So smug. He’s lucky I love him, or I’d steal her back right now.
He leans in and kisses her. Em melts into it with zero hesitation.
That’s so…unfairly hot. Pretty sure I’m rocking a boner just from staring.
I pout at them. “You both should absolutely know I’mdeeplyoffended.”
Lix pulls back to point his smile at me. “You’ll live.”
His blue eyes spark. He’s so damn pretty. I pout about losing anyway.
Then Em looks at me over her glasses. “I’ll be riding back with you, Stan.”
That helps. A lot. But I don’t show it. I deserve to sulk a little.
So I huff a breath. “Fine. Have your moment. Rub it in. I’ll be here, mourning my pride.”
Lix guides her toward his ride, and I watch them check in with each other. Em’s worried about his recovery. He’s worried abouther nausea and short breaths.
And here I am, kicking rocks ‘cause I can’t win a kids’ game.
I might have terrible luck. But, while I’m watching them, I’m smiling ‘cause these two coming into my life and choosing my stupid, sulky ass is the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.
A couple of stolen kisses later, I fire up the Ford and she purrs like she knows she’s about to show off on the road.
I pull on my black leather gloves, glance over my shoulder, and watch Lix help Em get on his Harley. He checks her helmet strap a few times, his hands careful while they whisper to each other.
Then, when they’re both ready and sitting pretty, she wraps her arms around him, her glasses resting on his shoulder.
So unfair.
But I’m a resilient motherfucker, so I roll forward, leading us out of the garage.
In my mirror, I catch ‘em following close, engine running smooth. Helmets on both of ‘em too, which is perfect. I’m the risk-taker riding bareheaded, wind tugging at my hair. I like the feel of it too much to miss it.
Besides, I might be a fuck-up, but I don’t fuck everything up. Especially not riding my bike. I got that down to a damn science.
We hit pavement, and I open her up. The Ford surges forward, the road stretching out far ahead of us. I check my mirrors again, making sure they’re still there.
Lix is driving as fast as me, and Em’s snuggled on his back.
It doesn’t take us too long to leave the main road behind and take the turnoff. Asphalt gives way to dirt, tires kicking up dust, the smell of earth and pine flooding the air. The Ford handles it like a dream, suspension eating up the rough terrain.
In the mirror, the Harley dances like the road’s its stage.
Lix leans into the curves, confidence coming back with every milewe cross. Em holds on, trusting him completely, her helmet tucked close to his shoulder. The sight warms my heart. They look fucking perfect together.
And me being part of it too? Yeah, my luck’s been changing ever since I met them.
I ease off enough to keep us together, refusing to lose them in the bends. The road narrows as the trees thicken, sunlight breaking through the canopy in rays of light that make everything feel unreal.
This is it. Fresh air. Mild winter. Open road. My better thirds right behind me. This is the good stuff.
We climb higher, the forest thinning, the air cooler up here. The road turns rocky near the top, and I slow, guiding us the rest of the way.
I pull into the clearing near the cliff and cut the engine, some frost from the forest falling around us.
A minute later, the Harley rolls in behind me.
