Page 7 of Ride or Die
As we’re standing there searching for Minx and Rivet, one of the bikers walks over to us. At least, I’m pretty sure he’s a biker. He has a cut on, but he is way too pretty to be a biker. He’s about 5’10”. I’m not sure what color hair he has because he’s wearing a hat, backward. It says Hollywood in old English letters. His eyes are blue, like the ocean. They remind me so much of Ryan’s. Only his have kind of a greenish-blue to them where Ryan’s are a deep blue. His eyes always reminded me of the color of the deep sea and there was always more to him than you could see on the surface. Shit, I do not need to be thinking about him right now.
“Well, hello, ladies,” he greets us with a sexy smirk. His eyes move down my body and back up again. Heat rises in my cheeks. It’s been a while since I’ve recognized a guy appreciate my appearance. It’s definitely a confidence booster. “I’ve never seen you ladies at a Menace party. You here with anyone?”
“We’re supposed to be meeting Minx and Rivet,” Emma tells him and his eyes move to her. I glance at his cut and confirm his name is Hollywood.
“Ah, gotcha. I heard Minx tellin’ her ol’ man she had friends coming. I’ll take you to her. Follow me.” Emma makes googly eyes, motioning toward Hollywood. I’m sure she saw him checking me out and she’ll probably try to get me to make a move on him.
“Eeeeeek! Y’all made it,” Minx screeches when she sees us. Her and Rivet give us each a hug. “Raze, babe, this is Cali and Emma. They work at A Novel Bunch. Well, Cali owns it.”
Raze lifts his chin at us in a greeting. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, you too,” I respond. I turn back to Minx. “So, who’s house is this? It looks nice.”
“It is nice. It’s Buster and Shade’s house. They’re part of the club, or more so an extension of the club. Them and two other guys don’t ride bikes, they’re street racers. We call them the Savage Riders,” Minx explains to me. Those names sound so familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve heard them from. Hollywood is standing a few feet away talking to Raze and another guy. Every once in a while, he steals a glance at me.
Minx nudges me with her elbow, causing me to jump. She chuckles. “He’s single in case you’re interested.”
“Oh, she’s interested,” Emma says, popping up on the other side of me. I roll my eyes at her. “She needs to get laid. Ask her how long it’s been since she got laid last.”
“Emma, would you leave it alone. I agreed to try dating. I’m not ready for sex,” I tell her, getting a little irritated.
“Bad break up?” Minx asks me.
“Something like that.” I don’t want to get into this here.
“I’m going to grab a drink. Would any of you ladies like something?” Hollywood asks all of us.
“I’ll take a beer,” Minx tells him.
“Make it two, please,” I respond.
“Me too!” Emma and Rivet say at the same time. Emma watches Hollywood walk away.
“You should hit that,” she says to me as soon as he’s out of earshot.
I laugh. “If you think he’s so hot, why don’t you?”
“Because it’s not me he’s interested in or I totally would.” She sighs.
“There are a lot of hot, single guys here, Em,” Rivet tells her. “One, if not more, will be interested in you, no doubt. The night is still young.”
“Oh, yes. I like the way you think!” Emma playfully bumps her hip against Rivet and they laugh.
“Come on, let’s go scope out the guys,” Rivet says as she links arms with Em and they walk away. I watch the guy standing next to Raze watch Rivet. He’s wearing an irritated expression.
“Who’s the guy standing next to Raze?” I whisper to Minx.
She rolls her eyes and says, “That’s Saint. He and Riv have a thing for each other, but neither will admit it or make the first move.”
My eyes move around at all the people. I didn’t want Ryan consuming my thoughts, but I can’t help it. It’s been years since he left, but it still hurts like it happened yesterday. The look on my face must give something away because when I turn back to Minx, she’s giving me a sympathetic look.
“Do you want to talk about whatever has you twisted up?” she asks me.
“I’ll bring y’all your drinks when Hollywood gets back if y’all want to go sit and talk,” Raze offers.
“Yeah, that would be nice,” I say, answering both of them. Minx leads me to an empty picnic table not too far from where the bonfire is set up. I glance around one more time like I’m expecting to see him, which would be impossible. I turn back to Minx and tell her about Ryan, finding her easy to open up to.
5
