Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 333

CHAPTER 185-2

I watched him shake hands, thank volunteers, and speak with firefighters who had come to support the event.

Then he walked toward me.

“You ready?” He asked.

“I think so.” I said and he smiled.

“You sound nervous.” He said.

“I am nervous.” I said.

“I’m proud of you.” He said.

The words hit harder than I expected and I looked down at my clipboard because I didn’t want him to see how much they affected me.

“Thank you.” I said.

Charles nodded, and before he could say anything else, the microphone near the front of the parking lot

crackled.

Everyone gradually turned toward the small platform.

One of the event organizers introduced Charles, and he stepped forward.

I moved toward the edge of the crowd with Jace beside me and Charles looked over the gathered crowd before his eyes settled on me.

“When this event was first discussed, I thought we were simply helping raise money for an important cause. However, the more I learned about what Lawson Customs has become, the more I realized that this event represents something much bigger.” He began, and the crowd became quiet.

I felt Jace’s hand settle gently against my back as Charles continued.

“Lawson Customs is a successful business, but more importantly, it has become a place where people help one another, where hard work matters, and where the community knows it can count on the people behind those doors.” He continued and several people nodded.

“I know the woman who built that business, and I know how hard she worked to get there. My daughter, Paige, built Lawson Customs through determination, courage, and more perseverance than most people ever see.” He added and his eyes found mine again and the crowd applauded.

I had never expected him to say those things publicly but Charles took a breath before continuing.

“I’m proud to stand beside her today, and I’m proud to support a business that gives so much back to this community.” He said as the applause became louder, and I looked around at the faces surrounding me.

Some people were smiling. Some were clapping and some looked surprised.

I understood why.

CHAPTER 185.

For years, people had probably heard the Lawson family story through rumors and half-truths, but they had never heard Charles publicly acknowledge me like this.

I glanced toward my mother.

Victoria stood near the back of the crowd, and tears were running quietly down her cheeks.

She quickly wiped them away when she realized I was looking.

I didn’t know whether those tears were regret, pride, sadness, or all three. Perhaps they were simply the weight of everything we had lost and everything we were slowly trying to rebuild so Jace leaned closer.

“Your father means it.” Jace said.

“I know.” I said.

“And you’re allowed to be proud of yourself.” He said as I smiled.

“I’m trying.” I said.

The motorcycles started their engines a few minutes later, and the sound rolled through the parking lot like thunder.

One by one, riders pulled onto the road, while people gathered along the sidewalks to watch them pass.

The Iron Vipers led the ride, and Jace rode near the front.

I followed with several other riders, while Charles watched from the roadside.

As we moved through town, people waved from porches and storefronts, and children stood beside their parents holding small flags.

It wasn’t about the club. It wasn’t about Lawson Customs. It wasn’t even about the Lawson family.

For those few hours, it felt like the entire town had decided that helping one another mattered more than old grudges.

When we returned to the garage, the crowd stayed for food, music, and conversation.

People donated more money, local businesses offered additional support, and several firefighters thanked Paige personally for organizing the event.

By late afternoon, I finally had a chance to breathe.

I stood near the side of the building and watched Jace talking with Mason, while Ben showed a young boy how to check tire pressure.

Mia was still working. Aiden was still answering questions and Diesel was still accepting attention from anyone willing to scratch his ears. And Charles stood several feet away, talking with Victoria.

For once, nobody was fighting. Nobody was lying and nobody was running.

I smiled quietly as I watched them.

Maybe this was what rebuilding looked like.

CHAPTER 1852

It wasn’t perfect, and it certainly didn’t erase what happened before, but it was something real. Then Charlotte stepped beside me.

“Paige.” She said so turned toward her.

“What is it?” I asked and she didn’t answer immediately.

Her eyes were fixed across the parking lot and I followed her gaze.

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