Ryder (Resisting Love #2.5)(3)

I put my guitar case safely under the bed where Tee won’t accidentally step on it. That guitar is the only thing I have from my father, who left us for another woman when I was five. My mother passed away three years ago and I’ve been nomad ever since. I’m alone. I’ve been travelling for the last three years, playing music, and taking random bar jobs wherever I go. My mother’s insurance money is still sitting in my bank account; I only use it when I really need to.

Truth be told, I haven’t missed Perth much in the last three years. I can only hope that I don’t run into my ex-boyfriend. If I never see him again, it would be none too soon.

“I’m gonna jump in the shower, Lex. You can put your stuff in these drawers, and I left half the cupboard for you. Make yourself at home, okay?” Tee says, motioning to the drawers.

“Okay,” I say, opening my suitcase and starting to put all my things out. A quiet knock on the door causes me to raise my head. “Yeah?” I call out.

“Can I come in?” It’s Ryder.

“Sure. It’s your house,” I reply dryly. He opens the door and hesitantly walks in, taking a quick glance around before bringing his gaze to me.

“Sorry about before, darlin’, it was…”

“You don’t need to apologize, Ryder,” I say, cutting him off. I pick up a handful of clothes and start to fold them.

“I know. It’s just…” He drums his fingers on his thigh, and sighs. I decide to put him out of his misery.

“Ryder, it’s fine,” I assure him.

“We’re cool?” he asks, searching my eyes. I have no idea why we wouldn’t be, so I nod. I’m graced with an easy smile. Tee walks in, dressed in a plush white towel, and nudges Ryder with her hip.

“Why are you in my room?” she asks as she steps inside and heads for the chest of drawers, pulling out lacy red underwear.

Ryder groans, and looks heavenward. “I’m not going to last a week!” He glances over at Tee and grimaces when he sees the underwear in her hand. “For f*ck’s sake, Tee, at least pretend to wear granny underwear or something while you’re here! I’m heading out. I’ll bring us all dinner.” He shudders and walks out the door, slamming it behind him.

Tee flashes me an evil grin. “This is gonna be a fun week!”

I disagree.

*****





Chapter 3


Ryder

I’m sitting on the hood of my truck in front of Kidd’s house. The band usually meets here because Kidd has a huge garage where we used to practice when we were just getting started. His house has become our home ground. Kidd, Jet, and Sax walk out the front, greeting me with a handshake and a tap on my shoulder.

Jet is my baby cousin. My dad’s brother Finn cheated on his wife, Elena, with a stripper who ended up getting pregnant. Because of this, Jet isn’t always well received by our family. Aunt Elena won’t even look at him. Fuck, the way I see it, it’s not Jet’s fault Uncle Finn couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. Jet has the Crawford family gray eyes and thick head of dark hair. At twenty-one, he is the youngest in the band.

“Hey, Ry,” Jet greets, leaning his wiry body against my truck.

“Hey, cuz,” I say, mussing his hair playfully. I love Jet. The kid hasn’t always had it easy.

“Did we get it?” Sax asks, rubbing the back of his neck with his palm. Saxon Tate is about two inches shorter than my 6’2, but a little more muscular. His brown hair is spiked up with product; f*ck knows how long that takes him every day. His eyebrow ring suits him, and the women flock to him like crazy, although for some reason he rejects pretty much all of them. He has a noticeable scar on his other eyebrow that looks like a small knife cut.

“Yeah, we did!” I tell them, and then laugh at their cheers and coos.

Kidd grins. He looks nothing like his younger brother Sax, with his blonde hair and leaner build. Kidd is twenty eight, four years older than Sax.

“Fuck, can’t believe we got it,” Sax says, chuckling.

“What? No faith in Morning Alliance?” I tease. We all know we have put our heart and soul into this band.

“I have faith, bro, but come on. Us, an opening act? That’s huge!”

It is. We’re finally going places. Not that I don’t love playing our weekly gigs at various pubs and clubs around Perth, but this is taking a huge step up. Jet starts talking about some chick he hooked up with, and my mind wanders to Lexi. What is it about her? I want a taste of her. Anything I can get.

I’m losing my mind.

“What’s wrong?” Jet asks, his brow furrowing.

“Tee’s back, and she moved her and her friend in with me,” I tell him, laughing when he cringes.

“Is her friend hot?” Jet asks, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

My grin is answer enough.

“Really?” Sax asks, interested. I’ve seen Sax hook up a few times, but Kidd told me he’s still in love with his ex, AJ.

“Yep,” I tell him.

“Are you gonna hit that?” Jet asks, giving me a crooked grin.

“I sure as hell hope so,” is my honest answer.

*****

“Ryder, this really isn’t necessary,” Sasha says, adding more purple lipstick to her pouted mouth.