she continued, as her husband towed her along at a snail’s pace. “Remember those days?” She whacked him playfully with her handbag and I had to smile.
    “Come on, Jenna, leave them alone,” he chastised without any bite.
    “Have a good day,” I replied, raising my cup to them.
    We fell back into silence as they walked off.
    “Well, that was awkward,” I muttered finally, shooting a glance over at him.
    He looked at me and a slow grin spread across his face before he let out a booming laugh.
    There was nothing like Ryker’s laugh and I hadn’t heard it in so long, I wanted to bottle it.
    “You think?” He shook his head, still chuckling as he stood up, tossing his trash in the bin to our left. I followed suit. “Ready?” he asked with a raised brow.
    “Yep.” I nodded.
    “Can you borrow your dad’s car for a day or two while I get yours sorted?” he asked after he’d pulled up to my house, his engine still running.
    “I’m sure.” I nodded, handing him my helmet.
    We stared at each other for a few seconds. “Thanks, Ry,” I offered.
    “You’re welcome,” he replied. “See ya.”
    With that he was gone and I was left with a mix of hope and confusion as I watched him disappear around the bend.
    ****
    I was back at the store the following afternoon. This was after a shift at the day care and after I’d picked the dogs up from home. Dad had been holed up in his room as per usual.
    I was grateful to be busy as I shifted through the endless boxes. I had no idea what my mom had been thinking when she’d bought some of the stuff. I wrinkled my nose as I pulled a doll down from the shelf that could only be described as terrifying. Its eyes seemed to follow me everywhere, and rather than try to figure out how to sell it I simply chucked it toward the rear exit with a shiver.
    But amongst the terrifying dolls and few candles, which smelled like a nursing home, there were treasures. Beautiful bags, scarves that