Page 14 of Ride or Die
A couple of hours later, I’m laying in my bed, watching some Adam Sandler movie on TV. My phone pings with a text message. Glancing at it, there’s a text from Cali.
From Cali:Wednesday works. Meet me at We Knead Pizza at 5:30 p.m. It’s right by A Novel Bunch.
To Cali:I’ll be there.
The next few days drag.There haven’t been any more sightings of the cartel, so they’re either laying low or were never here. My bet is on them laying low, waiting for us to let our guard down. Bull still doesn’t want us going anywhere alone. Which is how I ended up with Sketch tagging along tonight. He’s gonna hang out at the bakery while I have dinner with Cali.
I’ve had a couple of prospects keep an eye on the bakery the last few days to make sure the cartel wasn’t around. So far, so good. I recall Cali telling me her father is a powerful man. I met him a few times, but never long enough to get to know him. She also has two older brothers who check in with her quite a bit. They threatened me a few dozen times in junior high and high school. They’re protective, but good people. One thing I’ve always regretted was not getting to know her family more. Her dad traveled a lot. I had dinner with her and her mom a handful of times. That was always fun. Her mom always cooked amazing meals.
“Are you nervous about seeing her tonight?” Shade breaks me out of my thoughts.
“Nah, I’m good,” I say. Shade makes a noise that sounds like a cross between a scoff and a laugh. I shoot him a glare.
“Bro, it’s been five years. She’s gorgeousandshe runs her own business. Which means she’s gotta be smart. Too smart for your dumb ass,” he laughs out.
“Ha-ha, keep laughing, asshole. I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want anything to do with me. She’s too good for me.” I pause. She deserves more than I can ever give her. She always has. “I’m glad she’s giving me a chance to talk to her face to face. After tonight, the ball will be in her court.”
We don’t talk much after that. I finish working on this car, clean my workspace and leave for the clubhouse. I told Sketch I would meet him here and since I still have a room here, I can get cleaned up.
After I shower and get dressed, I head to the main room to find Sketch. As soon as I walk in, I want to walk right back out.
“Buster,” Lexus draws out, stalking toward me.
“Shit,” I mumble. “Not now, Lexus. I got somewhere to be.”
“Aw, baby, stay with me. I’ll make it worth it.” She slides her hands up my chest. I grab her wrists as she reaches my shoulders.
“I’m not interested,” I growl out, shoving her hands down. I storm out of the clubhouse, hoping Sketch is out here. Jackpot. He’s at the picnic table talking to Raze and Minx.
“What’s got your panties in a bunch?” Shade calls to me.
“Fucking Lexus, can’t take no for an answer.” Him and Raze both laugh, understanding how annoying that girl can be. Minx rolls her eyes. She does her best to ignore the cut bunnies.
“B, I heard you have a date tonight.” She’s eyeing me curiously.
“Yeah, Cali agreed to go to dinner with me.”
She jumps up, squealing and throws her arms around my neck, squeezing me in a hug.
“Fuck, Minx, calm down. It’s just dinner,” I tell her.
“Just dinner,” she mocks. “She told me what happened between y’all. If she agreed to dinner with you, that means something. I’m pretty sure she still has feelings for you.”
“I won’t get my hopes up,” I whisper. I hope that’s what it means. Minx gives me sad eyes.
“You ready?” Sketch stands from the table.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I respond. For the first time in a long time, my stomach twists with nerves. It rarely happens, but when it does, Cali is involved.
“Good luck, B.” Minx hugs me again before sitting back down with Raze, who gives a chin lift.
I jump in my car while Sketch climbs on his bike and we take off. I drum my thumb on the steering wheel the whole drive over, my nerves working in overtime. I arrive at the pizza shop five minutes early. Cali said it was right by her bakery and she wasn’t lying. It’s right across the street from it. I didn’t notice when I went to A Novel Bunch since I was so focused on seeing her. I watch in my side mirror as Sketch parks his bike in front of the bakery, and I head inside We Knead Pizza to grab a table. The entire time, I’m hoping I don’t look as anxious as I feel.
10
Cali
I’m supposedto meet with Ryan in ten minutes and I’m hiding in my office at the bakery. Yury is here and will be staying here while I go on my date. If I can even call it that. I’m not sure if this will be considered a date. I glance at the feed of the security cameras. One of the Savage Menaces parks his bike right in front of the shop. I leave the office and walk to the front of the shop. Wren and Emma make catcalls at me from behind the counter.
