Page 74 of Ryder

“You think she’ll do that?” he asks. “It may be too soon to know. I don’t think Crystal is gonna know what she wants for a little while.”

I clear my throat. “We’ve talked.”

“What does that mean?”

“We… we love each other.”

He whacks me on the shoulder hard. “About fuckin’ time you admitted it, asswipe.”

I shove him back, grinning all the while. “It’s early days, but we’ve both been dancin’ around this for a while now. When she’s ready, I’m here for her.”

Bronco snorts. “You told her that?”

“If she doesn’t know that by now, we’re in deep trouble.”

My phone dings with a text and my eyebrows pinch together when I see it’s Crystal.

Crystal

Ryd, please come and rescue me. Mom and Dad won’t let me out of their sight, and Casey is no better. I need a break

Me

I think I kinda agree with your parents on this one, Sugar

Crystal

Please, Ryd, take me for a drive. Anything

Me

With broken bones? Yeah, I don’t think so

Crystal

I didn’t mean on the motorcycle

Me

Is your dad gonna punch me again?

Crystal

I think you’ve won him over

I guess I could take my truck…

Me

Are you sure you feel up to it?

Crystal

Yes! Please

Me

I’ll be there in twenty minutes

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