Page 22 of Riding Danger

Shiloh scrambled to pick up the tiles around her as she answered. “We were playing scrabble, hoping you would join us. But you startled me when you walked in so we’ll need to start again.”

While I understood her reasoning for upsetting the board, I couldn’t help but wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that she was losing. Damn, I should’ve challenged her to a game of Dirty Strip Scrabble.

No. No I shouldn’t have. I was here for Ethan. Not to start something with his mother.

“Hey, kiddo. Did you have a good day.”

His eyes darted between me and his mother. “Did you know that nearly the entire school knows that I am Ryder Hawkins’ child?”

My heart sank. I didn’t want him to be the object of gossip, ever. But especially while he was still struggling with the truth.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

He shook his head. “It’s fine. I just thought I would have a chance to tell my friends. But they knew when we got to school this morning. Also, at recess, this bunch of girls wanted to hang out with me and my friends and I think it's because they want your autograph. I don’t have to hand those out, do I?”

“No. Of course not.” I stood and walked over to him, taking his backpack from him and placing it on the table I saw him do his homework at the night before. “And even if you were okay with that, I wouldn’t be. Your friends should be your friends because you’re awesome. Not because your father is famous.”

He narrowed his eyes again, a playful smile teasing his lips. “Even if Lori Titus wants your autograph?”

Shiloh stood, hands on hips. “Especially then.”

I didn't think I’d heard her mom-voice until then. I had to admit it was pretty impressive. Ethan’s shoulders sank and he rolled his eyes.

“Who’s Lori Titus?” I wasn’t sure I liked being in the dark about something Shiloh felt so strongly about

“A maneater in a nine-year-old's body.”

It was my turn to stifle a smile. “Really. And you’re not being just a bit dramatic?”

“Mom is being dramatic. Lori’s my friend.” Ethan started walking to his bedroom. “I’m going to get changed then I’ll come kick your butts at scrabble.”

“I take it Lori Titus is a crush.”

“She’s really sweet, actually. But yeah, I think he has a crush.”

10

SHILOH

It was no secret I loved routine. It had been two weeks since Ryder strolled into town. Two weeks of him doing exactly as I asked. Two weeks of doing things my way. Thankfully, I hadn’t needed to work another night shift but I did have some overtime. The man never hesitated. He called Tess and asked if he could join Ethan for dinner. I felt like such a jerk for denying him but I needed to trust. And what if he didn’t do things exactly as I wanted them.

Would it be the end of the world? Probably not. Still, I insisted and he played along so I could focus on my job.

Until today, that was. Ethan had the day off school because of a teacher’s conference and of course, I couldn’t swap with anyone. And, while Tess was more than willing to watch Ethan if needed, Ryder had insisted that Ethan spend the day with him. Not only that, but Tess had agreed with him.

Neither of them understood how nervous that made me. Well, that wasn’t true. They did understand, neither of them cared. Okay, that was another lie. They did care. They more than cared. They just believed it was time I got over myself.

What did that even mean? How did one even get over themselves? My self needed order. I needed to know what was happening.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I walked through the house in my white T-shirt and regulation pants while shoving my protective vest around my body. Before I could get to the door, Ethan was already opening it.

I glared at my son. “What did I say about opening the door without checking first?”

“But Mom, I did check.” He rolls his eyes at me. “I saw Dad pull up and walk to the door.”

Both Ryder and I froze. For the past two weeks, Ethan had been calling him either by his first name or, if he could get away with it, nothing at all. Both of us let the accidental impoliteness slip since we knew Ethan needed to figure out the dynamic for himself.

Ryder’s eyes glossed over as he swallowed. “That’s right. Besides, he and I have a secret knock. He would’ve known if it’s not me.”

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