Ryder (4 page)

“I’m not allowed to talk to strangers, even if he is yummo. Right, Mama?” I see Letty tense, so she is Letty’s daughter. I don’t know why but the thought doesn’t scare me. She has been on my mind for a while now and what I feel for her now I know that if she takes a chance on me those feeling will intensify. And I know that they come as a package deal, but I need to find out if her father is in the picture. Letty doesn’t seem to be the type of girl that cheats; she wouldn’t have agreed to have a drink with me if she was in a relationship.

I smile at this adorable girl and then up at Letty who looks totally shell shocked. She isn’t blinking just staring at me. My chest tightens at her face knowing, I put it there. I stand and place both my hands on Letty’s jaw line, making her look at me.

“Baby, look at me. Breathe for me, Letty” She finally blinks and I let out the breath I was holding in. I hear a sniffle and look down at her daughter. I let Letty go and lift the little girl up and sit her on my hip.

“It’s ok Angel, look. Mama is ok now, right Letty?” She nods and gives a small smile. She keeps looking between her daughter and me. “So, since I’m not a stranger because I know your Mama, are you going to tell me what your name is, Beautiful?” I smile at her wiping her tears away.

She hiccups and smiles, “I’m Demi and I’m four years old. What’s your name and how old are you? You look old like Mama and Auntie Quinn. But not really old like Mrs. Dawson. I think you are yummo, isn’t he yummo, Mama?” She asks a now very blushing Letty while putting her chubby little hands on my cheeks turning me to look at her. Jesus she has to be the sweetest little girl I have ever met. I can see she oozes Letty’s personality just from looking at her.

“Yeah, baby. He is yummo” She smiles at me while tucking her hair behind her ear. I see a small tattoo just behind her ear. I can’t seem to stop my hand from lifting to touch it; I run my thumb over the purple inked script ‘D’. Letty shivers from my touch.

“That’s Mama’s tattoo for me, cos I am special and I am her world. Do you have any tattoos…oh you silly billy you haven’t told me your name. That’s not fair, I told you mine.” She pouts a little and I laugh at her, so super sweet.  I stick my free hand out to her as my other hand is still cradling her to my hip.

“Well Miss Demi Shaw, I’m Ryder Phoenix. It’s very nice to meet you and yes I do have tattoos” We shake hands and I wink at Letty, who is still just standing there watching me and her daughter chatting away.

“My name isn’t Demi Shaw, silly Ryder. My name is Demi Mitchell, after my daddy” Letty tenses again and I smile at her, but I know my smile doesn’t reach my eyes. By the way she is looking at me, pain and embarrassment passes across her face. My gut knots at the fact that Demi has taken her dads name which tells me that he is in their lives and my stomach knots again. Fuck.

“Well, I’m sorry that’s I got your name wrong, Miss Demi Mitchell. Well ladies, I have to go and see my mom now” I say returning Demi to the sidewalk.  “It was very nice to meet you Demi.” We shake hands but then Demi throws herself at me for a hug. Her little arms wrap around my neck and I hug her back. You can’t not do that with this little Angel. When Demi releases me I stand to look at Letty, her face is now showing no emotion towards me at all. What does she expect? I can’t make a move on her if she is with Demi’s dad? I feel a bit disappointed that she would agree with have a drink with me when she is with someone.

“It was nice seeing you again, Letty” I give her a small smile and start to walk away.

“Ryder.” Letty calls after me. I take a deep breath and turn back to face her. “Can we meet up tomorrow night for a drink? I can get a sitter to watch Demi.” I really want to but I can’t get involved in a love triangle again not after what happened to me the last time. Fuck I still wear my internal scars.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, I don’t getting involved with girls already in a relationship. I’m sorry Letty, I really like you believe me, I do but I just can’t … not again” I can see hurt flash across her face but it’s gone in a flash, she reaches down to pick Demi up.

“Fine, if that’s what you want. It was nice seeing you again, Ryder. I guess a single mom doesn’t fit into your bevy. Good-bye Ryder.” She turns away so fast that I see Demi grip her neck tighter, both of their hairs swaying with every step she takes away from me.

Fuck, did she just say what I think she just said… Single mom?

Shit!

Chapter 6

Letty

It's been four days since Demi and I bumped into Ryder down at the beach, and to be honest I'm glad that I found out what kind of man he is now, before we went out. I could really see myself falling for a guy like Ryder. He comes from a big family values from what Quinn has told me. He was amazing with Demi. They seemed to click right off the bat, she eve asked about him a few times. He was an asshole to me the day at the beach. He thought that because Demi took her dad's name that we were in a relationship. He could have just asked rather than assume I was with her dad. It was the one thing Andy's parents asked for, that Demi took their family name.

Oh well, his loss...right?

I have Bruno Mars’s 'Locked out of Heaven' playing when I hear my phone ring, Demi is in day care and I have the day off so it's a cleaning day for me. I switch off the dock and snatch my phone off the kitchen counter. I see 'Work' flash across my screen. Shit, there goes my day off.

"Hey, Ruth. What's up?" I ask my boss.

"How much do you love me, Letty? Millions, right?" Shit, I know what she wants. I sigh and give in.

"When do you need me, Ruthie? I can’t do all day because Demi is only in day care for the next few hours" Even though it's my day off, I sent Demi to day care because it helps with her routine plus it gives me a few hours to clean the apartment without having her under my feet. I agree to work for a few hours, just to help cover the lunchtime rush. The apartment is pretty clean so I’m not too worried. Ruth doesn’t often ask me to cover, so I don’t mind going in. She told me that Bree was ill so she called in sick. Bree isn't the type to skip work, so it must mean she is really ill for her to take a sick day.

Walking to work in this amazing weather helps clear my head. It lets me think of my mental-to-do-list, I like to keep track of everything. Working part time and looking after a four year old girl can make you forget things and I hate forgetting to do something. I reach The Hot Pot and make my way to the staff room while waving to Ben, the only guy who works here. He is cool; really fun to talk to and is getting married this Christmas to his high school sweetheart. They are so cute together.

I dump my bag into my locker and place my phone in my back pocket and head out front. As I pull the door open, it swings open and almost smacking me in the face. What the hell? I catch myself before I fall. I look up to see Loren; The Hot Pot's other full timer.

"Oh shit, sorry Letty"

"It's ok; you couldn’t see me behind the door. I'm not hurt, so don’t worry" I hold the door open for her to walk through, as she is holding a tray full of dirty coffee mugs. I head over to the counter and have a chat with Ben, who is easily six foot three, with beautiful blond hair and big blue eyes and so damn sweet.

"Hey Benny. How's Holly doing with the wedding plans? I bet she is a total bridezilla, right?" I laugh. I know Holly isn't a bridezilla; she is one of the most laid back people I know. They are having a quick and small family wedding out at Holly's family ranch in Texas. I think I would like a small beach wedding, just me, Mr. Right and his family, Demi, Quinn and Mrs. Dawson... I'm not into lots of fuss I hate being the center of attention. I bump shoulders with Ben, who just smiles at me; he truly is in love with Holly.

"What's up Letty, you covering for Bree? She must be ill dude. It’s not like to call in sick." I nod while wrapping my apron around my waist. Ben and I chat while taking orders for the customers that are now steadily flowing through the door. If I have to hear the fucking bell chime one more time I'm gonna throw it. Ben can see my irritation and just laughs at me. Bastard.

Loren is cleaning tables and running back and forth to the kitchen with dirty mugs and bringing new ones out. All three of us are rushed off our feet, even though it's only been two hours. She stands behind the counter with Ben and me watching people drink coffee and chat away like they don’t have a care in the world.

"I can’t believe how tired I am right now" She lays her head on my shoulder and sighs heavily. I pat her head and laugh. Loren still can't handle being full time but she does it because her mom is ill and they need to pay for medical bills. I look to the booth and watch the couple that are sitting there, so sweet. She is giggling at something he said in her ear. My heart aches for that kind of love, but it's hard to find and keep a guy when they find out that you have a four-year-old daughter. I dated a guy about a year ago, who was amazing. We went out on four dates and he was really sweet; he opened doors for me and always made sure I was seated before he sat down.

I came first, which was nice because since I had Demi I have has to put her first and don’t get me wrong, that’s what I live for now, but it's nice for moms to have their time every now and again. After a few weeks of dating, I decided to tell him about Demi and that didn’t go over so well. He dumped me, telling me that he couldn’t bring up someone else's kid; he wasn’t made that way. like, what the actual fuck does that mean? So I stopped dating. I haven't had sex in forever. Poor B.O.B.

My eyes are trained on the kissing couple, I feel Loren straighten next to me as the bell chimes. Give me strength. I raise my head to see Ryder walk through the door. Oh for the love of God, why does he have to look so damn good? He is wearing baggy light blue jeans and black Chucks with a grey Ominous t-shirt, his ball cap is twisted on backwards. He has that black leather cuff on his wrist that I have seen him wear every time that I have seen him. He walks over to the counter and I hold my breath. Don't ask me why, I just do. He was an ass to me at the beach, so it's not as if he is going to ask me out again. He deserved me to walk away from him after the assumptions he made about me still being with Demi's dad.

"Letty" He says my name with a slight nod. Loren lets a small gasp break from her mouth at the shock that this sexy as sin man knows my name. Fuck, he is really hot right now. Dammit Letty, let it go. I tell myself.

"Ryder. Good morning, what can I get you?" I go into full service mode. I try and control my breathing but by the look on his smug face he knows the effect he has on me. Prick. He leans his palms on the counter and moves forward, trying to read the board behind me. The door chimes again and a breeze sweeps in and I get a whiff of Ryder in the air. God help me. He smells delicious. I shudder and he smiles at me.

"I think I will have a latte, please." I nod and turn to start making it for him when I hear him speak again, "How's Demi?" I freeze. How fucking dare he ask after her after the way he acted at the beach the other day?

Asshole.

         I ignore his question and finish making his latte, in a to-go cop I may add, even though he didn’t say he whether he was sitting in or going and I didn’t ask. I place the cup on the counter and smile sweetly at him. "That's seven dollars please" He just stares at me. I can feel Ben and Loren assessing the situation between Ryder and me, but I don’t care. I will explain to them later, but right now I need Ryder out of here.

My blood is boiling and I am losing control with him; he has some freaking nerve I tell you that. I push the cup towards him and hold my hand out for the money. I know I am being a bitch but he was a dick to me at the beach so I am warranted a bitchy moment.

He shakes his head and reaches for his wallet; taking out a fifty and lays it on the counter, he takes another look at me and picks up his coffee and turns to leave. I go to tell him that he gave me too much money but he turns and looks at me.

"Keep the change," he bows his head, takes a deep breath and looks back to me, "I'm sorry, Letty. I shouldn’t have assumed. Tell Demi I said hi." with that he turns and leaves the coffee shop. My heart is beating so fast that I can hear the blood pumping in my ears. Wow, what a way to kill my bitch moment. I turn to the cash register and place Ryder's change in the tip jar. Ben pushes me out of the way and takes the tip back out and places it in my apron.

        "What the hell, Ben? The tips get split between us at the end of the day," I say, digging the money back out but Loren stops my hands with hers. She shakes her head, daring me to argue with her.              

      "Take the money and buy something nice for Demi. That guy obviously knows you both and wanted you to have the money. How the hell do you know Ryder from Inside Noise anyway? I have seen them play a shit ton of times and they are awesome. I know a girl who went home with Reeve and his friend, Skeet. I heard they only sleep with girls together, so you think they are all like that? How hot would that be?" She smiles at Ben and me. Gotta love Loren; she is so much like Quinn- very opened mined. Not much fazes them.

"Ryder came in for a coffee not long ago with his brother and their friends. But then he saw me and Demi at the beach and was a dick to me." The bell chimes again and I take a deep breath. "I will explain another time ok, but right now we need to get back to work." Loren nods and heads over to clear some tables. I lean back onto the counter behind me and close my eyes while taking deep breaths, I try to slow my heart rate down. I feel a hand touch my shoulder and jump a little.