Page 9 of Riding Danger

“I will accommodate you and your mom.” He looked at me.

Ethan went back to his friends but Ryder never left my side. We both listened as Everly explained the process behind creating an album.

What could we say? We’d both made revelations. And, as much as we wanted to deny things, we both knew our worlds had changed in the space of a morning.

Ryder bent down, his mouth to my ear. I closed my eyes as tingles ran up my spine. “Everything will work out, Shiloh.”

4

RYDER

“What do you mean she would’ve ruined my career?” I had been on the phone with Terrence for less than two minutes and already the rage was more than I could handle. “That’s my kid. He trumps my career. He trumps every fucking thing. Which part of that do you not understand?”

My face heated and I had no doubt that a quick glance in the mirror would reveal red cheeks and crazy eyes.

I paced the length of my bedroom at The Haven. Any semblance of calm I had, left as soon as I watched Shiloh, Ethan, and the rest of his classmates, disappear into the yellow school bus.

Terrence let out a long sigh. “Ryder, you have no idea how often this sort of thing happens in our industry. A groupie sleeps with a band member just so she can trap him into marriage.”

I paused my pacing. “I tell you what. Just stop talking.” Terrence was lucky we were not meeting face-to-face. The man would’ve been missing some teeth if we were. “As of this moment, you are no longer my manager. You do not do anythingon my behalf. My lawyer will have a letter drawn up by the close of business and he will hand deliver it to your home.”

I had no idea if that could even happen. Terrence had managed all my affairs including a lot of correspondence with my lawyer. But that did not make me ignorant. I’d already made plans to ensure Ethan would be well taken care of from here on out. I needed to talk to Shi about back pay in child support. I was expecting an argument there but I had a solution for that as well.

I had spent most of the time since I arrived back at the B&B on the phone. My lawyer was the first person I called. Then Layla and Everly since I knew I would need another manager. I spoke to my agent and my publicist. I wasn’t about to hide the fact I had a kid, but I also didn’t want him as the object of media speculation. The last person I called was Terrence. A part of me had still hoped there was some kind of explainable misunderstanding. Terrence knew how I grew up. He knew I would never abandon my kid.

Terrence still thought he stood a chance. “Ryder, I think you’re making a terrible mistake. Have you even considered taking a DNA test?”

“Whether or not I’m making a mistake is no longer your concern.” I inhaled deeply. The last thing I wanted was to lose my temper with the douche. “And that was the last time you imply that Shiloh was less than honest. You are the asshole in this scenario. If I even hear a rumor that you said a bad word about her, you will not work in the industry again.”

Again, I wasn’t sure if that was true but, on neither count, had Terrence corrected me. Instead of listening to more of his bullshit, I ended the call and attempted to put the asshole out of my mind.

After a late lunch, I lost myself going through the footage we’d gotten from the kids recording our session. It was safe to say none of them were likely to make a career out ofcinematography but I did manage to get some decent stuff for almost the entire song. If needed, I could always ask someone to film us a second time.

Once I sorted the raw footage into what we could use and what had to be deleted, I made sure the kids were out of the frame at all times.

My alarm beeped, indicating that I need to make my way over to Shiloh’s house soon. If I didn’t set alarms for everything, I would never be on time for anything. In fact, it wasn’t even guaranteed I would show up at all without some sort of reminder. Preferably a noisy one.

It was only as I stepped out of the shower and wondered what to wear, that I realized I was nervous. Not in the sweaty palms, racing heart, kind of way. But rather, I was concerned that my son wouldn’t like me. I mean, it stood to reason, that if his mother explained things to him, he would be resentful toward his father. Maybe he even hated that man.

Fuck.Now I was talking about myself in the third person. Without giving it too much thought, I changed out of my sweats and pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a grey long sleeve T-shirt with buttons at the neckline.

I grabbed my keys and phone and made my way downstairs. From what I understood, the B&B had been around since before I was born and had always been a refuge for veterans with PTSD. The building was well maintained but there were signs of age. The stairs creaked in a way that reminded one of a dark and dingy haunted house. The pastel colors and floral decor mitigated that somewhat, though.

I’d hoped to make a quick exit without anyone noticing me. But no.

Jason stood at the bottom of the stairs. Arms folded as he leaned against the manager’s desk. Technically, there was noreason for him to be staying at the B&B. Both his parents lived in town.

I smiled knowing he was avoiding some family shit. “Shouldn’t you be staying with one of your parents.”

My friend rolled his eyes and stepped closer to me. “You know what’s worse than needing to choose which parent you’re staying with for the weekend?”

Jason’s parents were divorced. But it was one of those healthy arrangements where they loved their kid and had prioritized him. He complained, but I could tell he loved spending time with both of them.

“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

“Making that decision, and then walking into the house to surprise my mom, then finding my dad with his head between her thighs. On the kitchen counter.” Jason was justifiably outraged. “I mean, come on. Now they’re just heating my therapist’s pool.”

I let out a laugh. “Maybe if you let them know you were coming to town things like that are less likely to happen.”

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