Page 27 of Slow Ride

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Jordan sat in the car, unsure if he was actually going to get out.He looked over to the passenger seat and the pile of lilies, Wren’s favorite flower, tied with a purple ribbon.They smelled incredible, and still weren’t nearly as sweet as her when she wore the same scent.

Although he should have been up at the lake, figuring out a plan for his future, he hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that he should come visit her first.Then again, he always wanted to do that.However, he rarely had an excuse to be in her vicinity.

If this had only been about him, his desire to see her, and his need to make sure she was okay after he’d obviously interrupted her evening with Kason, he would have turned around and left.

But he owed her an apology.

For last night.And for how he had ended things with her.

Now that they had mutual friends, they kept running into each other.He hated that things were awkward because of the choices he’d made.If he’d at least been man enough to tell her their relationship was over instead of letting her figure it out on her own, maybe today she would be able to stand being in the same room as him.

Jordan needed her to know that he’d been the one with his head shoved up his ass.

Both times.

He’d already resolved to do better and make things right with her.Then he’d come around that corner the night before and seen her making out with Kason Cox, the man who’d practically undressed Jordan with his stare while singing a ballad about forbidden desires.It had implanted wicked thoughts in his mind.

The hopes and dreams he’d had for his future with Wren and Johnny had seemed within reach again in a single moment.Except for the fact that he’d already ruined his chances with Wren.It would serve him right if she ended up in a committed, healthy ménage without him that made her happier than he’d ever seen her before.

Jordan had pretty much thought himself out of climbing from the car when someone approached and rapped on the window, scaring the shit out of him.It wasn’t every day someone could sneak up on Jordan, a testament to how distracted his obsession with Wren had him.

“You gonna sit here all day and let those flowers wilt, or are you going to give them to Wren?”Quinn asked with a twisted grin.

“I’m calculating the odds of her appreciating them versus shoving them up my ass.”Jordan winced because it was true.

“Pretty likely she’ll opt for skewering you with them if what Devra told me about last night is true.Did you really march in there and bust up Wren’s first kiss with Kason?”

Jordan groaned.“I didn’t know it was their first kiss, and I didn’t mean to fuck it up either.I wasn’t thinking at all, honestly.”

“Dude.You’ll be lucky if she stops with the flowers and doesn’t put her boot up there, too.But you should definitely quit sitting here and make things right with her.I care about you both, and I hate to see you unhappy in general or with each other.”Quinn leaned down closer and said quietly, “You have the power to wreck her.I’ve seen it myself.She wouldn’t get so upset if she didn’t still care about you.Go.Talk to her.”

Jordan dropped his head back against the headrest then cursed.“You’re right.I will.Thanks.And when I’m done, I’m coming over to talk about motorcycles with you.I’ve been thinking I’d like to buy one and could use some suggestions.”

“That sounds awesome.”Quinn grinned.“A lot easier problem to fix.Trevon and I would love to hook you up.We owe you one.A really big one.”

“Nah.You took care of Wren like I asked.I say we’re even.”He grabbed the bouquet and got out of his car.

“Wren takes care of herself.I offered her a job because she’s the best damn welder in the state, not to keep a close eye on her for you, though we love having her as part of our family, too,” Quinn told Jordan.“Maybe that’s where you need to start changing your thinking if you’re going to come to peace.”

Jordan blinked a few times, really listening to what Quinn was saying.His friend had something Jordan didn’t—a thriving relationship involving three people.Maybe he should pay attention.“Okay, yeah.You’re probably right.For the record, I know she doesn’tneedhelp from anyone.That doesn’t mean I don’t want her to have it anyway.”

Quinn squeezed Jordan’s shoulder.“Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Jordan said as he headed for Wren’s house and Quinn went next door to his own.

Jordan cleared his throat and straightened his shirt before knocking on the door of the cute cottage Wren had moved into recently.Whether or not taking her under their wing had been the Hot Rides’ sole intent of bringing her onboard, they looked out for their own.Jordan felt better knowing she was living up here with Quinn, Trevon, Ollie, Gavyn, and the entire Hot Rods gang nearby.They were good people and they’d watch out for her, even if she was more than capable of handling herself.

He waited forever for her to answer.She didn’t.

So he knocked again.

Still no response.“Come on, Wren.I know you’re here.Let me in.There’s something I need to say to you, okay?”

Never one to hide, Wren rose to his challenge.She yanked open the door and glared at him.“What could you possibly have to say after last night?”She spread her legs, planting her feet wide apart as if she was wearing her work boots instead of colorful, striped fuzzy socks.Damn, she was gorgeous.

“I’m so sorry, Wren.”

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