Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 257

CHAPTER 148-2

For a few hours, we could just be a family.

Clam

Eventually, we climbed back onto the bikes and continued toward a small town about forty minutes away.

Jace had chosen an old-fashioned ice cream shop that sat beside the main road, and the moment we pulled into the parking lot, the children started cheering.

“I knew you would like this place.” Jace said.

“You planned this whole thing.” I said.

“Maybe.” He said and I shook my head.

“You’re getting good at surprises.” I said.

“I’ve had practice.” He said.

Everyone crowded into the shop, and within minutes, the tables were covered with ice cream cups, cones, milkshakes, and spoons.

I ordered vanilla with chocolate sauce, while Jace chose coffee ice cream and he looked at mine.

“You always get the same thing.” He said.

“It’s reliable.” I said.

“You are describing ice cream like a motorcycle.” He said.

“It has never disappointed me.” I said and he laughed and across the table, Emma watched us.

“You two are ridiculous.” Emma said as Mia nodded.

“They are worse when nobody is shooting at them.” Mia said and I laughed.

“That is probably true.” I said.

The afternoon became a collection of small moments.

Derek accidentally dropped his spoon, one of the children got ice cream on his nose, Ben took a picture of Diesel sitting beside the table, and Mason pretended not to notice when his daughter stole half his cone.

Nobody seemed interested in leaving but eventually, Jace stood.

“We should head back before dark.” Jace said.

The children complained, but everyone eventually returned to the motorcycles.

The ride home was quieter, because everyone had relaxed and the sun had started lowering toward the horizon.

I rode beside Jace again, and Diesel followed behind us in his ridiculous sidecar.

CHAPTER 1409

Chann

When the clubhouse firrally came into view, I felt an unexpected sadness because I knew the peaceful part of the day was almost over.

We pulled into the parking lot, and everyone began removing helmets and helping the children off the

bikes.

Laughter filled the yard again as Diesel jumped from his sidecar and immediately ran toward me, and I laughed as he circled my legs.

“You are getting spoiled.” I said as Ben walked past us.

“That was the entire purpose.” Ben said as Jace wrapped an arm around my waist.

“You had fun.” Jace said.

“I did.” I said.

“I knew you would.” He said as I leaned against him.

“I needed this.” I said.

“So did everyone.” He said.

We stood together while the others unpacked the cooler and began talking about dinner.

For a few minutes, I simply watched them.

This was what I had wanted when I first came to Lawson Customs. Not just a business. Not just a club. A family.

Then I noticed someone standing near the clubhouse doorway.

Charlotte.

She had been quiet throughout the entire day, and she had not joined us on the ride.

Now she stood alone, watching everyone laugh together.

Her eyes moved from Emma to Mia, then toward the children before finally settling on Jace and me.

She looked different. There was no anger on her face. There was no jealousy. There was only sadness.

I started toward her, but she immediately turned away.

“Charlotte. Are you okay?” I said as she stopped and she looked over her shoulder.

“I’m fine.” She said but I knew she was lying.

“Do you want to come outside?” I asked but she shook her head.

“I don’t want to ruin your day.” She said.

“You’re not ruining anything.” I said and she gave me a faint smile.

“I know.” She said and then she walked back inside.

CHAPTER 14

watched her disappear through the doorway, and something about the way she had looked at the Tamilies stayed with me and Jace came beside me.

“You all right?” He asked..

“I think Charlotte is struggling.” I said.

“She has a lot to think about.” He said and I nodded.

“She does.” I said.

We returned to the others, but I kept glancing toward the clubhouse.

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