Page 76 of Misery and Ecstasy

We run into Crew and Ronin as we pass through the kitchen. We say our hellos, but otherwise, we don’t stop to talk. I don’t want too much chatter to cause any additional discomfort to McKinsey’s head.

The garage is quiet when we get there, the only sounds coming from Toga, who is out here waxing his bike.

“You got the Trans-Am next, right?” I joke around with him as Kins and I approach my bike, and I place the blanket in one of the side carriers.

“Yeah, don’t hold your breath.” Toga smiles, nodding to me before winking at McKinsey. “Hey, Doc.”

Kins waves back at him but remains quiet.

“We’re going for a short ride, in case anyone asks. We won’t be gone too long.”

“Have fun, you two.” With a suggestive eyebrow wiggle, Toga says goodbye.

* * *

“Draven, this is beautiful.”

Kins faces the river that runs through the property my family used to own. I wanted to bring her out here to relax beneath the trees for a while. I’m hoping a little downtime in nature will help calm her enough to rid her of the headache from hell once and for all.

I stand next to her on the riverbank, watching the water flow. The sound of it brings me back to a time that I don’t often allow myself to think about anymore.

“How did you know it was here?” Kins doesn’t take her eyes off the scene before her as she speaks.

“This land used to belong to my family. Before I sold it to afford the care my mom needed. Years ago, I would hop on my four-wheeler and come out here to get away. To cry or scream when I was missing my dad so much I thought I would die.”

I look at McKinsey when silence falls between us. She’s got her eyes closed and her face raised toward the treetops. She appears lost in the beauty of nature, but she’s the most gorgeous part of this scenery.

“I haven’t been out here, or even driven down the road we came in on, in a long time. But this is one of my most favorite places in the world.”

When she finally looks at me, she runs her fingers along mine before squeezing my hand tightly in hers.

“Thank you so much for sharing this with me, Draven.”

I lean in for a kiss before gently pulling her bottom lip between my teeth. She moans, and it causes an ache in my chest. I’d give anything to lay her down on the blanket I have spread out, but that’s not why I brought her here. I don’t think she’s up for it, but if I’m wrong, I’ll leave it to her to take the lead.

Tugging on my hand, she pulls me to the blanket. “This is absolutely perfect.”

She follows me down as I take a seat, leaning back against my chest. Wrapping my arms around her, we enjoy the quiet for a little while.

“Tell me something about you that I don’t already know.” I place a light kiss on her head. “A secret that you’ve never told anyone before.”

“Hmm… Well, Olivia and Marissa know pretty much everything there is to know about me.”

I scoff, meaning for it to come out playfully, but I don’t know that I sold it. Her friends and I—especially Olivia—don’t really see eye-to-eye on … well, anything.

“Oh, come on. There has to besomethingabout you that neither one of them knows.”

After a moment’s thought, she shocks me with what comes out of her mouth. “I don’t think I’m a good therapist.”

“What are you talking about?” I shift her body so her head is flat in my lap, and I can look down into her eyes. “You’re crazy, Doc.”

“I’m serious.” She giggles, but I note the sincerity in her eyes.

“Well, listen. I can’t speak for anyone other than myself, but it just so happens that you have helped me tremendously. A month ago, I never would have had the courage to come back here. You’ve taken me from a depressed drunk in jail to someone who is content. Happy. Hopeful for the future, whatever it may bring.”

She smiles, but she’s either in too much pain to smile too big, or she doesn’t believe what I just told her.

“What’s wrong, Kins? Are you feeling okay? We can go if you want.”

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