Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 29

CHAPTER 19-1

CHAPTER 19-1

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he charity ride left everyone exhausted. By the time I unloaded my toolbox back into the garage, the sun had already started dipping toward the horizon and every muscle in my body reminded me that I’d spent an entire day crouching beside motorcycles.

It had been worth it.

The event had raised more money than anyone expected not a single rider had broken down during the trip and I’d somehow gone an entire day with spilling oil on my shirt.

That last achievement deserved some sort of award.

Ben helped carry the last toolbox into the workshop before stretching his back.

“I think my feel have resigned. They’ll file the paperwork tomorrow.” He said.

“I hope they give me notice first. You survived your first charity ride.” I laughed.

“Barely.” He said.

“You didn’t even label anything as maple syrup.” I said.

“I’d appreciate it if we retired that joke.” He said.

“I’ll think about it.” I said.

“You won’t.” He said.

“You know me too well already.” I said and he grinned before grabbing his backpack.

“I’ll see you Monday. Drive safe.” I added.

Once Ben left the workshop became strangely quiet.

I swept the floor and wiped down the workbenches and locked away the tools while enjoying the familiar routine.

Working with my hands always settled my thoughts and today there had been too many of them.

The stranger. The black SUV. The way he’d watched the event without every coming closer.

I didn’t know who he was but something about the way he’d stood across the street had stayed with me.

It hadn’t felt like curiosity. It felt like calculation. I was switching off the workshop lights when another motorcycle rolled into the parking lot.

I smiled before I even reached the roller door.

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CHAPTER 19 1

“You’re late.” I said as Jace climbed off his bike and removed his helmet.

had a meeting.” He said.

“I was beginning to think you’d finally found better coffee.” I said.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” He said and I looked toward the office.

“I’ve still got a fresh pot.” I said.

“Fresh by your standards or fresh by normal human standards?” He asked.

“I made it less than an hour ago.” I said.

“That’s an improvement.” He said.

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He followed me inside while I poured two mugs and the office felt smaller than usual. Probably

because neither of us seemed in any hurry to leave and I leaned against Uncle Will’s old desk.

“You know, this is becoming a habit.” I said.

“The coffee?” He asked.

“You showing up after work.” I said.

“You’re objecting?” He asked.

“I haven’t decided yet.” I said and he smiled faintly.

“I’ll give you more time.” He said.

We drank in comfortable silence for a while.

Outside, the evening traffic drifted past the garage and somewhere down the street a dog barked

at absolutely nothing.

It was peaceful. The kind of peaceful I’d never really experienced growing up and Jace rested his

mug on the desk.

I

“Can I ask you something?” He asked and I looked at him.

“You usually do.” I said and his expression softened.

“Why did you really leave home?” He asked.

The question caught me off guard. Not because I hadn’t expected it eventually but because he asked it so simply.

There was no judgement or curiosity for the sake of gossip. Just a quiet concern and I looked down into my coffee.

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CHAPTER 19-1

“There isn’t one simple answer.” I said.

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