Wildcard: Volume Three

“It’s freezing!” he exclaims, holding it out to me for proof.

“That’s my refrigerated drink compartment,” Ryder says proudly.

I snort, because I’m lucky if my beat-up old Fiat starts in the morning.

“Something funny back there?” Ryder narrows his eyes at me.

“Just observing the rich and their toys,” I snigger. “A refrigerated drink holder? Seriously?”

“It wasn’t why I bought the damn car,” he laughs. “But I can’t say it’s never come in handy.”

I grin and listen as he and Jake chatter about other gadgets the car has.

Boys and their toys.

***

Ryder holds the door open as Jake and I walk inside.

“Sorry, I didn’t have time to clean up,” he mutters.

I smirk as I take in his home. It’s about what I expect, considering he’s a young, successful male who lives alone. We follow him in through the living room and into the kitchen.

“Help yourselves to whatever you like. Jake, your room is down the end of the hall, and yours is next to mine.”

“Convenient,” I mumble under my breath. I blush as Ryder raises an eyebrow at me, his lips curving into a smirk. Shit. He wasn’t supposed to hear that. I glance at Jake, who is busy raiding the fridge.

“Jake,” I hiss.

“What? He said to make myself at home.”

“It’s fine, Jake.”

“See?” He rolls his eyes at me as he stuffs a slice of cheese into his mouth.

“You,” I say, putting my hands on his shoulders, “need to go and have a nap. We have dinner tonight and I don’t want you wearing yourself out.”

“But I’m not tired,” he whines as I mar

ch him down the hallway.

“Humor me. Listen to music or something, but you’re going to rest.”

Happy with that, he takes his iPod out of his bag and lies down on the double bed, pulling the covers over him. He yawns and I roll my eyes.

“Thought you weren’t sleepy,” I grin, kissing his nose.

He waves me away, scrunching up his face. “I’m not, I was just stretching my mouth.”

I chuckle and walk back over to the door, pulling it over behind me. “Love you.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

***

“How many rooms does this place have?” I ask, tilting my head as Ryder wraps his arms around my waist.

“Five. Why?”