Grabbing Hold (The Motorcycle Kid #1)

13. Lunch Break

Ryder slid into the booth opposite Emma, placing a trayful of food on the table.

Tee's Eatery was a homely, lively little place, and at that time, it was buzzing with excitement. Dancers from the carnival troupe were there in their costumes, and a man had a live monkey balanced on his shoulder, along with the diner's regular customers. Monday marked the closing day of the carnival, and the highlight would be the crowning of the King and Queen of Misty Vale, two individuals selected and glorified for their exemplary contribution to the town's development.

Emma pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to her brother. If Emmett was heading over to the square after practice, she was hitching a ride.

You going to the carnival?

I'm considering it.

Just pick me up from work.

K.

Emma pulled a basket of fries and a huge burger off the tray as she put her phone away. The burger was laden with meat, cheese, bacon, onion, lettuce, mayo and ketchup, and was delightfully greasy.

"Oh my gosh. This looks heavenly."

Ryder laughed, taking a bite into his burger. His eyes widened.

"This thing is wicked good!"

"Told you so. Tee's burgers are amazing."

"No argument here," Ryder conceded. He tucked into his fries next, dipping them into the hot sauce meant for the chicken wings in the basket on the tray.

"I cannot believe I've missed out on this all my life," Ryder said, shaking his head. Emma grinned.

"Small towns have their perks."

"No doubt about that," said Ryder as he popped another fry into his mouth. "So how long have you been working at Beans n' Stuff?"

"Since it got opened eight years ago, to be honest. It was my mom's first solo business venture after..." Emma trailed off. "Never mind, that's not important. Point is, my brothers and I always loved helping out, and then when I needed service hours for middle school, Mom let me start working in an official capacity."

"So your own mom pays you?"

"Basically."

Ryder shook his head. "Females. You're merciless."

"Hey!" Emma defended herself. "If it helps, I don't get an allowance, so whatever I make takes care of all of my expenses."

"You're a teenage girl! What expenses do you have besides makeup and pads?"

She shot him a dangerous look, and Ryder had the decency to look ashamed.

"That was sexist."

"Was not."

"Was too. I'd know. I'm the feminist."

"Díos mio," Ryder groaned. "Not another revolutionary suffragist."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Emma replied, pointing a finger at him. "I'll have you know the suffragist movement was perhaps the most important group in the progression of modern society as we know it."

"Right."

"How good are you at giving birth?"

"Giving birth?"

"Exactly," she smirked. "What would you males do without us? You know, for all we contribute to society, we don't get anywhere near enough credit."