Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 41

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 25

་ད།

25 Point

1

he rumors reached Lawson Customs before eight o’clock Tuesday morning. I didn’t know exactly

who started them but I didn’t need to know.

Growing up with Charlotte had taught me to recognize her work long before anyone else did.

She never started fights herself. She simply whispered into enough ears that everyone else started

them for her.

I woke up before sunrise, showered, brushed my teeth and pulled on my usual work clothes before making coffee upstairs. Rain tapped softly against the apartment window while I buttered two slice of toast and for a few peaceful minutes the world still felt normal.

That feeling disappeared the moment I unlocked the garage.

Mia was already sitting behind the reception desk sorting invoices into color coded folders while sipping coffee from one of the Lawson Customs mugs she’d somehow convinced me to buy.

“Morning.” She said as I walked in.

“Morning.” I said.

“You’ve got three pickups, five services, two estimates and George called.” Mia said and I smiled.

“He he remind me to each lunch again?” I asked.

“He absolutely did.” She said.

“I think he’s appointed himself my unofficial grandfather.” I said.

“He takes the position very seriously.” She said.

I laughed before hanging my keys on the office hook and the workshop came alive almost

immediately.

Ben rolled open the second service bay while humming quietly to himself and customers began

arriving one after another and within half an hour every parking space outside the garage was

occupied.

Business bad never been better and I was halfway through inspecting a customer’s touring bike

when the office door opened.

Frank Reynolds stepped inside and Frank had been bringing motorcycles to Uncle Will for for almost fifteen years and he’d continued coming after I inherited the garage.

He was the type of customer every mechanic hoped for. He was patient, honest and never

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CHAPTER 25

complained but this morning he looked uncomfortable but this talking he looked uncomfortable.

+25 Pompe

“Morning, Paige.” He said.

“Morning, Frank. What have we broken this time?” I asked and I wiped my hands on a clean towel and he smiled faintly.

“Nothing yet. I actually wanted to ask you something.” He said and I leaned against the workbench.

“Go ahead.” I said.

He glanced toward the office window before lowering his voice.

“I heard something yesterday.” He said.

“I’ve discovered that’s becoming a dangerous sentence.” I said and he nodded awkward.

“I figured it wasn’t true but I wanted to hear it from you.” She said and my stomach tightened slightly.

“What did you hear?” I asked and I saw Frank hesitating.

“They’re saying…they’re saying the only reason the Iron Vipers keep bringing motorcycles here is because you’re sleeping with bikers for money.” He said looking embarrassed.

The workshop suddenly felt very quiet and Ben stopped reaching for a socket. Mia looked up from her computer and even the customer waiting near the coffee machine pretended not to listen

word. while obviously listening to every

So I took a slow breath before answering.

“That’s certainly more creative than last month’s gossip.” I said and Fran frowned.

“You aren’t angry?” He asked and I smiled politely.

“I don’t see the point. The Iron Vipers bring motorcycles here because I fix them. They recommend me because I do good work. If someone wants to believe anything else, I’m probably not going to change their mind with an argument.” I said and relief crossed Frank’s face.

“I knew it.” He said.

“I’ve known you since you were helping your uncle around here. I never believed a word of it.” He

said.

“I appreciate that.” I said and he handed me his keys.

“I’ll leave it with you.” He said.

“I’ll have it ready Thursday.” I said and he nodded before heading into the waiting area.

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CHAPTER 25

པ་ད།

As soon as the door closed behind him, Ben looked at me.

“People are actually saying that?” Ben asked.

“They are.” I said and his face twisted in disbelief.

“That’s ridiculous.” He said.

“I know.” I said.

“You barely have time to eat lunch. Let alone sleep with an entire biker club.” He said,

“I’ve noticed.” I said and Mia shook her head.

“I’ve had four phone calls this morning asking strange questions.” Mia said.

“What sort of questions?” I asked and she picked up a notepad.

+25 Point

“One woman wanted to know whether the Iron Vipers owned part of the garage. Another asked whether they were paying your bills and someone else asked if joining a motorcycle club came

with discount labor.” She said.

Despite everything, I had to laugh at those questions.

“I admire the confidence.” She said as Ben looked confused.

“How are you laughing?” Ben asked.

“Because the alternative involves throwing a wrench through my office window.” I said.

“That’s probably more expensive.” He said.

“Exactly.” I said.

The morning continued although the questions never completely stopped. Some customers asked directly while others circled the subject carefully before finally worked up the courage to mention whatever they’d heard.

Each time I answered calmly and each time I gave exactly the same explanation.

“I fix motorcycles. They pay their invoices. That’s the beginning and the end of our business relationship.” I said.

Most people accepted the answer immediately and the ones who had known Uncle Will simply nodded and carried on as though the rumor had never existed.

They knew better. That mattered more than anything Charlotte could invent.

Around lunchtime George Miller wandered through the front door carrying his usual travel mug

…

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