HIS HEART,HIS RIDE

CHAPTER 2:THE BOY WHO NEVER APOLOGIZES

Bella stared through her bedroom window, watching Ryder stand beside his black motorcycle across the street. He had one hand tucked into the pocket of his jeans, his helmet hanging loosely from the other, and the most irritating smile on his face.

What was he doing outside her aunt's house?

She stepped away from the window immediately.

No. Absolutely not.

She had already dealt with enough annoying men for one lifetime, and she wasn't about to let a motorcycle-riding stranger become another problem.

Her phone buzzed again.

Ethan.

Bella ignored it, tossed the phone onto her bed, and returned to the window. Ryder was still there, looking completely relaxed, as if he had nowhere else to be.

When their eyes met, he lifted two fingers in a lazy greeting.

Bella pulled the curtains shut.

"Unbelievable," she muttered.

A few minutes later, Aunt Clara called her downstairs.

Bella, could you please help me with something?

She walked into the kitchen and found her aunt standing beside a large cardboard box.

What is it?

"Some supplies for the garage. I ordered them last week, and the delivery man dropped them off this afternoon. Ryder's supposed to collect them."

Bella froze.

Ryder?

Clara nodded. "Yes. He works at the garage down the street. I told him he could pick them up tonight."

Why is he coming here?

"Because I asked him to."

Bella stared at her aunt.

Of all the people in this town, you chose him?

Clara laughed. "He's not that bad, sweetheart."

That's because you haven't seen him riding his motorcycle like he's competing in a race with the entire road.

"Well, he's coming to collect the box. Just give it to him when he arrives."

Before Bella could protest, the doorbell rang.

She closed her eyes.

Of course.

Clara wiped her hands on a towel and headed toward the living room. "Could you get that for me? I'm in the middle of cooking."

Bella reluctantly walked to the door.

She opened it.

Ryder stood on the doorstep wearing a black T-shirt, dark jeans, and the same careless expression he'd worn earlier. His motorcycle helmet was tucked beneath his arm.

His eyes moved over her briefly before settling on her face.

"Camera girl."

Bella folded her arms.

Do you have another name for me, or is that the only thing you know how to say?

He shrugged. "You haven't told me another one."

"Bella."

"Okay, Bella."

He said it so casually that she almost became annoyed all over again.

What do you want?

Ryder glanced past her into the house.

"Your aunt called. I'm here for the box."

Bella stepped aside reluctantly.

"Come in."

He walked inside without another word, looking around the living room as if he had visited a hundred times before.

Bella shut the door.

You're welcome to say thank you when someone lets you into their house.

Ryder turned his head slightly.

"Thank you."

The words came out so flatly that Bella stared at him.

You're impossible.

"I've been told."

He followed her into the kitchen, where Clara greeted him warmly.

"Ryder! You're right on time."

"Evening, Clara."

How's your father?

"Still complaining about everything."

Clara laughed. "That sounds like Daniel."

Bella stood beside the counter, watching them speak as if Ryder hadn't nearly given her a heart attack earlier that day.

Her aunt pointed toward the box.

"That's everything. Be careful with it."

Ryder walked over and lifted the box effortlessly.

"Got it."

Clara glanced at Bella. "Bella, this is my niece. She'll be staying with me for the summer."

Ryder looked at Bella.

"I know."

Bella frowned. "How?"

He shrugged. "She told me her name."

That's not what I meant.

Then ask a better question.

Clara burst out laughing.

Bella couldn't believe it.

Was everyone in this town determined to encourage his behavior?

Ryder adjusted the box against his hip and headed toward the door.

"See you around, Bella."

"Hopefully not."

He glanced over his shoulder.

"Don't worry. You're not that interesting."

Bella's mouth fell open.

Ryder grinned and walked out.

The door closed behind him.

For several seconds, Bella stood completely still.

Then she turned toward her aunt.

Did he just insult me?

Clara was laughing too hard to answer.

Bella threw her hands into the air.

"I hate this town."

***

The following morning, Bella woke up determined to have a better day.

She showered, dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a yellow top, then packed her camera into her bag. After breakfast, she decided to explore the town and find somewhere peaceful to take photographs.

Aunt Clara gave her directions to a nearby park before returning to her gardening.

Bella walked through the square, taking pictures of the buildings and the small shops lining the street. She stopped near a flower stall, capturing the colorful arrangements, before continuing toward the road that led to the park.

Then she heard the familiar sound of a motorcycle engine.

She closed her eyes.

Please, not him.

A black motorcycle pulled up beside her.

Ryder lifted his visor.

"You're becoming a regular around here."

Bella continued walking.

And you're becoming a problem.

He laughed, riding slowly beside her.

Where are you going?

"Somewhere you aren't."

"That's a shame. I was going that way."

Then turn around.

Ryder glanced at the camera hanging from her shoulder.

Going to take more pictures of things you don't understand?

Bella stopped walking.

Excuse me?

He brought the motorcycle to a stop and removed his helmet.

"Yesterday, you were taking pictures of bikes without knowing anything about them."

"I know how to take pictures."

"Didn't say you didn't."

Then what exactly is your problem?

Ryder leaned casually against his motorcycle.

"Nothing. You just get angry very easily."

Bella stared at him.

And you enjoy annoying people.

"Only the interesting ones."

She hated the way her heart reacted to that sentence.

He said everything with such careless confidence, as if he knew exactly how irritating he was and had no intention of changing.

Bella turned away.

"Goodbye, Ryder."

He didn't move.

Need a ride?

"No."

"Suit yourself."

He put his helmet back on.

Bella walked several steps before realizing he hadn't followed her.

She glanced over her shoulder.

Ryder was already riding away.

No argument. No attempt to convince her. No looking back.

For some reason, that annoyed her even more.She continued toward the park, telling herself she didn't care.

***

By the time Bella returned home that afternoon, she had taken dozens of photographs and felt considerably better.

She was reviewing them on her camera when Aunt Clara called from downstairs.

"Bella! Could you come here for a minute?"

Bella put the camera down and walked into the kitchen.

Clara was standing beside a grocery bag.

"I forgot to buy a few things. Would you mind going to the garage and asking Ryder if he can lend me some tools? I need them for the garden."

Bella stared at her.

Again?

Clara smiled innocently.

"Please, sweetheart. He's expecting you."

He's expecting me?

"Yes. I told him you'd stop by."

Bella looked toward the ceiling.

This was becoming ridiculous.

She grabbed the small list of tools her aunt had written and headed out before she could change her mind.

The garage was louder than she expected.

Music played from a speaker near the entrance, and the smell of engine oil filled the air. Two motorcycles stood on metal lifts while a young man worked beneath one of them.

Bella stepped inside.

"Hello?"

Back here!

She followed the voice toward the rear of the garage.

Ryder was standing beside a motorcycle, wiping his hands with a dark cloth. His black T-shirt was slightly dirty, and his hair was messy.

He looked up when he saw her.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he smiled.

"Well, look who came looking for me."

Bella rolled her eyes.

My aunt needs some tools.

That's disappointing.

She frowned. "What?"

"I thought you missed me."

Bella let out an incredulous laugh.

"You wish."

Ryder shrugged and turned toward a shelf.

"Probably."

He began collecting the tools her aunt had requested, placing them into a small box.

Bella watched him work.

She hated admitting it, but he looked different here. More focused. More serious. The careless attitude was still there, but he seemed to know exactly what he was doing.

"Do you always work here?" she asked before she could stop herself.

"Most days."

And race motorcycles?

"When I feel like it."

She frowned. "Isn't that dangerous?"

Ryder glanced at her.

Everything is dangerous if you're bad at it.

Bella shook her head.

"You're unbelievable."

"So you've said."

He handed her the box.

She reached for it, but he didn't release it immediately.

"Careful. It's heavier than it looks."

"I can carry it."

I didn't say you couldn't.

He let go.

Bella adjusted the box against her chest.

"Thank you."

Ryder leaned against the workbench.

"You're welcome."

She turned to leave.

"Hey, Bella."

She looked back.

What now?

He nodded toward her camera.

There's a race this Saturday.

Bella raised an eyebrow.

And?

"You like taking pictures. Come take some."

She laughed.

You want me to take pictures of you?

"Didn't say that."

Then why invite me?

Ryder shrugged.

"Maybe I like having you around."

For the first time, Bella didn't have an immediate response.

He looked completely relaxed, as if he hadn't just said something that made her heart skip.

Then he added, "Don't flatter yourself, though. I just need someone to take pictures."

Bella's expression hardened.

There it is.

"What?"

Your arrogance.

Ryder grinned.

Wouldn't want you getting the wrong idea.

She turned and walked toward the entrance.

"Forget it. I'm not coming."

"Okay."

She stopped.

He wasn't going to argue?

She glanced back.

Ryder had already returned to working on the motorcycle.

"Okay?" she repeated.

He looked up.

"Yeah. You said you're not coming."

Bella stared at him, completely irritated.

You're supposed to convince me!

Ryder burst out laughing.

Why would I do that?

She opened her mouth, then shut it.

He wiped his hands again and gave her a lazy smile.

"See you around, camera girl."

Bella marched out of the garage, determined never to speak to him again.But she had barely reached the street when a voice called after her.

"Bella!"

She turned.

Ryder stood in the garage entrance, holding a small black object.

Her camera lens cap.

She hurried back.

How did you get that?

"You dropped it."

Again?

He shrugged.

"Apparently, you have a problem keeping things."

Bella snatched it from his hand.

"Thank you."

Ryder tilted his head.

"You're welcome."

She turned to leave, but his next words stopped her.

"Saturday. Three o'clock."

Bella looked back.

I said I'm not coming!

Ryder slipped his hands into his pockets.

And I said three o'clock.

She stared at him.

He smiled.

"Try not to be late."

Bella walked away without answering.

She was absolutely not going to that race.

Not for him.

Not for his stupid motorcycle.

And definitely not because she was curious about the arrogant boy who seemed completely incapable of taking anything seriously.

But on Saturday morning, Bella woke up to a message from Aunt Clara.

"Sweetheart, I hope you're ready. Ryder is picking you up at two-thirty."

Bella sat up so quickly that her blanket fell to the floor.

She stared at the message.

Then she typed furiously.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN RYDER IS PICKING ME UP?

Before Clara could reply, another notification appeared.

An unknown number.

"Be ready by 2:30, camera girl. And don't wear those ridiculous shoes. We're riding."

Bella stared at the screen.

She hadn't given Ryder her number.

She immediately called her aunt.

"Clara! Why does Ryder have my number?"

Her aunt laughed.

"Because I gave it to him."

Bella closed her eyes.

"You're joking."

"No, sweetheart. And don't worry. He's a very good rider."

Bella looked down at her phone, her face burning with annoyance.

Another message arrived.

"Don't make me wait, Bella."

She typed back.

"I'M NOT GOING."

His reply came almost immediately.

See you at 2:30.

Bella stared at the screen in disbelief.

That arrogant, impossible, infuriating boy.She was going to make him regret ever meeting her.

But when two-thirty arrived, Bella heard a motorcycle engine outside the house.

And somehow, despite everything she had told herself, she found herself walking toward the door.