Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 61

CHAPTER 37-1

Sleep never came easily after unexpected visitors.

Long after the conversation with my father at Lawson Customs had ended, I found myself sitting at the small kitchen table in the apartment above the garage, staring into a mug of tea that had

long since gone cold. The apartment was quiet.

Outside, the town had settled into its usual peaceful rhythm, and the occasional motorcycle passing in the distance was the only reminder that the world hadn’t stopped simply because my

family had decided to reappear.

A gentle knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. For a brief moment I wondered if Jace had forgotten something. Instead, I opened the door and found my mother standing in the hallway.

Victoria Lawson.

She looked nothing like the confident woman who had spent years pretending everything in our family was perfect.

Her eyes were red, her shoulders were slumped and she held her handbag tightly against her chest as though it were the only thing keeping her standing. Neither of us spoke for several seconds.

“I won’t stay long.” She said quietly.

I stepped aside without answering. She walked into the apartment slowly, looking around at the

familiar space.

“This place still smells like your uncle.” She said and I glanced toward the old workshop window.

“I’ve tried not to change much.” I said.

“He would’ve liked that.” She said and I nodded but said nothing.

Victoria wandered slowly around the apartment, stopping beside one of Uncle Will’s photographs

before letting out a quiet sigh.

“He loved you very much.” She said.

“I know.” I said.

“So did I.” She said.

The words made me look at her. There wasn’t anger in her voice. Only regret and then she turned

to face me.

“I’ve made mistakes, Paige.” She said and I folded my arms but stayed where I was.

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CHAPTER 37 1

“That’s one way of putting it.” I said and she accepted the remark without arguing.

“should’ve protected you more.” She said.

“You should have.” I said.

“I know.” I said.

The silence stretched between us again. For the first time in years, my mother wasn’t trying to

defend herself immediately. She simply stood there looking tired.

“I came because yesterday got out of hand.” She said.

“Dad usually manages that.” I said.

She gave a faint smile before it disappeared again.

“Charles has always been… difficult.” She said.

“Difficult. That’s what we’re calling it now.” I said repeating the word quietly.

“He gets an idea into his head and refuses to let it go.” She said.

“I noticed.” I said.

“He honestly believes he’s helping.” She said and I couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped me.

“It must be nice living in his version of reality.” I said and Victoria lowered her eyes.

“I know he pushed too hard.” She said.

“He pushed my whole life.” I said and she looked back at me.

“I wish I could change that.” She said.

“You could’ve changed it years ago.” I said.

The words came out more gently than I expected. I wasn’t shouting. I wasn’t angry. I was simply

tired.

She sat at the small dining table while I remained standing near the kitchen.

“I know things weren’t always fair.” She said.

“They weren’t.” I said.

“I should’ve spoken up more.” She said.

“You never spoke up.” I said and she rubbed her hands together nervously.

“I was trying to keep the family together.” She said and I looked at her for several long moments.

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