Ryder (Resisting Love #2.5)(8)

“Chase, this is my sister, Tee,” Layla introduces. I see Tee eye Chase, and grin. Chase walks over and kisses her on the cheek.

“My little sister did well,” she says, earning her a throaty laugh from Chase.

“I’ve heard so much about you,” Chase says.

“Don’t believe anything Layla says. It’s usually her getting me into trouble,” Tee says with an evil grin. Layla pinches Tee on the arm.

“Ouch! See what I have to deal with?” Tee says, rolling her eyes.

“And Chase, this is Lexi, Tee’s best friend and partner in crime,” Layla says with a smile. Chase gives me a grin, and a dimple pops up. I gulp. The man is sex on a stick.

“Nice to meet you, Lexi,” he says.

“You, too,” I say in a daze.

“Layla didn’t tell me you were back in Perth,” Chase says, frowning.

“Yeah, we just rocked up yesterday, we didn’t tell anyone,” Tee says nonchalantly.

“Are you telling me mum and dad don’t know?” Layla asks in shock. Tee grins.

“Nope, they have no idea. Unless Ryder told them.”

“I doubt it,” Layla muses.

“Nah, he wouldn’t, or they would probably be at his house now. So, you named my nephew Cole, which I love, but if the next one is a girl, you need to call her Tenielle,” Tee tells Layla. Layla bursts out laughing.

“What are you laughing at, Layla? We had a deal! You said if you ever had a daughter she would be named after me!” Tee says, affronted. Layla says nothing but keeps on laughing.

“What are your intentions with my sister?” Tee suddenly asks Chase. Chase’s lip twitches. “I intend to marry her, and spend the rest of my life with her.”

“Yeah? Well, why haven’t you married her yet, then?”

“Tenielle!” I scold.

Instead of being insulted, Chase bursts out laughing. “You can ask your sister that,” he says, mussing Tee’s hair.

We all look at Layla.

“I didn’t want to be a pregnant bride!” Layla whines.

“I see,” Tee says, strumming her fingers against her chin as if deep in thought.

“Do I meet your approval?” Chase asks, amused.

“You’ll do,” Tee says with a shrug. I look at the floor in embarrassment when Tee slaps Chase’s ass.

“Hey!” Chase grunts in surprise.

“Leave him alone, Tee,” Layla mock growls.

“What? It’s not my fault my brother in law is eye-candy,” Tee says innocently.

“I don’t think she and Kade should ever meet,” Chase adds dryly.

“I know, right! It would be a disaster,” Layla responds, shaking her head.

“I must meet this Kade fellow,” Tee muses to herself, lifting up her hands to tie her blonde locks into a ponytail.

“Okay, lovelies, it’s been great but we're gonna head off. I’ll be back to see my favourite nephew,” Tee announces.

“He’s your only nephew,” Layla says, pointing out the obvious.

“For now. You’ll probably be knocked up again soon, and who could blame you?” Tee tells Layla as she eyes Chase once more. My body shakes with silent laughter. I grab Tee and push her towards the door. We say our goodbyes and head back to Ryder’s.

*****

I set the food out on the dining table. Thick juicy steaks, a greek salad, corn, garlic bread, and mashed potatoes with gravy. Ryder walks in and groans in appreciation as I’m putting the dessert in the oven.

“Smells so good,” he says.

“Everything is ready if you’re hungry.”

“Are you going to eat with me?” he asks as he pulls out three plates.

“Yeah, just waiting on Tee,” I say.

“I can’t believe you cooked,” he says, grinning.

“Why?” I ask, confused.

“I dunno. You’re best friends with Tee…” he trails off.

“Hey, Tee can cook, she just chooses not to. Probably rebelling against her mother,” I tease.

Ryder bursts out laughing. “Yeah, that’s probably what it is.”

“What’s so funny?” Tee asks as she walks out wearing shorts and a cami.

“Nothing, let’s eat. I’m starving,” Ryder says as he hands us each a plate.

“I’ll cook tomorrow,” Ryder offers.

“You can cook?” I ask, impressed.

“Of course I can cook. My mother taught me,” he says, looking slightly offended that I would think otherwise.

We enjoy the meal together, making small talk and joking around.

“So, what are you doing tomorrow night?” Ryder asks me. Tee is washing the dishes while Ryder wipes down the table. I love the ‘cook never cleans’ rule.

“No plans. More house hunting tomorrow. And I need to go hand in some résumés."

“What kind of work are you looking for?” he asks, his brows furrowed.

“Tee and I usually just do bar work, but since we're considering staying for a while I guess I’ll look for a receptionist job or something,” I tell him. I do have a few different qualifications. Nothing fancy, but I can work as a dental assistant, and I have a diploma in business. I can also usually find work giving private guitar lessons.