Page 89 of Memphis

I was too tired to argue, so I closed my eyes, and it wasn’t long before I dozed back off. I woke up the next morning with Wes sprawled out across the bed. He was so out of it that he didn’t even notice that he was about to push me out onto the floor. I knew he was exhausted, so I was careful not to wake him as I eased out of bed. I tiptoed into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.

It was almost done brewing when Wes stepped up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist, hugging me as he whispered, “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning.” I turned around to face him and was surprised to find that he was already dressed. “You’re up and at ‘em early this morning.”

“I was thinking about going for a ride and wanted you to go with me.”

“A ride?” He’d been anxiously waiting for this day for months, and while I was touched that he wanted me to go with him, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. “Maybe the first time you should go on your own.”

“It’s just a ride.”

“It’s not just a ride. It’s your first one since the accident, and I’ve never ridden before. I don’t want to mess you up.”

“You’re not going to mess me up. I can handle a rider just fine. Besides, I want you to go.”

“Okay. I’ll go.” I started towards the bedroom as I told him, “Just give me a minute to change.”

It was crazy hot outside, so I threw on a pair of denim cut-off shorts and a tank top. I pulled my hair back into a quick braid, then slipped on my shoes and headed back to the kitchen. I didn’t get far before Wes started shaking his head. “You’re gonna need to change.”

“What?”

“The flip-flops are a no-go, babe.” He cocked his brow. “Road rash is not your friend.”

“Oh, yeah. I get it. Just give me a second.”

I rushed back to the bedroom and kicked off my flip-flops, quickly replacing them with an old pair of cowboy boots. When I walked back out, Wes smiled and said, “Damn, woman. It’s not gonna be a long ride when you’re looking like that.”

“Oh, hush. It’s just some boots.”

“Yeah, well, I’m gonna need you to be wearing those later tonight.”

“I think that can be arranged.”

I gave him a wink as I walked past him and out the front door. Wes walked over to his bike and ran the tips of his fingers across the back fender. His brothers had worked hard to get it fixed up for him, and now, it looked like it had never beenwrecked. It was clear by his expression that it meant a great deal to Wes, and it meant a lot to me as well.

But that didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous about our ride.

I tried to put on a brave front as I watched him kick his leg over the seat of his Harley, but I was slightly terrified. My father had drilled into me that motorcycles were dangerous and anyone who rode them was asking for trouble.

But I trusted Wes, and I wanted to be there with him on his first ride.

Wes, with that confident smile of his, handed me a helmet and asked, “You ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

I slipped on the helmet and got on behind him. He turned the key, and the roar of the engine sent shivers down my spine. I ignored the fluttering in my stomach as I wrapped my arms around Wes's waist, holding on tight.

Wes glanced back at me and smiled as he said, "Just lean with me, and you'll be fine.”

I nodded, and he took off. Fearing I might fall, I gripped him even tighter, but with each turn, I started to relax and enjoy the ride. In fact, I started to love it. It was an exhilarating experience like no other. The wind was rushing past me, the hum of the engine was vibrating beneath me, and the city lights were flashing. I’d never felt so alive and free.

Wes shouted something over his shoulder, but I couldn't hear him. It didn't matter. I was too busy enjoying the moment. When we finally slowed down and came to a spot that overlooked the city, Wes parked, and we both got off his bike. I removed my helmet and laughed. “That was incredible.”

His smile widened as he said, “I thought you’d like it.”

“I definitely do. I get why you love it like you do.”

“Which is why I was so fucked up about not being able to do it anymore.”

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