Page 64 of All The Happily Ever Afters

BAD BOY NEXT DOOR

RYKER

My chopper slows, and I plant my foot down in the gravel. The crunch of my boot and the October breeze blowing against my face make me grin.

I’m a good distance away from the address the boys gave me, and I take a hard look at it.

This place is fucking insane. It’s not a house. It’s a mansion. The corner of my lips kick up into a grin. This is gonna be one hell of a party.

I’ve got this damn coat on for this party, but it’s a bit too hot for it. I didn’t have anything else to wear for the Halloween party. I’m not one for dressing up in costume, but I’m not gonna ruin the vibe of the party either. So this jacket means I’m a hunter. That’s as dressed up as I’m getting.

I wasn’t gonna come even though the boys all invited me. But then I heard Catherine was gonna be there. It’s a college party, although it’s at some mansion owned by two professors that are brothers. I wasn't invited by the professors directly, so I guess technically I'm crashing the party.

And I haven’t laid eyes on Catherine since I took off. I moved out two years ago and never looked back. Leaving myshit parents behind and getting my life on track is exactly what I needed to do.

I huff a laugh as I kick my bike back to life and feel the vibrations under my ass. They made sure I knew I was nothing but trouble growing up. And that’s exactly what I am, but I’ll keep it to myself.

I’ve got a business to run now, and clients that fucking love my choppers. My parents can get fucked for all I care. I’ve moved on and accepted we’ll never see eye to eye.

But that’s not the part that sucked when I left.

It was not having my eyes on the good girl next door anymore. Catherine Parker. She’s two years younger than me, and I never thought much of her as we grew up together, to be honest. Then one day, shortly after she turned seventeen, something shifted inside of me.

Suddenly she had curves where she didn’t before. Her tank top would ride up, and the only thing I wanted to do was pull it off and get a better look at her sun-kissed bare skin. I was nineteen though, so I kept my distance.

I’d also just gotten my job at the mechanic shop and started realizing what real life was, and how abusive my parents truly were. I wanted to get out, but I can’t deny that knowing she was right next door kept me there longer than it should have.

The day I left she was outside on her porch as I grabbed the two boxes of stuff I owned and put them in the back of my buddy’s car.

That was two years ago, and I didn’t take the chance to make her mine. I should have, but she wasn’t even eighteen yet. And I was almost twenty. Besides, I was no good for her. I truly believed that back then. I wanted to ravage her, ruin her for any other man. I wanted to make her mine.

I’d never felt that way before, and that fear of wanting to completely dominate her and own her kept me from taking herright then. I didn’t want to destroy her. I didn’t wanna bring her down to my level.

Times have changed though, and I wanna get a good look at Catherine now.

Jake and Levi know her from classes at the university. I’m making their custom bikes, and I happened to overhear her name. I know I’m not one of them. Shit, they’re jocks, and I’m a mechanic. But we share the love of bikes and that gives them a good name in my book.

The wrench slipped right out of my hand as her name rolled off his lips. I’ve been working on bikes for nearly six years; it’s what kept me out of trouble all those years ago. But hearing her name got me so worked up, I couldn’t remember how to do a damn thing. Lucky for him she was just his study partner. If her name had been dropped in any other way… I’m not sure what I would’ve done.

Being reminded of her brought back all those memories. It brought back a sense of regret. But everything happens for a reason. I hadn't wanted to leave the way I did, but I had to get away from my parents. And now I’m a better man. I still wanna ruin her though. That shit hasn’t changed.

Hearing her name made me work a little faster to get those bikes done and keep in touch with them.

They said she’d be here. I wasn’t too subtle about asking how she’s doing. I’m sure they know what’s up, but that’s good, because I want everyone to know.

I’m known for getting what I want even if I have to destroy everything in my path to get it. And I want her. I’ve waited too damn long.

I park my bike and stride toward the mansion with purpose. Tonight she’s getting a taste of the bad boy next door.

CATHERINE

Itake another sip of champagne and lean against the wall of the dimly lit dining room. The music of the party is pumping, and the bass is making the walls vibrate slightly. I didn't have much to eat before I started drinking, and now I'm starting to get a buzz. I should be alright though. I had some of those pumpkin pie bites when I came in here.

I look over my shoulder to the foyer. I’m waiting. I’ve been waiting and staring at those damn doors ever since I got here. I feel slightly sick to my stomach with nerves. Maybe this buzz isn’t from the alcohol at all.

I should be studying for my calculus test. I shouldn’t even be at this party. But I had to know if he was really going to come.

I heard Ryker’s going to be here.

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