Page 71 of When We Were Reckless
“We’re a different story. Like I said, Ridge and I are just a summer fling. When the summer’s over, so are we.”
“You’re going to break his heart. You do know that, right?”
“He’s not in love with me, Quinn. Guys like Ridge love the thrill of the chase. Once he thinks he’s caught me, he won’t be interested anymore.”
She was wrong. I didn’t believe that for a minute. But I let it go. For now.
It was only the middle of July. We still had the rest of this month and most of August. Anything could happen in six weeks, and I was counting on Ridge to prove her wrong.
But I had to admit she gave good advice. I’d take what I wanted, and then I’d leave.
Later that afternoon, when I walked into the brewing company, I was feeling like a badass. Ready to put my plan into action.
“Where’s Jesse?” I asked Mason about two hours into my shift, trying to act all cool and casual like I wasn’t disappointed that I’d been hyping myself up all afternoon, and he wasn’t even here.
Mason set two pilsners and two lagers on the bar in front of me. I transferred them to my tray and waited for his answer. “He said something about a family dinner.”
I let out a breath of relief. Okay, I could work with that. At least he wasn’t on a date.
I’d just have to go and see him tonight after work before I lost my nerve.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jesse
I tookoff my motorcycle jacket and cuffed the sleeves of my button-down. Grabbing my helmet, I strode to the front door of the modern timber and glass restaurant.
“Good evening, sir,” the hostess greeted me when I stepped inside. “Are you here for the bar or dinner?”
“Dinner. The reservation is under McCallister.” My gaze roamed around the restaurant with timber-clad walls, soaring ceilings, and a wall of metal-framed glass doors that opened onto a deck. More upscale than the places my family usually frequented.
That should have been my first clue that something was off about this dinner.
She checked her tablet and gave me a big smile. “Your party is waiting for you. Right this way.”
I followed her outside to a deck overlooking the rolling hills, an awning shading it from the evening sun, and to a table at the far end, slightly separate from the other diners. Most likely, they’d made special arrangements for Shiloh, who got mobbed by fans wherever she went.
Jude and Brody had claimed the two heads of the table—typical—and Shiloh and Lila were seated next to each other. Across from them sat a brunette who appeared to be in her mid-twenties.
Oh, hell no.
The rest of my family was notably absent.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that I’d been played.
Guess I should have questioned Lila’s motives for arranging a ‘family dinner’ on a Friday night. She claimed they’d barely spent any time with me this summer, and they missed me. I’d been showing up for the family Sunday dinners, so that wasn’t entirely accurate.
Even my mom had called earlier to make sure I would be here tonight. She had an ulterior motive—to keep me in Texas. She’d also taken it upon herself to make sure a family member was watching over me at all times while I practiced my jumps. “Just in case someone has to call an ambulance.”
If that didn’t instill confidence in me, I didn’t know what would.
I should have never told her about my conversation with Colby Deegan. She’d pursed her lips and remained silent. I knew she wasn’t thrilled about my plans, but she’d have to learn to deal with it. After my crash last summer, she’d begged me to give up motocross. I’d tried to explain to her that it was more than just a sport for me. More than just my livelihood.
It’s who I am. And now that I had another shot at pursuing my dreams, I sure as hell wasn’t going to give it up. And do what? Serve beer? Play it safe? Not happening.
“Hi, Jesse.” Lila gave me a big smile, the picture of innocence.
Shiloh bit her lip, trying to contain her amusement. I shot Jude and Brody a look. They both held up their hands as if to say they had nothing to do with this.
