Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 36

CHAPTER 22 2

CHAPTER 22-2

+25 Point

he knot in my stomach finally began to loosen and for the first time since leaving the mansion, I felt like I could breathe without forcing it and Jace glanced toward his motorcycle.

“Hungry?” He asked.

“When am I not? The food they served me were only bite sized.” I said.

“I know a place.” He said.

“As long as it doesn’t involve fancy tablecloths.” I said.

“It definitely doesn’t.” He said.

“Perfect.” I said.

A few minutes later we were back on the road heading toward the glow of an old roadside diner

just outside town.

The diner looked as though it hadn’t changed in forty years.

A faded neon sign buzzed softly above the entrance, pickups trucks filled half the parking lot and

the smell of grilled burgers drifted through the cook night air the moment we stepped inside.

I looked around at the red vinyl booths and checkerboard floor.

“I already like this place.” I said and Jace smiled.

“I thought you might.” He said.

We slid into a booth near the window and within minutes a waitress dropped off two menu’s

without needing to ask whether we wanted coffee.

Apparently Jace came here often enough to have developed a reputation and I glanced over the

menu before closing it.

“I’m ordering the biggest burger you’ve got.” I said.

“I had a feeling.” Jace said.

“I’ve earned it.” I said.

“You definitely have.” He said.

When the food finally arrived Istared at the mountain of fried covering half the plate.

“This is enough to feed a football team.” I said.

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CHAPTER 22 2

“You say that now.” He said.

Five minutes later I’d eaten nearly half the team and Jace noticed.

“I was going to steal some.” He said.

“You hesitated.” I said.

“Apparently.” He said.

“That’s how opportunities disappear.” I said and he shook his head.

“I’ll remember that.” He said.

“You should.” I said.

9+25 Forg

The conversation drifted away from family and lawyers and before long we were arguing about whether pineapple belonged on pizza, debating the ugliest motorcycle every built and laughing at one of Hunter’s many failed attempts to cook at the clubhouse.

By the time we climbed back onto the motorcycle my shoulders felt lighter than they had all day.

When we pulled into the parking lot behind the garage and I climbed off the bike and removed my

helmet.

“Thanks.” I said.

“You don’t have to thank me.” He said.

“I’m going to anyway.” I said.

He gave a small nod before glancing toward the apartment above the garage.

One of the porch lights flickered twice before dimming again and Jace frowned.

“How long has that been doing that?” He asked and I looked up.

“A while.” I said.

“And you haven’t changed it?” He asked.

“I keep forgetting.” I said and he looked at me for a second.

“I’ll be right back.” He said.

Before I could ask what he meant he walked toward his saddlebag and pulled out a small flashlight and a package of light bulbs making me laugh.

“Are those…spare bulbs?” I asked.

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“They come in handy.” He said.

“You carry light bulbs on your motorcycle?” I asked.

“I carry tools.” He said,

“That somehow raises even more questions.” I said.

+25 Paints

A few minutes later I walked upstairs to unlock the apartment only to find Jace standing on one of

my kitchen chairs replacing another burned out bulb and the living room was suddenly brighter

than I’d ever see it.

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