Page 9 of Clashing
“Perfect.” I moved to snap different angles of the bike. I hadn’t decided exactly how I wanted it to look, but I had time. “Hold.”
The man’s patience unnerved me. Given most of my boyfriends lacked it, him possessing a quality I would’ve appreciated pre-trauma didn’t help theno menmantra I continued chanting. He waited while I took a dozen pictures, then moved the light again and waited through another dozen. By the time we were done, I was due at Dan’s. He’d get nervous if I didn’t walk in soon, and worse, this guy being decent wasn’t helping my resolve to remain celibate for life.Vibrator excluded, obviously.
“I got what I need, thanks.” I picked up the cover, and Ryker took the other end. Together, we re-covered Roxy. My phone vibrated. Dan was probably worried. Pulling out my phone, I then opened my messages.
Unknown:Can we talk?
My eyes widened. Was that—
Itcouldn’tbe. Well, it could. Todd had my number. Did he get a new number?Oh God.My chest tightened, and I rubbed it like that’d stop the muscles from tensing. I could barely breathe, and I hated it. He didn’t deserve to have this power over me, but it wasn’t necessarily him. It could be anyone. A wrong number, maybe.
“Hey, you all right?”
“What?” Breathless, I snapped my gaze up. That asshole made me anxious states away. This was exactly why I swore off men, and here I was, ogling a different one.
Ryker’s brows drew together. “You look like you saw a ghost.”
“No,” I squeaked and pocketed my phone. He narrowed his eyes. My stomach turned, and I forced a smile. “I’m running behind on when I told Dan I’d be back. He gets worried.”
“Right.” Ryker’s expression twisted in suspicion, but I held my ground. He nodded to the covered bike as he picked up his hunk of metal. “You ever ride?”
I snorted. “No. I don’t ride.”
His mouth tilted in a smirk. “Motorcycles, or anything?”
Heat flooded my face and chest.
He sniggered and turned for the door. “See you around, sugar.”
Chapter four
Sweet as Sugar
Scarlett
OnceIrecoveredfromRyker’s flirtatious comment, I hurried to the van. I parked in the alleyway, then collected my suitcase and the bag with my framed drawing. Entering through the back, I raced around the corner and found Dan typing into his register.
“Scar.” He tossed a rag over his flannel-covered shoulder. “My famous artist.”
I grinned. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“Don’t undervalue yourself.” He gave me a look before refocusing on his customer. “Take it easy.” He handed change to the customer, then gestured to the stool by the register. “Sit. We should celebrate. I’ll get you a drink. You hungry?”
“I’m starved.” I set my hand on my stomach. “But I need a shower. I’ll be fast. Then I’ll take you up on that drink, and I could use one of those really unhealthy burgers you make with all the cheese and bacon.”
Those burgers would probably cause my death, but I didn’t care. There was cheese and baconinsidethe burger as well as on top. A heart attack waiting to happen, but they tasted divine.
“Sounds good.” He nodded to the bag in my hands. “Hey, let me look at the last one you got.”
“Sure. Don’t get grease on it.” I handed it over. “I’ll be right back.”
Suitcase in tow, I hurried upstairs and showered fast at my rumbling stomach’s demand. After the shower, I put on the first things I found—some shorts, a V-neck, and sandals to avoid being barefoot.
In the kitchen, I plucked out a glass with intent to get water. However, when I turned the handle, an unusualhisscaught my attention. I frowned and opened the bottom cupboard. Sure enough, a leak in the pipe sprayed water at me. Sighing, I snatched a hair tie on my way out and bounded down the steps, throwing my curls up in a bun as I went.
“Dan, do you have tools I can borrow, or can you check out my kitchen sink?” I asked when I hit the last step.
“Sure, honey. What’s the problem?” He poured a glass of amber liquid and slid it across the counter.
