Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 53

CHAPTER 32

Mad come home in the middle of the night instead of staying with Jace for the night because I had to get up early for work. He completely understood that but he also wouldn’t let me get away

with that on the weekend. I knew that he was going to keep me at the clubhouse all weekend if he

gets his way.

So the following morning arrived before I felt ready for them.

The apartment above the garage was still dark when my alarm started buzzing and for a few quiet moments I simply lay there staring at the ceiling while listening to the familiar sounds of rain tapping softly against the windows.

Life had become busy. Comfortably busy. That was a problem I never expected to have.

I climbed out of bed, showered, brushed my hair and tied my hair up and pulled on my usual

clothes before making coffee in the tiny kitchen.

The smell drifted through the apartment while I buttered two slices of toast and a few months ago breakfast had usually come with a side of anxiety over unpaid bills.

Now I spent more time wondering whether Ben had remembered to lock away the air tools or whether Hunter would arrive with donuts before nine o’clock.

It was a much better way to start the day and I carried my coffee downstairs and unlocked the

garage.

The workshop greeted me with its familiar scent of oil, rubber and steel. And everything sat

exactly where it belonged.

Mia’s appointment board was completely full and Ben’s toolbox looked surprisingly organized so I

smiled. Miracles really did happen.

The morning settled into its usual rhythm and customers arrived one after another while Mia answered phones without ever seeming flustered and Ben worked carefully through a full service while reading each step twice before reaching for another tool.

Watching him slow down instead of rushing reminded me so much of myself when Uncle Will first started teaching me.

Confidence was earned and it wasn’t something you forced.

By late morning the waiting area finally emptied and I carried a stack of invoices into the office, sat behind Uncle Will’s old desk and began sorting paperwork while Mia stepped into the storage

room to check parts delivery.

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CHAPTER 32

The bell above the front door chimed softly and I looked up automatically.

25 Paint

For a second I genuinely thought I was imagining things when I saw Tyler standing just inside the doorway.

He looked exactly as he always did. Perfectly styled hair, expensive suit and watch.

His pressed shirt probably cost more than my monthly grocery bills and the only thing that had

changed was the uncertainty written across his face.

“Paige.” Tyler said and I slowly set my pen on the desk.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I was hoping we could talk.” He said.

“I wasn’t hoping for that.” I said.

He managed a weak smile that disappeared almost immediately.

“I deserve that.” He said.

“You deserve honesty.” I said.

“I can do honesty.” He said but I wasn’t convinced.

Mia looked between us before quickly picking up another folder.

“I’ll finish checking inventory.” Mia said.

She disappeared through the doorway without another word giving us more privacy than I actually

wanted and Tyler looked around the office.

“It really has changed.” He said.

“We’ve been busy.” I said.

“I can see that. I heard business is booming.” He said as his eyes drifted toward the workshop

where Ben worked on another motorcycles.

“It is.” I said.

“I’m glad.” He said and I nodded politely.

“Thank you.” I said.

Silence settled between us and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other before finally

speaking again.

“I made the biggest mistake of my life.” Tyler said and I folded my hands on the desk.

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MPTER 32

“Which one?” I asked and his shoulders sagged.

“Charlotte. I should’ve listened to you. I should’ve seen what she was doing…She manipulated me. She kept telling me you were pushing me away and she convinced me you didn’t really love me anymore.” He said as I sat there quietly listening to everything.

“And you believed her?” I asked as he looked down briefly.

“I did. I was stupid.” He said.

The laugh escaped me before I could stop it. Not because I wanted to embarrass him but because

the whole situation suddenly felt unbelievable.

“What’s funny?” He asked.

“You still think Charlotte is the reason we’re standing here.” I said shaking my head.

“She is.” He said.

“No. Charlotte didn’t force you to compare me to her every chance you got. She didn’t force you to

tell me I should be more like my sister. She didn’t force you to sleep with her. They were your

decisions.” I said as I stood up and walked around the desk until we were facing each other.

He opened his mouth to argue before closing it again and for the first time since walking into the

garage he looked as though he genuinely had no answer.

“I know I can’t change what happened.” He said.

“No. You can’t.” I said and he let out a slow breath.

“I still love you.” He said.

This time my smile was gentle inside of amused.

“I don’t love you anymore Tyler.” I said.

The words came out more easily than I expected. Not because they were cruel but because they

were true.

“I’ve moved on.” I added.

“You’re talking about the biker.” He said.

“Jace.” I nodded.

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