Troublemaker (Troublemaker, Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

lick my lips as I drift off for a moment, imagining the two of us together.
    Still. No. Way.
    Ryker shakes his head and smiles. “Man, I could tell you some pretty crazy shit about me and him back in the Corps.”
    “I can only imagine,” I say.
    Ryker scratches the scruff on his chin. “When that dude was a newbie, and I mean literally the first goddamn day he set foot in my barracks,” he pauses and throws his large hands out as if he still can’t believe what happened, “he was nothing but trouble.”
    “Trouble?” I ask.
    His voice drops down an octave. “Yeah, but the good kind of trouble.” He looks out into the night sky, his eyes buzzing from the alcohol. “Ya know what I’m saying, McKenzie?”
    I stand frozen for a moment. I know exactly what’s he’s saying.
    I massage my forehead before I look up at Ryker.
    “So you’re telling me that Cage was some kind of total bad ass?” I ask.
    “Well I ain’t saying it was his fault or nothing but…”
    “Wait, wha t wasn’t his fault?” I ask.
    “Look,” he pauses, “ Cage doesn’t take shit from anybody. And when you’re in the Marines, let’s just say that taking shit from your commanding officer is a requirement for the job.”
    I shake my head. “I don’t get it.” I look over Ryker’s shoulders and see Cage across the room.
    “Simply put, things can get real ugly out there. Real ugly.” Ryker’s eyes grow distant. “But Cage, he don’t exactly…” he pauses and grabs some unsuspecting partygoer in a Hawaiian shirt by the arm. “Do me a favor bro? Wanna get me a refill?” Ryker asks him.
    He looks Ryker’s 6’5” frame up and down. “Right on, brother. I’ll be back in a flash!”
    “Cool man, thanks,” he says.
    Ryker turns his eyes back towards me and leans in even closer than before. I feel his warm breath as he’s about to talk until…
    “Big fella! What’s going on brother?” Cage screams from across the room as he catches Ryker’s attention.
    “Look I can’t say no more about that,” Ryker looks over his shoulder, totally paranoid all of a sudden. “Let’s just say that Cage West has twice the balls that I have, and that’s saying a lot.” He winks at me and takes a huge sip from his beer.
    “What’s up people?” I startle as Cage and Jess show up from behind us. “I found your new friend, Ryker,” he says, delivering Jess’s hand to him.
    Ryker lights up as Jess folds into his arms. Only Jess can act like she’s been dating a guy for six months even though she’s only known him for thirty minutes. I wish, just one time, that I could feel that comfortable around men.
    Cage punches his friend in the arm. “Dude, I still can’t friggin’ believe you came out to visit!”
    “Ah c’mon C , we’re brothers for life. Ain’t nothing gonna stop me from checking up on you,” Ryker says. “Plus someone’s gotta make sure you aren’t getting your ass kicked.”
    “Whatever bro, you really think it’s possible for someone to kick my ass? Look at these f-ing guns baby!” Cage flexes his bicep for Ryker.
    Ryker shakes his head at Cage. “Man, I know one thing which is that you are way too full of yourself.”
    Cage takes another huge gulp from his cup. “You speak the truth my friend. Here! Here!” He raises his cup to his friend’s, beer splashing onto the floor.
    A Lady Gaga song starts thumping through my father’s sub-unit. I look over and see an old picture of my family on the wall start to vibrate and move out of place.
    This really isn’t good.
    “C’mon girl, you ready to dance?” Ryker reaches out for Jess’s hand. She looks at me and giggles, then grabs his hand as they break off into their own private dance world.
    Cage turns to me. “So, you come here often?” he asks.
    I smile back at him. I notice the sweat on his neck and can’t help but want to run my finger along it. “No, first time,” I say, grabbing his cup from his hand. “I heard some freak rents here