9. Ryder
9
RYDER
I t turned out keeping Shiloh entertained was just as entertaining for me. We couldn’t get inside the house even after I phoned the realtor and played the “I’m Ryder Hawkins” card. Was I proud of my tactics? No. But living the life I did came with certain perks and there was no reason to deny them when they came in handy from time to time.
Then she showed me where the Reverse Cowgirl was. Apparently, the place belonged to Maggie free and clear after her ex-husband put it in her name for legal reasons. They had divorced when he went to prison and all she wanted was that he gives up his parental rights and she got to keep the bar. If you asked me, the asshole got off easy, even if I didn’t know why he went to prison.
On the way back to her place, we stopped to put in our pizza order in time for dinner later on. I had insisted on takeout for dinner, to give Shiloh a break and to ensure she went to bed at a decent time. If she needed a good night’s sleep before her shift the next day, I was determined to give it to her.
“Wait? So you can pre-order your takeout?” I frowned, loving the concept.
She nodded and unlocked the front door and we stepped inside. “If they’re not busy. And you’ll find in small towns, cops and first responders have better perks than rockstars.”
Of course she had to pick on that. “I think I’m going to love living in this town.”
“I still cannot believe you’re moving to a small town just north of the Mexican border after spending the better part of a decade in a busy city like Los Angeles.”
She seemed to be stuck on that. “I never belonged in LA. It was the second option, remember. Besides, I love this place. The only time people have not been welcoming is when they were defending you.”
I recalled how protective Tiffany was when she met me. Then there was her dad. I did appreciate Jason not saying anything. He was my friend and it felt good to know I might have someone in my corner.
“That’s how I felt the moment me and the girls arrived.” Shiloh had never hidden from me what her past was. “We were teenagers and had just lost our mothers. We were about to be sold to the highest bidder ourselves. But as soon as Bex and Cassie found us, we were children in need.”
“I’m glad you got out.”
Even back when we were building a relationship, I never told her about my mother’s intentions. Maybe because our situations were not all that different. Maybe a little different because my mother was the problem. Shiloh always spoke of her bio-mom with such fondness back then.
“I know your childhood wasn’t great. If you want to talk about it?—”
I held my hand up. “I do not want to talk about Dana Hawkins today.” Actually, I never wanted to talk about her. “I am supposed to be entertaining you. I can sing if you want me to. Some say I’m pretty good at that.”
She let out the prettiest giggle. The sound had me in a trance and I couldn’t help but focus on her mouth. And the way her eyes lit up when she was genuinely happy. For some reason I wanted to see more of that.
Shiloh cleared her throat, her eyes darting to my mouth as well. “You want to watch a movie or play a board game while we wait for Ethan to get home?”
“Which is he more likely to join in?” As much as I loved spending time with Shiloh, something told me it would be wise to remember that I was here for Ethan.
“Well, he and I have very different movie tastes but we both play a mean game of scrabble.”
“Then let’s do that.”
“I’ll get the board.” She stood from the couch and moved to the cabinet under the television. “There’s water and soft drinks in the fridge if you want to get something.”
I did as she requested, getting water for myself and a diet cola for her. I also found a bag of chips in a cupboard and emptied that into a bowl. By the time I came from the kitchen she had the board set up and a tile holder on each side of the coffee table.
Playing board games with Shiloh was probably the most wholesome thing I had done with a woman in my entire life. Yet, there was a certain amount of intimacy to it that scared me. I needed to remember my place. I was Ethan’s father, and I could be a friend to Shiloh. Focusing on being a good dad was all I needed to do.
I didn’t know of any man who would be worthy of all her goodness. That had always been apparent. Besides being a good soul with a kind heart, she was the kind of person who took on other’s responsibilities. She had great friends and did what she could to keep them.
After picking her seven letters, Shiloh frowned and rearranged the tiles in her holder.
“While Ethan is not here, let’s play a game of Dirty Scrabble.” She twisted her mouth in that adorable way but I couldn’t miss the smile that was trying to escape.
I narrowed my eyes. “What exactly do you have in mind? Because if it's anything like strip scrabble, I’m all in.”
“No.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “We'll keep on our clothes—wait, how exactly does strip scrabble even work?”
“One day, I’ll show you. Now tell me about Dirty Scrabble.”
“All the words we use must be related to something x-rated or salacious. It can be a slang or swear or even something as blatant as fuck. Something you would never say in front of my mother.”
“Okay. Why don’t you go first so I can see what you mean.”
“I was hoping you would say that.”
She pulled out her tiles one by one and I had to groan as she started forming a word. S-C-H-L-O-N-G.
“I used all seven letters plus I started with a double word score and the O landed on a double letter score.”
My eyes darted from the board to her. “Seriously? You made up rules just so you can play that word.”
“Not really made-up rules. The girls and I play like this from time to time when we have a girls’ night in.”
“You made up rules so you and friends can behave like twelve-year-old boys.”
I was not successful in hiding my smile.
“I never professed to be the most mature.”
With that I raised a brow at her. “Really?”
“Well, not on girls’ night. Usually, my parents babysit and there's a lot of alcohol and processed sugar. And Cheese. Copious amounts of things smothered in cheese. Those are good nights.”
I had to admit I envied the relationship she had with her friends. As close as I was with Layla and Jason, I wasn’t that kind of friend to either of them. In fact, when Jason wanted a bender, he usually came home. I’d never seen him drink at any industry event we attended together. Even when we hung out for a beer, he’d have water.
If I was a better friend, I would’ve taken note of something like that earlier. We continued playing. Some of the words bordered on risqué and others were just downright hilarious.
Some elicited images in my head which necessitated me adjusting myself and others gave me her beautiful laugh. Either way, the game of Dirty Scrabble was a lot more dangerous than I ever expected.
The board was getting pretty full, but I pulled an ‘x’ while there was still a triple word score block open. As she played her word, I hoped it would not interfere with the one I planned. Instead, she picked the ‘k’ at the other end of the board and placed the word J-U-N-K.
“That word should not count.” No self-respecting man should refer to his manhood as junk.
“It's a legitimate dirty word.”
I rolled my eyes knowing I would not win the protest. Besides, I really wanted to add my word.
One by one I added my five letters under the ‘c’ that was already on the board. L-I-M-A and the ‘x’ landing on a triple word score block. “That’s fifty-seven points.”
She stared at me with her mouth open just as the front door opened. A loud squeal escaped her and she banged her hand on the board, sending all the tiles flying. Ethan stood in the doorway frowning at the two of us.
“What are you two doing?”
Shiloh scrambled to pick up the tiles around her as she answered. “We were playing scrabble, hoping you would join us. But you startled me when you walked in so we’ll need to start again.”
While I understood her reasoning for upsetting the board, I couldn’t help but wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that she was losing. Damn, I should’ve challenged her to a game of Dirty Strip Scrabble.
No. No I shouldn’t have. I was here for Ethan. Not to start something with his mother.
“Hey, kiddo. Did you have a good day.”
His eyes darted between me and his mother. “Did you know that nearly the entire school knows that I am Ryder Hawkins’ child?”
My heart sank. I didn’t want him to be the object of gossip, ever. But especially while he was still struggling with the truth.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
He shook his head. “It’s fine. I just thought I would have a chance to tell my friends. But they knew when we got to school this morning. Also, at recess, this bunch of girls wanted to hang out with me and my friends and I think it's because they want your autograph. I don’t have to hand those out, do I?”
“No. Of course not.” I stood and walked over to him, taking his backpack from him and placing it on the table I saw him do his homework at the night before. “And even if you were okay with that, I wouldn’t be. Your friends should be your friends because you’re awesome. Not because your father is famous.”
He narrowed his eyes again, a playful smile teasing his lips. “Even if Lori Titus wants your autograph?”
Shiloh stood, hands on hips. “Especially then.”
I didn't think I’d heard her mom-voice until then. I had to admit it was pretty impressive. Ethan’s shoulders sank and he rolled his eyes.
“Who’s Lori Titus?” I wasn’t sure I liked being in the dark about something Shiloh felt so strongly about
“A maneater in a nine-year-old's body.”
It was my turn to stifle a smile. “Really. And you’re not being just a bit dramatic?”
“Mom is being dramatic. Lori’s my friend.” Ethan started walking to his bedroom. “I’m going to get changed then I’ll come kick your butts at scrabble.”
“I take it Lori Titus is a crush.”
“She’s really sweet, actually. But yeah, I think he has a crush.”