HIS HEART,HIS RIDE

CHAPTER 3:THE BOY WHO NEVER LOST

Bella Rose stood at the front door, staring at the black motorcycle parked outside Aunt Clara's house.

Ryder Black sat on it with one hand on the handlebar and the other holding his helmet. He looked as though he had been waiting for hours, even though he had arrived less than five minutes ago.

"You're late," he announced when she stepped outside.

Bella checked her phone. "It's exactly two-thirty."

"Yes. And I got here at two-twenty-five."

"Congratulations. Do you want a medal?"

Ryder smirked. "A thank-you would be nice."

"For what? Wasting my afternoon?"

For giving you the opportunity to witness greatness.

Bella stared at him. "You are genuinely impossible."

"I've heard that before. Get on."

She glanced at the motorcycle, then at him. "I'm still wondering why I agreed to this."

Because you secretly want to come.

Keep dreaming, Ryder.

He held out a helmet. "Put this on before you change your mind."

Bella took it, muttering something under her breath. She had spent the last twenty minutes trying to convince herself that attending a motorcycle race was a reasonable way to spend her Saturday. She liked photography, and the event might give her an opportunity to take some impressive pictures. That was the only reason she was going.

It certainly had nothing to do with Ryder.

She climbed onto the motorcycle, leaving a careful distance between them.

Ryder glanced over his shoulder. Planning to sit back there all day?

I'm comfortable.

You're going to fall off.

"No, I'm not."

"Fine. If you fall, try not to damage my bike."

Bella's eyes widened. "You care more about your motorcycle than a human being?"

Depends on the human being.

She wanted to hit him with her helmet.

Instead, she held on as he started the engine.

The ride was smoother than she expected. Ryder knew the road well, and although Bella would never compliment him to his face, she had to admit he was a careful rider. He slowed down at intersections and avoided the worst patches of uneven road.

When they reached the racetrack, the sound of engines filled the air. Spectators crowded behind the barriers, riders prepared their motorcycles, and vendors sold drinks and snacks beneath small tents.

Bella's irritation faded as she took everything in.

This was exactly the kind of place she could spend hours photographing.

Ryder parked near a row of motorcycles and removed his helmet. "Try not to wander onto the track."

Bella climbed off. "Try not to give unnecessary instructions."

"I'll try. No promises."

He took her helmet and placed it on the seat before walking away.Bella watched him disappear into the crowd.

"Arrogant fool," she muttered.

Talking about Ryder already?

She turned to find a tall young man approaching her with an amused expression.

"I'm Mason," he said, offering his hand. "One of Ryder's friends."

Bella.

"I know. Ryder told us he was bringing someone who could take pictures."

That's all he said?

Mason laughed. "What else were you expecting?"

"Nothing. That's the problem."

Mason seemed to find that hilarious. He pointed toward the paddock, where several riders were checking their motorcycles.

"If you want good shots, get closer to the viewing barrier. The light is better on that side."

Bella thanked him and followed his suggestion.

Soon, she was completely absorbed in her work. She photographed riders tightening their gloves, mechanics checking tires, and spectators leaning forward in anticipation. She adjusted her camera settings until she was satisfied with the results, then reviewed a few photographs on the screen.

For the first time since arriving in town, she felt genuinely excited about something.

Maybe staying with Aunt Clara wouldn't be so bad after all.

You're blocking my view.

Bella recognized the voice immediately.

She lowered her camera and turned around.

Ryder stood behind her, his arms folded across his chest.

Find another view.

"It's a public event. I can stand wherever I want."

And so can I.

Then stop complaining.

He glanced at her camera. "Let me see what you've taken."

"No."

Why?

Because you asked like a person who has never heard the word please.

Ryder held out his hand. "Please."

Bella hesitated, surprised by his response. Then she narrowed her eyes.

You don't mean that.

You're catching on.

She turned back toward the track. "Go away."

Ryder chuckled and walked off, leaving Bella wondering how someone could be so irritating without even trying.

The announcement for the first race came through the speakers. The riders moved toward the starting line, and the crowd grew louder.

Mason appeared beside Bella again.

Ryder's racing in this one.

She looked toward the track. "He's a racer?"

"What did you think he did? Stand beside his motorcycle and look pretty?"

Bella snorted. "That sounds more suitable for him."

Don't let him hear you say that.

"Why? Will his ego need medical attention?"

Mason laughed. "You're going to get along just fine."

I highly doubt that.

The riders lined up. Bella lifted her camera, focusing on the starting area.

Ryder sat astride his black motorcycle, wearing his helmet and gloves. He looked different from the boy who had spent the morning teasing her. His attention was fixed on the track, and he barely acknowledged the spectators around him.

The signal sounded.

The motorcycles surged forward.

Bella followed the race through her camera lens, capturing the riders as they sped around the track. She concentrated on getting clear shots, moving her camera smoothly as the motorcycles approached and disappeared around the bends.

Ryder held his position through the opening laps. Another rider pulled ahead, and the crowd erupted as the competitors fought for the lead.

Then Ryder accelerated.

His motorcycle swept past the other rider on the next straight, and Bella pressed the shutter repeatedly. He took the final turn with impressive control before crossing the finish line first.

The crowd cheered.

Mason shouted something she couldn't hear over the noise.

Bella lowered her camera and blinked.

Ryder had won.

She couldn't deny that he was good at what he did.

A few minutes later, he returned to the paddock and removed his helmet. Several people congratulated him, but he barely reacted. He accepted a bottle of water from Mason and took a drink as though winning a race were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Bella approached with her camera.

Congratulations.

Ryder glanced at her. "Was that painful?"

What?

Complimenting me.

"I didn't compliment you. I was being polite."

Of course.

You're welcome.

"I didn't thank you."

Bella gave him a flat look. "You know what? Enjoy your victory."

"I intend to."

She walked away before he could say anything else.

For the next hour, Bella photographed the remaining races and spoke briefly with an event organizer who noticed her work. The woman introduced herself as Rachel and asked whether Bella had photographed motorcycle events before.

"Not professionally," Bella admitted. "But I'm hoping to build my portfolio."

Rachel looked through a few pictures on Bella's camera and nodded approvingly.

"These are good. If you're interested, we may need someone to photograph another event next month."

Bella's face brightened. "Really?"

"Yes. I'll take your number and contact you when the details are confirmed."

Bella thanked her, feeling happier than she had in weeks. It wasn't a guaranteed job, but it was an opportunity. For once, something good might come from being in this town.

When the event ended, she packed her camera carefully and looked around for Ryder.

He was nowhere to be seen.

She found Mason near the paddock.

Have you seen Ryder?

Mason pointed toward the parking area. "He left a few minutes ago."

Bella stared at him. "He left?"

Apparently, he had somewhere to be.

And he didn't think to tell me?

Mason's expression turned apologetic. "I thought you knew he was leaving."

Bella let out a disbelieving laugh.

Of course Ryder had left. Why would she expect anything different from someone who seemed to consider basic courtesy an unnecessary burden?

"Don't worry," she said. "I'll find my own way home."

Mason helped her arrange a ride with one of the event organizers heading toward Clara's neighborhood. Bella thanked him before getting into the car, determined not to let Ryder's behavior ruin the rest of her day.

By the time she arrived home, the sun was beginning to set.

Aunt Clara was in the kitchen when Bella walked inside.

How was it?

"The races were amazing. I took some great pictures, and an organizer might offer me photography work."

Clara smiled. "That's wonderful, sweetheart."

"It was almost a perfect day."

Almost?

Your favorite person abandoned me there.

Clara frowned. "Ryder left you at the racetrack?"

Without even saying goodbye.

Her aunt sighed. "That boy has never been good at thinking about how his actions affect other people."

Bella dropped her camera bag onto a chair. "Finally, someone agrees with me."

But his father and I have known each other for years. You'll probably see Ryder around here quite often.

Bella slowly turned toward her.

Quite often?

His father sometimes asks him to help me with things around the house.

Can you tell his father that I don't need any help?

Clara laughed. "I'm afraid that's not how friendship works."

Bella groaned and headed upstairs.

Later that evening, she sat on her bed and transferred her photographs to her laptop. She deleted the blurry shots, edited the best ones, and selected several pictures she could use in her portfolio.

One photograph caught her attention.

It showed Ryder crossing the finish line, his black motorcycle leaning into the turn while the other rider trailed behind him.

The picture was sharp, the timing perfect.

Bella hated how good it was.

She saved it anyway.

Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Rachel asking her to send a few selected photographs. Bella replied immediately, pleased that the opportunity was becoming real.

Then another message arrived.

It was from Clara.

Clara: Daniel Black called. He wants you to come to the garage tomorrow to discuss the photography job. He may have some work for you at future events.

Bella stared at the message.

Daniel Black was Ryder's father.

She typed a reply, deleted it, then typed another.

Bella: Does Ryder have to be there?

Clara: I don't know, sweetheart. Why?

Bella: No reason.

She dropped the phone onto the bed and covered her face with both hands.

She had come to town to escape Ethan, rebuild her confidence, and focus on photography.

She hadn't planned on dealing with Ryder Black every other day.

A few minutes later, another message appeared.

This time, it was from an unfamiliar number.

Unknown: Nice pictures today.

Bella frowned and sat up.

Bella: Who is this?

The reply came almost immediately.

Unknown: Someone who was at the race.

Bella stared at the screen, uncertain what to make of it.

Then another message appeared.

Unknown: Daniel wants to see your work tomorrow. Don't be late.

Bella's eyes widened.

She read the message twice, then checked the number again.

Whoever had sent it knew about the meeting.

Before she could respond, a final message arrived.

Unknown: And Ryder will be there.

Bella's stomach sank.

She had no idea who was texting her, but one thing was certain.

Tomorrow, she would have to face Ryder Black again.