Driving to the lake posed a bit of a problem. My truck, technically, fit three; Nana’s cute car fit four; Jim apparently didn’t own a vehicle; and Emmitt had his bike. Clearly, I didn’t want to drive, which meant tagging along with someone else. Jim suggested we leave the truck because it drank gas and go with the motorcycle and car. Everyone looked at me, and I didn’t immediately understand why.
Nana spoke up. “It would be safest if the kids rode in the car. That leaves the front seat open for someone while the other two follow on the motorcycle.”
Oh. I looked at Emmitt and Jim. Well, I couldn’t see them riding together. Jim had a smirk on his face as he watched me have my epiphany. It would serve him right if I insisted on driving with the kids. I shifted my attention to Emmitt’s ever-watchful gaze. He hadn’t questioned me when I acted weird before. I owed him. The thought of being so close set my stomach twisting and jumping.
“Do I need to go change, again?” I wore shorts over my swim bottoms and a t-shirt over the top. Sandals covered my feet.
“No,” he assured me. “You’ll be completely safe.”
I didn’t contradict him but knew differently. Not about the bike but about the stupidity of going to the lake or anywhere public now that my headache was gone. However, after agreeing to it and my weird behavior this morning, I didn’t think there was a way to back out quietly.
Mentally sighing, I smiled slightly at my brothers who excitedly spoke to Jim. If our freedom was limited, I couldn’t rob them of today’s adventure. The problem of Blake would still be there after the lake.
I helped the boys buckle in and told them I would follow them. They didn’t seem to care as they began to pepper Nana and Jim, who had already claimed his spot in the front seat, with questions about sand castles, swimming, and picnics. This whole experience would be new to them.
Emmitt waited for me by the bike. He sat first and held it steady while he pointed out where I should place my foot to swing my leg over. He didn’t say anything about where to put my hands once I was on, though, and my palms started to sweat. I mounted quickly without touching him and landed with a thump that bounced the bike slightly. I mumbled an apology and reached behind me to hold onto the bar back there, not completely comfortable with wrapping my arms around him. My stomach dipped in disappointment. Stupid thing wouldn’t settle down around Emmitt. Just another reason not to get too close to him. I wasn’t sure how I’d really react.
Nana’s car pulled out, but Emmitt didn’t start the bike. Instead, he turned to look at me. “Are you sure you can hold on like that?”
I nodded, blushing, not meeting his gaze.
He hesitated, opened his mouth as if he would say something more, then turned around. He slid sunglasses on and handed me a pair. I would have rather had a helmet. I loosened my hold briefly to put on the sunglasses. The engine purred awake, and he eased the bike forward.
Nana waited at the end of the driveway. When we approached, she turned right, and Emmitt smoothly did the same.
I discovered a love for motorcycles. The wind whipped my hair in my face with stinging lashes, and bugs occasionally hit my shins with brief piercing bites. But, I learned to crouch a little and tuck myself closer to Emmitt, who shielded me from the wind and bugs. By doing so, I could revel in the freedom of the open ride.
At the first stop sign, I asked Emmitt to wait and struggled to braid my hair quickly. Knots and tangles slowed my progress. When I finished, I tucked it into the back of my shirt and told him to go. The car had already disappeared.
He pulled away smoothly and sped up, quickly catching up to them. Jim held something out the window—a camera—and Emmitt nodded. He twisted the throttle slightly and pulled around the car. I looked over in time to see two grinning boys in the back, cheering, and a bright flash from the front seat.
Emmitt pulled ahead, taking the lead.
A few minutes later, we turned onto another gravel lane, much nicer than their driveway, and followed its length to a sun-speckled body of water. A sandy beach lined the shore beyond the empty parking area. Seeing the vacant lot, I felt relieved that I’d offloaded my ticker information before arriving.
Emmitt pulled to a stop. I quickly hopped off and stood on shaky legs as I waited for the boys.
“Did you like it?” Emmitt asked, studying me.
I nodded. Far too much.