Page 121 of Jackass

I pulled up to The Bookstore and thought about Ryder. I was excited about what this book signing would do for the store. What it would do for him and his girls.

Mimic pulled up beside me and hopped off his bike. He moved over to my car, opening the door for me.

“Thank you,” I said, smiling at the young man.

Grabbing my bag, we walked across the lot and into the store. Ryder was at the counter arguing with Rachel, Beck, and Grace.

“Tell us,” Beck demanded.

“What do you want me to say? She walked in and asked about doing the signing. She’s an author, that’s all I know. I didn’t get her dating profile or her measurements,” Ryder said.

“Ryder, you have to know something,” Rachel whined.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I asked.

“Ask her! She is in charge of everything. I just own the store.” Ryder pointed at me, and the girls all turned around.

“Sam, what can you tell us about Rayne Perry?” Grace rushed over. “Tell me everything!”

I laughed at the women. They were fangirling as hard as I was.

“She is incredible. So sweet. And soooo pretty. Right, Ryder?” I asked, putting him on the spot.

Rachel and Beck swung around to look at their friend. Ryder simply rolled his eyes at me.

“Please don’t get them started,” he begged.

“Wait, just how pretty is she?” Rachel asked.

“Blonde hair, sapphire blue eyes. She’s gorgeous. Like some socialite in Manhattan,” I told them.

“Really? So she’s snooty, huh?” Grace asked.

“Not at all. She was so sweet, almost shy. She does everything herself. Came in alone, no PR team, no publicist. She only does signings at small town bookstores. She said she has never done one in New York and never will. She doesn’t even live there anymore,” I explained.

“Will she fit in with us?” Beck asked, her eyes firmly on Ryder’s.

“Beck,” he growled. “Let it go.”

“Nope,” she challenged with a smirk.

“Did she meet the girls?” Rachel asked.

“No, they were in the children’s section with Mimic,” I said.

“Fuck,” Ryder barked, moving around the counter toward the door. “Beck, call your dad,” he said, walking outside.

We all turned to watch him leave, and that was when I saw them. Carrie was on the sidewalk, talking to Derek. I moved to the door, and Mimic grabbed my arm.

“No way, Momma.”

“Yes,” I said, pulling my arm out of his grasp and hurrying out the door behind Ryder.

“Samantha!” Mimic called behind me.

Knowing he would follow me, I walked down the street toward Derek and Carrie.

“Marsha, what the fuck are you doing here?” I heard Derek ask.