Page 19 of Race to Me

Of course he knows everyone. Kate looks nervous, blushing. “Yup,”

“Should have known.” He stands closer to me, “At home he wouldn’t shut up about some red headed girl.” So, they live together? “He’s near the taco truck at the end.” Foster points down the road, but Kate hesitates. I nudge her arm, and she heads down the street.

I don’t want Foster ruining her night too, even though he seems fine that she’s here. Is it just me he hates?

As soon as she’s gone, Foster’s cool demeanor melts away. “I told you not to come here.”

“I can go wherever I want.” I challenge him.

He gestures into the darkness. “You made me lose my race.”

I cross my arms, “Thought you could catch up. Go ahead.”

He points to his bike, growling, “Get on.”

“No freaking way.”

He takes in a deep breath, glancing around uneasily. “Please, let’s get out of here. Just us, okay?”

Butterflies zip around in my stomach at the thought. “What about Kate?” Why am I even considering this?

He gestures down the road. Kate and Ryder are already enjoying tacos next to that food truck. “She’s fine.”

I shake my head. “Girl code. We don’t leave unless we get the okay.”

His nose scrunches. “She legit just said it’s fine.”

“You don’t understand. I need the second okay.”

He stares at me in confusion, and I’m not even sure why I’m explaining this to him. I’m not getting on that bike, and I’m not going anywhere. My phone dings, and I look down to read the message.

Kate:I’m fine. Go with the angry guy on his bike. Lol. Live a little, Sky.

“See, she’s fine. Your little second okay says so.” He’s peeking over my shoulder smirking at her text.

I step away, nearly tripping over my heels. “Invasion of privacy much?”

Just then, Foster looks to his left, and while he’s irritated with me for some reason, that doesn’t explain the paleness of his face when two large, tattooed men start heading towards us.

He looks at me so seriously that I can’t help but feel sorry for him for some reason. “Get on my bike, Skyler.”

“Foster—”

Gently, he grabs my wrist and pulls me closer. “I don’t have time for this.”

He slides his helmet over my head, and his scent is everywhere. A shampoo that smells of cedar and spices tingles my nose. I dangle my keys in front of him.

“What about my car?” I ask when he fastens the strap under my chin. He snatches the keys and saddles the bike, then puts my hand on his shoulder and twists his body to help me get on.

I can’t help but slide my fingers through his hair. “You gave me your helmet.”

With a shake of his head, we start moving. We pass by Kate who giggles seeing me on the bike. She mouths, ‘You okay?’ I nod, sighing. I am okay, but he doesn’t need to ride without a helmet.

Without warning, Foster tosses her my car keys and speeds off. Only when the dark city streets zip by behind us do his tense muscles soften.

Warm wind sweeps over my bare shoulders, encasing me. It feels so free to be whizzing past the dark city streets, like everyone is asleep but us.

I thought I would be more scared, but with my arms wrapped around his waist I feel ... safe.

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