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

never went out of style, ponchos that had ironically come back into style since they’d been sitting in the back room. Despite a few exceptions, my mom had amazing taste.
    I looked up from my work when the dogs started to go crazy, growling and barking wildly until their noises turned toward whimpers of excitement. If Roxie peed on the floor again I was going to be seriously pissed.
    “Piper?” Ettie’s voice called.
    “Hey,” I greeted in surprise, coming out from the back room and finding not only Ettie, but Connie, Sophie, and Scarlet too.
    “You mentioned you were going to be here, we figured we’d pop in. I hope that’s okay?” Ettie asked, as the dogs hopped in excitement around the four of them. “We brought coffee,” she added with a smile, extending the cup she held.
    “Thanks.” I smiled, hauling the dogs back by their collars. “I’m glad you stopped by,” I assured them sincerely.
    “They’re so cute. I should bring Chief over to play,” Scarlet said with a warm smile, kneeling to pet Roxie and Tank. I’d heard about her and Cole’s giant bullmastiff.
    “Totally,” I agreed.
    “Need any help?” Ettie asked, looking around the cluttered space.
    A short laugh escaped me. “With life or the store?”
    “We’re a full service operation,” Scarlet replied, without missing a beat.
    I laughed as they followed me into the back.
    “So you survived Vegas,” Ettie ventured, after they’d settled in.
    “Barely,” I muttered dryly. “I’m sorry for hanging up on you the way I did—I had no idea…” I shook my head, trailing off.
    “I know, I should have been clearer,” she reassured me.
    “I was at the club when she called Ry,” Sophie informed me, cocking her head toward Ettie. “I’ve never seen him like that. We’ve all just seen the goofy side of Ry. But when it comes to you the alpha comes out in a big way.” She grinned.
    I blushed, not sure what to do with that information.
    “He was barking orders at everyone, ready to come to blows with Cole when he tried to slow him down.”
    “Geez,” I muttered.
    “Glad it worked out,” Scarlet said, as she raised a scarf up out of a box to admire it.
    “We cleared the air a bit,” I admitted.
    “Oh yeah?” Ettie asked.
    I nodded. “I don’t know if he’ll ever forgive me, but I think he at least heard me. That’s something.”
    “Why did you leave, Piper?” Sophie asked, curious, her tone gentle as she watched me with her big brown eyes. Though she was married to Axel and knew all about their upbringing, I wasn’t sure how much of my history she knew.
    I blew out a breath. “Because I didn’t want Ryker to have to grow up before his time. I didn’t want him living with my burdens. He’d already had enough of his own.” I looked at Sophie. “Axel may have mentioned it, but I’ve known Ry since we were in second grade. I started sneaking him into my house to protect him. I think you know his dad used to beat the shit out of him—out of both of them,” I explained as she nodded sadly. “He was my best friend for years before we got old enough to realize we loved each other; real, unwavering love.” I sighed reverently. “I’d like to think I knew better than anyone what his dreams were. But once my mom got sick, the store started to struggle, and my dad withdrew, he set them all aside—for me. I couldn’t let him do that.” I shook my head, as they all stared at me with big eyes. “I wanted more for him. So I stepped aside. I forced it when maybe I shouldn’t have.”
    “Damn,” Connie murmured.
    “Yeah,” I agreed.
    “And he knows this?” Scarlet pressed.
    “Now I think he does,” I replied. “What happens next is anyone’s guess.”
    “Well, the fact that I haven’t seen him even glance at another girl since you’ve been back in town speaks volumes.” Ettie winked.
    I scoffed. “I seriously doubt that.”
    “I wouldn’t doubt it.” Connie laughed. “She’s totally right and no