Page 22 of Ryder
“Do you really want him alone with her?”
“Of course not, but I don’t get to decide that, Ryder. He’s her dad, I can’t just cut him out.”
“He hit her. The school are taking it seriously. Sassy-”
“Miss Hind,” I cut in childishly.
“Miss Hind,” he corrects, “Is letting it rest on file but if he does anything else like this, it’ll go to safeguarding.”
“You should go,” I mutter.
“Don’t be mad over this, Neve,” he says, sighing. “I’m trying to take care of you both.”
“I’m her mother and I make those decisions, Ryder, or Ethan or whatever the fuck people call you,” I snap. “Just give me some time to think it over.”
He mutters something to himself, before storming out.
Ryder
She’s upset, and I get it. But I promised to keep her and Harlee safe and I don’t see why she’s putting up a fight. I head over to Griff’s, I want to keep an eye on Neve’s place in case Finn should turn up unannounced.
I try the front door but it’s locked. “Fuck sake,” I mutter in irritation. Griff’s bike is parked up on the driveway so I know he’s here. I knock and wait for a few minutes but he doesn’t answer so I head around the back. I’ve asked for a key numerous times, but he refuses to give me one. He likes his privacy which is the reason he decided to rent this place when I got out of prison. He’d spent the last few years as acting president and when I got out he told me he was renting his own space for a few months, being around the men twenty-four-seven had driven him mad. Personally, I like it at the club.
I try the back door and it opens, much to my relief. I head in, but he’s not downstairs which makes me think he’s probably balls deep in pussy. I grin to myself as I head up the stairs. I need a piss anyway, and I need to know if Mya is in his bed, wondering if her charms had finally paid off.
I stop outside his room to the sound of groans and laugh to myself as I kick the door open. “Taking the afternoon off . . .” I stare at the scene before me, my words hanging in the air.
Griff scrambles to grab a sheet but it’s far too late to hide the fact he’s fucking another guy. “Fuck, Ryder, how did you get in?” he snaps, wrapping the sheet around himself.
The man on the bed flops onto his back, his semi hard cock fully on show. “Hey, I’m Corey,” he says with a small wave.
I glance at Griff for an explanation but he’s staring at the ground. “Eric?” I almost whisper. The word feels tight in my throat but it gets his attention, probably because I never use it. “What the fucks going on?”
“I’m sorry,” he mutters.
“Sorry?” I repeat. “I don’t understand . . . you . . .” I glance back at Corey. “But you like . . . you’re not . . .”
“I’m sorry you had to find out like this,” mutters Griff.
“Find out what, Griff?” I snap. “Is this just fun or are you . . .”
“I am,” he confirms.
I grip the doorframe, hardly believing what I just walked in on. My mind races trying to remember a time when Griff was with a woman. “You’re what?” I ask, needing to hear the words.
“Ryder, please,” he mumbles.
“Say the fucking words, Griff,” I yell and he jumps at my tone.
“I’m gay,” he grits the words out angrily. “I’m fucking gay.”
I inhale sharply at his confession. I hadn’t even suspected. I turn and leave, rushing back down the stairs with Griff yelling for me to wait and talk.
I break out into the fresh air and jump on my bike. I need space. From my brother. From my club and from Neve.
Neve
It’s been almost a week since I asked Ryder to leave. Almost a week since I last saw him and almost a week since I last spoke with him. He’s ignored my calls and the two text messages I’ve sent asking if he’s okay. And now I’m officially worried, so I knock on Griff’s door for answers.