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Shit, Penny was right. He did deserve to be laid out. Whitney was humiliating herself for him. No stronger woman lived than her. She’d put herself in a situation that made her feel horrible, all because he’d made such a big deal about his public persona.
“Bass, buddy,” he said. “Penny, my darling sister. You can both deck me. I promise. But right now, I have something much more important to take care of.”
If he couldn’t find Whitney, he’d figure out a way for her to find him.
…
Whitney sniffled and rubbed her eyes. She was not crying again. She hadn’t all day, but after running into Ryder—no, serving him—she was ready to break in half. Her face already hurt from staying up last night packing, drowning in ice cream, and bawling her eyes out. Now she was just humiliated. She hid in the kitchen for a moment, too afraid to peek out and even look at the massive crowd in the ballroom.
She should be on her way out of town, heading to her next stop like the tumbleweed she was. Only this road trip wasn’t full of adventure and hope.
It was full of regret and despair.
She thought of the last time she’d been alone with Ryder. How he’d confided in her. Made her feel like more. Like she wanted more with him. But the Ryder in private and the Ryder in public were two different people. And she couldn’t have him both ways. No matter how much she wished otherwise.
“Can I have everyone’s attention please?” a loud voice boomed out. She knew that voice, had heard it whisper her name several times in the dark. It was Ryder.
She glanced from the kitchen entryway and saw him standing on a large cabinet, holding a microphone.
“There’s something I’d like to say, and with the majority of the town turning out tonight, I think it’s the perfect time.”
A few hoots and claps rang out.
He cleared his throat. “I’m Ryder Diamond, and I’m done.”
“What the hell?” Whitney whispered.
“All my life, I didn’t think there was anything or anyone I could love as much as I love this town,” he said. “But I’ve recently discovered that I love someone more. And her name is Whitney Drake.”
Oh holy God. Her heart fell into her stomach, and she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“See, I’ve been living in a shadow. But Whitney has made me want to step out of that and be a better man. With her, I’m just Ryder. And that will have to be good enough. Because I’m going to be spending all the energy I have making her believe how much she means to me.”
Whitney stepped out of the kitchen, her gaze locked on Ryder’s and her chest cracking from the pressure of hope.
His eyes met hers and his face softened to a painfully tender expression. “I’m sorry, sweetness. I’m so sorry.” He hopped down off of the counter and walked her way. The crowd parted slowly as he got closer and closer. “I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay. I want you any and every way I can have you. In public, in private, and everywhere in between. I want to show you how much I need you.”
She shook her head. “You told me to leave,” she whispered. It was the one thing he’d made clear. So why was he changing his tune now? “You worked hard for all of this.” She opened her hands and motioned to their surroundings.
“I should have been working harder for you. Because none of this matters without you.”
Her anger rose fast at how quickly she felt tempted to give in to him. But no, she had to get out of there. She couldn’t let him throw away his precious reputation.
“What the hell is your problem?” she whispered, trying to keep the pain out of her voice. “Go back to your life. You don’t need me.” Everyone was staring, and Ryder didn’t seem to care. But she couldn’t let him draw attention to himself like this.
His shoes scraped the polished floor as he took another step toward her.
“My problem is that I’m chasing a woman that is damn difficult to catch,” he said, dropping the mic and coming toe to toe with her.
“I’m leaving, Ryder, just like you wanted.”
“I thought that’s what I wanted. But what I want is you.”
She shook her head. “You have a big deal going on with Clara, and you made it clear that I don’t have a part to play inside your boundaries.”
“I don’t care about any of that. And to hell with boundaries. I want you. I’m so sorry, sweetness. When you came at me, wanting me, I didn’t believe it and thought the worst.”
