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“Yes. I would,” she said, and pulled out her phone. Kensley was still typing, so she grabbed her bag and stood up.
“Where are you going?” Kensley asked, not looking up.
“You’re busy and I’ve got to book a flight—”
“Already done,” Kensley said, hitting enter with a bang. “You leave tonight, no arguments.”
“Tonight? He just left today. On a motorcycle,” she murmured, walking around to look at the computer screen. “That says first class.”
“Consider it a congratulations gift on passing the bar,” Kensley said, spinning in her chair and caressing her baby bump.
“You don’t know whether I’ve passed or not,” she murmured, but gave Kensley a wide grin. Kensley smirked back at her.
“I think we both know you kicked that test’s ass,” she said and laughed. Nita laughed with her.
43
Three days after leaving Seattle, Ryder sank onto the worn-out mattress in the cheap hotel room. He had finally reached his destination, just five hours outside of Chicago. Across the street, a flickering neon sign beckoned him—a dive bar that had been his go-to for years. For the first time in days, he was ready to reward himself.
He checked his bank account on his phone, smiling when he saw the money transfer had gone through. It ensured Diesel, Casey, and the Grunge City Girls would have a permanent place to practice. Nita was included, but singling her out in his mind hurt. He didn’t want to fully think about her until he could deal with the complex emotions that swirled within him when he saw her face in his mind.
Strolling across the highway, he approached the entrance of the run-down biker bar. The familiar surroundings, once a haven for him, now seemed as tired as he felt.
Inside, the bar was gloomy. The air was thick with the scent of cigarettes and spilled beer, mingling with the lazy chatter of a handful of customers.
He found an empty stool and settled in, hoping to lose himself in the distractions that had always provided temporary solace.
An attractive server who’d always been open to a tumble after work approached him with her familiar flirtatious smile.
“Long time no see, lover. What can I get you?” she purred.
Ryder mustered a half-hearted smile. “Just a pint of whatever you’ve got on tap,” he replied.
She returned with his beer; the light glinting on her silver name tag. Tawny, it read. “I get off around two,” she said, giving him a slow wink. “If you want to get together for old time’s sake. Staying across the street like usual, lover?”
The nickname made him smile. With a sigh, he shook his head. “Not tonight. But thanks, Tawny.”
Her eyebrows shot up into her hairline, then lowered as she gave him a considering look.
“Your loss,” she murmured, sauntering away.
He finished his beer, undisturbed by anyone else. Although one of the other women at the bar gave him a wink, Tawny warned her off.
Leaving the bar behind, Ryder retreated to the solitude of his hotel room. As he settled in, his phone rang, a familiar name flashing on the screen—Blaze.
“Hey, buddy,” Ryder answered, his voice filled with a mix of calmness and affection.
Blaze’s excitement spilled through the phone. “Dad! You’re coming home soon! I can’t wait!”
Ryder’s heart clenched at the joy in Blaze’s voice. He fought against thoughts of Nita, determined to focus on his son. “I’ll be home tomorrow. How cool is that?”
“Super cool! What time? I’m out of school for Christmas break, so maybe I can get mom to bring me over.”
“Probably around 3 o’clock,” he calculated with a laugh. He’d be dead tired, but that didn’t matter.
Intuitively, Blaze sensed something amiss. “Dad, are you sad?”
Ryder’s grip tightened on the phone. How did his six-year-old son detect his inner turmoil so easily? “Yeah, I made a good friend, but I had to say goodbye.”
