I stop next to Brook, “Is everyone ready?” He has been such a major help, taking care of everyone’s gear, and going over some basic rules and technical stuff with them.
“Yeah, have you ever seen a seventeen-year-old so pumped, because there are plenty behind us, you just need to look.”
“Every day that I look in the mirror, I feel like those seventeen-year-old pumped teens. They have a safe environment and people they can work with to better their riding and keep them safe, that’s the dream.” I comment, revving my bike as a signal for them to focus.
Brook follows my lead. “I agree, when my friends and I found this place it felt different than everything else we participated in. The energy was indescribable, it just felt right. We came here every summer for three years straight, and this is my favorite place by far.”
“I bet.” Searching my pocket for my cardo so I can speak with Brook during the ride, I realize I must have left it in my room. Shit. “I forgot my cardo so I’ll keep an eye out.”
“No problem.”
After we explain a few rules for this ride and make sure everyone is set as more riders of all ages join us, we take off. Brook and I are the leaders, making sure everyone passes and no one stays behind. I know a few other bikers also making sure things go smoothly.
Although this road is vacant, we are still on high alert because the tiniest imperfection on the road can cause lethal results.
Some form gaps from others or move to the sides, allowing the adrenaline junkies to speed or do stunts.
Wheelies go up in the air one after the other.
I drive pretty slow, catching a group of young bikers scheming as they subtly ride closer to me. Chuckling to myself, I capture their movements through the visor without making sharp movements. Letting my bike glide forward, I block a hand reaching to kill switch my bike.
They love to play games but have no intention of actually doing it, knowing it’s dangerous in our situation.
I move fast past them, flipping them the bird.
When we ride for about an hour, Brook and I signal everyone to stop, hydrate themselves, get some rest, and enjoy some stunts within a circle the bikes form on the road.
I start my bike again and rev it. As my hands clutch the handles, I hop on the front fairing between the mirrors, changing positions as the bike continues to glide along the road.
Good thing I took a lighter bike for this ride.
Moving back to my seat and balancing myself, I place myhead onto the seat and lift my legs in the air for a few seconds before I straddle it and wheelie.
I let the tires screech the road as I burn them. Smoke rolls around me. Swerving from side to side, I take advantage of the small space and continue to do more stunts.
Everyone cheers as I finish, shouting all kinds of encouraging words. I thank everyone and tell them to head back toThe Garagebefore the sun sets.
Lifting my kickstand, I watch as the last rider takes off.
A nice breeze caresses my skin as my thoughts drift to Blakely, I fixate on the golden skies as a flock of birds crosses it. Swaying my bike along the road as I did with Blakely the first day she came here, a sense of peace envelops me as images of her run in my head.
There were countless times that I lost myself in her eyes, and felt my heart rate spike like crazy when she was near me, granting me the chance to see her raw emotions.
Her ex was a fucker and didn’t deserve an ounce of her. She tried and he failed her countlessly. Not to mention he prioritized his career over her and didn’t want to be seen with her in public because people recognized him—that’s fucked up. So what if he didn’t cheat on her although it sounds sketchy Blakely said she dug further into it because she would not tolerate cheaters and he didn’t. His co-star also had a secret relationship and they hated each other off-screen.
I will never watch anything he stars in—no fucking way.
I feel like he used her. Used her kindness. Because she is fire but her flames fade sometimes when she chooses to show meher warmth without the accompanied burn.
I hated the fact she thought I was using her and only spending time with her for sex. We promised each other one night but I knew it wouldn’t end there. I hoped it wouldn’t.
I just need her. I don’t know how to explain it.
She understands me without me explaining anything.
Some men are not in it just for the sex. Some men are not here to play games. Some are here to bring out the best in a woman. Some men come to heal the fractured parts other men have caused. We walk amongst a larger crowd with one cause; we’re here to repair all that has been broken, restore all that was lost, and grow with the woman we love.
I focus my attention back on the road ahead.
