Page 98 of Race to Me

He shakes his head, letting his hands hover over the handlebars. I’m glad he trusts me because I have no idea what I’m doing.

But it’s so much fun.

They all wrap me into a big, tight hug with me still on the bike. “We’re all here for you. Anything you need at any time is only a call away.” Ryder tells me, and Callum nods.

The awkwardness from mine and Callum’s kiss has worn off, thankfully. But Foster still watches him like a hawk.

“We’ve all got you. We’re family.” Foster whispers through the helmet.

When Callum slides on his bike and waves goodbye, Ryder gestures to me. “Alright,” Ryder smiles, “I need to get back to Kate.” He helps me off Foster’s bike and climbs on himself.

“Why aren’t we taking your bike home?” I ask, gesturing to Ryder as he rides away, leaving the classic, thick tired bike behind.

He slides on the seat, patting the back. “Because our date’s not over.”

∞∞∞

Foster places his feet on the ground to steady us when we pull up to our tree. I grab his muscled back to step off, but he twists his body to look at me. “We’re going to go through the alcove and onto the sand, so just hold onto me.”

A tinge of panic rises in my chest. “No way. How can we ride on the sand?” I question, my voice pitching slightly from my nerves.

“See the tires?” he says, nodding towards them. “This is like a street legal dirt bike. Totally safe, I promise.”

One large circular headlight brightens the path, and I dip my head down to deflect creeping branches.

This will never get old, going through our alcove. Whether on foot or tire, the magical moment of seeing where the vines meet the sand and the sand meets the ocean will always make me have butterflies.

Foster doesn’t stop. He doesn’t waste time explaining anything either. We simply ride. When he dips the tire into the rising tide every so often, water splashes against us. I laugh, throwing my head back as Foster revs the throttle, making us jump up and down a little.

We’re playing around, young and carefree. Like it should be.

I raise my hands, allowing the mist of saltwater to sprinkle over my body.

This is what freedom feels like.

Foster stops the bike and picks me up, placing my body in front of his and wrapping my legs around him with his boots embedded in the sand.

“I love you,” he says softly.

Thirty-nine

Last night was magical and everything I could have ever wished for. Kate bumps into me as we walk down the parking lot. “So, you’re in a gang now?”

I roll my eyes. “For the hundredth time, it’s not a gang.”

She looks at me, giggling. “So dangerous! My best friend’s a bad ass. Look at this!” Kate exclaims, touching the leather jacket Foster and the guys gave to me last night. “And you know how to ride a motorcycle! How was that?”

I recall the parking lot we were in and the basic gist of things they taught me. I went in a straight line, I turned, and I nearly fell over. I also killed the bike a few times. “I wouldn’t say I know how, but it was fun.” A mischievous twinkle sparks in my eyes, mirroring the way Foster looked as he watched me last night.

Soft, classical music dances down the narrow hall when we step into Grace Studios. It’s coming from the mirrored room. Kate and I walk side by side, a little nervous but packed full of excitement.

“Girls!” Grace grins as we walk in, a little sweat coating her forehead. “You didn’t have to show up so early.”

I shrug, saying, “We’re so far behind already, so we wanted to see if there’s anything we could help with.”

“Just stretch. You’ll need it.” She gestures for us to join her.

I walk over to the balance bar and pull my leg up, discovering I’m incredibly sore from riding yesterday. Who would have thought riding a motorcycle would make your legs this sore? But I loved it; the adrenaline rush was just what I needed.

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