Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 90

CHAPTER 56-1

The moment climbed the stairs to the apartment above Lawson Customs, Diesel greeted me at the door with enough enthusiasm to suggest I’d been gone for a week instead of a few hours.

“You’re getting dramatic.” I said as his tail thumped happily against the wall.

“I was only bowling.” I said but he looked completely unconvinced.

I laughed, scratched behind his ears and walked toward the bedroom with my phone still in my hand. Jace’s message remained open on the screen, and every time I read it, the same small smile found its way back onto my face.

He hadn’t demanded. He hadn’t assumed. He had simply asked. Somehow that mattered more

than I could explain so I typed a quick reply.

I’d like that. I’ll be there soon.

The response came back almost immediately.

Drive safely.

I shook my head with another smile.

“He’s ruining my reputation.” I said.

Diesel followed me into the bedroom while I pulled a small overnight bag from the top shelf of the wardrobe. Packing took less than ten minutes. A clean shirt, fresh jeans, toothbrush, hairbrush and

phone charger.

I paused in front of the wardrobe for a moment before reaching for one of Jace’s old hoodies that had somehow ended up hanging beside my clothes after the last time I stayed over.

It still smelled faintly of cedar soap and coffee and without really thinking about it, I folded it into the bag while Diesel watched every movement.

“No. You’re staying here tonight.” I said as his ears lifted hopefully and his tail slowed.

“I know. I’ll miss you too.” I said.

Ben had already agreed to check on him first thing in the morning before opening the garage and

Emma promised to stop by later if needed.

He would be fine but that didn’t stop me kneeling beside him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said.

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After locking the apartment and checking the garage one last time, I climbed into my truck and headed toward the clubhouse.

The familiar gates came into view just as the last traces of sunset disappeared behind the trees The compound looked peaceful.

Children’s bicycles rested beside the footpath, lights glowed warmly through the clubhouse windows and someone had left a radio playing quietly on the front porch.

It felt lived in. Comfortable and homely.

Jace stepped outside before I even reached the front steps.

“I thought you might’ve changed your mind.” He said and I smiled.

“I considered making you wait another five minutes.” He said.

“I would’ve started worrying after three.” He said.

“You worry too much.” I said.

“I’ve been told that.” He said as he reached for my overnight bag before I could protest.

“I can carry my own bag.” I said.

“I know. But I’d like to.” He said.

There wasn’t much I could say to that. Inside, the clubhouse had settled into its usual evening rhythm. A card game occupied one corner of the common room, someone was quietly watching an old action movie and laughter drifted in from the kitchen where Hunter appeared to be losing an argument about the correct way to make hot chocolate and Emma spotted me first.

“You made it.” Emma said.

“I heard there was an opening.” I said.

“There always is.” She said and Hunter looked over his shoulder.

“I knew she’d pick us over sleeping above a garage.” Hunter said and I folded my arms.

“I sleep above an excellent garage.” I said.

“Fair point.” He said and Jace laughed quietly beside me.

Later that evening, after everyone drifted off to their own rooms, the clubhouse became noticeably

quieter.

Jace and I sat together on the back porch with two mugs of tea while the night insects hummed softly beyond the fence line. Neither of us felt any pressure to fill the silence.

SAT

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