Chapter 12
RYDER
I glance at Cole over my shoulder, talking to Vanessa about her security company and how she got started.
His nerves were apparent on the way here.
Cole having social anxiety doesn’t make sense.
The man stands front and center in stadiums filled with thousands, talks to reporters like it’s his day job, and his confidence never wavers.
But it did, just a little, when I asked him if we could come for dinner.
It didn’t last long, though. Our group’s constant state of shit-giving seems to make him more comfortable, and he even joined in teasing me about my late-night workouts.
He’s let that smile loose, the real deal, and it’s nice.
He’s still the cool, self-assured football nerd I first met, but I know for sure now there’s far more to this man than that.
Underneath all that muscle and polished charisma, there’s a guy who’s gone missing.
One that I have a feeling got left behind somewhere on his way to making it to the top.
What he doesn’t know is, I’m really good at finding people—the lost and forgotten.
“So, how’s it really going?” Jamie slides up to the sink beside me while we all work together to clean the kitchen.
That has always been the rule. If Hope cooked, we cleaned.
I rinse another dish and hand it to her. “It’s. . .ok. Nothing big has happened, so. . . ”
“Those pics of you two are something.”
She’s enjoying this, and I want to pinch her.
Pictures of Cole and me from the game are spreading like wildfire, and the rumor mill is panting to find out who I am.
“It’s not a big deal. I’m just doing my job.” That actually sounded pretty convincing.
“Well, you looked pretty.” She smiles. “He seems really nice.”
I bump her with my hip. “You’re such a dreamer.”
She laughs. “One of us has to be.” She puts a plate in the dishwasher. “How are the nights?”
I know what she’s asking. “Some nights are easier than others. I’m starting to sleep more than not.”
She nods, getting it.
“What’s going on with you? How’s the coffee shop?” I force a change in subject.
Her voice drops to a whisper. “My mom called again.”
“Really? How is she?”
“Ok. It was nice to talk to her.” She pauses, glancing over her shoulder. “The apartment over the shop is opening up.”
I search her face. “Yeah? You’re thinking about it?”
Her head falls to the side as she takes another plate. “It would make things easier and. . .I don’t know. I guess I want to see if I can do it. Be brave, and figure out what’s next.” She shrugs. “I could get a dog.”
Jamie hopes to buy the coffee shop one day when the owners retire. This would be a step toward that for her.
“It’d be weird not having you across the hall.”
A small smile creeps across her mouth. “You’ve got someone else across the hall now.”
My head falls back, and I withhold a groan.
Lyla sticks her head in between us. “If you two are over here whispering about the gorg football player, I want in, so spill?”
“Me, too,” Jos pops in.
“Hey! I see you. No goods without me,” Van yells from the table.
“You all can keep that girly shit at your house where I can’t hear.” Track says returning to the kitchen.
He tries to sound irritated, but he loves our giant, suffocating cloud of estrogen.
“Ryder, I need a minute.”
“Ha.” I dry my hands on a towel and then whip Lyla in the butt with it before handing it off. “Gotta get those pretty hands dirty. It’s what you get for being nosy.”
I scoot away before she can snap me back, catching Cole’s eye as I follow Track outside. I join him in the large screened-in porch with a table, outdoor kitchen, and pool.
He shoves his hands in his pockets, staring at the blue water. “I want a real update. Are you eating and sleeping?”
“Yes, sir. Showering and brushing my teeth, too.”
“Don’t be a smartass. How was the game yesterday?”
I push out a breath. “Fine. One of his teammates is a real asshole. You’ve seen the pictures circulating.
” I cross my arms. “We’re going to find out if this is all about football or if it’s more.
If this runs deeper than trying to scare him off the field, and they think I’m important to him, they’ll start aiming for me. ”
Tracker runs a hand over his scruff. “You ready for that?”
“I was born with a target on my back.”
His eyes meet mine, a rare softness to them.
“I wonder how long it will take until another note comes through. They aren’t likely to just disappear.”
He nods. “Especially if they don’t know you’re protecting him.”
I shift my weight to the other foot. “There’s a SportsElite event at the end of the week.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “It’s a big deal to show up to something like this with him. You sure you’re good with that?”
I bite my cheeks. He knows I’m not backing down from this. I’ve made it this far.
“I guess we’ll just have to see how it goes.” I shrug because it’s all I can do.
“How’s he? How’s. . .being around him?”
This part I can answer. “It’s ok. He’s quiet. Focused. He carries a lot of pressure all the time. Life doesn’t exist outside of football.”
I think about the large family he told me about on the way here. I didn’t know he had younger siblings, which is great. Hopefully, that means they’re also off this scumbag’s radar.
He said he’s close to them and misses them. I imagine more than he’s willing to say. His dad died a few years ago, but he didn’t say anything about his mom. I almost asked but didn’t want to pry. It’s only further proof that there’s so much more to Cole underneath the jersey and pads.
Tracker tilts his head. “He’d better be careful. You bottle all that up, and at some point, you blow.”
I nod. He’s right. We both know a little bit about holding too much in.
“I’m hoping we hear something soon. They’ve got to be getting pissed that he’s ignoring them. Just going on with life like they don’t matter.”
He weighs his head from side to side. “Depends on what they really want.” His gaze holds mine. “Whatever you hear or find, I want to know about it. You don’t go anywhere or do anything without me involved. Understand?”
I smile. “Yes, sir.”
He bumps my shoulder, and it’s a test as much as a tease.
“It’s healing,” I admit.
“Damn well better be, or I’d have to have Matthews babysitting your ass.” His phone vibrates, and he pulls it out of his pocket. “Shit.”
“What?”
He rubs his face. “Kelsey left Friday.”
“What?!”
“She texted the hotline.”
I grab his phone.
KELSEY: Help me. I’m sorry.
“Did she let you track her phone?”
He nods.
I march back inside, and Track follows, not even attempting to argue. When someone asks for help, we go, no matter how many times they leave believing things will be different.
I step into the kitchen, and Cole stands talking to Hope. His gaze shifts to mine.
“Jos, you up for a field trip?” I turn my attention to her.
Hope’s brow scrunches. “What’s going on?”
“Kelsey texted,” Track answers.
Her shoulders slump, knowing what it means.
Jos hops up. “Yep.”
Track or TJ could go, but Kelsey trusts me. She reached out for help, and we don’t know what kind of condition we’ll find her in. What she needs most is someone she feels safe with.
I stop in front of Cole. “Someone will take you back and stay with you until I get there.”
His dark eyebrows tip inward. “Where are you going?”
Hope leaves the kitchen, knowing she and Track are following close behind.
“Someone needs help. I have to go,” I say, hoping he remembers the “No Asking Questions” rule.
His blue eyes flick between mine.
“I’ll take him unless you want backup,” TJ offers.
“Nah. Jos and I got this.” I turn toward Tracker. “You’ll be ready?” He nods. “Can I borrow the bike? I’ve got the rental, and we’re losing time.”
He stares at me. “Will you bring it back in one piece?”
I shrug. “Depends on what I find when I get there?”
One side of his mouth curls. “If you roll off, make sure your timing is right.” He tosses me the keys.
“You want us to do anything?” Jamie asks, sitting with Lyla and Vanessa.
My sisters. The only ones I’ll ever have. Flashes of knowing skirt across their faces as quick as lightning.
“Check on her tomorrow.”
No words are spoken. None are needed. They understand. There will be physical pain, but it’ll be nothing compared to the hell she’ll put herself through for leaving. Like a cinder block chained to her ankle, she’ll have to free herself and fight her way to the surface once again.
I head to the front door, and Cole follows me.
“I don’t understand. What are you going to do?” The concern in his voice surprises me, and I turn to see his face.
His eyes are gentle and filled with worry.
I pause, staring at him as Jos pushes past us and out the door. “There’s someone who needs my help. . .getting out of a situation.”
His eyes trace over my face like he’s trying to solve a brain teaser. “Is it dangerous?”
TJ stifles a laugh behind him. Interestingly, Cole’s eyes stay locked on mine, not giving a shit.
“This. . . ” I pause, realizing Cole thinks I spend my days protecting people like him. I step a little closer. “This is what I do. I help those who need someone to come after them.”
A small line forms between his eyes as his brows squeeze closer together.
“I’ll meet you back at your apartment in a while.”
Ly, Jamie, and Van step into the living room.
“Cole, hang out with us for a bit, and if TJ can’t be nice, we’ll take you home,” Van tells him.
Cole steps away from me, but his uneasy eyes remain on mine.
I point at TJ. “You sweep his apartment.” I want to make it clear he’s not to cut any corners.
He offers nothing but a salute.
I glance at Cole one more time, our eyes locking for only a millisecond. Then I push out the door, unable to contemplate whatever it is I see on his face.
A young girl needs me, and I just hope I’m not too late.
Jos pulls on a helmet as I lean into the rental to grab my backpack. Behind the door, I slip on my holster, check my Sig, and slide it in. The cold, sleek metal of security brings comfort.
I loop my arms through the straps of my backpack, and from the front porch, I feel Cole’s eyes watching me as I pull on a helmet and swing my leg over Track’s bike.
I kick start it, and Jos climbs on, her arms linking around my waist.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The clock is running. I release the clutch, increase the throttle, and tear down the driveway. Kelsey reached out for help, and I don’t intend to let her down.