Sadie
“READY?” LAURA ASKED, grabbing her purse.
I frowned. I was having fun and didn’t want the night to end quite yet. “We’re going home?”
“No, hon,” Bethany said. “We’re heading to the next place.”
I slid from the booth and grinned. “Oh, right. Cool.”
Bethany grabbed my arm as I teetered slightly once standing. “I’m good,” I assured her.
“The walk will help sober you up a bit.”
I giggled. “Are you saying I’m drunk?”
“Well, only you can answer that, but I suspect you’re at least a little tipsy.”
“Is that when the world starts tilting? Because, yeah. I’m there.”
Laura led the way out, shivering in the cool night air. “Crap, I should have brought a hoodie.”
“And cover up your fabulous dress?” I countered.
“You do have a point,” she murmured. “This dress is fab.”
Bethany giggled. “You won’t be cold for long. We’re not far from the Brass Frog.”
I stopped walking.
“Sadie? You okay?” Laura asked.
I bit my lip. “You didn’t say we were going there.”
“So?” Bethany faced me, confused.
“It’s Ryder’s bar,” I clarified.
“Seriously? He owns the Brass Frog?”
I nodded.
“We don’t have to go there,” Laura said.
“Um, yeah we do. It’s like the place to be on a Friday night,” Bethany argued. “Who cares if it’s Ryder’s bar? Plus, if Sadie’s with us, we’ll for sure get in.”
“Um...” I really didn’t want to go inside. I wasn’t ready to see Ryder... I didn’t know why, I just wasn’t.
“We can go somewhere else,” Laura continued.
Bethany rolled her eyes. “Okay, I don’t want to be a total biatch, but seriously, who cares? If Ryder sees you out having a good time, that’s the best revenge.”
“I don’t want revenge, Bethany,” I said. “He hasn’t done anything to me. But if we go to his place, he might think I’m stalking him or something.”
“Hmm, you may have a point.”
“What about the bar that’s around the corner?” Laura suggested. “It’s good, right? And it won’t be as crowded.”
“That might work,” Bethany agreed.
I relaxed with a grin. “Sounds great.”
We headed toward our destination and I was a little taken aback as we approached Ryder’s bar. There was a line almost around the corner. “Wow.”
“Right?” Bethany sighed. “They must be at capacity. No one new can get in until someone leaves.”
“Is it always like this?”
Bethany shrugged. “After around ten or eleven, most of the time. On the weekends, forget it. If you’re lucky enough to get in, you typically stay.”
That’s what he meant when he said it got rowdy at night.
“How come?” I asked, curious now.
“One, their staff is hot... like I’d sleep with all of them, hot,” Bethany said. “Two, their food is some of the best in Portland. Three, the music is off the chain... the owner, or booking manager, or whoever, are picky about the bands they bring in. And, four, they’re hot.”
I giggled. “I’m seeing a theme.”
“Bethany measures everything on hotness,” Laura informed me. “So, uggos are typically ignored by her.”
“I feel somewhat relieved,” I admitted.
Bethany laughed. “Like you don’t know you’re gorgeous. Whatever.”
As we walked and talked, I caught something out of the corner of my eye and craned my head to see Reese sneaking behind a group of patrons waiting to be let in. He worked there, so I brushed it off... until we got around the corner and I saw him again.
This time I was a little curious. “Can you give me a sec, please?” I pulled away from Bethany and Laura and headed straight for Reese, whose face contorted into irritation as I approached. “Are you following us?”
“Hey, Sadie.” He gave me a chin lift, effectively ignoring my question. “How are you?”
I crossed my arms. “Just as fine as I was almost an hour ago when you saw me in the club.”
His eyes widened with mirth. “Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it was good seein’ you, Sadie.”
“Huh-uh,” I said, and gently grabbed his arm. “What’s going on here? Are you following us, Reese?”
He gave me an annoyingly patronizing smile. “Babe, I have a lot to do on Fridays. Following you isn’t typically one of them, so I’m just gonna check in with Janet about a booze order, then head back to the Frog.”
“Oh, right.” I dropped my hand and blushed. “Sorry, Reese. It just seemed a little weird.”
“No problem, Sadie. You take care.”
I nodded and joined my ladies, not realizing immediately that he didn’t “check with Janet” like he said he was going to. Instead, he stood at the door head to head with one of the bouncers while I slid into the booth next to Laura, before walking out without so much as a look in my direction.
“Ohmigod, he’s so hot,” Bethany breathed out.
“Aren’t you dating someone?” Laura said.
“He’s gay.”
I choked on a laugh and spent a few minutes coughing uncontrollably.
“Are you okay?” Laura asked.
“Yes. But why would you date a gay man?” I asked.
“Okay, get this,” Bethany said, taking a seat. “Met him online a month ago, he and I have gone out on like, six or seven dates, he’s a phenomenal, and I mean phenomenal kisser. Last night, we go to dinner and we’re talking about something random, I don’t even remember what, and he says, “Well, you know I’m bi-sexual right?””
Laura swore which, luckily, covered my gasp.
Bethany waved her hands. “Never mentioned anything about sexual orientation on his profile... he’s actively seeking women, but he drops that bombshell? Oh, hell no. I have no time for liars. I’m done.”
“He’s obviously confused,” Laura said.
“Well, he can be confused on his own time. Or just be honest up front, you know? He’s a cool guy, I’d totally hang out with him, but liars need not apply.”
“Amen, sista,” Laura said with a nod.
“I’m sorry, Bethany,” I said. What could I say? This subject was so far out of my purview I was at a loss.
She shrugged. “It is what it is.”
A server came by and took our drink orders and then Bethany said, “Speaking of available men. Since you apparently know that hottie, if you don’t want him, could you introduce him to me?”
I giggled. “I don’t really know him. He just gave me a ride home one night.”
“But you know Ryder and he knows Reese,” Laura said.
I nodded. “This is true.”
The server returned with our drinks and I sipped the margarita, humming in pleasure.
“Come on, Sadie, hook a sister up,” Bethany demanded.
I sighed. “If Ryder ever calls me again... and that’s a big if... then I’ll see what I can do.”
“What if you see him again?” Laura asked.
I took another sip of my drink and sighed. “He kind of needs to call me in order for me to see him.”
“Um, yeah, that’s not actually true,” Laura said.
“Huh?” I wrinkled my nose, my mind fuzzy.
“Ladies.”
My head whipped to the side of its own accord and my stomach flipped as Ryder smiled down at us. Good Lord, he was delicious. Dark jeans, motorcycle boots, and a tight-black V-neck T-shirt that hugged his very muscular chest.
Laura shoved her elbow into my side and I squeaked. “Sorry. Hi Ryder. This is Laura and Bethany.”
He shook their hands. “Nice to meet you.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Reese mentioned he saw you, so I thought I’d come say hi.”
“So, your boy, Reese,” Bethany said, somewhat breathily. “Is he single?”
“Bethany,” I admonished.
“What? You don’t get anywhere or anything in life if you don’t ask.”
“I agree.” Ryder chuckled. “Yeah, he’s single, but he’s not really the dating type.”
“I don’t want to date him, I just want some fun.”
I groaned and dropped my face into my hands.
“Bethany. Nun... directly in front of you,” Laura snapped.
“Oh come on. She’s no longer a nun and even if she was, it’s not like she’s never heard about sex.” Bethany leaned forward. “You do know about sex, right? Boys have a penis and girls have a—”
“Bethany,” I hissed, cutting her off as I raised my hands in surrender. “Can we please stop this fascinating subject of conversation for the moment? We can continue it when we’re alone.”
“Give him my number okay?” Bethany grabbed a napkin and a pen, scribbling digits on the paper and handing it to Ryder.
“No problem,” he said, and then focused on me. “Can I borrow you for a minute, Sadie?”
“Ah—”
“Go,” Laura said. “We’ll watch your purse.”
Ryder held his hand out to me, but I didn’t take it as I pushed away from the table. I didn’t miss his amused look of challenge as we made our way outside. The ground was a little uneven and I stalled for a second just as Ryder’s arm wrapped around me to steady me. “Okay, babe, you’ve had a little, huh?”
“I’m okay.” I gasped seeing his hand bandaged. “What did you do to your hand?”
“Nothin’.”
“Did someone else do that, then?” I frowned. “You look wrecked, Ryder. Are you okay?”
“It’s nothin’, Sadie. Drop it.”
I let out a frustrated groan and shoved his arm away, steadying myself on the back of one the chairs on the sidewalk.
“Babe, you should probably sit down.”
“I was sitting down and you demanded my presence out here, so what is it you need, Ryder, because I have friends to get back to. I have also discovered I like margaritas, which is... are... also waiting for me back inside.” Apparently, alcohol made me bold.
“Whoa.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I get it. I didn’t call you. I’m sorry. That was a dick move, but will you talk to me?”
I shook my head. “We are talking. So, can we do this so I can go back inside?”
“I figure since you have an aversion to me touching you, you might still be pissed about this week.”
“Wow,” I breathed out. “First of all, you’re putting a lot of words in my mouth, especially considering you don’t know me. Second of all, you don’t owe me anything, Ryder, so seriously, it’s okay.”
“How about I take you out next week? Make it up to you.”
I flopped into the chair so I wouldn’t fall down. “You don’t have anything to make up.”
“Why don’t I swing by tomorrow and I’ll give you your first driving lesson, then? I’ll take you to lunch afterwards?”
“What happened to your hand, Ryder?”
“Nothin’, it’s fine.”
I gave him a sad smile. “I’m going back inside now.”
“Come on, Sadie, let me take you to lunch tomorrow.”
“What happened to your hand, Ryder?” I asked, staring up at him.
“I punched a wall.”
I forced myself to stay calm. “Why did you punch a wall?”
He shook his head.
“Okay.” I pushed out of the chair and headed toward the bar.
“Wait.” He took my arm and turned me around. “I can’t talk about this.”
“Can’t or won’t?” I challenged.
“Same thing.”
“Not really,” I countered. “State secrets, attorney/client privilege, clergy confession, that you can’t talk about. Something that causes you emotional distress, the kind that makes you punch a wall, that typically falls under won’t.”
“You’re killin’ me,” he ground out.
“Then I’m going back inside to join my friends.” I glanced down at his hand still holding my arm. “I don’t want to cause you any more distress, Ryder.”
He studied me for a few seconds before closing his eyes. “My sister’s missing.”
I gasped. “What?”
“She’s been... actually, we think she’s still being... trafficked.”
“Oh, Ryder, I’m so sorry,” I said, stepping closer and laying my hand on his chest. “What can I do?”
“Nothin’, babe. I don’t wanna talk about it.”
I nodded. “Okay, I get it. The pastor…the one we met after our…date…”
He grunted his affirmative as he slid his hand to my neck, stroking my pulse.
“Cameron, right?” I leaned into his touch, “Is he involved?”
“Babe, hand to God, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Right.” I bit my lip with a frown. “Are there any leads?”
“Holy shit, Sadie, you’re like a dog with a bone.”
“I know, I’m sorry, I’m just... I’ve just never known anyone who’s dealt with anything like this. I want to help.”
“You can’t.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I can pray.”
“Which does nothing.”
I patted his chest. “It does when I do it.”
He chuckled. “Ya think?”
“Try me.”
“Yeah?”
“Close your eyes,” I directed.
“No.”
I cocked my head. “Yes.”
Ryder stiffened. “I’m not praying with you on the street, Sadie.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I am not.”
I gripped his arm and closed my eyes, forcing back a cheeky smile. “Dear Lord, we pray for protection over...” I opened one eye and asked, “What’s your sister’s name?”
He glared down at me. “Scarlett... we call her Scottie.”
“Oh my gosh, what an awesome name.” As he grumbled a four-letter word, I closed my eyes again, squeezing his arm harder. “We pray that wherever Scottie is tonight that you protect her and give her peace and that you help Ryder find her. Amen.” I couldn’t help a little bit of a triumphant smile as I focused on him again. “You just prayed with me on the street.”
“Damn it.”
“Feel better?”
“Nope.” Even though he denied it, his body relaxed.
“Well, I do.” I squeezed his arm. “I truly am sorry, Ryder. I will continue to pray for her.”
“Can I take you to lunch tomorrow?”
“I don’t know.”
“Please, Sadie. When I’m near you, the demons aren’t so scary. You drive them away. God, I’ve missed you this week.” He stroked my cheek. “I should have called you, but I was afraid you’d hate me.”
“Why would I hate you?”
He shook his head. “Because I’m not a good man.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I can’t.” His expression grew tortured. “Babe, sorry, but I can’t do that to you.”
“Okay,” I whispered. “It’s okay. I see you, Ryder. I see your heart. I could never hate you.”
“Let me see you tomorrow.” He dropped his forehead to mine. “Better yet, call me when you’re ready to head home. I’ll drive you.”
“We’re cabbing it home, it’s fine.”
“I’m taking you.” His expression turned pleading. “Yeah?”
“All three of us?” I asked. “Laura’s car’s at my place.”
“Yeah, babe. All three of you.”
“Okay.” I smiled. “I should get back to my friends.”
He kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
“’Bye.” I headed back into the bar, but glanced over my shoulder to see him give me a gentle smile before walking away. His kiss lingered on my forehead and I took a deep breath. I wanted more. A lot more. His claim that he wasn’t a good man didn’t ring true for me, but I’d heed his warning until I got to know him better. I might have been sheltered, but I wasn’t stupid. The fact was I trusted Ryder. As naive as that might be, it was true. I had always been a pretty decent reader of people, and I knew he wasn’t as bad as he might think he is. I just had to test my theory first.
“What did Ryder want?” Laura asked as I arrived back at the table and took my seat.
“He wants to drive us home.”
“Oooh, will Reese be with him?” Bethany asked.
I giggled. “I have no idea.”
She jabbed a finger at me. “Text him and tell him to bring Reese.”
“Buy me a margarita and I’ll think about it.”
“Deal,” Bethany said, and waved her hand toward our server.