Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 9

CHAPTER 8

he conversation between Charlotte and Tyler stayed in the back of my mind for the rest of the

afternoon.

I hadn’t seen them leave together or seen them argue with each other.

All I’d seen was Charlotte smiling while Tyler listened and knowing those two, that was enough to

make my suspicious.

Charlotte only smiled like that when she thought she was winning. I tried pushing the thought

aside as I finished servicing another motorcycle but my concentration wasn’t quite where it usually

was.

“You’ve tightened that bolt three times.” Hunter said as he leaned against the roller door with a grin plastered across his face.

“I was making sure.” I said.

“You were overthinking.” He said.

“I’ve been accused of worse.” I said.

“I’m sure you have.” He said.

He wandered farther into the workshop, hands shoved into his pockets as though he had nowhere

important to be.

“You’re here again.” I said.

“I’ve got excellent timing.” He said.

“You’ve also got a motorcycle that doesn’t need servicing for another three weeks.” I said and he

looked genuinely offended.

“Can’t I visit my favourite mechanic?” He asked.

“You’ve only got one mechanic.” I said.

“That definitely helps.” He said and I laughed despite myself.

The workshop had become strangely lively over the past week.

The Iron Vipers had started dropping in almost daily and although they usually claimed they were checking on repairs or collecting parts, they rarely seemed in a hurry to leave.

Hunter wanted to make coffee that tasted suspiciously like burnt dirt.

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Derek would wander around pretending to inspect motorcycles before inevitably asking question’s about whatever engines sat on the nearest lift.

Even Jace appeared more often than strictly necessary.

Unlike the others he never filled the workshop with conversation. He simply leaned against the

office doorway with a mug of coffee in one hand, watched me worked for a while, asked how business was going and quietly disappeared again.

I still hadn’t figured him out. People usually talked because they wanted attention. Jace seemed perfectly happy letting silence do the work.

The bell above the office door jingled just after lunch and Emma stepped inside carrying a large covered baking dish that filled the workshop with the smell of freshly baked lasagna.

“I thought you might’ve forgotten to eat again.” Emma said and I looked at the clock. It was already half past two so she wasn’t wrong.

“I was busy.” I said.

“I can see that.” She said.

She placed the dish on my workbench before glancing around.

“I also came to invite you.” Emma said.

“Invite me where?” I asked.

“Sunder dinner.” She said.

“Whose?” I asked.

“Ours.” She said.

“You lot have Sunday dinners?” I frowned.

“Every week.” She smiled.

“I thought motorcycle clubs just…I don’t know…argued dramatically around bonfires.” I said and

Hunter looked horrified.

“We barbecue.” He said.

“Oh. That changes everything.” I said and Emma laughed.

“The wives cook, the kids run around until they’re exhausted, the men pretend they’re helping and someone always burns the garlic bread.” Emma said as Hunter pinted toward himself.

“Last week wasn’t my fault.” Hunter said and Emma raised an eyebrow.

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“You put the tray upside down.” Emma said.

“It was an experiment.” Hunter said.

“It was charcoal.” Emma said.

I couldn’t help smiling. The way they argued felt comfortable. Nobody seemed angry or trying to score points. It reminded me of something I’d never really had and Emma looked back at me.

“So?” She asked.

“So what?” I asked.

“Sunday dinner.” She said and I shook my head.

“I appreciate the invitation but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I said.

“Why not?” She asked and I gestured toward myself.

“I’m not exactly family.” I said and Hunter snorted.

“You’ve met half the club.” He said.

“That doesn’t make me family.” I said and Emma crossed her arms.

“Who said anything about family?” She asked.

“You did.” I said.

“I said dinner.” She said.

“I’d just feel awkward.” I said.

“You’ll survive.” Emma said.

“I’ve got work.” I said.

“On Sunday?” She asked.

“I’ll find some.” I said and Hunter laughed again.

“She’s trying to escape.” Hunter said.

“I’m trying to avoid becoming the awkward stranger sitting in the corner.” I said and Emma smiled

patiently.

“You won’t.” She said.

“You don’t know that.” I said.

“I do.” She said.

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“How?” I asked.

“Because we don’t let people sit in the corners.” She said.

Before I could answer, Derek walked through the roller doors carrying a box of spare parts.

“You coming Sunday?” Derek asked and I looked at him.

“Has everyone suddenly become obsessed with feeding me?” I asked.

“We’ve seen your pantry.” Derek said and I narrowed my eyes.

“You’ve been upstairs?” I asked.

He pointed toward the leaking tap I’d mentioned earlier in the week.

“Jace sent me to fix it.” Derek said and I sighed dramatically.

“I really need to start changing my locks.” I said and Hunter grinned.

“We’ll still get in.” He said.

“That’s somehow less comforting than you think it is.” I said.

Emma picked up the empty baking dish she’d brought lunch in.

“We’ll expect you around one.” Emma said.

“I didn’t say yes.” I said.

“You didn’t say no convincingly enough.” She said.

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