AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I was happy to see his and Bobby Jay’s vehicles were both there when I arrived. I would hope so—it was already past eight and it was Ryder’s birthday, after all. Not like he ever made a big deal out of it. All he ever wanted was a simple dinner at home with his family and the cake I carried. He didn’t even like me to buy him anything. Of course, I always did. The last birthday of his we were together I bought him a new motorcycle helmet. Little did I know he wouldn’t need it for all that long. Such tender but guilt-ridden feelings surrounded him selling his motorcycle to purchase my engagement ring. I’m sure he had cursed me over it a time or two. Maybe he still did.
I carefully held the cake in one hand while I knocked on their door. I didn’t even think about it this time like before when I brought the biscuits. I knew what I wanted, and I was going for it. It didn’t take long for the door to swing open. There Bobby Jay stood shaking his head and grinning from ear to ear at me. It was still weird for me to see him all dressed up in business attire. He looked so grown up, which sounded silly, considering he was older than me.
“Ryder,” Bobby Jay yelled, “you have a special delivery.” Bobby Jay waved me in with a wink.
I stepped into the bachelor pad. One thing that hadn’t changed was that these boys were messy. Pizza boxes and beer cans littered the coffee table and the kitchen counters. It made me glad to see the mess. It gave me hope that not everything had changed. I hoped that included Ryder’s love for me. Surely he could find it again.
Ryder walked out from the back loosening his tie as he went. Though I missed the blue jeans and T-shirt, there was something to be said about the sex appeal that oozed off the dressed-up version of him.
“What are you hollering—” Ryder caught sight of me and stopped mid-sentence. “Shelby.” He rubbed his neck.
I held up the cake. “Happy birthday. Your momma gave me her recipe.”
His eyes widened. I was surprised too. She guarded that recipe like she would a child.
Bobby Jay looked between the two of us. “I think I’m going to change.”
I gave Bobby Jay a grateful smile before he headed Ryder’s way. Bobby Jay punched Ryder’s shoulder as he walked past him. “Don’t be a prick.”
Ryder scowled at him before he braved approaching me. “Momma said you had talked, but she didn’t mention the cake.”
I wondered what she had mentioned, but I didn’t ask. Instead, I held up the cake and handed it to him. “She wanted to make sure you were taken care of, and I don’t think she trusted Bobby Jay’s abilities.”
Ryder cracked a smile before relieving me of his cake. “Seeing as all he knows how to do is warm up a can of pork and beans, that was smart on her part.”
I laughed. “I suppose it was. Well, anyway, I just wanted to wish you a happy thirty-fourth. I hope this is a good year for you.” It took all I had not to kiss him, but I made myself step back. “I should get going.”
He stared at me, unsure, but didn’t say a thing. That, unfortunately, was my cue to turn around.
“Good night.” I reached for the door handle.
“You expect me to eat this all by myself?”
I grinned to no one but me. “I’m sure Bobby Jay will be more than happy to help you out,” I spoke to the door, my hand still on the knob.
“Stay, Shelby. Please.”
My heart did a little dance before I turned around and played it cool. “All right, if that’s what you really want.”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.” He turned and headed toward their small kitchen. “Make yourself at home. I’ll cut us each a slice.”
“You will do no such thing. It’s your birthday.” I took the cake back from him. “You sit down, and I’ll see if I can find a place to put this cake in all your mess.”
He chuckled. “I guess we should tidy up.”
“Cleaning was never your forte.”
“Been busy.” He cleared away several takeout boxes, giving me room on the counter to put the cake.
“That’s what I hear. How’s the new update going?” I searched the kitchen drawers for a knife.
Ryder came behind me and got some plates for us. “There are always setbacks when it comes to software. You fix one bug and discover three more. I need to hire more developers, but that takes time too.”
“Don’t you have a project manager to do that?”
He set two plates next to me. A tired grin played on his face. “I should, but I haven’t wanted to give up that control yet. And honestly, I still feel more comfortable acting as a developer than the boss.”
