Ride For Me (The North Shore Crew #1) Read online

  The North Shore Crew—Book One

  -VR BAUCKE-

  Copyright © VR Baucke, 2017.

  Published by VR Baucke, 2019.

  All rights reserved.

  Cover image from Shutterstock © FXQuadro

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in a review.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction.

  Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  This novel is intended for those 18 years and over.

  Paperback ISBN-13: 978-0-473-47803-2

  E-book ISBN-13: 978-0-473-47804-9

  Contents

  DEDICATION

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  TWENTY-NINE

  THIRTY

  THIRTY-ONE

  THIRTY-TWO

  THIRTY-THREE

  THIRTY-FOUR

  THIRTY-FIVE

  THIRTY-SIX

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  THIRTY-NINE

  FORTY

  FORTY-ONE

  EPILOGUE

  BREAK FOR ME TEASER

  ALSO BY VR BAUCKE

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  DEDICATION

  To everyone who wanted to try something new,

  but feared doing it.

  This is proof that you can do anything!

  BRACE YOURSELVES

  You’re about to meet The North Shore Crew!!!

  Lil, Gage, Mace, Trav, Mickey (Josh), Kimmie and Nico are waiting for you, and are about to take you on one hell of a journey.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  This book is written using UK English, and down here in Aotearoa (New Zealand) we also use some random-ass slang that you may not have come across before. Just roll with it. In the words of Trav; “It’s all gravy, baby.”

  “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

  -Victor Hugo.

  PROLOGUE

  GAGE

  ~Four months from now~

  I CAME HERE today to say goodbye to her, a proper goodbye this time, and it killed me that I couldn’t look her in the eyes and ask for the forgiveness I knew she would willingly give.

  I wanted her to stare back at me through the tears and tell me it would all be okay.

  But she wouldn’t - she couldn’t.

  I longed for her to tell me I was making the right decision, that she forgave me, even though the unexpected turn of events that had brought me here today had nothing, yet everything, to do with her. I needed her to slap me for it, to wake me from this dream that I didn’t want woken from.

  But still, she couldn’t.

  Instead, I settled on the grass beside her while trying to collect the appropriate words. I took my time to organise them in my head, internalise them, repeating them over and over until they sounded just right.

  She didn’t acknowledge my presence, though, I knew she would already be aware of why I was here after months away without visiting her once.

  For that I was incredibly guilty.

  It wasn’t my intention to be gone for so long.

  I’m such a shit human.

  I clung to the big bouquet of dark purple roses like they were my only life line. Realising I had all but destroyed the stems by squeezing them nervously, I slid them into the large vase beside me, buying a few extra moments.

  Turning my attention back to Lotte, I growled roughly to clear the wad of dread from my throat.

  “Babe, I...”

  Fuck, this sucks. So fucking much!

  Placing my hand on the grass next to her, I decided to speak straight from my heart.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been back for months. I intended to but was hurting and didn’t want to face this shit reality again. You have always been my world and this whole situation is… well, it sucks. I let you down. I failed you, and now I’m here asking, begging, for forgiveness because I’ve found someone when I least expected to. I never wanted to love a woman again like I love—loved—love you.”

  Ah, fuck!

  “You will always be special to me. Always. And you will always own a part of me that I can never give to anyone else. For some reason, in this fucked up universe, there is this ray of sunshine who is dragging me kicking and screaming out of the darkness that’s surrounded me for too long. And as much as I’ve tried, I don’t I want to fight it anymore.”

  The feeling of defeat was immense. I hung my head between my knees while raking my hands through my hair. I definitely felt like the bad guy - even though I shouldn’t. Technically I hadn’t done anything wrong.

  “I love you,” I whispered so only she could hear.

  Despite the day being perfectly still with only the low hum of bees and the songs of the birds to disturb us, I felt the ghost of a cool breeze ripple across the back of my neck. As per usual, everyone else around us was peacefully quiet. I smiled as the goose bumps prickled over my neck then wove across my shoulders. I was unable to suppress the shudder that followed.

  “Stop that, it’s creepy as fuck,” I chuckled, pulling some grass and tossing it her way.

  But my words and actions were met with silence and stillness.

  “Lotte, I don’t expect you to forgive me for everything, and I can live with that. Just... just know that you’ll always be my first and nothing can change that. I know you would want me to be happy, and if I’m honest to us both, it’s been a long time coming. But now I can finally say I truly am happy again. And I want to be.”

  I closed my eyes and swallowed heavily. I knew she could hear me.

  “Goodbye, baby cakes. I’ll visit again soon.”

  Giving the grass between us one final pat, I rose before whispering, “Sleep tight, babe.”

  Pressing a kiss to the end of two fingers, I aimed them her way then turned to leave. On my way down the path to where my truck was parked, I tried to shrug off the feeling of eyes boring into my back.

  ONE

  LIL

  ~Present day~

  MICKEY SWERVED AND pulled in at the curb. My body lurched forward before being thrown back into the seat of his ute.

  “Jeez, Mickey, what the hell!”

  “Look,” he threw an arm close to my face and pointed at the house. “They started the fucking fire without me.”

  “Well that’s what you get for making us late!” I sassed, already opening the door and stepping onto the footpath.

  Sure enough, the smell of burning wood tainted the late afternoon air and the remaining ghosts of smoke dissipated into the sky beyond the roof of
the house. We approached the backyard where laughter rose, combining with the music. The crew came into view when we rounded the corner of the house.

  “Whatup, bitches! Lil ‘n’ Mickey in the hooouuse!” I whooped with my hands raised above my head.

  My brother and I were welcomed by various greetings hurled from our group of mates sitting around the firepit. The crew were well into their first few rounds of drinks, and Mace was the only one to stand after snapping his head our way.

  “About bloody time!” He stalked over to us and engulfed me in a bear hug, just like always. “Nice of you both to finally join us.”

  I scoffed. “Blame Mickey. I was running on time.”

  “What the fuck ever,” Mickey mumbled and headed for the chilly bin.

  Mace ducked his head to be closer to my ear. “Bad day at the office?”

  “Yup. He’s not saying much though, as per usual.” I pursed my lips.

  “Hey,” Mace lightly tapped me on the ass, “you drinking tonight?”

  I raised my brows and met his pretty blue eyes. “Do bears shit in the woods?”

  “Oh crap,” he guffawed. “It’s gonna be one of those nights, isn’t it, Lil Bean?”

  Linking arms with my best male friend, I fell into step with him. “You’d better brace yourself, because shiz is about to get real.”

  Mace rumbled a chuckle until I gave his bulging bicep a quick squeeze.

  “Don’t touch what you can’t afford,” he drawled.

  I snorted. “Says the guy who just touched my ass!”

  “Oh, I can afford it.”

  “Whatever, keep telling yourself that, love,” I teased.

  Mace simply rolled his eyes then propelled me towards one of the worn outdoor couches. “Just go sit down while I find you a drink.”

  “Thanks, Macey-poo. You’re the best.”

  “Hey!” Kimmie exclaimed through Mace’s growl—he hated that nickname.

  I threw my ass into the space beside Kimmie and whooped when she bounced a couple of times, almost landing on my lap.

  Regaining her seating, Kimmie dropped her voice low and asked, “Is Mickey okay? He seems a little uptight.”

  Possessing the hearing of a bat, my brother whipped his head around and glared at Kimmie.

  “He’s fine,” I reassured her while flicking him off.

  Mickey simply flared his nostrils then resumed talking to Trav. My eyes snagged with Trav’s across the flames and he raised his beer in greeting. His dimpled grin always made my own smile appear, and tonight was no exception. However, the smile slipped from my face a second later when I realised I was still empty handed.

  “Mace!”

  He spun, immediately halting the conversation between him and Nico. I threw up my arms to emphasise my lack of vessel.

  “I’m getting it,” Mace shouted over the music. “And I definitely didn’t forget.”

  I laughed through my exclamation. “You totally forgot, didn’t you!”

  Nico man-giggled. “He totally forgot, Lil. Sorry for distracting him,” he grinned.

  There was no way I could hold it against the gentle giant. “All good, Neek, you know how Mace is; sees something shiny and can’t maintain focus.”

  “Oh, ha ha, cut a man when he’s down,” Mace bitched as he dug out my drink.

  He lobbed a bottle of alcoholic ginger beer my way and it sailed through the air in slow motion. I moved on instinct, hurling myself from the couch and diving for the bottle. The air was knocked from my lungs when I landed, and damn did it hurt my boobs! However, satisfaction reigned when the bottle neatly landed in my hands before hitting the grass. I lay prone for a few beats while my friends pissed themselves laughing.

  “Jeez, Mace!” I sat back on my heels and flicked the lawn clippings from my jeans and top.

  “Just keeping you on your toes, Lil Bean,” he chuckled and popped the cap off his beer.

  Trav’s voice rose above everyone else's. “Lil! That was epic! That’s gotta be your best dive yet.”

  I stumbled to my feet and brushed off again. “Thanks, Travie. That one hurt the most too.” I held up the bottle and frowned. “Dammit. I can’t drink this now that it’s shaken.”

  Trav flicked his hand. “I’ll take care of that. Chuck it here.”

  Our Travis was never one for wastage; especially when it came to an alcoholic beverage, and it was most definitely the reason why he frequently ended up in trouble.

  I handed him the shaken bottle on my way to get a fresh one, and he immediately flipped his hat backwards, dropped to one knee and chugged it back.

  Kimmie stood and clapped her hands. “And this is where we need to get some food cooking!”

  She was the mother hen of the group, always making sure the crew was taken care of—especially while on the rarks.

  Nico nodded and headed for the barbecue without a word.

  “Not without me, you won’t,” Mickey called and jumped to his feet. He was at the barbecue and lighting a match before Neek had the chance.

  Trav chuckled from beside me and tilted the empty bottle toward the boys.

  “Between the two of them, they have enough knowledge and skills to blow up the entire neighbourhood. I’d better supervise.”

  I laughed hard. “I really don’t think your powers of supervision will decrease the chances of something getting blown up.”

  Trav turned and continued to walk backwards as he threw his arms wide. “Seriously, Lil, what could go wrong?”

  “No, Trav!” I exclaimed and pointed at him. “Every time you say that, something always happens. You’re a trouble magnet!”

  His grin widened. “It’s all gravy, baby.”

  “Oh my God,” I snickered and waved him off. “Just don’t burn the food this time, please! I don’t like my sausage burnt!”

  Mace sniggered from behind me. “Neither do I, Lil. Neither do I.”

  I twisted and found him sitting on the couch where Kimmie and I had been. Without giving too much thought of where I was sitting, I blindly collapsed beside him and apparently squashed the edge of his thigh.

  “Ouch! Fuck, Lil Bean. Watch where your goddamn ass is going!” He then slung his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close.

  I scoffed. “As if your rock-hard thighs can’t handle it.”

  “I wasn’t fucking tensing,” he growled against my forehead.

  “That’s what they all say.”

  Mace scoffed and raised his bottle. Clinking it with mine, we both took a swig in silence while watching the guys. A couple of beats passed before Mace bent his head towards mine again.

  “How have you been, Lil? Like, really been?”

  I met his eyes and let the façade drop for a moment. “In all honesty, I’ve been great lately.”

  “I hope so.” He tapped his forefinger against the tip my bottle. “Go easy tonight, yeah?”

  “Always.”

  With a raise of his brows, he gave me the yeah right look I’d received countless times throughout the years.

  Mace and I (and Mickey) went way back; almost as far as Kimmie and I did. He knew things about me no other living soul did. And likewise, I’d seen Mace through his darkest days. We’d battled through a lot over the years, and were always there for one another; it was simply what we did.

  “I mean it, Missy. Last time we got on the piss, you tried to molest me with a goddamn bottle.”

  I threw back my head and laughed at the dimming sky.

  “Oh, c’mon, don’t pretend you didn’t like it. It would be right up your alley.”

  Mace’s expression darkened. “I can assure you that I do not enjoy being the recipient of ass play.”

  “So, you’ve dabbled?” I countered without missing a beat.

  Mace ran a hand over his face. “Fuck me,” he muttered. “You’re dirty, Lil Bean, and I don’t want you to say another word about it.”

  I shrugged nonchalantly. “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it, is all I’m sayi
n’.”

  Mace threw his hands up and pushed to his feet. “Nup, I’m outies.”

  “Love you, Macey-poo,” I called as he made a swift getaway.

  He waved me off and headed for the guys without giving me the satisfaction of replying to my bullshit.

  I loved winding him up. It was too easy and totally hilarious. Plus, the sadistic side of me was convinced he actually enjoyed me annoying the hell out of him.

  TWO

  LIL

  ALCOHOL WAS THE devil on my shoulder. Him and I went way back, and some of our history wasn’t pretty; there was a sickness lurking at the bottom of every bottle, a disease I was susceptible to. It hadn’t been an issue in quite some time and thankfully Mace had relaxed his constant vigil over my consumption.

  The few hours that slipped past saw all of us in various states of disarray. I half-listened to Kimmie talk smack with Neek while I danced a little to the music. Lifting a drink to my mouth, I frowned when no liquid passed my lips.

 

  Reading my mind, Mickey leaned over the arm of the couch and dug through the chilly bin. His irritation grew with each bottle he pulled out then put back. Finally making eye contact with me, he gave me the bad news.

  “You’re out. There’s more in the house.”

  “Dammit!” I stood and yelled over the music. “Hey, does anyone need anything from the inside fridge?”

  “Oh,” Kimmie waved her arm. “Another bag of chips please, Lil. Trav’s such a hungus.”

  “The fuck!” Trav, exclaimed indignantly, somehow raising his voice an entire octave.

  “You totally are, Trav! Be right back. No one take my seat,” I warned with a savage finger point across the crew.

  Jogging across the lawn and leaving the music and laughter behind me—as well as Trav yelling, “Yeah, get some!”—I took the steps in a single bound. Entering the familiar kitchen without slowing my pace, I made a beeline for the fridge and yanked it open. This place felt like home and I treated it as such. Kimmie had moved back home a couple of months ago before her parents took off on a year-long overseas holiday. The Davis residence was designed for entertaining, and the crew planned to make the most of her parent’s absence.