Restore My Heart
Acknowledgements
First I have to say a thank you to my husband for supporting me in anything I choose to do. I love you hubbub always and forever.
To My Mother in Law, thank you for broadening my horizons and sharing your “trash” with me. Who knew I would be brave enough to try and write my own. Thank you for your support always.
To my dad for letting me hang out in his garage growing up giving me a love and passion for old cars.
Last but certainly not least, Amanda, thank you for keeping me motivated during this writing process. Thank you for not letting me question myself or talk myself out of completing this project. Thank you for your input and support. Here is to checking off our bucket list items one by one.
Bad Boy, Ryder Davenport comes into Dina Fowlers life in the middle of her own personal hell. Still coming to terms with the death of her parents, she pushes everyone away. When she trusts the wrong man, putting her in a bad relationship she felt she couldn’t escape, Ryder comes along. Enjoying his play boy ways, fast cars, motorcycles and a new woman in his bed nightly, Ryder had no thoughts of settling down. That is, until he sees the damage a man can do when he meets a very broken Dina. He changes in hopes of one day being enough for her. But, can she ever feel safe with a man again? Ryder has restored hundreds of classic cars, can he restore Dina’s heart?
Chapter One
Dina
There is just something about a strong man with broad shoulders, a few tattoos peeking out from his shirt, and that air of confidence that screams I don't care what anyone thinks I am me. So here I sit in my favorite spot at the local coffee shop waiting on Maggie to arrive and in walks the one man who takes my breath away. Funny thing is, to this point I haven't spoken more than a handful of words to him and he has seen me at my absolute worst, yet his presence alone makes my heart jump. He walks to the counter, not noticing me, so I take the moment to take in the sight that is uniquely Ryder in his black boots, slightly lose light denim jeans and a snug black t-shirt that not only hints that the man is clearly full of toned tight muscles but also sporting some serious ink. Lost in my own Ryder cloud nine, I totally miss my very best friend joining me.
"Hello, chicka." says Maggie as she sits and begins to sip her caramel latte I had waiting for her. I am snapped back to reality, time for my Monday girl morning to begin. Maggie Rose Lawson, my very best friend since freshman year of high school, my sorority sister in college, my business partner, and until recently when she moved in with her boyfriend, my roommate. She is the girly one of our duo; she is the confident one, and the outspoken one. With her beautiful just below the shoulder jet black hair, her dark brown eyes, a golden tan, and a body that is every man's playground, the one women wish they had. She is everything I wish I could find in myself again. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, she has a heart of gold and is the most loyal person I know.
Today is Monday and our routine is morning lattes, then off for Mani’s and Pedi's before lunch. This has been our treat every Monday since college graduation. We both have benefited from our talents and our job not forcing us into your typical weekday 9-5 so we choose to start our week with some pampering and girl time. We also take this time to do a little work if you want to call it that. Maggie and I own the most popular promotions and events company in the Charlotte area. She uses her marketing degree to promote and plan events from sporting events, to bars and nightclubs, to business meetings and promotions. I use my business degree and inheritance to fund the company and make sure we keep our books right. We don't consider it work since we get paid to party or promote some great events. We are two girls from a tiny coastal, North Carolina town loving our independence and city life. So here we are discussing our Saturday night club event review from the bar Whiskey to add to our blog when Ryder strides over to our table.
As he stands I can't help but inhale the scent of Perry Ellis Black mixed with Ryder creating heaven in my nose. Oh dear Ryder, if only you knew what you did to me. "Hey D, how's it going?" he begins speaking to me first, then to Maggie, "hey Mags, is Brayden on his way into work?" And with those few words I lose all ability to think much less speak, so I quickly drop my head and drink my latte. While Maggie takes over saying, “Brayden was headed in right behind me." The whole time I feel Ryder's eyes burning into me and I when I look up he is staring right at me. Our eyes meet and I feel like I can't even blink. He suddenly shakes his head and says to Maggie, “I am headed in now myself, slow go this morning. Catch ya later at the shop." He turns to walk away, then looks over his shoulder at me and says, "You should stop by sometime D. Don't be a stranger." And before I could do anything more than show a slight nod in agreement he walked out. Another opportunity wasted, I didn't even manage to stutter a hello or sure. Maggie just gave me a quick giggle and went right back to our Whiskey conversation.
After a morning of pampering I head to the gym for my favorite kick boxing cardio class. I just finished up when my phone rings; I look at the screen and see it’s my bestie. I answer, "I know you don't miss me already so what's up?" Maggie laughs and says, "I always miss you babe, but can you please save me from a day at the garage smelling oil and tires and pick me up?" I can't help but laugh at my very girlie friend and say, “Sure thing but I am at the gym, and I need to shower quickly." With thanks she tells me Brayden wants to work on her car today while it’s slow. We hang up and I can't help but wonder why she needs a ride when Brayden has a car and being he works for Ryder at his restoration garage, he could change her oil anytime. Oh well, she will be waiting so it’s not like I will have to get out and see Ryder.
I pull up in my newest car, a canary yellow with black accents and rims Ford Mustang Cobra. It’s the flashiest car I have had in quite a few years. I park my car, only to have to catch my breath. It’s not Maggie out front, its Ryder talking on his phone. Now he will see me, especially in this car it’s sort of hard to miss, so I have to get out, no hiding today. I am a shy person, but I love the bad ass engine and all the flash of my car. However, in these situations I wish I drove a minivan. Well, no turning back now, he's staring right at me, time to face him. I shut the door to look up and see him hang up the phone. Great, we have already established I am not good at small talk with him. Damn it, so I muster a tiny bit of control and courage to say, "Hi, Ryder" releasing the breath I didn't even know I was holding as I said it. He smiles and in his oh so sexy deep voice responds, "Dina, looking amazing as always." My inner diva is high fiving me for the mere fact I spoke to him. I keep walking, entering the shop as he holds the front door for me. I manage to stutter, "Thanks, Ryder, I am here to pick up Mags." He runs his fingers through his short spiked dark hair and says, “Ahhhh Today is a good day. I saw your beautiful face twice and you are saving me from listening to her complaining about the lack of organization in my office." I laugh and that prompts him to say, "Oh that smile can stop a man’s heart." I know I am ten shades of red as I think to myself no wonder he has so many women dropping their panties for him constantly. With my five foot four inch hour glass frame, my golden brown hair with blonde highlights, hazel eyes and although I have a little tan I am pale in comparison to his golden skin. There is no way to hide my blush from him as all six foot two inches of him tower over me. I remind myself this is just how Ryder operates and I am in no way someone special it’s just a bunch of lines. Before, I can respond, Maggie approaches with Brayden. As Ryder turns to walk away, he says, "Seriously, don't be a stranger D" and heads into his office.
Maggie gets in the car with a somewhat serious face as she asks, "Ok, Dina, I have spent way too many years watching you lose all composure around Ryder. When are you going to do so
mething about it?" My short reply is simple, "I'm not." Then begins the lecture from hell, I have been avoiding for over two years. "You know, D, the breakup with Michael was almost 3 years ago, stop letting him control you. Get him and all that negative shit out of your head. He took enough away from you in the year you were together. You are strong, you are absolutely gorgeous, and it’s time to get out there. Don't let him continue to break you anymore." Then she starts to cry and looks me in the eye and says, "Seeing you with not an ounce of self-worth or confidence is harder for me then wiping the blood off your face or taking you the emergency room when the bastard broke your arm, or helping you find make up to hide all the bruises. Take the inner strength to fight your way out of the dark place he left you in, find a way to take a chance and be happy. Ryder is a great guy; he has straightened up, turned in his player card. I don't want to watch life pass my closest friend by and neither would your parents. And if your parents had been alive, you and I both know you never would've dated Michael." I pulled away from the garage saying nothing, just letting the tears freely fall. When we arrived at Maggie and Braydens house, she leaves saying, "I love you like the sister I never had, and I want to see you find your half that makes you whole like I have with B. Its time Dina to face the demons in your head left by that asshole, it’s time to fill the loss of your family. I am always here for you anytime day or night." All I could do was nod in agreement and sob as she walked away and into her house.
Ryder
I worked way too late last night, time to get my caffeine fix before heading back into the shop. I better get two, Brayden is never a morning person but he is extra moody on Mondays. I pull up and see her car out front, oh Dina. There is something so sexy about a woman who doesn't realize how absolutely gorgeous she is. That woman has been through so much, yet she doesn't get angry or out of control, she simply takes the cards life deals her and keeps going. Maggie tells me she used to be vibrant and outgoing. I don't know if it’s just me or that she is still dealing with past issues because she never seems to speak when I am around. I know I don't match up to the pretty boys playing golf, so maybe she just doesn't like the tattoos. I have seen her car collection so I know she likes cars, but maybe that is just memories more than cars. That woman is a complete mystery to me. Better hurry up and get our coffee. I make sure to walk in and act like I don't see Dina sitting there in her purple t-shirt, jeans, and rainbow flip flops.
I approach the counter to see none other than Serena working; she of course sticks her chest out and makes an attempt at flirting with me. There was a time, when I would have told her to take her break and meet me in the bathroom, just because I knew I could start my day with a bang, so to speak. None of that seems like enough since meeting Dina, meaningless sex is just that meaningless it’s just not fulfilling anymore. I get my two extra-large black coffees and start to leave.
I glance over to Dina and see Maggie has arrived, perfect excuse to go say hello. "Don't be a stranger, D." I am an idiot; of course she’s not a stranger. When you beat someone’s ex to a bloody pulp and threaten his life to stay away from her and then basically force her to never speak to him again that hardly makes you strangers. No wonder she can't manage to talk to me, I probably reminded her of that asshole. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I arrive at work, agitated to say the least. Brayden is there, my best friend from college. He is right at six feet tall; he is built but not toned. He has a bit of a beer belly starting, but he's got Maggie and those two are inseparable. Even if it’s not with me, I really want Dina to find that kind of happiness. I hand my boy his coffee and head to my office. I have a long list of parts to get ordered for a Ford Model T hot rod modification.
I am outside dealing with more of Valerie's bullshit when out of the corner of my eye; I see my favorite flash of yellow and black. I am not a Ford guy myself, but damn that Mustang is my favorite car at the moment. Not that it really has to do with the car, but the driver. Dina makes my heart beat a little faster and my pants get a little tighter, damn down boy, she’s not even able to talk to you much less make your every fantasy come true. I hang up on Valerie; nothing matters to me when Dina is around. She actually spoke to me. I can't stop the grin coming across my face, and then I end it with, "Don't be a stranger." Really, I need to go find my balls and stop that stranger shit and just ask the girl to eat or out to coffee. Never have I had this problem and I don't know what to do about it.
Chapter Two
Dina
I don't remember the drive home. I just came in and changed into one of my dad’s old t-shirts and my favorite sweats, crawled into my chaise and cried. Five years ago, my parents died in a car accident. I was an only child and my grandparents on both sides had already passed away when I was younger. I had 3 uncles, an aunt, and a few cousins but no one that I was close with. My parents were amazing and I was a daddy's girl all the way. My dad owned his own garage so instead of a babysitter I went to work with him. When I was small I would just hand him tools, as I got older I helped him with basic oil changes, flat tires and such. The first car I rebuilt with my dad is sitting in the garage right now; it’s a black Chevy II with a big block 454 under the hood. On the right of that is my dad's very first car a red and white Chevy Belair. Yes my dad was a Chevy man, but my mom's heart was always in the mustang.
The night the drunk driver killed them, they were driving her completely restored 1965 Mustang. They were returning from another first place in the mustang show in Raleigh. After that night things changed for me, I didn't drink anymore (not that I was your typical party sorority girl to begin with), I stopped talking to practically everyone but Maggie. I devoted myself fully to college because neither of my parents got that opportunity and it was important to them. I kept my parents beach house but sold my dad's business. With that, the life insurance, the settlement from the accident, and some smart investing, I was set financially for life, but no one needed to know that. I never even told Maggie.
I was going through the motions when Michael came along and what started out as a dream quickly became my nightmare from hell that I couldn't escape. Maggie is right if my parents hadn't died I never would have fallen for it. Michael was cute in the loner bad boy way. Before the accident, I was as outspoken and outgoing as Mags. I loved being active in our sorority, I loved meeting new people, going to frat parties, being involved in any sports, or outdoor stuff. I wasn't drop dead gorgeous, but I was attractive and confident. At first Michael was just a friend, he seemed to understand my desire to exclude myself, he was easy to talk to, and he listened. Yep, he listened alright, a little too well. He managed to use every insecurity and weakness I had about being alone to tear me down. It started with needing to know everywhere I went, who I was talking to, then it was small put downs that chiseled away at my self- worth.
Then there was the night I went out with Maggie without checking with him first. She had just started dating Brayden and wanted me to meet him, so we made dinner plans. I purposely didn't invite Michael because I knew he didn't like Maggie. We had dinner at my favorite restaurant. Brayden was nice, funny, handsome, and best of all he looked at my closest friend with such adoration I knew immediately she found her prince. She asked where Mike was, after all she wanted this to be a double date, and I lied and said he had to work.
Funny thing that night I met my heaven and began my hell. We were just ordering dessert when I felt this almost electric current. I looked up and instantly was mesmerized by the man walking over. I stopped thinking and just stared as he made his way over to our table. I was so lost in him that I totally missed the bottle blonde on his arm that couldn't keep her hands or eyes off him. He came over and fist pounded Brayden, and then looked right at me, "Well, hello beautiful, you must be Maggie’s roommate, I am Ryder Davenport." I stuck out my hand to shake his, "Yes, I am Dina Fowler." Before, I could say anything else I felt the cold fear fun through my veins. Then next moment, Michael had his hands wrapped in my very long hair and was yanking me
out of my chair. Ryder stepped in, Maggie jumped up and before they could make a scene I just said, "Its okay, we have to leave." Michael released my hair but now holding painfully tight to my wrist, half dragging me away. As we walked out, I heard Ryder yell, "Dina, don't go with him!" I could hear Maggie crying but I just couldn't stop myself, I just wanted away from it all.
Michael got me home all the while screaming obscenities at me, saying I was a whore and cheating on him and I deserved to be alone. He hit me in the face repeatedly, causing a black eye, a busted lip, and bloody nose. I just crumpled to the floor in agony as he left. Brayden and Maggie arrived home not far behind us since someone had to pay our dinner check. Mike had left, but that didn't stop Brayden, he took one look at me, told Mags, to lock the door and not open it for anyone. He bolted off looking for Mike. Maggie cleaned me up that night and held me silently while I cried. The next day Michael showered me with apologies and gifts galore. It took me a few days to even speak to him, when I did he promised this would never happen again.
Oh how I wish I could say that was the end of it. As things got rougher with Michael, I just got better at hiding it. Maggie begged me to end it constantly, but I didn't know how to get out. In fact I can't even say I ended it.
Maggie was supposed to be spending the night at Braydens, only she forgot her laptop at our third floor apartment. Brayden, Ryder, some chick I don't know, and Maggie were on their way to a local bar and decided to swing by. They pulled up to see me lying on the concrete of the bottom floor, Michael yelling and kicking me. Ryder my heaven sent angel ran up grabbed Michael slamming him into the wall. He yelled at Brayden to get me to the hospital, while Maggie helped me up. As I was carried to the car, I heard the distinct sound of Ryder's fist making contact with Michaels body, and the girl I didn't know saying, “I don't need this much drama just for Ryder’s dick for the night, I am out of here.”
Restore My Heart (Daddy's Girls) Page 1
