Ryder (10 page)

“Let's do it.” She fist pumps the air and I can see what Letty means about Quinn being an influence in her life. We move slowly through the ten crazy holes and Demi beats us hands down, but with the little help from Mom and me.  Demi starts yawning so I suggest some food before taking Demi over to Quinn’s for the night. Oh yeah baby I get to have Letty all to myself tonight.

We take Demi to a local diner and that dreaded day plays in my head again as I see three girls walk my way. I look at Letty and I know she has seen them.

“Sorry to interrupt, but can we have a photo with you please? Maybe an autograph?” She smiles at me. I look towards Letty, who has a small smile on her face.

“I’m sorry ladies but I’m eating with my family, maybe another time, yeah?” I smile at them. The girl who asked me replies.

“Ok, I’m sorry. I will try and catch you again. Enjoy your food” She goes to walk away but her redheaded friend speaks up and I can see she is pissed I brace myself for a backlash of bitchiness.

“Excuse me, we go to your shows and buy tickets and anything that you sell. You could at least pose for a photo. I mean for fuck's sake, you’re Ryder Fucking Phoenix for crying out loud, you don’t have a family. You fuck whoever you want, you…”

“ENOUGH!” Comes from Letty sitting across from me. She reaches for Demi, who is crying.

“You really need to watch your mouth around my girl. How dare you use that language in front of a child? I don’t care if she isn’t mine by blood but I take her as mine. So I suggest that you…” I point to the polite friend “Take this foul mouth little child away from me before I say something I regret and upset my girl even more. And I don’t ever want to see you at another Inside Noise gig again, you got me?” Her mouth is gasping open while her friends drag her out of the diner.

Without a word to Letty I pick Demi up from her chair and throw a few bills on the table and stride out to my car. I strap Demi in and wipe the tears from her face.

“It’s ok, Dems. Those girls won’t frighten you again, ok baby?” I smile at her and she gives me a small smile back. I kiss her forehead and turn to see Letty standing there with tears in her eyes. I close the door without taking my eyes off Letty. She steps closer to me and leans in for a kiss I pull her closer and deepen the kiss.

“You ok, Sunshine?” She nods her head, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks.

“You just melted my heart, Ryder Phoenix. No one has ever claimed Demi and me before. Not even her own father wanted her you have blown me away with what you just said inside. I need you to be one hundred percent sure that you are all in, Ry. This will rip her heart apart as well as mine if it doesn't work out. I have to put her first.” I pull her in for another kiss and a banging comes from behind me; I turn to see Demi banging on the car window. I open the door to Demi shouting about boy cooties again.

“Demi, Angel, I’m not a boy babe I’m a man, so my boy cooties went away years ago but the boys you go to day care with have lots of cooties. I don’t want you kissing any boys until you are thirty ok, baby?” She smiles and nods and replies.

“Ok, Ryder I believe you”

“Ok then, let’s get you home so I can take Mama out on a date. Auntie Quinn is babysitting you tonight.”

Letty kisses me again and we climb into my car. While driving home we dance and sing to ‘22’ by Taylor Swift. I’m surprised at how wide Demi’s range of music is. I lace my fingers with Letty’s and bring her hand to my lips and kiss her hand. She rewards me with a smile. As we get close to her building I sense her tense up and frown at the brand new sports car that’s sitting in her drive way. She turns to look at Demi who is playing with her doll, completely oblivious to what’s happening around her.

“Do you know him, baby?” I ask Letty, who now looks scared or worried. She has gone pale. She finally pulls her eyes from Demi to look at me and nods yes. I look at Demi in my rear view mirror then back to the guy, who is standing next to the sports car.  Fuck, it’s Demi’s father; she looks just like him. Letty sees that I have made the connection and nods yes. We stop the car and Letty places her hand on my thigh.

“Please stay with Demi. I don’t want her to know who he is. Ryder, he has never met her, he didn’t want to me to keep her.” My body builds with rage. What fucking man wouldn’t want this beautiful little girl? I nod and squeeze her hand and let her go so she can exit my car. I watch as Letty walks and stops in front of the guy.

Demi chimes in behind me “Where is Mama going? Who is that man she is talking to, Ryder?” I remove my seat belt and turn to face her, keeping a forced smile on my face.

“Mama, is just going to talk to the man for a second ok? You doing ok back here? Do you like your new doll?” I smile at her; I can hear voices being raised and I turn to see Letty and the dude shouting at each other. I grab my phone and send a quick text to my brother to get here. I may need back up. The elderly lady from next door comes out and I use that to my advantage.

“Mrs. Dawson, would you mind watching Demi while I sort this out please?” I nod to Letty and Demi’s father.

“Of course, doll. You go help your girl.” I nod and walk towards Letty.

I place my hand on the small of her back and ask her, “Everything ok over here?” I look at the dude not Letty.

“Who are you? This is between Letty and me so please leave” I snort at him and he glares at me.

“Ryder Phoenix, Letty’s boyfriend. Nice to meet you, and you are?”

Chapter 12

Letty

I can’t believe that Andy turned up at my apartment. He is a total dick for doing this and now Ryder has come over to join the fucking party and he introduces himself.

“Ryder Phoenix, Letty’s boyfriend. Nice to meet you and you are?” He sticks his hand out for Andy to shake but he ignores Ryder’s offer. Whoa wait; did Ryder just introduce himself as my boyfriend? Ok I think I am ok with that.

“My name is Andrew Mitchell and I am Demi’s father. And I want to see my daughter. Now where is she, Letty?” Andy asks me. I’m not sure if has noticed that she is in Ryder’s truck.

I shake my head. “I told you Andy; you can’t just turn up and demand to see her. She is four years old and you have never once met her. You turning up today will just confuse her. You haven’t been interested in her life until you decided to get married. Why can’t you just leave her alone and start a new family with your new wife? Andy, she is perfect and doing amazing. She loves life she loves music and dressing up. She has her family right here. I know that you give me money each month for her but believe me I don’t use much of it. I put most of it into a college account for her. But the money you send is a great help. Don’t confuse her; she won’t understand what happening if you bring your whole life into hers. I will keep up with my updates to your parents. She is a very happy four year old little girl Andy, please just let her be” I am pleading with him and he just stares at me blankly. Ryder tightens his hold on me when I hear a rumble of an engine. I turn to see a black muscle car pull in behind Ryder’s truck.

I see Rafe and Reeve climb out of the car, as well as Lucy.

“See Andy, they are Demi’s family. My brothers and sister-in-law.” Ryder motions to Rafe, Reeve and Lucy. I see Mrs. Dawson standing next to Ryder’s truck and smile at her; she nods her head at me. I turn back to Andy who is watching everyone and he then he turns his eyes to me.

“She is happy?” I nod and add a weak smile trough the tear now threatening to spill over. He takes a deep breath and speaks. “It wasn’t my idea to bring Demi into our wedding, it was Yvonne’s. She wanted to make a statement that I am a family man but we kept Demi out of the limelight. We have fought for weeks and I gave in and contacted you.” He looks down at his feet and then looks me in the eyes.

“Can I just see her Letty, maybe just say hi? She doesn’t have to know who I am and I won’t say anything to her. I just want to see with my own eyes that she is doing ok. Please?” He looks at me with so much hope on his face so I nod my head. I turn to Ryder and he nods and kisses my cheek before walking off to his truck.

“Thank you, Andy. She is my world and I strive every day to make her life happy. I understand if you want to stop her money…” He cuts me off.

“I would never do that, Letty. You have done an amazing job with her. I will increase her money but I will also do a trust for her for when she goes to college and anything else she needs.” He stops short when I hear Demi and Ryder talking about Andy. Ryder hands Demi over to me and wraps his arm around my waist keeping Demi and me close.

“Demi, baby I want you to meet a friend of Mama’s. Can you say hi to Andy for me?” She smiles her big smile and waves at Andy.

“Hi Andy, I’m Demi. How do you know my Mama?” I turn to look at Andy and he has unshed tears in his eyes. He blinks them back and straightens his shoulders while clearing his throat.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Demi. I am a friend of your Mama’s from a very long time ago. You are just as beautiful as she is and I bet just as clever too aren’t you?” He asks her and she nods her head and smiles. I kiss her cheek, I hear Andy let out a big sigh “Well it was very nice to meet you Demi but I have to get back to work now. Will you do me a big favor?” Demi nods excitedly.

“Will you look after your mama for me please? I know she acts tough but she is a big softy really.” Demi nods again and then she reaches for Ryder. I hand her over and I see Andy's face fall but he catches himself quickly. Demi snuggles into Ryder's neck and waves at Andy.

“I’m gonna start getting Demi ready for bed” He offers his hand to Andy again, who takes it this time. “Thank you Andy. I won’t let any harm come to them, I promise you” Andy nods in understanding and we watch Ryder walk into my apartment with Demi and Lucy and his brothers in tow.

I let out a breath that I didn’t even know I was holding, my chest ached and my throat burned. I look at Andy who is still watching the door to my building. I touch his arm and he jolts back to the present. He looks at me with longing in his eyes and even though he wasn’t there for me or Demi my heart aches for him a little.

“Thank you, Andy. You don’t know what this means to me, to us. Do you want updates or should I just keep sending them to your folks?” I ask him, I haven’t seen this side of him and it’s a nice feeling to know that he isn't completely made of stone.

“Me, email me directly please, Letty.” He smiles at me. He leans in and kisses my cheek and we both turn when we hear a growl from behind Andy. Yes! He growled for me. Go Letty. Andy smirks at Ryder before nodding in his direction and heading for his car.

“Take care of her, Letty, and yourself. Bye.” I stand there watching Andy drive away and out of our lives. Taking a deep breath and turn and walk towards my dashingly handsome boyfriend, who is standing at the top of the steps waiting for me.

“Why was another man kissing what’s mine?” He asks me when I reach him. I place my hand on his chest and I love the feel of his hard muscles beneath his t-shirt.

“He was just saying goodbye, Ryder. There was no harm in it, so calm down, ok?” I smile and kiss his lips. I have the feeling that I am going to like Ryder being possessive over me because I know that he will be the same with my daughter.

“As long as that’s all it was, Sunshine. Come on, your daughter wants a kiss before she goes to sleep. Reeve is in with her, singing to her.” I smile at him and we make our way into my apartment. When we enter, I see Rafe and Lucy sitting at the kitchen table chatting about Demi. Oh shit, Quinn was supposed to babysit. I send her a quick text letting her know that we aren’t going anywhere tonight and that I would call her in the morning to explain.

I hear Reeve singing to Demi as I get closer to her bedroom. He is singing Gavin DeGraw’s ‘Chariot’ God I love that song but then again, I love anything by Gavin DeGraw. I see she is falling asleep so I go to step out but Reeve waves me into the room. He is laying on the bed with Demi curled into his side and I can’t help but catch my breath at the sight these boys. This family has accepted Demi and me as their own in such a short amount of time. I know I keep saying that the time thing maybe an issue, but I guess you can’t help what you feel. I walk over and lean in to kiss her head.

I smile at Reeve. He is truly sex on a stick, but then again so is Rafe and well, obviously Ryder. They each have jet-black hair with beautiful green eyes. I go to step away but Reeve catches my wrist.

“Go spend some time with my brother. I will stay here with Demi; I’m sure Rafe and Lucy will stay as well. You two deserve some alone time; Demi will be fine with us. Plus my brother needs to get laid” He winks at me and I take another look at my now sleeping daughter and leave the room. Ryder is leaning against my kitchen counter and Rafe and Lucy are still sitting at the table. This is the first time I have seen Lucy sitting on her ass and not on Rafe’s lap. I walk towards Ryder and he opens his arms for me; I stand between his legs and wrap my arms around his shoulder, burying my head in his neck. I can’t help but pick up the scent on him and damn the man smells delicious.