8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Scarlett

My body was still shaking from my encounter with Ryder when I pulled into the driveaway. The boys could sense that I was fuming, and thankfully, they were quite the ride home. They were beyond exhausted, but I was happy to have made their day.

Thankfully, they crashed when we got home, giving Allison and myself some time to relax and catch up on laundry.

When I finally fell into bed that night, I fell asleep with Ryder's hurt face in the forefront of my mind.

Thankfully, the boys slept in on Saturday morning. They all woke up in shifts and spent most of the early part of the day lounging on the couch and playing video games. I was busy making a batch of chocolate chip cookies for lunch when my phone began to ring. A number that I didn't recognize flashed across the screen.

Not sure who it was, I wiped my hands off on a dishtowel and answered the call.

A man's deep voice took me by surprise. "Scarlett?" he asked, sounding unsure.

"Yes, who is speaking?"

"Scarlett, this is Ryder. Ryder Raven," he said like I wouldn't have known who it was.

Rolling my eyes, I leaned against the kitchen counter. "I know who you are," I snapped. "What do you need?" I hated how cold I sounded, but the last time we spoke, I had been extremely perturbed by his behavior.

"Well, I wanted to call and apologize for last night. You were right. I shouldn't have asked about coming by so late without your consent first. I promise I won't do that again," he said, sincerity ringing in his voice.

I was perplexed as I stood there, holding onto my phone like it was a foreign object. "Oh, um, thank you," I stuttered out.

"I hope you understand my intentions with All Our Children are not out of pure selfishness. I really want to help. I know what it's like to need a place to feel safe, to find a home and brotherhood," he said, his voice far away as though he remembered something tragic. "Anyway, I would still like to come by and just talk with the boys. They seem like good kids, and I am trying to find a place where I can connect and mentor some kids," Ryder said.

I had to brace myself against the counter because I swear, I was about to fall over from shock. Was Ryder Raven really apologizing and wanting to mentor these boys. A group of boys who were disregarded and thrown out? If this were true, then he just earned himself a place in my heart. It brought me undeniable joy to know there were still good people in this world who cared about these kids.

"Ryder, I appreciate you saying all of that. The boys would love for you to come by. We are having smores tonight by our small fire pit in the backyard. I know they would love you to join us tonight," I said.

I think I surprised us both by inviting him over. As much as I detested the playboy that Ryder represented, I couldn't deny his eagerness to help the boys. I could put my differences and distaste for him aside for a night to help these kids.

"Sure, that sounds great. I will see you at eight," he said, and then the line went dead.

I stood staring at my phone for what felt like forever before Allison startled me out of my daze.

"What's wrong with you?" she asks, moving past me as she places an armful of dirty dishes in the sink.

"Ryder Raven just called. He wants to stop by and spend some time with the boys. Apparently, he wants to mentor them," I say, astonishment still making me dizzy.

"Really? That's fantastic," she beams. "Although, I would say he has other reasons to come here, too," she says, winking as she bumps me with her hip.

"What?" I say, shaking my head. "I already told you, Ryder is more in love with himself than he could ever be with someone else. I think he is just trying to do something kind," I defended.

While I wasn't a fan of Ryder Raven's, I did believe in my heart that he felt a connection to these boys. I wasn't sure about his past, but something told me he could relate to them on more levels than I could imagine.

I waited until after dinner to let the boys know that Ryder was going to be spending the evening with us. To say they were excited would be an understatement. They were all so adorable as they moved around the house, cleaning up and helping Allison and me getting the fire pit ready and s'mores prepared. If I had known they would help this much, I would find a way to get Ryder over here more often. I mean….

At eight, the roar of an engine down the street had my heart accelerating, and I wasn't sure why. I knew he was coming to the house. Hell, I had invited him. But still, hearing that sound filled me with emotions I just didn't understand. I wanted to chop it up as an eagerness to see the boys happy, but I just wasn't sure. I knew better than to look at Ryder as anything more than a playboy on a hot motorcycle. He played a part-- he was an actor in his own world. I had loved and lost before, willingly given my heart to a man who deceived me. I knew the games, boys, like Ryder played. Hell, I had been one of the pieces discarded.

He was great to look at, fantastic to fantasize about, and surely an excellent gossip story to share one day. But to catch feelings for him--that would be dangerous.

And I was too safe to be dangerous. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice--not ever going to fucking happen again.

When the doorbell rang, the boys began fighting to see who would get to the door first. I burst out laughing when Allison beat them all to it.

As Ryder entered our house again, the boys followed him like lost little puppies. He looked beyond delicious in a pair of hip-hugging jeans, a black t-shirt, and black boots. I made sure to keep my distance as I moved to the backyard and began working on the firepit. Earlier, the boys had added the firewood and kindling. As I lit a match and threw it into the woodpile, I sat back and began fixing up the smores tray. I laid out the chocolate on the graham crackers and then placed the marshmallows on the smores sticks we had.

Walking outside, I could hear the slew of questions currently being thrown at Ryder.

"Boys, let Ryder sit down before you all start bombarding him," I joked.

Ryder just waved his hands, a bright smile on his face. "It's fine. I enjoy their questions," he said, not at all sounding frustrated.

We moved around the small area we had built for the small fire pit. Sitting in the fold-out chairs, the boys began fixing their smores. The sun had already settled, and the darkness of the evening was now upon us. The red and orange flames of the fire licked into the air, making a glowing sensation around us. The pops of the fire as it burned through the logs added a calming musical quality to our evening.

Ryder looked like a kid himself as he made smores with the boys and laughed along as they all stuffed their mouths with the gooey goodness.

"So, what was your life like before you became a celebrity?" Ethan asked.

As the boys looked at Ryder expectantly, I noticed Ryder's smile faltered a bit. He still held his smile, but I saw something else brush over his face.

Ryder sat there a minute before he began to answer. The glow of the fire against his face gave him an angelic appeal that almost took my breath away.

"Well, my life was very different before I moved out here. When I was around your age," he said, pointing to Isaac, "I got into a lot of trouble. My family back home is pretty well known. The Ravens run a motorcycle club and bar. We had a few guys who didn't like that we basically ran the town so that they would cause us problems. I didn't really have anyone who looked out for me after my parents died, except for my brothers. I found I could take out my anger and frustration in other ways. But, you know what saved me?" he asked, eyeing each boy carefully.

I swear, it was as though the entire world around us had gone still. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire, and my heart drumming wildly in my chest. The boys were hanging on his every word, and they all leaned in, anticipating his next words.

"I found something that I felt passionate about. Racing. And, I found a family in a brotherhood. For me, racing is my heart and soul. It's what I live for. It helped me stay out of trouble and led me to the life I have now. Each of you can also have a great life. You just need to remember those that love and care for you and keep your focus on your future," he said.

Allison and I exchanged looks, and I saw tears welling in her eyes. Ryder had probably done more in ten minutes with these boys, than years of therapy could have ever accomplished. He assured them life wouldn't always be like this. He provided them with strength and motivation to continue working toward something better. That a good life is possible for them if I didn't think he was such an arrogant ass, I would have kissed him. I was beyond grateful for his wanting to be part of All Our Children and to mentor these boys. I was also adult enough to realize I may have been wrong about him. Not the arrogant part-- he definitely fits that mold. But, about him not caring about anything but himself. It was clear Ryder had a good heart.

"Why motorcycles? You could race anything?" I hear Isaac ask.

He is usually reticent, so it brings me pure joy to hear him speaking up.

Ryder turns to him and answers. "Well, I grew up in a motorcycle club. That's all I have ever known. Now, I race the Drag Bikes because that's what they are built for. However, my true love is a Harley Davidson with chrome on black," he purrs. "But, when I get on my twin-engine Kawasaki Drag Bike, it's like I am in my own world."

The boys are captivated by this talk. I know they need more men in their lives to teach and share with them this type of rugged activity.

"So, what's next for you?" I asked, surprising us all with my question.

Ryder averted his eyes toward me, and I saw a spark of something ignite in his eyes.

"I keep growing," he said.

While his words may have been simple, the meaning behind them spoke volumes. Ryder Raven was going to become a huge racing celebrity. He was going to grow as he helped groups and organizations like ours. He was going to grow into something great, and I was proud to say that I had gotten a chance to know him.

Once the fire had died down and the boys could barely keep their eyes open, Allison and I shipped the boys off to bed. I had gone up with them, tucking them in and telling them each goodnight. The air around us felt a little lighter after that night. The boys all went to bed with a smile.

When I emerged back downstairs, I was surprised to find Ryder still at All Our Children. I would have thought he had left, but no, he was sitting in my kitchen.

"Hey, did you need something?" I asked as I walked into the room.

Allison covertly slipped out of the kitchen, but not before she gave me a sly wink.

Ryder looked at me with that devilish grin that I knew could melt panties with one look. "No, I just thought I would stick around and hang out," he said.

"Ok, sure," I replied, taken aback.

I didn't want to be rude, but I wasn't sure why he would want to stick around. All of the boys were in bed, so his work here was done.

"Why do you look so shocked that I want to hang out with you?" Ryder asks me, his eyes staring into me.

There is something wickedly charming about Ryder. While I would never consider being with someone like him, I did find him intriguing. Maybe we could even be friends, but I had a sneaking suspicion that wasn't his intention.

"I'm not shocked, just…" I really don't know what to say.

"You thought I only wanted to get to know the boys and then leave? That I don't see how beautiful you are?" Ryder says, moving off the barstool and walking toward me.

There is a predator's glare as he stalks his way to me. I take a step back, my breathing growing ragged. He stands now inches away from me, and I can feel his warm breath on my neck. "You thought I don't see how I affect you?"

He lowers his voice, his eyes drinking me in as he licks his lips. "That you just didn't realize that I want you," he whispered, his voice sending erotic chills down my spine.

My breath faltered, and I gasped, unsure of how to react. My legs were trembling, and my heart was racing a million miles an hour.

"I am not some Hollywood starlet who will fall at your feet," I say, trying desperately to stand my ground and be strong. I am failing, but hey, at least I am trying.

Ryder laughs, throwing his head back as his black hair bounces all around him. A strange desire to run my hands through his shiny locks took over, and I had to hold my hands at my sides to stop myself. I had no idea what this emotion was that was coming over me, but Ryder's presence did something to me that I just couldn't explain.

Lifting a hand, Ryder tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, and our eyes lock briefly. "I have never once thought that you were a Hollywood starlet. That is why I like you. You are real, and you care about what matters," Ryder says, his voice causing a rumble in me.

My mouth opens and then closes. Should I yell at him? Slap him? Kiss him?

My mind is beyond confused, and I have no idea what I should do next.

"You don't even know me," I try to argue, but something tells me he isn't going to listen.

"Then let me get to know you," he says, before smiling one last time.

Ryder turns and walks toward the front door, and just like the other night, one of us is left standing speechless, watching the other drive away.

"He said what?" Allison practically screams as I replay the events to her.

"Sshh," I hiss at her. "Keep your voice down. You will wake the boys," I chastise.

Allison just beams as I continue telling her what happened. I still honestly don't believe it myself.

After Ryder had left, I had gone to bed. I was up at dawn and couldn't wait to tell Allison what had happened. I had hoped she would think him too forward, but of course, I was wrong.

Instead, it felt like Allison just liked him more.

"It doesn't matter anyway, I would never go for a guy like Ryder Raven," I say, completely disregarding any idea of me hooking up with Ryder.

"What? A hot as hell guy? Good looking and sweet isn't your type?" she asked, her voice full of sarcasm.

"Yes, he is gorgeous, but Allison, you know I can't be anything more than friends with Ryder," I remind her.

"Yes, I know. But look, Scarlett, you have to move on at some point. You got your heartbroken, and I know that rocked you, but not everyone is bad. So, what are you going to do?" she asked.

I knew Allison meant well, but I was tired of people asking like I was afraid to date again. I knew eventually I would get to that point again, but right now, allowing some sexy racer to steal my heart just didn't seem like a good idea.

I thought over her words and knew I had to give her an answer.

"Allison, I just want to be his friend. I will talk to him about it because, at the end of the day, what he is doing to help the boys means the world to me. I think he's great--as a friend," I finished, smiling so she couldn't see the strange wave of sadness that came over me at that moment.

I had no idea why I felt this way, but I knew without a doubt that Ryder Raven was no good for me.

Allison began wiping down the kitchen counter as I pulled out of the oven, a fresh batch of blueberry muffins I had made. We would be leaving soon as our shifts ended for the week, and I knew Allison was going to hound me about tonight. Just as the thought came to mind, she looked up and caught my attention.

"Don't forget about our double date tonight," she reminded me.

"I thought you wanted me to hook up with Ryder?" I asked, teasing her a bit.

Laughing, Allison threw the rag at me. "I do! Plus, I want you to find another boy to have fun with. You are a beautiful and single woman. Live it up! Get laid and date around while you can. One day, you will wake up and be a married mother of two college students like me," she said, sighing as she folded her arms across her chest. "Seriously Scarlett, I just don't want you to have any regrets."

I placed the pan on top of the oven and turned back to Allison. "I know you do, and that is why I love you," I replied.

Reaching over and pulling me in for a hug, Allison embraced me, knowing I needed comfort. "I will see you tonight," she said, before grabbing her purse and leaving.

I finished cleaning up the kitchen then waved to the staff that just entered All Our Children. As I walked out the door, I couldn't help but feel as though things were starting to change for me-- and for the better.