Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
noia
The ride home feels different. I press myself against Ryder’s back, arms wrapped tightly around his waist, cheek resting between his shoulder blades. We take the coastal road home, the sound of the motorcycle a pleasant hum as the wind rushes past.
We pull into the driveway just as the sun is starting to set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks.
My legs are wobbly again as I climb off the bike.
“Did you have fun today?”
Ryder is looking down at me with those smoky gray eyes and I swear I could melt just from the intensity of his gaze.
“I did. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
The words hit low in my belly as he growls the words.
Clearing my throat, I hand him back the helmet and head toward the door. “I’m gonna take a shower and do some writing.”
Hot water sluices over my body as I wash away the lingering scent of ocean air from my skin.
My mind keeps replaying the day on repeat—the exhilarating feeling of my first motorcycle ride, the way Ryder looked at me across the table at lunch, and the intensity in his eyes when he said he felt like he’d known me his whole life.
After toweling off, I slip into my comfiest pajama shorts and T-shirt before sitting down at my desk.
The words flow easily, my fingers flying across the keyboard as I describe the feeling of being pressed against Ryder’s back on the motorcycle, the way the wind whipped through my hair and how the sense of freedom I experienced made me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life.
I’m deep into our steamy scene from the night before when my phone buzzes. My mom’s face lights up the screen, and I hesitate for a second before answering.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Noia, sweetheart!” Her voice is warm and slightly breathless. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days. How are you doing?”
I glance at my bedroom door. It’s open just a crack, and I can hear Ryder moving around downstairs. “Everything’s fine, Mom. I’m sorry I haven’t returned your calls. I’ve been... writing.”
“That’s great! Your editor will be thrilled. I take it the change of scenery is helping?”
“Something like that,” I murmur, biting back a smile. “It’s definitely been... inspiring.”
“You sound different,” she says, her mom-radar kicking in.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. “Just tired from writing all day.”
“Mmm-hmm.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “Well, I was calling to see if you wanted some company this weekend. I thought I might drive up, bring some of those cookies you love.”
My heart jumps into my throat. “This weekend? Um, actually, Sasha’s coming to visit. She’ll be here Friday.”
“Perfect! I can come on Saturday. I’d love to see Sasha too.”
Panic flutters in my chest. “Mom, I don’t think—”
“Nonsense. It’s been too long since I’ve seen my baby girl. Besides, I want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself after... well, you know.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Really. Maybe another weekend, okay?”
“Oh, honey,” she says, voice gentle. “I know you’re still hurting from what Eric did, but hiding isn’t going to—”
“I’m not hiding,” I interrupt, voice sharp. Wincing, I soften my tone. “I’m working. And I’m... I’m actually doing really good.”
There’s a pause on the other end, and I can practically hear her processing the abrupt change in my tone.
“Mom.” I take a deep breath. “I love you, and I appreciate you wanting to check on me. But I need you to trust that I’m okay. Better than okay, actually.”
Another pause. “What aren’t you telling me? Have you met someone?”
Jesus, mother’s intuition is no joke.
My cheeks start to burn. “What makes you ask that?”
“Like I said, you sound… different, that’s all.”
Tears prick my eyes unexpectedly. “I’m just figuring some things out.”
“Good things, I hope?”
I glance toward the door again, hearing Ryder’s low chuckle from downstairs as he talks to Goonie. “Yeah, Mom. Really good things.”
“Well, then I suppose I can wait to hear about them. But Noia? When you’re ready to share, you know I’m here.”
“I know. I love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart. And honey? Whatever else it is that’s happening, don’t let fear talk you out of it. You deserve to be happy, too.”
After we hang up, I sit staring at my phone until a soft knock at my door makes me look up.
“Come in.”
Ryder pushes the door open, holding two mugs. “Thought you might want some tea.”
“Thanks.” I accept the mug gratefully, wrapping my hands around its warmth.
“Who were you just talking to?”
“My mom.”
He settles on the edge of my bed. “Everything okay?”
“She wanted to visit this weekend. I told her Sasha was coming and maybe she could come another weekend.”
“You don’t want her to meet me.”
The quiet understanding in his voice makes me cringe inside.
“It’s not that I don’t want—” Frustrated, I let out a sigh. “God. You know our situation is complicated.”
“Hey.” He reaches out, brushing his fingers across my cheek. “Talk to me.”
Despite my frustration, I lean into his touch. “How do I explain all of this… you, to her? ‘Mom, this is Ryder. He used to be fictional, but now he’s real. He’s also helping me with my writer’s block and now we’re having amazing sex.’”
“You think the sex is amazing?”
I tsk and roll my eyes, making him chuckle. “Duh.”
His gaze turns molten. “Wanna see how much more amazing it can be?”