Ryder Cane: This is me

Chapter 9

Jack wasn’t too happy about my outburst yesterday and that I threatened his career. The next day, I caught an early fight, back to Los Angeles. My dad noticed the look on my face when I entered the gym. “Tough day?”

        “I think I have to look for a new manager,” I confessed dropping my bag on the bunk. My dad’s forehead furrowed. “I am afraid to ask.” He teased me. “Does it have to do with yesterday’s interview?” He asked, coming over to stand next to me, and rested his hand on my shoulder. “Maybe I overreacted. Maybe, I should just accept who I am and that winning the champion title is going to get every single media reporter on the porch of my front door.” My dad didn’t look convinced.

           “Your goal was always to stay true to yourself. Why change that just because your manager can’t see that?” I shrugged. “Maybe I am dumb to hide away from reporters.” He chuckled, finding it amusing that I’m moping. “You are a fighter. Not some model. Being interviewed about your passion is a different thing than being interviewed about your personal life.” He reminded me.

       “You joined this career because of your passion, not the publicity. Or am I wrong? Your donations have nothing to do with publicity, or am I wrong?” I shook my head.

          “Screw Jack, if he can’t see past that big dollar sign on top of your head. You need someone who is going to help you stay ahead of your career. Not, make an extra buck by lashing your secrets out to the media.” My dad scowled and I glanced over my shoulder to see Jack entering the gym. “Talking about that roach.” My dad muttered making me chuckle. “Let me handle this.” He nodded and walked away.

          “Your old man still scares me sometimes,” Jack admitted. “He still scares me whenever I get in the cage with him.” Jack chuckled as he shook my outstretched hand. “I didn’t know if you would want to talk to me. And I also noticed that you left early this morning.” I nodded. “Yesterday was not a good day and I understood why you were upset with me.” I quirked an eyebrow. “I misused your trust in me by handing out information that was personal to you and for that I am sorry.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest and waited for him to continue.

            “My job is to make sure that any of the rumors that can sink your career gets dealt with. But I saw an opportunity to grow your clientele by showing them just a small part of you.” I shook my head, uncrossing my arms. “That’s not a small part of me. That is who I am.” I told him. “I’ve made anonymous donations because I truly care about their lives. I know each of their names, their past, and their dreams.” Jack looked actually stunned. “I apologize for my wrongdoing and I will make sure there won’t be any more interviews except for sport channel interviews.” I shook his hand in agreement.

         “I just need one favor from you.” I quirked an eyebrow at his comment.

          “My wife heard about some fancy restaurant and she has been dying to eat there.  I promised her that I would take her. So, dress up big man. My wife wants you to be there.” I only agreed to it because his wife was a nice woman.

             We said our goodbyes, I finished my training before heading home to take a shower and get dress. On my way over to the restaurant, he asked me to pick up his wife on my way over because he was stuck in a meeting. While Jack’s wife spoke to the hostess about our bookings, I found myself gazing at a particularly beautiful woman who didn’t look very happy at this moment. Without telling Jack’s wife, I headed over to the table where she was getting up from. Alex was wearing a short black dress that hugged her luscious curves quite nicely. I couldn't draw my eyes away from her toned legs and the roundness of her ass. 

        Her back was to me as she picked up her small black handbag and when she turned around, she almost bumped into me. I had to force myself to concentrate on her face and not her cleavage. Her eyes were wide and a bit unsteady.

           “Or I had way too much to drink or this is a dream.” She mumbled.

“Looks like you had a few too many for tonight.” I joked, noticing the shot glass and empty wine glass standing on the table. “Yeah, and I better get going before I end up sleeping here.” I wanted to run my fingers across her cheekbones and down to her neck. Her features were almost delicate in the evening light. “You okay?” I asked, noticing the look of regret in her eyes.

           But before she can answer, Jack’s wife cut in startling both of us. “Hey, Ryder. Our seats are this way.” For a moment, I forgot where I was and that I was here with her for dinner. I watched Alex’s eyes widen and the soft blush across her cheeks deepened. She lowered her eyes and kept staring at her feet when she spoke.

              “I need to get going anyway.” She pushed past me without looking me in the eyes. I looked at her retreating form and I couldn’t get myself to stop looking at her. A big part of me was drawn to her and I just couldn’t let her walk away from me. “Do you know her?” Jack’s wife asked as she walked up to me. “Someone I’d like to get to know better,” I admitted, looking through the window noticing her standing next to the side of the road calling for a cab. “Then go.” Jack’s wife surprised me.

           “What about you?” I asked, noticing that Jack still didn’t arrive.

“I’m already taken and Jack is on his way. If you feel she is the one, don’t let her get away.” I thanked her before heading out of the restaurant. I watched in amusement when Alex kicked off her heels. “Alex,” I called softly. She whirled around in surprise.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be inside?” I noticed the way she kept glancing at the entrance of the restaurant. “I’ve noticed that you misread that whole situation back in there.” I walked over to her. “It’s got nothing to do with me. I, myself was on a date and it turned out to be awful.” She was on a date? With who? And who would leave such a beautiful woman all alone and let her take a cab?

        “He just left you like this?” I tried not to shout or show my anger.

“Correction. I let him go. I wasn’t going to spend another minute with him.” She was stubborn as usual. She raised her hand for an upcoming taxi and before the driver could think of stopping, I reached out and grabbed her hand. My heart started beating rapidly at the feel of her small hand in my big calloused hand.

           “I’ll take you home.” I offered.

I gazed into those eyes of hers and I know what was coming. “Not a chance. You have a beautiful woman waiting for you inside.” She rejected my offer and tried to pull her hand free but I didn’t let her. If she can be stubborn, so can I. “She isn’t mine.” My words were loud and steady. She stopped pulling and froze. “It’s my manager’s wife. She joined us for dinner. He was late and she caught a ride with me.”

       “I don’t know why you are telling me this.”

“Because I noticed that you misread that whole situation in there.”