HIS HEART,HIS RIDE

CHAPTER 11: ENOUGH OF HER GAMES

Ryder Black hated being embarrassed.

He could handle losing a race, damaging a motorcycle, or listening to his father complain about his attitude. What he couldn't stand was Bella Rose pouring an entire bottle of water over his head in front of his friends and walking away as if she had just completed an ordinary task.

The worst part was that Mason hadn't stopped laughing.

"Are you finished?" Ryder asked, glaring at his best friend.

Mason leaned against the workbench, still struggling to control his laughter. "Not even close. I wish I'd recorded it. That would have been the best video on the internet."

"Keep talking, and you'll be the next person taking a bath."

"Relax, man. You deserved it."

Ryder grabbed a towel and wiped his face. "She thinks she's funny."

She is funny.

Ryder threw the towel at him.

Mason caught it, laughing again. "You know what your problem is?"

"I don't remember asking."

"You enjoy annoying that girl, but the moment she gives you the same treatment, you act like she's committed a crime."

She poured water on my head!

And you insulted her first.

Ryder opened his mouth to respond, but his phone vibrated on the workbench. The moment he saw Vanessa's name, his amusement disappeared.

He picked up the phone and read her message.

*I hope you're enjoying yourself with Bella. Just remember that I know exactly what you're doing.*

Ryder's expression hardened.

He typed his response immediately.

*What about you? What if I told your husband what you've been telling Bella? That you're my girlfriend and we're getting married soon? Should I tell Mason the truth about the stories you've been spreading?*

Vanessa called less than a minute later.

Ryder answered and walked away from Mason.

"Have you lost your mind?" Vanessa demanded.

That's an interesting question coming from you.

"Don't threaten me, Ryder."

"Then stop threatening Bella. She has nothing to do with whatever is going wrong in your marriage."

Vanessa went silent for a moment before speaking again. "You don't understand. I can't keep watching you spend time with her."

That's your problem, not mine.

You act like I mean nothing to you!

"You're my friend's wife, Vanessa. Whatever you think is happening between us exists only in your imagination."

Her breathing grew heavier.

You know how unhappy I am with Mason.

And I've told you a hundred times to deal with your marriage instead of trying to make me responsible for it.

"You could make me happy."

Ryder rubbed his forehead. "No. I couldn't, because I'm not interested in being with you."

The words were harsh, but he was tired of repeating himself.

Vanessa ended the call.

Ryder slipped his phone into his pocket and returned to the workbench. Mason was now inspecting a motorcycle, apparently determined to pretend he hadn't heard anything.

"Was that Vanessa?" Mason asked casually.

"Yes."

Everything okay?

"Ask your wife."

Mason's hands stopped moving for half a second. He quickly continued checking the motorcycle.

What's that supposed to mean?

"It means you should talk to her. She's been making claims about me that I never agreed to."

Mason sighed. "Vanessa and I have been having problems lately. You know that."

"Then fix them. I'm not getting involved."

I didn't ask you to.

"Good. Because I'm not interested."

Mason nodded, but Ryder could tell the conversation had bothered him. For a moment, Ryder considered telling him everything Vanessa had said, but he decided against turning the garage into a place for another argument.

Besides, Mason deserved to hear the truth from his wife.

Across town, Bella was editing photographs at Aunt Clara's dining table. She had spent most of the afternoon sorting through pictures from the garage, and she was pleased with how the images had turned out.

Ryder might have been arrogant, irritating, and unnecessarily dramatic, but he looked good on camera. Unfortunately, a handsome face couldn't compensate for a terrible personality.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from Vanessa appeared.

*I hope you enjoyed humiliating Ryder today. Don't mistake his attention for anything meaningful. He gets bored easily, and I won't let you interfere with my relationship.*

Bella stared at the screen.

"Unbelievable," she muttered.

She had already explained that she wasn't interested in Ryder. Apparently, Vanessa was determined to make her repeat herself until the entire town understood.

Bella typed a short response.

*Please stop contacting me. I'm not interested in Ryder, and I'm not involved in your relationship.*

She blocked the number before Vanessa could reply.

Aunt Clara entered the dining room carrying a bowl of sliced fruit.

What's wrong?

"Nothing. Just somebody who doesn't understand the meaning of minding her business."

Clara placed the bowl on the table. "Is this about Ryder?"

"How did you know?"

"Because whenever that boy is involved, you look as though you're planning to throw something at him."

Bella laughed despite herself. "That's because he makes it very easy."

"Ryder has always been stubborn. His father used to say that the boy came into the world arguing with the doctor."

"That explains everything."

Clara chuckled and sat opposite her. "Just remember that you came here to build a future for yourself. Don't let other people's problems distract you."

"I won't. I'm only interested in my photography work."

"Good."

Bella returned to her laptop, determined to finish editing before dinner.

The following morning, she arrived at the garage with her camera ready. Daniel had requested photographs of the riders working together, and she intended to complete the assignment without getting involved in anyone's personal business.

Unfortunately, Ryder was standing beside the entrance.

"Look who decided to show up," he said.

Bella walked past him. "Good morning, Daniel."

Ryder placed a hand over his chest. "That hurts."

What does?

"You greeted my father and ignored me."

"Your father hired me. You annoy me for free."

Mason, who was drinking coffee nearby, nearly choked.

Ryder grinned. "You're getting better at this, camera girl."

At what?

"Insulting me."

"I'm learning from the best."

She continued toward the worktable, leaving Ryder smiling behind her.

Daniel arrived shortly afterward and handed Bella a list of promotional photographs the festival organizers needed. She reviewed the instructions, asked a few questions, and got straight to work.

For the next two hours, she photographed motorcycles, riders, and mechanics. Ryder occasionally wandered into her frame on purpose, earning several sharp warnings to move out of the way.

At one point, he leaned over her shoulder to inspect the photograph on her camera.

"Not bad."

Bella shifted away. "I didn't ask for your opinion."

"You're welcome anyway."

"Can you please go and do something useful?"

"I am doing something useful. I'm entertaining you."

"Then congratulations. You've failed."

He laughed and walked away.

Bella shook her head, hiding a small smile as she returned to her photographs. Ryder was exhausting, but at least he was predictable. He would tease her, she would insult him, and they would both continue with their work.

That was all their relationship needed to be.

Later that afternoon, Daniel called Bella into his office.

"Your photographs are excellent," he told her. "The festival organizers have seen the samples and want you to cover the main event. It's a bigger assignment than the one we originally discussed."

Bella's face brightened. "Seriously?"

"Absolutely. If you do well, there could be more opportunities after the festival."

"Thank you, Daniel. I won't disappoint you."

I know you won't.

She left the office feeling happier than she had in days. This was exactly why she had accepted the job: to gain experience, earn money, and build a career she could be proud of.

She was packing her camera when Ryder approached.

"Daniel told me about the festival assignment."

And?

"Congratulations."

Bella looked at him suspiciously. "Was that a genuine compliment?"

Don't get used to it.

"There he is."

Ryder laughed. "You'll need me for some of the photographs, so try not to pour water on me again."

Then try not to deserve it.

He shook his head, still smiling, before walking toward Mason.

Bella returned to her bag, satisfied that the day had ended without another argument.

Then Ryder's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and answered, putting the call on speaker while he continued tightening a bolt on his motorcycle.

What do you want, Vanessa?

Her voice filled the garage.

"I've made a decision, Ryder."

He stopped working. "About what?"

"About us."

There is no us.

"Keep telling yourself that. But if you won't give me a chance, I'll make sure everyone knows what you've been doing."

Ryder's expression turned cold. "I've done nothing with you, and you know it."

Then you have nothing to worry about.

Mason looked up from the motorcycle he was working on.

Ryder straightened. "Leave Bella out of this."

I can't promise that.

"Vanessa—"

"Tomorrow, I'm coming to the garage. We are going to have this conversation face-to-face, and you are going to listen to me for once."

The call ended.

Ryder stared at his phone, furious.

Mason slowly put down his tools. "What is she planning?"

Whatever it is, I'll deal with it.

"She's my wife, Ryder. If she's causing problems, I need to know."

Ryder looked at his best friend. He was tired of keeping Vanessa's behaviour at arm's length while she dragged innocent people into their marital problems.

"Then talk to her," he said. "Because I'm done protecting her from the consequences of her own lies."

Mason's face fell.

Before he could answer, the garage doors opened.

Vanessa walked inside, looked directly at Ryder, and then turned toward Mason.

"I think it's time," she announced, "that my husband and I stopped pretending our marriage is fine."

Mason went completely still.

And Bella, standing beside the worktable with her camera in her hand, finally looked up.

**"Your husband?" she repeated. "Wait—you and Mason are married?"**