Ryder's Redemption (Badboy Rockers #2) Read Online Free PDF
Author: J.A. Templeton
family would get together when Cole arrived.
My stomach had been tied in knots all day. I was both excited and nervous to meet the band that had become such a part of my best friend’s life.
When the movie finally ends, I’m relieved. I just want to get back to the apartment, put on my sweats, and get away from Mr. Overconfident.
“So Kenzie’s brother is coming home tonight, huh?”
My stomach tightens. “Yes.”
***
Five hours later, I’m standing in the living room of Kenzie’s apartment.
My heart is pounding so loud I’m sure everyone in the room can hear it.
Cole will be arriving any second.
Ryder sits sprawled in a chair, inhaling the tortilla chips and salsa like it’s his last meal. Of all people to be present tonight…
I’m so sick of his face, and of all nights for him to be here—it has to be the night I’m reunited with Cole.
I feel someone staring at me from across the room.
Kenzie’s cousin Brooke. She’s territorial about her friendship with Kenzie, letting me know at every opportunity that they’re family, so therefore they have a special bond. Not that she said it, but she didn’t need to. Her fuck you attitude speaks volumes. You’d think with them being family and all she’d be less that way, but I can tell by the short conversation we had that she wasn’t thrilled that I had shown up.
Every time I start a sentence with “remember the time…,” Brooke follows it up with her own story about something she and Kenzie had done, and it would always trump whatever Kenzie and I had done.
So annoying.
My attention is diverted when Kenzie leans back against Deklan and his arms slide around her. He places a kiss on the top of her head and she smiles up at him. Her mom gives me a wink and I’m surprised that the woman I had known in San Diego has become so open and accepting of her daughter and her tattooed, pierced boyfriend. Months ago, Melissa would have locked Kenzie in her room and forbade her to see someone who looked like Deklan. Granted, the boyfriend treats her like a princess. Still, I know how rough it must be to let go of the little girl who she used to keep on such a tight leash.
Proof that they had both changed a lot since the time they had left San Diego.
Melissa’s phone rings and she tells everyone to be quiet. “Hello.” She nods. “Okay, we’ll see you shortly.” She hangs up the phone, her excitement obvious. “That was Shelly. They’re just blocks away.” She crosses the room and checks the blinds.
There are only nine of us here, but already the room feels crowded.
I slide trembling hands over my skirt, wondering if I should have maybe worn jeans instead. The length isn’t too short, so it’s not like I’m showing too much thigh. I did get a brow arch from Ryder when I walked out of Kenzie’s room though. Then again, any girl with a pulse no doubt excites him.
I kicked my wedges off at the last minute and gone with flat sandals. I didn’t want to look like I was working too hard at it.
Now I kind of wish I had the wedges back on. A girl always looked better in heels, my mom had told me the first time I shopped in Rodeo Drive with her. I had been in kindergarten.
I stop myself from going back and putting the wedges on. No one else would notice, but Ryder definitely would. He’ll give me that smirky smile that makes me think he can read my every thought.
Ryder removes his hand from the now-empty chip bowl, wipes his fingers on his leg, and stands slowly. He’s watching me as I watch the front door expectantly.
Damn him. He is such a thorn in my side.
I slide a hand through my perfectly curled hair and I swear I hear him snicker. I glance at him and sure enough, he’s looking right at me…or rather at what bit of leg I am showing.
Asshole.
I hear Cole’s footsteps as he comes up the steps. His voice is music to my ears. He’s laughing at something his aunt is saying, and then the door opens.
“Surprise!” everyone yells, except
My stomach had been tied in knots all day. I was both excited and nervous to meet the band that had become such a part of my best friend’s life.
When the movie finally ends, I’m relieved. I just want to get back to the apartment, put on my sweats, and get away from Mr. Overconfident.
“So Kenzie’s brother is coming home tonight, huh?”
My stomach tightens. “Yes.”
***
Five hours later, I’m standing in the living room of Kenzie’s apartment.
My heart is pounding so loud I’m sure everyone in the room can hear it.
Cole will be arriving any second.
Ryder sits sprawled in a chair, inhaling the tortilla chips and salsa like it’s his last meal. Of all people to be present tonight…
I’m so sick of his face, and of all nights for him to be here—it has to be the night I’m reunited with Cole.
I feel someone staring at me from across the room.
Kenzie’s cousin Brooke. She’s territorial about her friendship with Kenzie, letting me know at every opportunity that they’re family, so therefore they have a special bond. Not that she said it, but she didn’t need to. Her fuck you attitude speaks volumes. You’d think with them being family and all she’d be less that way, but I can tell by the short conversation we had that she wasn’t thrilled that I had shown up.
Every time I start a sentence with “remember the time…,” Brooke follows it up with her own story about something she and Kenzie had done, and it would always trump whatever Kenzie and I had done.
So annoying.
My attention is diverted when Kenzie leans back against Deklan and his arms slide around her. He places a kiss on the top of her head and she smiles up at him. Her mom gives me a wink and I’m surprised that the woman I had known in San Diego has become so open and accepting of her daughter and her tattooed, pierced boyfriend. Months ago, Melissa would have locked Kenzie in her room and forbade her to see someone who looked like Deklan. Granted, the boyfriend treats her like a princess. Still, I know how rough it must be to let go of the little girl who she used to keep on such a tight leash.
Proof that they had both changed a lot since the time they had left San Diego.
Melissa’s phone rings and she tells everyone to be quiet. “Hello.” She nods. “Okay, we’ll see you shortly.” She hangs up the phone, her excitement obvious. “That was Shelly. They’re just blocks away.” She crosses the room and checks the blinds.
There are only nine of us here, but already the room feels crowded.
I slide trembling hands over my skirt, wondering if I should have maybe worn jeans instead. The length isn’t too short, so it’s not like I’m showing too much thigh. I did get a brow arch from Ryder when I walked out of Kenzie’s room though. Then again, any girl with a pulse no doubt excites him.
I kicked my wedges off at the last minute and gone with flat sandals. I didn’t want to look like I was working too hard at it.
Now I kind of wish I had the wedges back on. A girl always looked better in heels, my mom had told me the first time I shopped in Rodeo Drive with her. I had been in kindergarten.
I stop myself from going back and putting the wedges on. No one else would notice, but Ryder definitely would. He’ll give me that smirky smile that makes me think he can read my every thought.
Ryder removes his hand from the now-empty chip bowl, wipes his fingers on his leg, and stands slowly. He’s watching me as I watch the front door expectantly.
Damn him. He is such a thorn in my side.
I slide a hand through my perfectly curled hair and I swear I hear him snicker. I glance at him and sure enough, he’s looking right at me…or rather at what bit of leg I am showing.
Asshole.
I hear Cole’s footsteps as he comes up the steps. His voice is music to my ears. He’s laughing at something his aunt is saying, and then the door opens.
“Surprise!” everyone yells, except