“Maybe we should go,” Parker mutters.
“Yeah.” My voice is nothing but a growl. “Maybe we should.”
“Ryder,” Drake finally breaks. “What are you doing here? What do you want?”
“He came to give me a job.” Ava pushes her way through, shoving her brother in the chest. “So if you could back off for a second and not screw this up for me with your transformation to brother bear, that would be great.”
I ignore the shudder that rushes down my spine when those glassy blue eyes lock with mine again. “I want to add a clause to this new working arrangement. No punching my brother.”
I look back to Ava, a sneer curls on my lips. “It won’t be a problem.”
“I’m not sure I believe that.”
“Why would it?”
“There’s . . . history.” Ava bites her bottom lip, and I hate how my gaze follows, how my mind conjures up a dozen things I’d like to see those lips do instead.
I ignore the rush of desire and force my expression into something indifferent.
A lesson I learned a long time ago was apathy kept the heart less bruised and battered. Guard up, build defenses, and there’s less pain. Crack the ribs and leave the heart exposed, it’s likely to get struck with a heavy blow.
“I moved on from the past a long time ago.”
What I would do to take the words back. I’d expected maybe a frown, an eyeroll, perhaps, but I didn’t anticipate the spark of hurt across her face. She’s one person whose expressions I catch with ease. Whether she is uneasy, excited, or hurt like now, I can tell. In this moment, I wish I couldn’t.
Ava gives me a quick nod. Her voice is steady, but it’s a battle. “Good. I’ll wait for the paperwork then. For the job. Great. Let’s go.”
“Good to meet you! Enjoy the zoodles,” Griffin says, his grin back in place.
It works. Ava offers a gentle wave. “Thank you, Mr. . . .Griffin, I mean. That was thoughtful.”
Ava turns around swiftly without another look at me. She pinches Drake’s arm, then strides with confidence back toward her house.
Sasha approaches, a thousand insults probably loaded on her tongue. “I’m calling BS on you, Ryder,” she whispers. “All that crap about being over it. Be a jerk, whatever, but you hurt her again, and I’ll find you. This time, I know where you are.”
Ah. So, it’s true—they’re getting one side. They think I wanted to leave. They made me the villain. Fine. Let Drake Williams be the freaking knight in shining armor. As long as this project gets finished before training, I’ll be satisfied.
That’s all that needs to matter.
Sasha grabs the cop’s hand, pulling him close. There is a touch of relief that comes from her loving grip on the man. I don’t need to wonder anymore if he’s with Ava. Clearly, he’s Sasha’s.
“Let’s go, man,” Parker says, a protective hand on my shoulder. He points a narrowed look at Drake.
The rush of affection for the guy is unwanted. I’d rather be numb to everything in this moment. But maybe, just maybe, I needed to admit the Kings are a bit like my family. They’re loyal. They have my back.
Like Drake used to. Then again, I’d better be cautious, even with the Kings. Last time I trusted without question, it blew up in my face.
“Ryder,” Drake says. “Maybe, for Ava’s sake, we should meet and—”
“No.” The word scrapes between my teeth. No room for argument. No question about my stance. The fury behind it is enough to get me moving. There are some words that can never be taken back, some actions that leave too deep a scar.
Without another word, I yank open the passenger door in Parker’s truck and slam the door behind me.
One by one my teammates follow.
Dax clears his throat, then surprises us all by rolling down his window and holding a hand out toward Drake. “Hey. Dax Sage.”
What is he doing?
