Page 10 of Ryder

Where the fuck are the bouncers? It’s typical in big, obnoxious places like this that all the security is out front where the lines are, but nobody seems to be monitoring what’s going on inside.

One of the dudes tries to pull the girl off the table, but she stumbles and almost falls. Two of her friends try to shoo him away, but he and three of his buddies lurk, trying to talk to the others around the table, even though it’s clear they don’t want them there.

Here I was thinking we’d be having a couple of drinks, maybe find a chick to make me forget about all the shit I’ve got going on, and keep my ass outta jail. The Jungle has other plans.

“Why do we always show up when trouble’s brewin’?” I complain.

Bronco frowns. “Think we should step in?”

I glance at the dudes. They’re college looking frat boys, and we could take them. It might be a sure-fire way to get kicked out and get the fuck outta here, so maybe it’s not such a bad idea.

“That’s the best suggestion I’ve heard you come up with all night.” I crack my knuckles. I’m a brawler by nature, but only when provoked.

Thanks to my deadbeat stepdad, I learned how to fight early on. Unfortunately, I only used my fists on him when I’d had enough of his shit, and I was bigger than him by then. Damn asshole nearly knocked my head clean off my shoulders. I was just a kid, but he didn’t give a fuck. My stepbrother didn’t fare much better, but he always blamed me for his dad’s drunken rages. It had nothing to do with the fact the man was a raging alcoholic when my mom met him.

I rip the pineapple and the umbrella from my drink, ditch the straw, and down the god-awful concoction. A shot would be better, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Bronco’s right by my side as we approach. “I think the ladies are sayin’ no, asswipe.” I tap one of the dudes on the shoulder. I’m broader than him, and taller, so there’s that.

He turns around, sizes me and Bronco up and waves his hands. “We don’t want any trouble. We’re just talking to the ladies here.”

“Looks like they don’t want your attention. Beat it.”

“Fuck you!” His friend smirks, coming to stand next to him.

“You don’t want any trouble?” I shove his asshole friend in the chest. “Get your buddy off the fuckin’ table. Only gonna say it once.”

I glance up, and asshole number one is still groping the girl while she tries to push him off. Her friends are all frantic as the other guys, who don’t see us approaching, standing there laughing.

“Allow me.” Bronco moves fast, grabbing the dude by the ankle, yanking him so he crashes onto the table. Drinks ultimately fly everywhere and everyone shrieks.

Fucking great. A brawl it is. He’s a pussy, rolling around holding his head with a piece of glass stuck in his cheek. That’s gotta hurt like a bitch, but still. Man up.

I roll my eyes, turn to the smartass and punch him in the face. Bronco takes out the other guy who turns and lunges toward us — he goes down fast. When the fourth frat boy sees his friends in a heap on the floor, he turns and runs in the other direction. So much for loyalty.

The girls look shaken up; some of them give us grateful but wary glances.

“Sorry about that.” I lean down and wipe my hand on one of the loser's jackets. Looks like I busted his nose. “Some assholes don’t know when to quit.”

“Oh, my God!” The girl on the table, who Bronco is now helping to the floor, cries. “That was insane. These guys just wouldn’t stop harassing us.”

“Might wanna rethink the tabletop dance.” Bronco smirks. “Some dudes take that as an invitation to do whatever they want.”

She gives him a cute smile, clearly grateful and my eyes flick to the other girls. One of them, the girl with the angel wings, is staring at me. I meet her gaze, and for a second I don’t register. For a moment more, she seems familiar… I narrow my eyes, cocking my head to the side…

“Holy shit, Ryder?” It sounds like Crystal, but it sure as fuck doesn’t look like Crystal.

All the memories come flooding back, including that night on the couch.

“Crys?”

A big, wide smile erupts on her gorgeous face. Well, I’ll be damned.

“Ryder!” She flings herself into my arms, and I’m enveloped with a sweet scent, like marshmallows, that I remember like it was yesterday. “OMG, how are you? What the hell are you doing here?”

I pull back, searching her face for the girl I used to know. She’s been replaced by a woman. Her bright, blue eyes are framed with perfect brows and full lips. I dip my gaze, taking her in. She’s wearing a shorter-than-fuck mini skirt and a tank that leaves nothing to the imagination, her belly ring on full display. She also has a full sleeve of tattoos, and if she isn’t the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen then I’ll eat my hat. Holy shit. She really did grow up.

“I’m doin’ alright. Drinkin’ cocktails with fruit in ’em because apparently this is the club to be seen in.” I grin. “What are you doin’ here?”

---