“I can see why. The town is beautiful.”
“So, have you been coming here every day?” he asks me.
“Almost every day since I moved here,” I tell him. “It’s not like there’s a whole bunch of other stuff for me to do right now.”
Ryder’s lips purse in the cutest side-pucker before his shoulder lightly bumps mine again. “Want to get out of here?”
Do I? Ryder stands up and offers me his hand, and I realize that I would let him take me anywhere.
“Yes, I would like that very much.” I grab my guitar by its neck, and he picks up my bag from the grass. “Where to?”
“To have some fun. It is summer after all,” he replies vaguely.
Remembering I drove here this morning, I ask if he wants to take my car. I even offer to let him drive it again. Once my guitar is safely placed in its case and stored in the trunk, we head out. I get a tiny thrill that he’s taking me to destinations unknown. I love discovering new things, finding new places, trying new foods. My desire to pack eighteen years worth of experiences drives me to throw caution to the wind, be a little reckless, and do what I want.
“Do you mind if I turn on some music?” I ask, already taking out my phone and selecting a playlist.
Ryder has one hand casually resting on top of the steering wheel and the other placed on the gearshift. I think it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“You used to do that all the time when we were in my car,” he says.
I take that as a yes and hit play. The “Cruise” remix by Florida Georgia Line and Nelly starts playing. I roll down my window, my long blond hair whipping all around as we speed along a back road, nothing but flat earth and fields as far as the eye can see. Ryder looks over at me, some unknown, deep emotion in his eyes.
I love the country twang of Florida Georgia Line and can’t stop myself from singing along. Ryder’s thumb drums the steering wheel in rhythm with the beat as I drape my arm out the open window and play with the wind, letting it push through my fingers. After another three songs and ten minutes have passed, Ryder turns at a sign that has the words “go-cart racing” on it.
“Really? Go-carts?”
Ryder grins that heart-melting smile at me. “Is that okay with you?”
“Are you kidding me? Hell, yeah!” I’m already bouncing in my seat when he parks the car.
“This is a little mom-and-pop place that is far enough from the beach that it doesn’t get too busy,” Ryder explains as we walk inside. “My dad knows the owner, so don’t be surprised when—”
“Ryder!” a voice booms from across the room. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming by today?” An older man with curly red hair and a matching beard walks around the counter and pulls Ryder into a hug. “Good to see you, boy. And who is this?”
“Frank, this is Elizabeth. Elizabeth, meet Frank.”
I hold out my hand and notice Frank’s eyes go wide when he looks at me. His hand hesitates mid-air before taking mine. “This is…it’s nice to meet you, Elizabeth,” he finally says.
“I promised Elizabeth some fun.”
Frank squeezes my hand warmly and lets go. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have go-carts, putt-putt, arcade games, batting cages. Take your pick.”
“Can we do all of them?”
“You got it, pretty girl. Ryder knows his way around. I’ll leave you two to it.” Ryder tries to hand Frank some money, but Frank pushes it back. “You know better. Have fun with your girl.” I get all giddy and my knees go weak when Frank says I’m Ryder’s girl. Neither of us correct him.
“What do you want to do first?”
I grab Ryder’s pinky finger with mine and tug him to the doors that will take us outside. “Definitely go-carts.”
We spend about an hour racing our little cars around the track. A few families come and go while we’re there, but like Ryder said, it doesn’t get too crowded. After carting, we play a round of mini golf. Ryder lets me cheat, which I blatantly and shamelessly do, and afterward, we play a few video games and some pinball too. Everything we do, I make sure to take selfies of me and Ryder and send them to Daniel and Drew, then forward them to Ryder as well. I’m making new memories and having so much fun that I don’t realize we’ve been here for four hours until my stomach makes a loud gurgle.
Ryder and I are doing that stupid dance game where you have to stomp your feet on certain colored squares. We’re both a mess of legs, bumping into each other, but I’m having the time of my life. I’m way past sweaty and I pulled my hair up into a loose bun hours ago. I snort out a giggle when I crash into Ryder’s side, then trip. He easily catches me but as soon as I look up, time freezes. I’m overcome with a sense of déjà vu, like he’s held me like this before. Before I know what I’m doing, I lift up on my toes, my gaze zeroed in on his lush mouth. Ryder’s hands are gripping my waist and I feel them tighten slightly making my skin tingle all over. Holy crap. I want to kiss him — badly.
My stomach makes another loud growl and I’m both thankful and disappointed when Ryder pulls away. He clears his throat. “Want to grab something to eat? I know a place nearby that makes the best burgers and fries.”
I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. A bunless burger with all the toppings sounds fantastic. “That actually sounds really good.”
