I don’t have an extra helmet, so I pull off the one I’m wearing and hold it out to her.
She doesn’t take it, looking between me and the helmet like I just asked her to do a bump of coke or something.
“Get on.”
Her gaze trails over the bike underneath me. “Is it safe?”
“No.”
She blinks up at me but I just stare back.It’s not safe.On the bike, nor with me, and I’m not about to lie to her.
“I—I’m going to pass,” she says, reading the look in my eyes.
“You sure?” I question, watching her throat as she swallows hard before nodding quickly. I resist the sudden urge to grab her by it, and force her onto the back rather than let her go. But instead, I tighten my grip on the helmet in my hands, dragging it back down over my head.
“Okay, have it your way,” I shrug, leaning back on my bike and settling into the seat.
She’s got a suspicious look on her face; I gave in way too easily.
“Thanks anyway. And thanks again… for before…”
I nod.
“Have a good night.” She waves, awkwardly, and spins—too fast, nearly knocking herself off balance after tripping on the uneven sidewalk before taking off in the direction she was going before I’d stopped her.
I watch her go, letting her get a few feet ahead before I start my bike, edging it forward a little bit before allowing it to idle again.
Rose’s pace slows and she glances back over her shoulder at me once, before continuing her walk down the dark street.
Again, I allow her to go a few more feet before I release the clutch, gliding the bike forward before stopping just behind her.
Rose looks back again, and this time I wave, placing both feet on the ground while I gesture for her toplease, keep going.
Her eyes flash with anger and she whirls around, storming back to me.
I lift my visor and wait, sitting back in my seat and folding my arms across my chest.Oh, she’s cute when she’s mad.
“Are you going to follow me the whole way home?” she demands, looking me up and down.
This girl.Most people would be cautious around me… fearful, polite, careful. But not her. Not Rose. She sees the danger, sure, but snaps back anyway.
“Looks like it,” I tell her with a bored expression on my face.
“I can handle myself,” she snarks, straightening her shoulders back and lifting her chin before turning to walk away again.
“Is that so?” I arch a brow at her, my tone mockingly impressed. She freezes. “I seem to recall you asking, oh wait no—beggingfor my help earlier.”
Her cheeks flush a bright pink, the color a distraction.I wonder if they do that when she comes too…
“You can stop following me.”
“I can,” I agree with a short nod.
Satisfied, she spins on her heel, gracefully this time, and stalks back off down the street. Her heels click loudly against the concrete sidewalk.
Once again, I pull the clutch and give the bike some gas, however, this time I don’t stop. This time, I ride up right alongside her, keeping pace.
The withering look she gives me makes me smile. “Just because I can, doesn’t mean I’m going to.”
