I step into the shower with new determination. I’m not going. They won’t care. In fact, I’m sure they’ll be relieved. I close my eyes against the hot sting of the shower, knowing that everyone will think it’s because of Cindy. Which is true…
“Goddamn it.” I grab the soap and quickly wash myself. I hate feeling like this, like I’m waiting for stuff to happen. It’s like I had a month of peace where I didn’t care about anything but being present and fucking Ryder.
But now… now, I need to face the fact that I’m in love with a man who may not be able to be in my future. If he gets convicted, I can’t imagine he’ll be out in six months. I turn off the water and step out, drying myself as I go over everything that I had Diana look into. For one paranoid moment, I thought maybe my dad was somehow involved in this mess. But besides him thinking I’m too good to be with a biker, he’s preoccupied with going bankrupt so that he can build his empire again. Shuffling around his money through Matthew—it’s corrupt, but he’s clean when it comes to anything concerning Ryder.
“Jule, open the door.” I almost scream. I was so in my head I guess I didn’t hear Gia pounding on the door.
“Hold on.” I grab one of Ryder’s T-shirts and open the door to a beautiful Gia. I almost slam it in her face. Oh, how the tables have turned.
“Finally.” She looks me up and down. “Why aren’t you ready?” She walks around me, her vanilla scent following as she flops into Ryder’s chair, crossing her long legs in her skintight black jeans and high-heeled, lace-up boots.
“I just texted you.”
“I know. I was gonna surprise you since I know you’re gonna try to get out of going tomorrow.”
I shoot her a glare. “Look, I talked it over with Ryder and he said I shouldn’t go.” Ignoring her laughter, I slip on some underwear and pull off his T-shirt, replacing it with a bra.
“Why do you try to lie? You know you suck at it.”
I roll my eyes at her as she frowns at my body.
“What?” I snap.
“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “Just get dressed, and wear something normal, please. Maybe instead of getting Dolly and Charlie presents, we should buy you a new wardrobe.”
I’d like to argue with her, but she’s right on this one. Besides a pair of black AG jeans I stole from her, all my clothes are too New Yorker. I open my drawer while she texts on her phone.
“I say we go get some food and a couple of gimlets at the Ivy, then we shop.” She smiles up at me as I slip into the jeans and decide on a pink sleeveless top. At least it’s not black.
“That sounds like heaven.” Stepping into the bathroom, I quickly put my hair in a low bun. It’s still wet, but at least it’s off my face. I grab some pale pink lip gloss, although lately, my cheeks seem to have had a natural pink glow, so I don’t really need makeup. At last, I slip into a pair of black pumps.
“Well?” I put my hands on my hips.
Gia stands. “You look gorgeous. I hate you. Are you even wearing makeup? Your skin is glowing.” She loops her arm through mine and we leave, ignoring the bikers staring at us.
“Hold on.” Rip stops us at the bottom of the stairs. “Where are you two going?”
“To get drunk at the Ivy. Want to come?” Gia smiles at him and he looks genuinely disappointed.
“I can’t. Ryder would kill me, and I have to meet your brother. Isn’t the baby shower thing today?”
“Tomorrow,” I mumble.
He looks down at me and laughs. “Don’t look so excited, Jule.” He rubs his chin, which is covered in a five-o’clock shadow. “You got security?” He looks at Gia.
She rolls her eyes. “Of course.”
“You two look like trouble.” He grins. “Ryder knows you’re leaving, right?”
“Yes, Rip.” I flutter my eyelashes at him.
Grinning, he shakes his head. “Text Ryder, please—for my peace of mind.” He holds the door open for us.
Ace stands waiting next to a slick, black Tesla X.
“Jesus, you’re not kidding. There’s definitely a black cloud over here. I think that’s the first time Rip has not made me get high with him.” Gia and I slide into the vehicle.
“I know. Hey, Ace,” I say.
He nods, but his eyes sweep the compound.
“Yeah, ever since Ryder was able to break in undetected, Ace has become my personal bodyguard, and we have a whole new crew at my house.” She sighs.
I nod, looking out the window as we go over the hill. It’s like I’ve blinked and we’re magically on Robertson Boulevard.
“God, that was fast. It’s amazing what a difference it makes with no traffic,” I say absently.