Page 18 of Ride or Die
From Cali:I’m okay, thank you. Bakery will be closed for a while. My papa is taking care of it. In the meantime, Emma, Wren, and I will be staying with Minx.
To Cali:That’s good. I’m sorry about your bakery. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.
As soon as I send the text, Minx walks into the clubhouse. She walks toward me but Raze stops her about halfway. I take the time to head to my room to avoid talking to her, but not before grabbing the bottle of Jameson from behind the bar. I’m sure Cali has already told her everything and I’m not in the mood to talk about it again.
I lock my door so no one will try to come in. You can never be too sure with these fuckers. I turn the TV on and lounge back on my bed. I stare at the TV, but I’m not paying any attention to what’s on. Today went nothing like I expected. I want to drown my thoughts in Jameson. Tomorrow is a new day.
12
Cali
On topof dinner with Ryan being a complete fail, my bakery was shot at. It’s one thing after another and I’m not sure I can handle much more. I was talking on the phone with Minx when Emma called me to tell me what happened. Once I told Minx, she insisted the three of us come stay at her house. I had Yury follow us to our apartments to get clothes and to Minx’s house before relieving him for a few days. I told Papa about Minx’s father being the President of the Savage Menaces and how her house will have Menaces protecting it at all times. I’m pretty sure it’s the only reason he let me send Yury home. He didn’t give me details, but he said he would take care of my bakery.
When we got to Minx’s house, she set Emma and me up in her room and Wren in Rivet’s room.
“How did dinner with Buster go,” Minx asks me. We’re all sitting in her living room hanging out, trying to wind down. Emma and Wren’s eyes shoot to me.
“Not well,” I tell her. I let out a heavy sigh. “He apologized. He also told me he wants to make it up to me.”
“What did you say to that?”
“I told him I need time. This has all been a lot to take in. Yes, I still love him, but can I trust him again? Do I want to be with him again?” I didn’t mean to blurt all of that out. Minx is staring at me like she gets it.
“I may have only known him for a short time but I can guarantee he’s not the same guy he was before he moved to Arizona. If anything, the shit he saw me go through changed him. He’s been like a brother to Riv and I since we met him. If anything, get to know him again on a friendship level,” she tells me.
I nod. I should be able to do that.
“Alright, enough about Cali and Buster. Y’all should have seen the way Sketch was watching Wren,” Emma says enthusiastically. Wren’s face goes pink.
“What?” Minx shouts.
“I have a boyfriend, so I was trying to ignore him,” Wren says.
“Pshhhh! Flirting doesn’t hurt.” Rivet winks at her and Wren turns a deeper shade of pink. Minx rolls her eyes.
“Ignore her. Sketch will respect the fact you have a boyfriend, so don’t worry about that,” Minx assures her. “He’s a good guy.”
“I’m going to head to bed.” I yawn. “I’ll see y’all in the morning.”
We all say our goodnights. Minx leaves for the clubhouse as I walk up the stairs to go to bed. I check my phone and my heart skips a beat. I have a message from Ryan, asking how I’m doing. I text him back and he responds right away. Before I can send another reply, I fall asleep.
The next coupleof days are sluggish. Yesterday, we all chose to have a chill movie day. Minx came back after Raze left for work. Emma and I contacted all of our employees for the bakery and tell them what happened. Between insurance and Papa’s help, all of our employees will still get paid while we’re closed. All day my mind kept drifting to thoughts of Ryan. I would write out a text, only to erase it.
Right now, Wren, Emma, and I are sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Wren made us all breakfast this morning and it was fantastic. I stand, collecting everyone’s empty plates and taking them to the sink. I’m washing dishes as the front door opens. Not long after, Minx walks into the kitchen.
“Good morning, ladies! Where’s Rivet,” she asks.
“Ugh, I’m here.” Rivet groans as she walks into the kitchen. “Oh! Coffee!”
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” I laugh out. “There’s still some biscuits and gravy if either of you would like some before I put it up.”
“That sounds fantastic,” Rivet sighs. I’ve learned quickly Rivet is not a morning person by any means. She needs her coffee and food before anyone attempts to talk to her.
“Are you girls ready to have some fun tonight?” Minx sounds excited.
“What’s tonight?” I turn around to look at her while drying my hands with a tea towel.
“The Menaces are having a party tonight.”
