6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Scarlett

The next two days were glorious.

I caught up on chores around my house, enjoyed lovely evening walks on the beach, and spent my nights curled up on my couch drinking wine and watching Netflix. It was pure heaven.

While I had time away from All Our Children, I had also managed to conjure up the bravery to put in an application for a new position opening up at Future Leaders. They had recently had a member of their marketing team move away and needed to fulfill the position. It was something I had dreamed of doing forever, but my commitment and relationship with the boys at All Our Children had stopped me from applying for other open positions at Future Leaders. Now, though, I felt like it was time for me to spread my wings and try my next corporate venture.

As I completed the application, I submitted it and sat back, sipping a glass of my Riesling. A wave of sadness washed over me at the thought of not working with the boys anymore. While I would always hold a special place in my heart for them, at some point, I needed to do what was right for me.

Closing my laptop, I was about to get up and get ready to order myself some dinner when I heard my phone chime with a text message.

Reaching over to my coffee table, I grabbed my phone and saw Allison's name flashing on my screen.

Allison: Don't make plans for Sunday night.

Oh no, there was no telling what Allison was up to. Ever since she and I had become friends while working at All Our Children, she had been trying to set me up on a date with one of her husbands' single friends. So far, none of them had been a match.

Quickly typing out a reply, I smirked to myself.

Me: Why, are you planning another arranged marriage for me?

I saw the little bubbles appear, and I could just picture Allison angrily texting out a reply, her fingers moving at lightning speed across her keypad.

Allison: You will thank me one day when you aren't fifty, with twenty cats running around your apartment. Meet me at Charlies Steak House on Sunday night at seven.

Me: Fine, but you better be paying.

Tossing my phone back onto the table, I didn't bother to wait for a response. I did appreciate Allison's thoughtfulness when trying to set me up, but I just wasn't interested in dating.

Wind rushes upon me, causing my already unruly hair to fly around my face.

By the time Friday rolled around, I had mentally prepared myself to take the boys to the track. Rev Speedway was having a big weekend celebration for the new racing team Ryder was part of. From the moment I stepped foot in the house Friday morning, it was all the boys could talk about. They barely managed to get through their school day, but now that the evening was here, it made my heart swell with pure joy as their faces lit up. These boys had been through more pain and hardships in their young lives than most adults could ever fathom.

Allison and I busied ourselves, making and serving dinner until it was time for us to drive them to the Speedway in Fontana.

Piling the boys into our vehicles, we made the journey to the southside of town. We drove along the coast. The pristine view of the breathtaking ocean seemed to calm all of the boys down.

As we pulled into the parking lot, the first thing that I noticed was the massive crowds of people walking through the lot. Seeing this, I became nervous.

It was just Allison and me to watch five excited boys. I began giving them the rundown of rules, which they had already heard before we had left the house. They knew to stay together and always have eyes on myself or Allison.

Once everyone was out of the car, Allison and I began leading the boys to the speedway track. Jenna had told me we had a VIP section for us and to look for Travis. I kept my eyes open, looking everywhere for someone that I knew. The sun was starting to set in the sky, but the heat was still very much awake.

"Hey, there's Travis and the MA Enterprises tent," Allison shouted to me, pointing to my right.

As I looked over, I spotted the large tent and Travis. The boys almost ran the rest of the way, their excitement hard to contain.

All I could do was laugh. This was better than Christmas or their birthdays.

Travis spotted us and waved, greeting the boys with high-fives and big smiles.

"Hey, I'm so glad that you all were able to make it," Travis beamed.

Allison and I joined everyone in the tent. People were rushing around and talking so fast. I could barely understand what was going on. Engines were revving, music was blaring, and loud voices carried around us.

"Where is Ryder?" Christian asked Travis, his eagerness on full display.

Before Travis could respond, I felt a pair of eyes burning through me. Turning to my right, a flash of black hair caught my attention. Spinning on my heel, I locked eyes with Ryder, who was watching me with a dark gaze. Scowling, he never looked away as a group of guys talked with him.

"Wow, what kind of a bike is that?" I heard Christian whistler, as he too noticed Ryder.

Travis leaned down with a wide grin and answered. "That is a KTM 450 Tracker. That kind of a bike is specifically built for racers like Ryder. Even that custom sky blue was used to match his eyes."

I almost rolled my eyes. Ryder was like a god to these people, and I knew he was eating up all of the attention.

"What are you looking at?" Allison asked me, her tone already telling me she answered her own question.

"Why does he look at me like he despises me?" I asked, giving Ryder my own death glare back.

"Girl, that is definitely not a look of hatred. He is fucking you with his eyes," Allison whispered into my ear.

Eyes widening, my mouth fell open as I removed my eyes from Ryder and looked at my clearly delusional friend. "Allison, you have seriously lost your mind," I laughed.

Shaking her head, she just walked away and joined the boys who were now watching another racer get ready for a test lap. They were cheering wildly as the driver put on a show of revving his engine and doing some fancy tricks as he sped past us.

Once the announcements were made to begin the event, everyone who wasn't racing scattered off the track. Girls in skimpy bikini tops and tight shorts made their way to the starting line. Guys around us whooped and hollered, and our young boys joined in on the fun.

As a few of the racers made their performances, Ryder sauntered over to our area. I made it my mission to ignore him.

"Look, Ryder is coming over here," Isaac said, trying to stay cool and calm.

I held in my laughter as I watched him try to pretend like he was super cool and not trembling with excitement.

"Hey boys, are you all having fun?" Ryder asked, slapping their hands in high fives.

Allison beamed as she drank him in.

I stepped aside and made sure I was out of all of their way. Instead, I turned my attention back to the track and watched the events.

Ryder's brother, Axel, who he had brought to the house when he first arrived, made it his way into the tent, too. He was quiet and didn't' say much. From some online snooping, I had learned that Ryder had three other brothers. Drake was married to Lacy and they owned a bar in their hometown, Hollow Cove. Axel was married to Ivy and had a baby, and Blaze was married to Remy.

I heard his cell phone ring, and a genuine smile spread over his rugged features. As I watched him take the call, a gentler, softer side of Axel, appeared.

"He's talking to his wife," a voice said from behind me.

I pivoted on my heel and almost lost my balance. Ryder had terrified me as I was caught watching yet another Raven boy.

"What?" I choked out.

Ryder smiled down at me, and I wanted to reach up and slap that grin right off his chiseled face.

"Whenever she calls, he lights up like that," Ryder adds.

"Oh," I sigh. That was genuinely heartwarming.

At one time, I thought I had a love like that, too. I used to brighten up whenever a certain someone called me. Now, though, when his name was brought up, I wanted to scream and cry.

"It's nice that Axel came here with you," I add, trying to keep the conversation light.

Nodding, Ryder runs a hand through his long, black hair. "Yeah, being out here, I sometimes miss my family and Hollow Cove. I try to go home as much as possible and help my brothers. He leaves tomorrow, but I have enjoyed having a part of my old life out here," he says.

The way he talks about Axel and his home life makes me feel a tinge of sympathy for him. I can relate to moving on with my life and missing something that I can't touch. To have a tangible piece of your life back is a blessing. Realizing the conversation was a little heavy, I decided to change the vibe.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready to race or preparing your next conquest with one of those scantily clad ladies out there?" I asked, motioning my eyes toward the track.

Ryder let out a loud laugh, and his eyes glowed. "Oh, that is for later, though, if anyone wanted, I would be more than happy to please any lady here tonight. My tongue can do wonders," he whispered, his warm breath tickling the back of my neck.

Leaving me breathless, Ryder moved back over to where the boys were standing. I had to remind myself to breathe. A strange mix of emotions washed through me as part of me wanted to slap him for being so crass and arrogant, while the other part of me grew hot with need as he spoke to me.

"Alright, boys," Ryder began, clapping his hands together and breaking me from my trance. "I had a great idea. For my first lap, how about we have Miss. Scarlett ride with me," Ryder announced.

I almost choked as all eyes turned my way.

"Yeah," a unison of cheers erupted from the boys, as I began to shake my head, no.

"I don't think that would be safe," I argued, now shooting daggers at Ryder.

He held onto my gaze with that cocky grin, and I knew this was all to punish me.

Allison grabbed my arm and began pulling me toward the front of the tent. My once friend was now my enemy, and I was planning her very painful death right now.

Ryder reached his hand out to me, and I hesitated, truly contemplating my next move. If I refused to give in to his little game, I would be letting down the boys. If I allowed Ryder to win right now, this would be the highlight of the night for the kids.

Sighing, I rolled my eyes and slapped my hand into Ryder's.

He led me out of the tent and onto the track where his bike was sitting. Ryder lifted his leg over and straddled the bike.

Damn, that was a hot move. Turning to me, he took my hand and helped me climb onto the back of his bike.

"Alright, put your arms around my waist and prepare for the ride of your life," Ryder said, before handing me a black helmet.

"You truly believe you are God's gift to women, don't you?" I scowled.

"I can't help it if the ladies can't resist me," he winked, kicking the clutch and revving the engine.

I felt the seat vibrate under me, and wild sensations filled me. Holy shit, I could see why women loved to ride on these things. This was far better than any vibrator I had ever used before.

I placed my hands on Ryder's waist and reveled in his tight muscles and rippled chest.

Holy Hotness.

I hear the cheers from behind me as Allison, and the boys erupt into a frenzy of excitement. A smile spreads over my face as I realize what I am doing is making them happy. I can surely sit here and take a ride around a track to make them that happy, right?

As Ryder begins to move the bike, my breath falters, and I gasp. He must have heard me because he chuckles, the low rumble causing his stomach to move under my fingertips. I hold on together, using the excuse of not wanting to fall off the bike, as my reasoning for holding him so tightly.

As we begin to drive, the wind rips through my hair that flows out of the helmet. The roar of the engine shakes me to my core.

Wind rushes upon me, causing my already unruly hair to fly around my face. I close my eyes as we go faster, but soon, allow myself to look around. The track seems to move, and the world around me is a blur of sights and sounds as we travel at high speeds. I know this isn't a real race, just an event to raise money and publicity for the new racing brand, but Ryder seems to be intent and focused on the ride.

We ride two more laps, and then Ryder brings the bike to a slow stop back by the tent. Realizing I am free, I quickly jump off the bike, almost tripping over my own two feet in the process. I move swiftly off the track and back under the safety of the tent. Ryder rides off, and the boys are now looking at me with rockstar status.

"Tell us how cool that was?" Isaac begs, his eyes piercing into my soul.

We walk over to a few chairs, and I begin to share my experience with them. While I am entirely exaggerating on how exciting it was, the boys are lost in my words.

When I'm finished, they are astounded and can't stop talking about how much cooler I am now. Trying not to be offended, I just laugh as they move back toward the track and watch the rest of the events transpire.

The night is buzzing with titillation as the bright lights around us glow over the track. Music is still thumping, and the smell of greasy foods fills the night air.

Around nine, Allison and I manage to drag the boys back to the car. Just as I am fumbling for my keys to unlock the door, Ryder runs up to us. The boys' faces glow against the black backdrop of the evening.

"Hey, you all are leaving so early?" he asks.

I look at him like he has two heads. "It's after nine. These guys need to go home and get some sleep," I say, finding my keys and unlocking the door.

"Boys, want me to stop by All Our Children, and we can talk about the races tonight?" Ryder asks.

My mouth falls open at his blatant disrespect for what I just said. I take a step closer to him and eye him with my death glare.

"You have some nerve to defy what I just said, especially in front of the kids. There are rules here, you have no idea what these boys have been through, nor do you have any earthly clue about the desperate need they have for a structure like rules and bedtimes. Back off. I get that you think they are your fun little charity project, but that's not what we are here for," I snap, keeping my voice low so only Ryder can hear me.

His dark eyes go wide as his face displays hurt. I just shake my head and get into the car. As I drive away, I leave him standing in the parking lot, watching us drive away.