Ryder

Chapter 1

"Come on Ryder!!!" My girlfriend whined from somewhere behind me. I let out a frustrated sigh. Jesse was a great girl, but when she wanted something she usually got it because I couldn't put up with the whining.

We were over at my best mates house, and Jesse didn't even need to come with me, but she did. All we were doing was playing the PS3, and having a guys night in.

"Ryder, please come on. This is so boring," Jesse protested once again.

"Don't yell at Jesse then," I glared before turning back to Jesse who looked strangely smug. She never liked me yelling at them so why did she look happy?

Getting right next to her, my hand went to the small of her back and nodded my head toward the door. She all too willingly started walking toward them.

She had never really like Brody's. Jesse always liked to be the last to leave the party, but tonight was the first time she's been the first to leave. Something was definitely up. We stepped out into the night, and a nice cool breeze was blowing while the stars twinkled above us.

"So your headed out for a training exercise tomorrow?" I heard her ask quietly. That's what must've been bothering her.

I was a SWAT trainee, at least that's what I feel like. I graduated three years ago, but I decided to go through a few more years of specific training/combat. Jesse was pretty pissed about it at the beginning, but after she saw what I looked like in action she was cool with the extra time.

"Yea, baby," I spoke quietly. Tomorrow I would be on a plane by 0600 sharp and on my way to LA where I would be infiltrating one of the biggest, baddest, and down right scariest gangs of the century. Max Hamilton had made a big name for himself all over California and the country, but he had taken up roots in LA. I felt Jesse stop next to me, and I realized that we were in front of her car but she made no move to unlock it.

"Ryder I want to truth," she whispered with her voice breaking while staring at the ground. I felt my throat clench tightly shut. She knew why I had been semi ignoring her this week then. She had to know by now. If she didn't it would harder to drop it on her.

This mission was going to cost me a lot. I could have no relationship with anyone going in, so that was why I was about to break up with Jesse. That was probably why they picked me. High school drop out with no family who had a number 1 grade level (the grade level is by fighting skill. Since I had been training since I was about ten I had the highest fighting skills which meant I was the most trained for the job).

"Ryder, are you seeing another woman?" Jesse asked looking at the floor. I didn't know what to say to her, but I decided that I would just tell her I didn't want to see her anymore.

"Jesse, I haven't seen anyone but you. But I don't think we should see each other anymore," I spoke quietly while staring at her face trying to catch her eye. Trying to tell her I was so sorry for this. That I literally had no choice. A few tears were sliding down her face.

"Why? I at least deserve to know why?" She demanded, furiously wiping away the tears that had escaped.

I really didn't know what to say, so I went with the half truth, "Our relationship has just gotten dull. I don't feel like I used to when I kiss you or hug you or when we go out." I didn't feel like I used to when I was with her, so this was probably inevitable.

She didn't say anything at all, just turned around and hopped in her car before driving away. Looks like I would be walking back to my apartment tonight.

I looked at my watch, and groaned. It was only 9 o'clock, and I didn't have anything to do. The agency had my bags packed with clothes that would help me fit in with the community, there was no expenses that I needed to pay for, my will was taken care of, and I had broken up with Jesse.

I decided that I would head back Brody's. He was the only one that knew about my "training exercise tomorrow. Brody is gonna be my wing man so to speak. He's gonna be coming in after I get really close to the main man Hamilton.

When I got back to Brody's I just walked in. His place had been my home for a year.

Brody is kinda the one who helped me out when I graduated from the academy. I had no money to rent a place, and I hadn't met Jesse yet so Brody was my saving grace so to speak.

"Yo man!" I heard Roger call out from down the hallway. I nodded in his direction and went to grab a beer.

As I walked I began to notice the little things that I never used to before. Brody's place was really nice for a bachelor pad. He kept everything clean and orderly, and he made everything look modern with a hint of old fashion going on. I had no idea how he kept his place looking like this. Walking into Brady's living room, I took a long drink from my bottle before taking a place over in a chair.

 "Hey man, where's Jesse?" I heard Ricky ask, but still absorbed into the game that was on.

"She went home...by herself," came my response. Every eye turned away from the massive TV Brady had, and directly at me. I knew what they were gonna ask before they did. Holding up my hand to stop them, I answered their quesitons, "Yes, we broke up, no, you cannot date her yet."

Nick's mouth was hanging open, and didn't say anything until out of his mouth came, "Wow, I just cant believe you two broke up."

Brady decided to take that opportunity to laugh a big hearty laugh, which broke the tension the guys were giving off, "I knew it was only a matter of time, Ryder. What do you plan on doing now that you two are over? Go out and get about 10 blonde bimbos in one night?" He asked giving his eyebrows a waggle. Brady knew I was not the one to sleep around after a break up. I just didn't feel right it I did that.

"Brady," I state as I disappear back into the kitchen and grabbing the two six packs in there, I plan to get piss poor drunk. Care to join me?" I smirked ready to get blind drunk before I headed out on my death mission.