Page 93 of Ryder

I ruffle his hair and plant a kiss on his head as I pull the comforter up so I can slide out without waking anyone.

I run the shower. Last night, Ryder lived up to his promises, waking me up at some ungodly hour to have his way with me. It’s been years since we’ve had that much sex in one night. I wash my hair and body, taking my time with the razor until the bathroom is steamed up to perfection.

I love this time of the morning when everyone is still asleep and I can get things done. Like showering. I smile as I dry myself and slather on my favorite peppermint body lotion. They’re all in the same position I left them in as I head downstairs to start some laundry, stopping by Aidan’s room on the way to grab his hamper.

I brew some coffee, pop a bagel into the toaster, and mentally plan out what I need to get done today. Aidan’s weekend bag to start with. It’s short notice, but I know Indi or Jas, and Audrina will be more than happy to have Aidan. They have kids and Audrina is like the unsung grandma of the MC ol’ ladies, and they adore Ade. As much as he is a handful, he’s five, and utterly adorable. Though, I am a little biased about that fact.

By the time the boys wake up, I’ve prepared everything Aidan needs, as well as cooked breakfast, and put the laundry in the dryer. I also texted Indigo as my first port of call. She and Harlem are happy to have Aidan, and her youngest, Cami, loves Ade to bits.

Aidan comes running down, still in his pajamas. “Mommy!” He runs toward me, hugging my legs when he reaches me. I scoop him up, praying it’ll always be like this, even when he’s older. I dread the day he’s a teenager and won’t want to know me anymore.

“Hey sweetie, did you have a good sleep?”

He nods.

“Did you pee already?” He has a little step and is quite the independent little man.

“Yep! Can I watch cartoons?”

“After your breakfast, then after that, guess what?”

His eyes grow wide in anticipation. “What, Mommy?”

“We’re going to see Aunty Indi and Uncle Harlem, and Cami.” I beam. “And if you’re really good, they might let you sleep over while Mommy and Daddy are out of town.”

He claps his little hands together, jumping up and down. “Will Indi?—”

“Aunty Indi,” I correct.

“Will Aunty Indi have a chocolate donut?” Indigo runs and owns the NOLA Sweet Treats bakery.

“I think if you’re a good boy then Aunty Indi might let you have a chocolate donut.”

He does another little happy dance before running off to tell Ryder, who hasn’t emerged from the bedroom yet.

I know the next few days will be hard on Ryder, no matter what he says. He has unresolved issues with his mom, and to top things off, now Stu is sniffing around. I seriously doubt his stepbrother has changed his ways, and I think he’s only reaching out for the money, but Ryder isn’t stupid. He can handle it. He’ll always have my support no matter what, but it sure is going to be weird being back in Greenlark. I can’t say I miss the place.

When Mom and Dad moved to the city, I was grateful for their help, and I can’t say I wasn’t unhappy they’d left our childhood home behind. I hadn’t had a horrible childhood, far from it, but that house just held memories of a time when none of us were the people we are now. All I think about when I go back to that place is Ryder and the night my dad punched him.

I jump as hands circle around my waist and Ryder snuggles into my neck. “Mornin’ Sugar.”

I smile. “Morning yourself.” Aidan comes barreling past with an action figure in one hand and a monster truck in the other. He’s makingvroom-vroomnoises while Milo runs in the other direction. My poor baby. It took forever to get the pink out of her fur, even now she has a faint dusting of pink down her spine and up her tail that won’t come out.

“You know he doesn’t get that wild streak from me,” Ryder mutters, still holding me.

“No?” I muse. “Where does he get it from then?”

“Do I need to remind you?” He bucks his hips into mine and I can feel how hard he is.

I bite my bottom lip, sticking my ass out just a little. “Ryder.”

He chuckles against my skin. “Probably a good thing we’re having a few days away.”

I turn to face him. “Ryder,” I whisper-shout. “We’re going to your mother’s funeral.”

“Yeah, and?”

I sigh. “It’s okay to talk about it.”

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