“Yeah. If you get thirsty, call me. But if you don’t, that’s fine. We’ll drink tomorrow.”
“Yay!” I did a dance of accomplishment while Ari collected our bags. “Time to go?”
“When are you gonna show us your new bike?” Mateo leaned forward in his seat like he’d been waiting to ask all day.
“Mine?” I asked. He didn’t seem to be talking to Ari. “I don’t have a bike. I hate bicycles.”
“No, your motorcycle.”
I laughed. “I don’t have one of those either, silly. I totaled mine forever ago and promised everyone I wouldn’t get another one.”
“You really don’t remember?” Mateo was looking at me strange.
“Remember what?”
“You bought a motorcycle while you were manic,” Dennis said. “We thought you knew?”
“Iwhat?”
“Right. I was supposed to tell you that,”Ari said.“I was waiting for a good time to bring it up.”
“You honestly don’t remember?” Mateo asked. I shook my head. “Shit. I thought you were exaggerating about the memory loss.” He ruffled his hair while I sulked at the discovery of having bought yetanotherexpensive thing while manic. “Well, you got a bike. Ari said it’s purple and black. I’m sure you’ll love it. At least manic you did a good job picking it out?” He smiled sheepishly, like he wasn’t sure if joking about it was okay.
“I can’t believe I did this again. I always buy the most random shit. Although I guess this isn’t random ‘cause I’ve been wanting a new bike for forever. Actually, maybe this is good! I have a new bike and I didn’t break the promise,” I reasoned. “I don’t think it counts since I was manic when I bought it. So it’s kinda okay?” I perked back up. This made sense. Maybe manic Emy did us a solid. “Do you guys know where it is?”
“It’s at home,” Ari said. “I’ll show you when we get there.”
“Let’s hope I bought a good one.” I bit my lip, wondering again if this was horrible news. It might be fine, but my manic self would buy a blade of grass for a thousand dollars if someone called it special. “How long ‘til your dad will be home?”
“His plane lands in an hour, and it’s an hour drive to the airport. We’ll drop our things off and then I’ll go get him.” She turned to the guys and smiled. “Thanks again for letting us stay here. It was…fun.”She hesitated at the last part.
“Anytime,”Seansaid.“Emy, don’t forget we have a shift tonight.”
“Bye,Emy. Bye,Ari.”Mateogave us each a warm hug.“I’ll see you guys later?”
“I’m sure you will.” I waved around the room before collecting our things and heading outside. “Is the new bike a good one?” I asked Ari as she closed the door.
“Yup. And don’t worry, it was a legit sale. I checked everything the day after you bought it. Good seller, it’s in good condition, he gave records of maintenance, the price was fair, you have the title. Considering you were completely out of your mind, you did everything right. I have the keys.”
A wave of relief washed over me. Thank fucking god. “Do you think I’ll like it?”
“Oh, you’ll love it.” She grinned as we descended the stairs. “Pretty sure my dad and Aunt Helen will hate it but I know you’re a vampire, so I’m not worried. All the danger is gone. I’m just never getting on the thing with you.”
“Fair enough.” I laughed, thinking back to the one time she rode with me on the old one. It was probably the scariest few minutes of her life, but I was having a great time. I was having a fun time today, too. As a matter of fact, I felt alive again for the first time since I’d killed that girl.
“I’m guessing you don’t remember going for an overnight run?” Ari asked.
“A what?” I cocked my head. What even was an overnight run?
“You went jogging at night. For thewholenight. Without shoes like an insane person.”
“Seriously? I hate running. Why would I do that to myself? And why didn’t I wear shoes?”
“You said, and I quote, ‘I’m not a weak shoe wearing bitch.’” She grinned as I burst out laughing. “I couldn’t talk you out of the run or into shoes, but I did stop you from selling Tuffy. So you’re welcome. I’m the best cousin ever, I know.”
“You are.” I linked my arm through hers, smiling as we reached the street. “Thank you.”
* * *
