“Don’t lead anyone on!” I call after him.
Parker flicks me off over his shoulder as he disappears around the corner back out into the thrumming club. Reid yanks his arm but my grip is too tight, so I tug him closer until we’re staring each other down.
“What are you angling at?” I roar, pleased when Reid flinches.
“I told you to stop following me, so you send your friend? What the fuck? I’m not that special!”
The way Reid says the last sentence has my alarm bells ringing. His eyes won’t meet mine, instead they stay focused over my shoulder. Crimson blooms over his sharp cheekbones, his lashes sweep across his soft skin as his gaze goes downcast.
“You like breakfast?”
Reid’s gaze snaps up to mine. “What?”
I clear my throat awkwardly. “There’s this diner a few minutes from here. Has the best French toast of all time. Want some?”
“Do I want French toast?” Reid repeats as if I’m speaking a foreign language. Maybe I am. At least to him.
“Yeah.”
Reid is eerily still for a few beats before nodding slightly. A win is a win. I let my hand glide down his arm to tangle our fingers together. I don’t miss the shocked look on his face even as he tries to angle his face away from view. It’s easy to guide Reid through the crowd because everyone parts for my giant-ass self. Parker leans against the bar, shot glasses littered in front of him as an adoring crowd tries to capture his attention.
He looks over his shoulder as if feeling my stare and shoots me an up-nod when I flick a wave his direction. Once we’re outside the bar, Reid seems to second-guess his easy acquiescence to join me as he tries to tug his hand out of my grip. But I don’t let go.
I climb onto my bike again like I did all those nights ago. Holding my hand out for Reid, it takes a few minutes, but finally he puts his hand in mine so I can drag him closer to the bike. Once the helmet is over his head, I smile up at him, but he only tilts his head in consideration. Probably not my genuine smile, then.
Reid climbs onto the back like he belongs there, easily wrapping his arms around my waist to hold on tight. The bike rumbles to life. Light pollution ruins the night sky, but a few stars still illuminate the darkness, along with a few blinking satellites. Reid is warm against my back as I swing into a parking spot across the street from the diner.
The glow of the diner sign flickers neon-bright in the dark, causing Reid’s almost white hair to have shades of pinks and purples. He holds the helmet out to me and lets out an irritated huff when I don’t immediately take it. I grab it from him a little more forcefully than I need to, earning me narrowed blue eyes in my direction.
“You should have two helmets with how often you’ve got someone riding bitch on your bike,” Reid snarls before abruptly turning and marching toward the diner.
“You’re the only person that rides bitch on my bike!” I call after him.
Reid pauses in the empty street, shoulders up to his ears. But he doesn’t turn around, just keeps on walking, strolling into the diner like he owns the place. I bite back a smile as I follow along behind him a few beats. He’s already seated by Mandy when I step through the door. Mandy’s lips are fighting a laugh and her brown eyes dance with the promise of teasing later. Great.
“Hey, Mandy,” I greet her.
Sliding into the booth, I let my foot tap against Reid’s, and he shocks me when he doesn’t immediately yank it away.
“Same as usual?” Mandy asks in her sweet southern drawl.
I hold up two fingers. “Yes, please.”
Mandy disappears toward the counter with her silver hair swinging as she walks.
Reid kicks my foot, hard. “Explain yourself.”
“Is that how you speak to someone?”
“It’s how I speak to you.” Reid rolls his hand in the universal sign forgo on. “I’m waiting.”
“Yeah, I was following you.”
Mandy pops back by with two mugs and a carafe of black coffee. I watch as Reid pours three creams and two packets of sugar into his cup before taking a giant gulp. Jesus. I pour the coffee into my cup, sans creamer and sugar, and take a sip of the coffee that could power a small neighborhood. Once Mandy is gone, Reid leans forward with his elbows firmly planted on the table. My heart beats a little faster when helicks his pink lips, making them go a deep, dark pink under the sheen of his spit.
“No one else has ever ridden bitch on your bike?” Reid asks, completely throwing me for a loop.
“Uhm. That’s seriously your next question?”
