Wipeout: Ryder Bay #4 Read online

  Wipeout

  Ryder Bay #4

  Jordan Ford

  © Copyright 2019 Jordan Ford

  www.jordanfordbooks.com

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  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

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  Cover art (copyright) by Emily Wittig Designs & Photography

  https://www.facebook.com/emilywittigdesignsandphotography/

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  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Contents

  FREE STORY

  Note from Jordan

  1. Don’t Want To Be Here

  2. A First Day Nightmare

  3. The Neo & Raven Effect

  4. Left Out in the Cold

  5. The Vape Test

  6. Why Do People Have to Speak to Each Other?

  7. Snappy Lectures and Email Balm

  8. Sweet Haven

  9. An Annoying Little Blondie

  10. Knocked Over by Mr. Hot

  11. Trouble Magnet

  12. Super-Hot Skater Boy

  13. Crispy Kale and Chest Pains

  14. A Mega-Awkward Intro

  15. Trash Talk and Wipeouts

  16. Never Venture Out Alone

  17. Out of Place

  18. And It Just Keeps Getting Worse

  19. Real Talk on the Roof

  20. Jace vs. Bass

  21. Humans Are Complicated

  22. Escape to the Outdoors

  23. Impossible to Resist

  24. Emotions Are Weird

  25. Important Emails and Irritating Phone Calls

  26. The Trifecta Vortex

  27. From Laughter to Tears

  28. There Are No Words

  29. Too Far

  30. Perfect Words Required

  31. All I Need

  32. I Miss You

  33. It Can’t Be True…Or Can It?

  34. A Rescue from the Rain

  35. Consequences

  36. Aching For Mom

  37. A Warning Growl

  38. It’s Time to Be Brave

  39. There’s Only One Thing to Do

  40. Easy vs. Complicated

  41. It’s a Mystery

  42. Confusing Texts at Sea

  43. Not Him

  44. Escape Plan

  45. Mr. Information with the Terrible News

  46. Get Away

  47. Futile

  48. Not Ready Just Yet

  49. An Ice Cube in the Water

  50. Heat & Warmth, Pain & Love

  51. Good People

  52. Soul Mates

  53. Don’t Want to Leave Here

  FREE STORY

  A little introduction to Ryder Bay’s surfer girl…

  In this book, you’re going to meet Ryder Bay’s favorite surfer chick, and a key character in this entire series.

  If you’d like to read a short story that shows you how Harley came to love surfing, then you can get your copy here.

  xx

  Jordan

  For my amazing review team—the readers every author needs. Thank you for being so incredibly awesome. I love you guys.

  Note from Jordan

  Wipe Out is essentially a follow-on story from the novella Riptide. If you haven’t read Riptide yet, you may want to pause and go do that first. It will make for a better Wipe Out reading experience.

  If you have read Riptide already, I hope you are all set for a crazy ride with Jace and Lettie. I absolutely loved writing this book. Usually around midway through a book, I hit a slump and I really have to drag myself through those middle chapters before rushing to the end. That never happened with this one. If anything, I couldn’t write it fast enough.

  Jace and Lettie captured me, won my heart, and made this one of my favorite writing experiences to date. I guess I just can’t resist a lovable bad boy and a girl who can bring out his sweet, protective side.

  Thank you so much for reading this Ryder Bay novel. I really hope you enjoy it.

  I’d also like to thank the amazing people who help pull my books together.

  Lenore, Beth, Kristin and my proofreading team—you guys are awesome. Your advice and insights shape my work and make it worthy of reading.

  Rachael, I know I say this all the time, but I seriously don’t know what I would do without you.

  To my review team and readers—your support is outstanding. I love and appreciate you all.

  To my family—your constant support, encouragement and pride are amazing. Thank you for all the cuddles and the love.

  And to my heavenly father, who loves us all no matter what mistakes we make. Thanks for paving the way with your mind-blowing love, and giving us everything we need to make this life amazing.

  xx

  Jordan

  1

  Don’t Want To Be Here

  JACE

  My gut is clenched tight as Marshall’s pickup truck crests the hill and we descend into Ryder Bay. It’s taken nearly two and a half hours to get here from the airport, and after a sucky flight, I’m over traveling.

  Even the sight of the ocean with its perfectly breaking waves can’t make me feel better.

  I sit quietly in the back seat and gaze out the opposite window, taking in the scenery.

  Ryder Bay seems a little bigger than Sterling Beach. I watch the shops go by and glance back at the boardwalk and ocean beyond.

  If I was here under different circumstances, I’d probably be pumped.

  But I can’t be pumped.

  Because I’ve been banished here.

  Kicked out of the house. Punished for…well, a crime I totally committed.

  Thoughts of my best friend swamp me and I squeeze my eyes shut, begging darkness to take them away.

  “So Eat and Be Merry is a pretty decent diner.” Denee points out the window. “If you’re into large portions and fatty food.” She laughs. “A lot of kids eat there. It’s affordable.”

  My eyes snap open and I check out the diner with its wide front windows and happy sign in yellow block letters. It reminds me of the Star Diner, which of course reminds me of how Hayes used to cook there and, thanks to me, won’t be doing that for a really long time…maybe ever.

  Bile surges in my stomach and I clench my teeth, giving a noncommittal grunt when Denee swivels in her seat to smile at me.

  She’s got a pretty smile. It matches her personality. The second I approached her and pointed at the sign she was holding, she gave me a stunning smile and wrapped me in a hug, her spiral curls smothering my face and getting in my mouth. She’s got like a mane of hair—dark, wild locks that are mildly tamed rather than controlled.

  “Jace Bastion.” She squeezed my shoulders. “Welcome to California, baby!” Her sweet laughter tempted me to join in, but nothing could rise past the ash in my chest.

  I used my manners the way Mom taught me to and thanked her and her husband for having me before we’d even left the airport.

  They both seemed thrilled by the idea of taking me into
their home.

  I have no idea why.

  If Mom and Tony can’t handle me, why does a kidless couple think they can?

  Adults are weird.

  “And that’s my office.” Marshall points out his window, and I spot a square white building right next to the sand. “I also run a side business called Ryder Rentals. We rent out surfboards, boogie boards, scooters, bikes, that kind of thing. It’ll quiet down after the summer rush, but it’s been our best season yet.”

  I don’t care, but I nod anyway.

  Mom wants me on my best behavior out here. If I can prove that I’m good enough, she’ll let me come back home.

  We stop at an intersection, and I spot a bunch of guys walking down the sand, surfboards tucked under their arms. I can’t read lips or anything but can tell by the interactions that they must be close. Like brothers. Just like me and my friends were…are.

  Shit. I don’t know.

  Are we still? With me thousands of miles away and Hayes now stuck in the hospital?

  Shit. Shit!

  I scrub a hand down my face and suddenly wish we were there already. I want these strangers to show me to my room and then leave me alone. I need to open up my laptop and write to Snap Dragon. She’s the only definite thing I’ve got going for me. The only certainty I have left in this life.

  If I write to her, she’ll reply.

  That’s the only thought keeping me sane right now.

  Marshall turns left, away from the beach, and we head through a few suburban streets before pulling into a short driveway. Surfboards are lined up against the brown weatherboard house, towels flung over the deck railing. I gaze around the property and notice a small guesthouse.

  Oh, please let that be mine!

  Hope flutters inside me as I picture a slightly easier jail sentence. If I have my own little guesthouse, I can come and go as I please.

  “That’s where Griffin sleeps.” Denee kills my only spark of happy with her sunshine smile and pointing finger. “He’s like our roomie. A really great guy. You’ll love him.”

  She jumps out of the car and goes around to the bed of the truck. I slowly follow and take the duffel bag Marshall hands me. I managed to jam everything into it, including my skateboard. Mom wouldn’t let me bring my surfboard.

  “Marshall’s a lifeguard and a surfer,” she’d said. “He said you could borrow one of his.”

  At that point, I was still too shocked by the fact that Mom was sending me away to argue with her. She actually went through with it. A small part of me clung to the idea that she’d back out, but she stood strong, probably thanks to her stupid husband, Tony. And the baby on the way. Let’s not forget about the freaking baby in her belly. The one she wants to protect from me.

  Gripping my bag strap, I follow Denee and Marshall up the stairs and through the sliding glass door.

  “Hey, guys.” A friendly voice greets us. I glance up and spot a guy who looks just a little older than me, with rusty-colored dreads and freckles on his face. He walks out of the kitchen and steps forward with an extended hand. “You must be Jace. I’m Griffin.”

  I take his hand and give him a half smile. “How’s it?” I ask, but I don’t really want to know. Politeness is so plastic.

  “You have a good flight?” He stands back and grins at me while crunching into a piece of toast.

  I shrug and then watch him exchange a quick look with Marshall. I bet the tall, weathered lifeguard is rolling his eyes behind my back. Well, I don’t give a shit. I’m not here to win World’s Friendliest Outcast. I’m here to behave myself and get back home to Hayes, Vic and Isaac—the people in my life who actually mean something to me. The people who have my back.

  My back.

  Hayes.

  Shit, I don’t deserve him.

  “So conditions are great for an afternoon surf. I know you just got here, but if you want to join me, you’re more than welcome. I’m meeting my girlfriend and some buddies on the sand in half an hour.” Griffin raises his eyebrows at me and then glances at Denee when I don’t respond. “Denee said you’re a…surfer?”

  “Yeah,” I mutter, shoving my hand in my pocket. “Kinda tired. Just wanna…chill.”

  “That’s cool.” Griffin pops the last bite of toast into his mouth and smiles at me while he’s chewing. Why is everyone in this house so freaking smiley? “Well, whenever you’re ready, just let me know. Marshall said I can hook you up with a board from Ryder Rentals, so you’ll be sweet for gear.”

  I glance over my shoulder at Marshall, then back to Griffin. Geez, they really have this all planned out. They almost seem excited that I’m here. I don’t get it.

  Why the hell would they want to pull me into their circle?

  Maybe he doesn’t know what I’ve done. What I’m really like.

  Surfing with his buddies? Like I deserve to do that. Like I deserve to be carving it up when my best friend might never surf again. He might never even walk again!

  With a slight frown, I look to the floor, and things quickly get awkward.

  “Why don’t I show you to your room?” Denee places her hand on my shoulder.

  I jerk beneath her touch, but she doesn’t seem to notice and guides me past Griffin, giving me a quick tour of the compact house before leading me to a small, well-lit room in the back corner.

  Windows line the outer walls and look out onto a tiny backyard, which is mostly dominated by a vegetable garden. I drop my bag onto the single bed and glance at the writing desk shoved into the opposite corner.

  “Sorry it’s not very big. I got you a new lamp though, because once the sun goes down, the lighting in here is pretty bad.” She looks at me, tucking a big spiral curl behind her ear as she waits for my approval.

  I nod and try for a smile, but it only twitches my lips.

  Tipping her head, she lets out a little sigh. “Look, Jace, I know this is really hard. I can’t even pretend to imagine what you’re going through right now, but I will try and help you any way that I can.”

  I want to mutter “thanks,” but can’t find my voice.

  After an awkward beat that lasts way too long, she sighs again and closes the door behind her.

  I plunk onto the end of my bed and rest my face in my hands. Part of me wants to scream, but it won’t do any good. It won’t take me back home. It won’t change the fact that my best friend is in the hospital with a broken back. It won’t reverse that night. I can’t change what I did.

  And so I’m here.

  In this foreign town.

  On the other side of the freaking country.

  Grabbing my backpack, I pull out my laptop and open it up.

  I don’t have internet access yet, so I can’t check my emails, but I can write one.

  Sender: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Subject: I’m here

  ____________________

  Hey Snap Dragon,

  I made it.

  I’m here.

  My bedroom isn’t bad. It’s small, but there’s plenty of light, and I like that.

  The new family seems…okay.

  I still don’t know how I’m gonna do this, but I’m glad you’re here with me.

  As soon as I get internet access, this email can fly through the air to you…wherever you are.

  That thought makes me feel less… does the word lonely sound too lame?

  How am I going to do this?

  I don’t know how to do this.

  School starts in like two days. I’ve never been the new kid before. Not since kindergarten.

  This sucks.

  I hope you’re feeling better about school starting than I am.

  I hope your first day is going to be amazing.

  Can’t wait to hear all about it.

  xx

  Bass

  * * *

  I sign off using my nickname, because that’s all she knows me by.

  As much as I’d love to tell her who I am
and where I’ve moved to, that’s one of the things we never do. Personal details are a big no-no.

  It started because she wanted to be safe. She’d obviously read some internet safety handbook before emailing me that first time.

  I get it.

  I respect it.

  If anything, it’s given us the chance to go beyond the surface stuff and straight into deep and meaningful conversations—ones we probably wouldn’t have had if we’d met the traditional way.

  But I don’t know… I still hope one day that we’ll meet, because I’ve fallen hard for my email buddy, and the idea of never talking to Snap Dragon face-to-face… well, I just can’t live with that.