Page 19 of I Did Before I Do

Kenzie and Lora looked at each other, shaking their heads.

“Why?” Kenzie asked.

“Well, he seems to know an awful lot about law. But not like he’s a criminal. Like he’s studied it.”

Lora shrugged. “Some people have weird hobbies.”

Kenzie nodded in agreement. “I mean, as far as I know, all of the guys at No Regrets either went to art school or jumped straight into their apprenticeships. I don’t think any of them actually went to college.”

Weird. Maybe, if I saw Ryker again, I’d ask him about it.

Kenzie waved her hand suddenly, like she remembered something important. “He definitely didn’t go to college. He had this girlfriend, he only ever called her Bay. They broke up when she left for college.”

Interesting. I nodded, taking another sip. My glass was empty, so I put it down. “Well, good to know. I’m gonna go grab another round. And when I get back, let’s talk about something fun?”

Lora smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

I slid out of the booth, going up to the bar. Ryker was definitely a mystery, and one I couldn’t stop thinking about. I’d have to find an excuse to talk to him, figure out what his deal was, and how to get him off my mind before I made a really, really bad decision.

Chapter Eight

Ryker

The shop had closed on time, but everybody else seemed to have plans.

That was fine. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time hanging out with just Benny.

I understood; he was the one who handled most of the business stuff, especially now that Bradley was spending a lot of time with his lady. Benny stayed after-hours more, and he wasn’t quite as wild as the rest of us.

Not that he was boring or anything. We always had a good time talking when we hung out.

But tonight, I wasn’t here for a good time.

“Benny, c’mon.” I leaned against the bar, one elbow resting on it, the other hand holding my bottle of beer. “If something’s going on with the shop, I need to know.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about.” Benny just sounded tired.

I was tired, too. Tired of him keeping this close to his chest.

“Look, man, if I’m gonna be out of a job soon…”

“You’re not. Not unless you keep getting on my damn nerves.” Benny shook his head, running a hand through his long hair. “Everything’s fine. Okay?”

I frowned, taking a long drink of my beer. I didn’t look away from him.

I had to figure out how to make him crack. “Benny, come on.”

“Shut up. Let’s just have a beer and chill. Okay?”

Fine.

I quieted, taking another drink of my beer.

Benny took a sip from his bottle. He lowered it to the counter and sighed. “So… you remember Bryn?”

Of course, I remembered her. Traitorous bitch. “Yeah. What about her?”

Benny shrugged. “Well, she opened her own shop. Skin Buzz.”

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