Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 154

CHAPTER 94-2

At one point, I looked around the garage and realized how many people had simply shown up.

Nobody had asked for money. Nobody had asked whether the job was worth their time. They had seen a problem and come to help.

That meant more to me than I could explain.

By late afternoon, the rain finally began to ease.

The worst of the leaking had stopped and the roof had been patched well enough to survive the rest of the

storm.

Everyone looked exhausted and Mason came downstairs covered in mud making me laugh.

“You look terrible.” I said and he pointed at me.

“You should see yourself.” He said and I looked down at my clothes.

They were covered in water, dirt, and grease.

“I look fantastic.” I said as Derek walked past.

“You both look terrible.” Derek said and Mason laughed.

“See, that’s why nobody likes you.” I said as Derek shook his head.

“People like me.” He said.

“Name three.” I said.

“I don’t have to.” He said and I laughed as they started arguing. Then Emma appeared carrying a tray.

“Hot chocolate.” Emma said.

Everyone turned toward her and Mason immediately walked dyer.

“You’re my favourite person.” Mason said as Emma handed him a cup.

“You weren’t saying that an hour ago.” Emma said.

“I was busy.” He said.

“You were complaining.” She said.

“I was also busy complaining.” He said and she laughed.

The kids came running inside, soaked from head to toe and Emma handed them towels.

“You were told to stay out of the puddles.” Emma said.

“We didn’t.” One of them said.

“You absolutely did.” Emma said and one of them grinned.

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CHAPTER 94

“We only stepped in them.” Another kid said.

“Repeatedly.” Emma said and I laughed.

The garage was warm agam, and for a while, the storm outside didn’t matter.

+25 Pointa

Everyone gathered around with hot chocolate while the children sat on old chairs and talked about who had made the biggest splash. And Jace sat beside me.

“You okay?” Jace asked and I nodded.

“Yeah.” I said as he looked around.

“Good.” He said and I rested my head against his shoulder.

“I like this.” I said.

“What?” He asked.

“This.” I said as I gestured toward everyone.

“The noise, the kids, everyone helping.” I said and he smiled.

“It’s home.” He said.

The word settled inside me. Home.

I looked around again and I realized he was right. This place wasn’t just a garage anymore. It wasn’t just where I worked. It was where people came when something went wrong.

It was where people laughed after long days. It was where children played while adults worked. It was where I had found a family I hadn’t expected.

The storm outside had finally weakened into a soft drizzle, and everyone slowly began cleaning up so Mia wiped down the counters and Derek folded the tarps.

Mason helped move the remaining tools and Jace checked the roof one final time before returning inside.

“You survived.” Jace said and I smiled.

“So did you.” I said as he leaned down and kissed me.

“Good.” He said as I smiled against his lips.

“You’re getting sentimental.” I said.

“Don’t tell anyone.” He said.

“I’ll consider it.” I said.

We continued working until the garage was mostly back in order.

The kids eventually disappeared upstairs and Emma started gathering the empty cups.

I was carrying a box of towels toward the storage room when my phone buzzed.

213

CHAPTER 4

+29 Points

The screen showed a message from my mother and for several seconds, I simply stared at her name.

Thadn’t expected to hear from her.

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