Page 2 of Ryder

“It’s a good job you’ve taught Harlee well, and that she recognises what she can and can’t have. Honestly, I don’t know what you ever saw in the creep.” Mya shudders for added effect.

“Excuse me, I believe it was you that said he was fit and that I should go over and talk to him!” I remind her.

“Well he looked like Alexander Skarsgárd, I thought he’d be cute like Eric in True Blood, but then you got to know him and I realised he was more like Perry Wright from Big Little Lies, and suddenly, he was less attractive.” I laugh again at her comparison between a Vampire and a psychotic wife beater. Unfortunately, the second was much more accurate. When I first saw Finn, I’d convinced myself it was love at first sight. I’d been out celebrating my twentieth birthday with friends and Mya had dragged me over to where Finn was sat in the VIP area of the night club. We’d hit it off instantly, and after that I’d been swept off my feet. I saw the constant calls and text messages as him showing his love because he was so genuine each time he asked where I was and if I was okay, or what time I’d be home.

My friends thought it was cute that he worried. Alarm bells didn’t really ring until my wedding night. Finn had kept up a good act for almost a year. Once we married on my twenty-first birthday, he’d shown his true colours by forcing himself on me. Turned out that Finn liked to be fought off during sex. The fighting and the forceful sex happened a lot, and then I fell pregnant at twenty-two, which pissed Finn off. He couldn’t push me about while I was carrying his child, and so he looked elsewhere.

The marriage finally came to an end when Harlee was born. Finn decided that he no longer loved me and preferred the single life. I wasn’t heartbroken; I was relieved. I’d been wanting to get away since the day I’d found out I was pregnant. I didn’t want a child around our volatile relationship, but I knew I’d never be able to leave him through my own choice, because he wouldn’t let me, everything must be on his terms. When he announced his decision, I played the heart broken wife, but inside I’d been so God damn relieved.

“Earth to Neve,” Mya says, waving her hand in front of my face. “I said, what the hell is all that noise?”

I hear the rumblings of motorcycles and sigh, “That Mya, is my new neighbour and his friends.” Mya dives up from her seat and races to the window in the living room. She carefully parts the blinds so she could peek outside. I told Mya all about the sexy biker next door after he moved in, and she’d practically begged me to introduce them, to which I refused. She might be tired of being single, but I refuse to set her up with a biker.

“Let me take the rubbish out or something,” whispers Mya.

“Are you serious?” I laugh, shaking my head.

“Yes,” hisses Mya, “Get me the rubbish bag, quickly, I need an excuse for a closer look.” I smirk as Mya ties her T-Shirt up over her navel to show off her flat stomach. She tousles her shoulder length blond hair and wipes her fingers underneath her eyes to remove any stray eyeliner. I hand her the waste-bag and follow her to the door. I have to witness this so I can tease her for the rest of the night.

Peeking through the small glass window in my door, I watch the three bikers turn their heads as Mya makes her way down the path towards the outdoor bin. She pays them no attention as she sways her arse. And as she walks back towards the house, she yelps and then hops, gripping one foot in her hand. One of the biker’s races over to her, showing concern as he checks her foot. Mya looks up towards me, knowing I’m watching, and she winks as she holds on to the biker’s shoulder.

I open my door, “Oh Mya, did you hurt your foot on those invisible stones that cover my path?” I ask sarcastically. Mya scowls and the biker laughs, standing up straight.

“Siren, come and meet my brother’s,” shouts Griffin, from his garden.

“No,” I shout back, “Get in here, you fraudster,” I add to Mya.

“Oh, so you’re Siren,” smirks the biker that Mya is still clinging to. He lets his eyes run down my body.

“No, I’m Neve,” I say firmly.

“I’m Knox. Come and meet the guys, we’re having a housewarming for Griff. Come and have a drink.”

“No, I’m good. Thanks anyway.”

“Neve,” hisses Mya, “Don’t be rude. Let’s go and meet your new neighbour.”

“You do remember what happened the last time you introduced me to someone right?” I remind her.

“Get over it, you got a gorgeous daughter out of it,” smiles Mya, hooking arms with the biker and letting him lead her over towards my new neighbour. I sigh and glance down at my shorts and vest. It isn’t party attire and I really do want an early night, but I don’t want to leave Mya with a bunch of strangers.

Chapter Two

Neve

By the time I reach Griffin’s garden, which is now filled with bikers and the odd female companion, Mya is nowhere to be seen. I contemplate going back home. She’s obviously occupied, but then if something bad happened to her, I’d feel awful.

“Siren you came,” says Griffin, approaching me with open arms and that wide smile that tells me he’s full of fun and cheek.

“My friend left me no choice, did you see where she went?” I ask, glancing around.

“She’ll be off somewhere with Knox. Don’t worry, he’ll take good care of her and return her in almost new condition,” he says with a wink. He passes me a bottle of beer, twisting the cap off in front of me, “Opened in front of you so you know I’m not a date rape kind of guy.”

“You know, you just saying that makes you creepy,” I point out, taking the beer.

“You need to chill a little Siren, you’re so uptight and snappy all of the time, anyone ever tell you that?” asks Griffin, drinking back his own beer.

I keep a neutral expression on my face. I’ve been told that a lot, and I hate that it bothers me so much. I can’t help but be guarded, the last time I let my hair down, I fell in love with a sadist. But I wasn’t always this way, I used to be carefree and relaxed around everyone. I was the type of girl to chat to anyone and make everyone feel welcome. I watch Griffin walk off towards a group of women, and I suddenly feel alone and like a total bitch. Griffin is always nice to me, and yet I’m so rude back.

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