Excitement flares in his eyes and transfers to his body as he dances with the bikers surrounding us. Loud music blastsThe Garageas more bikes and cars arrive.
I don’t want him to do something he doesn’t feel like doing, let alone be an appendix in his fun ride.
“You sure you want me to come? I know the guys like to do some stunts on the road. A backpack will prevent that.” I look away, to the table where Lenny sits—immersed in a conversation with some other bikers, laughing her ass off.
I never had a best friend. Lenny seems like a special kind ofgirl. Welcoming, friendly, and caring. We never got to spend quality time with each other when they visited but I hope we will this summer.
“Yeah, I want you to come,” Meadow clarifies, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
“Okay.”
“Have you ever raced against someone?” he leans against his bike, crossing his hands over his chest as he lets his body fall into a natural position.
“No, not really, just for fun.”
A sweet chuckle permeates the warm wind, coming out of his lips. “Who taught you how to wheelie?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I eye him.
He nods, his green eyes shimmering under the late rays of light, “Willing to sell a kidney if you’d tell me, I heard they’re doing well on the black market.”
“With your smoking habits, they will pay you to keep it.” I put my palm above my opened visor to block the sun while I watch a few bikers wheelie in the distance. I’m cheering inside, grinning as another pops a wheel in the air. Nice!
“It’s not my lungs.”
“A-ha, it probably affects everything.”
“Hop on, Wilder.” His patience is running thin as he says those words.
This is my first time on a wild beast and my lady bits raving in joy. I lean against him for support and he immediately offers me his hand as I climb behind him.
“The helmets have speakers so you can talkto me,” he plugs his cardo into his helmet and connects them.
“Got it.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” His voice is loaded with anticipation and it’s the only bargaining chip I have against him.
I heave a sigh. “I’ll keep it a mystery like you keep your identity.”
“Fair enough. I like mysteries.”
With that, the bike comes to life and Meadow gives a few resounding revs to the pumped audience around us before we take off.
With one hand wrapped around his tight, warm body, I let the other trail over the red fairings.
“This bike is breathtaking,” I whisper.
“She is.” Meadow suddenly replies, and for a moment, I completely forget he can hear me.
“There you are,” Dean’s voice booms inside my helmet. “I was starting to think you bailed this year, considering…”
“Nah, I’m good.” Meadow cuts him mid-sentence. “Just picked up our new passenger.” He motions backward.
“Glad you joined, Blakely, we’re going with a few groups and we’ll bring a cover for your helmet on the next stop,” Dean explains.
“Great!” I hold on to Meadow tightly while he moves past a few slower bikes, but remains fairly slow himself and I assume it’s because of me.
Midway his hand slips backward, kneading my thigh and it seems like a reflex because he quickly removes it—I’ll admitit felt nice for a brief second because something in me calms.
