Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 120

CHAPTER 75-1

The annual prospect competition was apparently one of the most important events on the Iron Vipers calendar.

Nobody had bothered telling me that until I arrived at the clubhouse and discovered half the membership acting like they were preparing for the Olympics.

I stepped out of my truck carrying a travel mug of coffee while Diesel trotted happily beside me

The clubhouse yard looked completely different from normal. Orange cones covered the grass and tables had been dragged into position.

Motorcycles lined one side of the lot and several homemade obstacles occupied the center of the

field.

A crowd had already gathered. Children ran between adults and old ladies laughed near the picnic

tables.

Club members placed bets that absolutely were not official according to Mason and the fact that

Mason was personally collecting money made that claim considerably less believable.

“What exactly is happening?” I asked and Emma grinned.

“Prospect games.” Emma said.

“That explains absolutely nothing.” I said.

“You’re going to love it.” She said but I wasn’t convinced.

Then I saw Wyatt and Ty. Both men looked nervous and I immediately became interested.

“Why do they look terrified?” I asked and Emma laughed.

“Because prospects compete every year.” She said.

“Compete in what?” I asked.

“Everything.” She said.

That answer somehow explained even less but before I could ask more questions, Jace appeared beside me.

His hand settled naturally against my waist. The touch had become so familiar that I barely noticed it anymore.

“Morning.” He said and I smiled up at him.

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“Morning.” I said before he kissed my forehead.

“Ready to judge?” He asked.

“Ready to what?” I asked and Jace looked suspiciously amused.

“Judge.” He said.

“Nobody asked me.” I said.

“You just got asked.” He said.

“Can I refuse?” I asked.

“No.” He said.

“Sounds democratic.” I said.

“We’re bikers.” He said and I sighed dramatically.

“Fair point.” I said.

Clau

Twenty minutes later I found myself sitting at a folding table with Emma, Sophia and Mason. A handmade sign reading OFFICIAL JUDGES sat in front of us.

The sign looked like it had been created by children and after examining it more closely, I discovered it actually had been. That explained a lot and Wyatt pointed accusingly at our table.

“She’s biased.” Wyatt said and I pointed back.

“Work harder.” I said and the crowd laughed as Ty groaned.

“We’re doomed.” Ty said.

“Probably.” I agreed.

The first event was an obstacle course. Apparently the prospects needed to sprint across the yard, crawl beneath ropes, carry motorcycle tires, climb over barriers and ring a bell at the finish line.

The entire thing looked ridiculous and that made it perfect. So Mason stepped forward.

1 “Contestants ready?” Mason asked and neither prospect looked enthusiastic.

“Excellent. Begin.” Mason announced.

Wyatt and Ty exploded forward and the crowd immediately started cheering. Children screamed encouragement while club members shouted advice and most of the advice was terrible.

Ty reached the tire carry first. Unfortunately he tripped over his own feet and the tire rolled away. The crowd erupted with laughter and I grabbed the scorecard.

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“Minus ten points for poor relationship with gravity.” I announced making Ty look horrified.

“You can’t do that.” Ty said.

“Watch me.” I said and more laughter followed.

Chunk

Wyatt managed the obstacle more successfully and he crossed the finish line first so I reluctantly

marked the result.

“Congratulations.” I said and Wyatt pumped a fist.

“Thank you.” He said.

“Don’t get used to success.” I said and his confidence immediately disappeared.

The next challenge involved motorcycle maintenance. Now things became serious. Two identical motorcycles sat in the center of the lot.

The prospects had to diagnose planted mechanical problems and complete repairs as quickly as possible and I leaned forward with genuine interest.

“Finally. Something useful.” I said and Ben stood nearby taking notes.

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