“And I guess I wanna know why?” I asked. “None of your relationships have worked out, but despite a string of failures, you’re still ready to dive into the next one?”
“Right,” Moves said. “I feel like I just got insulted.”
I shrugged and studied the table. I didn’t mean to call Moves’ past relationships failures, but he’d had five girlfriends in the last five years. Every single one, he had called his soul mate. I wanted to know how he had gone from soulmates to nothing. And I wanted to know how he got back up and kept moving after each relationship that he had wanted to last forever ended.
“Don’t know how else to ask it,” I said.
Moves pressed his mouth into a firm line and furrowed his brow. “S’alright. You may have a point.”
“I just don’t know how to trust a relationship,” I said. “I trusted one once, a long time ago. Didn’t end well.”
“Ok, but trust is so boring,” Moves said.
I gave him a quizzical look. Everyone knew that trust was the cornerstone of a healthy relationship and all that sappy stuff.
“It’s not just about trust,” Moves said. “Don’t get me wrong, trust is a big part of it, but it’s about something more. It’s more fun and exciting than that.”
“I don’t get it,” he said.
“You say you don’t have fun with this girl?” Moves asked.
“Of course I do,” I said.
“So enjoy that first,” Moves said. “You don’t have to go straight to the heavy stuff.”
“I just don’t see how I cannotconsider all the heavy stuff,” I said, drumming my fingers atop the table as I contemplated. “The heavy stuff is what’ll bite you in the ass eventually, right?”
“But the fun stuff and the stuff that makes you care about her in the first place.” Moves shook his head and waved his hand for emphasis. “That’s what gets you through the tough times.”
Moves leaned back and smiled, happy with his conclusion. I sighed.
Moves had a point. I was still scared as hell about everything that could go wrong with Claire. But the feeling of comfort and excitement I got when I was around her made me forget about the danger and tragedy that the future could hold.
I gave Moves a nod. I would think about his philosophy. I couldn’t make him any promises though. Moves leaned forward and clapped his hand on my shoulder. “When in doubt, just take it one step at a time.”
“One step at a time, huh?” I asked. “That’s tough for me.”
“Why?” Moves asked.
“I just keep thinking about what’s gonna happen at step 200 or 300,” I said.
Moves shrugged. “I never think ahead. Maybe I should.”
We both laughed and finished our drinks.
“Invite her to the club barbecue this week,” Moves said.
I looked up in alarm. It was no joke to invite someone to a club social event. It meant I was willing to introduce Claire to all the most important people in my life.
Then again, when I pictured walking into that barbecue with Claire at my side, a warm feeling spread through me. It would feel right, I realized, to introduce her to my brothers and their girls. I wanted to see her joke with Ryder and ask Raul about learning to ride.
She would fit right in as well. Claire wouldn’t be hesitant or shy around the bikers. They couldn’t faze her. She was undaunted by pretty much everything. In fact, she would relish meeting the guys and asking for good stories.
“Alright,” I said. “I think I will.”
“Awesome,” Moves said. “Can’t wait to meet her.”
I nearly choked on my swig of beer as I remembered. “Oh, you have.”
