As my devious and scheming mind started to run away with me, Nate fired up the bike. It came to life with a roar. Taking one last look at my family standing on the steps, Matilda and Derek waved wildly while Mia just grinned like the cat that got the cream. Shaking off the thought, I decided I might as well do exactly what Derek suggested. Go with the flow and try not to stress too much about the future. It wasn’t something that came naturally to me, but my daughter was safe and happy, so what else did I have to worry about?
Quickly we passed over the rickety old bridge and out onto the highway. When we picked up speed, I felt my whole body relax. I hadn’t realised how tense I’d been, but the moment I let go and just focused on enjoying myself, I found myself flying. The urge to stick my arms out and let the wind carry them away was too tempting for my own good. Maybe when we slowed down a little I’d give it a try, even if it was only for a second. We sped down the road, rounded corners, and made our way through the next two towns.
When we turned down a dirt road, I’ll admit my nerves were completely shot to shit. Where the fuck was he taking me? Was he going to kill me in the bushes and then dump my body? I had a daughter waiting for me. I couldn’t become another statistic. Shit! Shit! Shit! When we pulled into the clearing and the bike slowed, I knew I was done for. As soon as he was going slow enough that I was game enough to unwrap my arms from around his waist I let go and jumped off.
Backing away, I watched as Nate spun the bike to a complete halt, sending a shower of dust and gravel into the air.
Yanking his helmet off roughly, Nate kicked at the stand and set the bike before jumping off and moving towards me. “What the fuck, Josie? You could have been seriously hurt.”
Running his hand through his hair, he looked pissed. His eyes were dark and his brow furrowed.
“I-I…” I didn’t know what to say. How do you say ‘Sorry, I thought you could be a serial killer’?
“Josie,” his voice softened as he buried his hands in his pockets.
One look, one decent look, and I knew it was my head that was going to kill me. Not Nate.
“Sorry.”
“What for?”
“For—”
“Jumping off the bike when it wasn’t safe? For looking at me like I was going to hurt you? Or something else?”
“All of it?”
“Forgiven. Now, you want me to show you the real reason I brought you out here?”
“Forgiven? Really? Just like that?”
“Yep. Come on.”
He held his hand out to me and locked our gazes. How could I not believe him when he looked at me with those puppy dog eyes and the pouty lips he’d perfected? I wanted to kiss them so bad. Ignoring the butterflies in my stomach, which were growing with every heartbeat, I dropped my hand in his and allowed him to lead me down the track.
The night had grown cool and the sun was setting. Until now I hadn’t noticed the sky above us. Not once. The whole ride out here I’d been so caught up in the speed and the feeling and every little thing I felt like I was flying past, I’d missed the spectacular show Mother Nature was putting on tonight. It was like she knew this was something to me. Showing off and putting everything she had into it. It was a vivid mix of burnt orange and purples. And in a few spots, the spots that touched the earth whether it be the surrounding hills or the tips of the trees, it still shone bright yellow. Magical would be the best description. Something someone drew. Someone extremely talented, mind you.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“It truly is.”
Not paying attention to where I was going, I walked straight into Nate with a thud when he stopped. Thankfully he was more graceful on his feet than I was, and despite his stumble, he managed to keep us both upright…something I was desperately grateful for. Steady once again, I moved beside him and wrapped my arms around myself. I wasn’t cold, but strangely I felt a chill in my bones. I had no idea where it’d come from, but I felt the shiver rocket down my spine, leaving a trail of goose bumps.
“How’d you find this place?” I asked, unable to mask the awe in my voice.
Nate dug his hands in his pockets, something I’d noticed him do often, and cleared his throat. “Accident really. I was riding around one weekend and stumbled on it. I’ve never seen another soul out here.”
“It’s so quiet.”
“That’s why I like it. It’s usually my Friday afternoon haunt.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep.”
“Why Fridays?”
“Ah, the million dollar question right there. You want the real answer or the one most people want to hear?”
