The Trail
“So, Freckles,” Brooks said as he led me back toward the motorcycle, “where am I taking you for dinner?”
I shook my head in negation.
“I thought you wanted to have dinner with me?” he asked.
“I do,” I said. “But I’m takingyouto dinner.”
“Nope. You gave up a home-cooked meal to spend time with me. Ergo, I’m taking you.”
I flashed him a smile. “All right. I won’t fight you. We don’t have much in the way of choices though. We can go to The Diner again. Or the Copper Mule for barbecue.”
“Let’s go to the Copper Mule.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“That won’t be weird for you? Eating in a bar?”
“No, why would it?” His brow furrowed for a moment and then it cleared. “Ah, because I don’t drink. It’s a choice, Freckles. Not an addiction.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t like the way it makes me feel. Loose and out of control. I’ve had enough of that in my life. So, it’s better if I just stay away from it.”
Brooks handed me the spare helmet, and then I climbed on the back of his bike.
We zipped through the mountains, and I loved the feel of being wrapped around him as he expertly guided the motorcycle. It was pure excitement and a bit terrifying, but I trusted Brooks to keep me safe.
The Copper Mule wasn’t yet packed because it was still early. Hadley’s high-school ex was behind the bar, cutting lemons and limes into wedges.
“Poet!” he exclaimed in surprise.
I smiled. “Hey, Wade.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Ordering barbecue,” I quipped.
He flashed a grin. “You know what I meant. Hadley said you were coming, but not until Labor Day weekend.”
“Change of plans,” I said evasively. I gestured to Brooks. “Do you know each other?”
“Yeah, we’ve met,” Wade said, his eyes sliding to the looming man who was standing close enough that I could feel his body heat at my back. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Brooks said.
“So what can I put in for you guys?” Wade asked.
“Rib and three-meat combo platter,” Brooks said. “All the sides.”
I looked at him. “Is this all for you, or are we sharing?”
Brooks looked down at me. “What’s mine is yours, Freckles.”
I swallowed and quickly turned back around to face Wade. “And the lightest beer you have on draft.”
