“Suit yourself,” he said. “The guys won’t be here for another two hours. If you want to sit in the hot sun, or the hot car, that’s fine with me. I really don’t care either way,” he said as he walked away.
I sighed as I got out of the truck. I sat down on the ground next to it. This is going to be the longest two hours of my life. Luke got on his bike and started it. He pulled up next to me and yelled over the roaring engine. “Are you sure? This is your last chance!”
“I’m sure,” I said.
He sped away and left me sitting there on the side of the road in the hot sun. I pulled my phone from my pocket, and it was dead. Of course it was; could this day get any worse? A few minutes later, I heard the roaring engine of a motorcycle. I look up and saw Luke getting off his bike. He walked over to me and grabbed my arm.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” I yelled as he pulled me off the ground.
“Taking you home, and watch your mouth,” he said.
“I’m not getting on that thing, and you can’t make me!” I said as he was dragging me to his bike.
He stopped dead in his tracks, turned around, and looked at me. “What is it that you’re scared of, Lily?”
“Nothing,” I said as I walked back to the Explorer. “Just leave me alone, and go home, Luke.”
I sat inside to try and escape him. He opened the passenger door and climbed in. I stared straight ahead and wouldn’t look at him.
“Something about motorcycles has you freaked out. Tell me what it is, and maybe I can help you.”
“You can’t help,” I said as my eyes started to tear. He wouldn’t stop staring at me, and once again, he was making me feel uncomfortable.
“Please, just tell me, Lily,” he whispered.
I sighed and took in a deep breath. “I was in a motorcycle accident with my dad when I was a child. I can still remember the pain, as if it happened yesterday. I haven’t been on a bike since, and I don’t plan on starting now.”
“I can understand that, but you’ll be safe with me; I promise.” He said.
I turned my head towards him. There was something in his eyes that drew me into him. It was hot, and the thought of sitting here for the next two hours wasn’t a pleasant one. “Fine, I’ll go,” I said hesitantly. “But just to let you know, I may have an anxiety attack.”
He reached over and touched my hand. I should’ve pulled back, but I couldn’t. He tilted his head and smiled. “You’ll be fine.”
We both got out of the Explorer and walked over to his motorcycle. The memories of the accident started to flood my mind. He handed me the helmet and saw I was shaking. He clasped my shoulders.
“Take a deep breath. You’ll be safe.”
I took the helmet and put it on. There was something soothing about his voice. I trusted him, and I started to calm down. He straddled his bike and started it. He patted the seat behind him and told me to get on. I climbed on and leaned forward, wrapping my arms around him as tight as I could. I closed my eyes as he took off down the road, and the only thing I felt was the wind against us and Luke’s muscular form. He looked back for a second and asked me if I was ok. I told him I was. The sick feeling that I had a few minutes ago had passed, and it wasn’t so bad riding with him; he made me feel safe.
We reached our apartment building, and I let out a sigh of relief. He pulled into a parking space, and a car pulled up next to us. I looked over and saw my student, Charley, getting out of the car. Luke got off his bike as Charley ran up and hugged him. I took off my helmet.
“Miss Gilmore!” Charley’s eyes lit up.
Luke looked at her. “This is Miss Gilmore; your teacher?” he asked in shock.
“Yes, Uncle Luke, that’s her.” She smiled.
I looked at Charley with widened eyes. “This is your uncle that you’ve been telling me about?”
“Yes! It sure is!” Her smiled widened.
A woman was walking over to us with a couple of bags in her hands. Luke immediately took them from her. She looked at me and held out her hand. “Hi, Miss Gilmore, I’m Maddie, Charley’s mom.”
I smiled as I shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Please call me Lily.”
“Miss Gilmore, why are you riding on my Uncle Luke’s motorcycle?” Charley asked.
“Your teacher lives in the apartment next door to me. Her car broke down, so I gave her a ride home,” Luke said.
“I had no idea you lived here, Lily,” Maddie said. “Charley and I live in the apartments upstairs. My parents own the building.”
“Uncle Luke, can Miss Gilmore come with us to the carnival on Friday?” Charley asked.
Luke looked at me, and I looked at him. I could tell he was uncomfortable. “Thank you for inviting me, Charley, but I won’t be able to make it,” I said.
“Uncle Luke, tell her she can come,” Charley whined.
“Yeah, you can join us. Maddie has to work at the bar Friday night, so Charley’s staying with me,” Luke said nervously.
“Please, Miss Gilmore. Please,” Charley begged.
How could I resist her? “Ok, Charley, I’ll go.” I smiled as I put my hand on her head.
We walked inside the building, and I said goodbye as the three of them headed upstairs to Maddie’s apartment.
I opened the door and threw my things on the chair. I grabbed a bottle wine and poured some into a glass. I stood against the kitchen counter as I remembered something Charley said about her uncle. She said he didn’t have a girlfriend because she died. I was in deep thought when I was startled by a knock at the door. I looked out the peephole, and Luke was standing there.
“Hi!” I smiled. “Come on in.”
He walked inside. “I just wanted to tell you that I called my buddy’s garage. They towed your Explorer, and it’ll be ready sometime tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Luke. I appreciate it. Do you want a glass of wine or a beer?” I asked.
He put both hands into his jean pockets. “Nah, I need to get going,” he said. He opened the door and turned around. “I’m driving Charley to school in the morning; I can give you a ride if you don’t already have one.”
I tilted my head as my heartbeat was starting to quicken. “Thank you, but I don’t think the three of us will fit on your bike.”
Luke shook his head and laughed. “We wouldn’t take my bike. I have a vehicle.”