Page 11 of Cocky Secrets

To be given permission by Bear is an honor, one I don’t take lightly. His smile lingers in my mind, a vivid memory that demands to be translated onto canvas. Will I do him justice?

Why wouldn’t I?

I was born to paint.

Remember that, Sage.

Remember it!

I glance past our gate at sprawling fields of uncut grass that stretch out as far as the eye can see. Alice’s property is closest butnot visible from here. The kids came home earlier this morning. Everyone is occupied. This is my moment of escape.

I didn’t bring the electric clicker so as not to arouse suspicion should anyone hear the sound of our gate opening. With my paint and brushes tucked safely in my backpack, I mount my bike and prepare to pedal to his home, slowly unlocking and opening the clunky pedestrian gate. It’s old and creaky but when you open it slowly enough it doesn’t make a sound. Just one tiny inch at a time. That’s the way to do it. Nice and easy.

Awkwardly I start to walk my bike through its narrow escape, but hear the rumble of engines disrupting the air’s serenity. I turn my head, heart sinking as I see the familiar figures of my brothers riding up on their motorcycles. They’re a whirlwind of energy, doing zigzags around each other along the long driveway, dust billowing in celebration.

Oh, why am I just on a bicycle!

I couldn’t possibly ride away fast enough for them not to see me! And the old oak’s trunk isn’t large enough to hide these wheels were I to attempt it as a hiding place. Dammit! Their arrival is an unavoidable storm rolling in!

“Hey, Sage!” Luke calls out, voice booming over the sound of their Harleys as they come to a halt. Neither are wearing helmets, long hair free and hanging to their lower backs. Atlas, with his devilish grin, hops off his bike and leans against it, arms crossed. I can feel their eyes incinerating me, a mix of unabashed curiosity and mischief.

“What’s with the secret bike ride?” Luke asks, tilting his head slightly. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

Atlas grins, “You look like you just got caught.”

I hesitate, heart racing as I weigh my options. Should I tell them the truth? Should I reveal my secret plans to paint the stranger? Maybe they’d understand. I could leave out the naked part, say it’s just a model who is used to being painted. Someonefrom the local college. I could say it’s a woman! But no, I can’t. I know they’d mock me, or worse, insist on tagging along to meet her, to make sure it’s safe, and find out there is no her, but instead a very sexyhim.

I take a deep breath and give them a casual smile. “Just going for a ride, you know? Exploring,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant.

Luke raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Exploring? Why didn’t you bring your clicker? Looks more like you’re making a getaway.”

“Where’s the fire, sis?” Atlas pushes, a playful glint in his eyes. “Come on, Sage. You can’t just leave us hanging like this. We want to know where you’re headed. You know we can’t let you ride off alone.”

A wave of frustration washes over me. They’re blocking my escape, their presence a barrier between me and my mission. It may not be to save lives as theirs are, but it’s mine! “It’s nothing, really. Just some fresh air,” I insist.

“Fresh air?” Luke echoes, arms crossing, a detective unraveling a mystery. “You’re hiding something. What’s really going on?”

I glance down to my bicycle, heart sunken. I can feel the weight of my backpack pressing against my back, a reminder of the opportunity I must protect. “I just wanted some peace and quiet,” I say, frustration creeping into my voice. “Can’t a girl enjoy a bike ride without being interrogated?”

Luke shrugs, distrust dancing in his eyes. “Sure, but it’s more fun when we’re in on the adventure. We were just about to head to the lake. Why don’t you join us?”

“No!” The word escaped my lips before I could stop it. “I mean… I really want to be alone today.” What a lie.

Luke and Atlas share a glance. “Come on, Sage. We’re just looking out for you,” Luke says, his tone softening. “We don’t want you riding that thing by yourself.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s too slow if someone wanted to grab you.”

I frown, the reality of life’s dangers unwanted to my psyche. “I ride it often enough on my own when you guys aren’t here!”

Wrong thing to say, by the looks in their eyes. Luke, the leader of the two, shakes his head and Atlas, the more dangerous, growls, “That ends now.”

I gasp, “What!?”

“No more riding your bike alone,” Atlas says for both of them as if they’re my keepers. Only problem is, I know that if they were to tell Dad, it would be an order sanctioned. There is no ‘if’ here anyway. I can see it on their faces. They will tell him! I know it in my gut. There goes my autonomy!

“You’ve gotta be kidding me!” I snap. “Melodytookthe car and Mom and I need to eat! Who’s going to getfoodfor us when all of you are gone for who knows how long! It’s not like you keep a schedule we can rely on! You think Italian food grows on these trees?!” No matter that I never actuallygotthe Italian food, but they don’t need to know that!

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