“I wish I could tell you yes, wild girl. I wish I could tell you being without my twin doesn’t still feel like a gaping hole in my heart all these years later. I wish I could tell you that, one day, you’ll hardly think about your sister at all. But I can’t. Because the truth is that, some days, it still guts me that Cam isn’t here. I still have bad days where I miss him so damn much I can barely get out of bed. But, even with all of that, there’s still joy and love and laughter in my life. There’s still happiness. There arestill so many reasons to be here. And there will be for you too. I promise.”
I stare up at him with a hope I haven’t felt in a long time. “How can you be sure?”
He pulls back to look down at me. “Because, even though I haven’t known you for very long, I can still see how damn strong you are. You are strong enough to make it through this and to come out the other side happier and whole. You are strong enough to make this life the one you want. You are strong enough to heal, even when it feels impossible.”
Tears burn my eyes at his words, but I refuse to let them fall.
Hal’s wrong. I’m not strong, and I never have been. Wren was the strong one, and despite what Coop thinks, I know she’d handle my death a hell of a lot better than I’m dealing with hers.
When I don’t say anything, Hal sighs and pulls me tightly against him. He doesn’t say anything for several minutes.
“Wanna get some ice cream?” he asks out of nowhere. When I look up at him in confusion, he grins down at me. “We’ve been over this, wild girl. Sugar makes everything better. And there’s nothing that can fill a hole in your heart like ice cream. Trust me.”
I snort at how earnest he looks.
Glancing at the time on his chunky silver watch, I roll my eyes. “Hal, it’s two in the morning. No one’s open right now.”
He just gives me an indulgent smile, like I’m cute for worrying about operating hours and other silly things. “I know a place that’ll be open. If you want it, I’ll make it happen.”
Against my better judgment, I find myself nodding.
Spending time with Hal is like the first time you feel warm sunshine on your face after months of dark and desolate winter. He has a way about him that makes me feel lighter from just a simple conversation, and I’m not ready to let that feeling go yet.
CHAPTER 11
LARK
“You feel up to riding?” Hal asks as we reach the parking lot. The only two vehicles here in the middle of the night are his Ducati and my Kawasaki. “The place is about fifteen minutes away. If not, you can ride behind me. We can take your 636 so nothing happens to it.”
I gape at him. “I’m fine to ride, but shouldn’t we take the Ducati instead of my lil Ninja?”
Hal’s bike has to be worth at least a hundred grand. Ducatis are also recognizable and a thief’s wet dream. If we should worry about either bike, it should be his.
And as much as my gut says I can trust Hal, it’s still a huge leap of faith to ride behind him. I’d be putting my life in his hands, and I’m just not ready to go there yet. Even though I still feel a little shaky from my near high side, I’d rather ride my own bike.
“Eh, it’s not like it’s my KLR or anything. I’ll just buy another one if someone is dumb enough to steal it.” Hal’s lips twist into a concerned frown. “You sure? It’s okay if you’re still feeling messed up and can’t ride. I’m happy to have you as a passenger. I have a lot of experience with people riding behind me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Jealousy burns in the pit of my stomach thinking about all the women who have been on his bike, but I shove it down. Hal isn’t and won’t ever be mine, so he can have as many girls backpack as he wants.
“I’m sure. Cross my heart and all that jazz.” I studiously avoid mentioning that I almost ate shit at a buck fifty earlier. I don’t think that’d help my case, and I don’t want Hal seeing me as weak or fragile. For some reason, I crave his respect.
He sighs. “Will you at least ride linked with me, then? It’ll give me some peace of mind if you can holler if you need anything.”
His concern makes my heart feel all mushy inside. I’m not really used to people caring, but I kind of like it.
Embarrassed by how warm and fuzzy I feel, I shrug and try to seem nonchalant. “I’m good with that.”
We sync our comms systems together before both of us gear up and hop onto our bikes. I can feel the rumble of Hal’s Streetfighter in my chest, and I can’t help the stupid grin on my face at how cool it sounds.
After checking to make sure I’m good to go, Hal leads me out of the parking lot and through the winding streets of Willow Bend. We have a chill ride as we head to the small downtown.
When we arrive, Hal parks in one of the empty parallel spots on the street. I follow his lead and line my bike up next to his.
After yanking off my helmet, I instantly spot the cute little ice cream place Hal mentioned. Its brick exterior is painted a cheery light blue, and the pastel pink-and-white-striped awning makes it look like something out of a movie. Laughing ice-cream cones dance on the darkened window and above the “Closed” sign on the door.
Turning to Hal, I raise an eyebrow. “It’s not open, Hal.”
He snorts and shakes his head. “Ye of little faith.”
