Page 23 of There’s Trouble Brewing

Emily agreed with a nod. “We’re more than just colleagues—we’re a team now. Let’s show them what we’re made of.”

As the day wound down and the adrenaline faded into exhaustion mixed with anticipation, Emily couldn’t help but feel that whatever lay ahead—they would face it all together.

Chapter Eight

Confusion revved like a throttle inside Mark. Emily’s brown eyes and gorgeous smile invaded everything, even his dreams. He grabbed his helmet and keys, anything to escape the noise of his own crowded thoughts. Maybe a ride would help. It used to in the past. Clear his head, clear the noise. But Emily was louder than most things. His leather jacket felt heavy as he zipped it up, buckling his chin strap like a challenge to himself. He couldn’t stop thinking about her; the way she laughed, the way she looked at him, the way she made everything feel—he didn’t even know.

Mark tore down the stairs, each step a question he couldn’t answer. Was it her, or was it him? He pushed out into the night, hoping the road would know. As soon as he slipped onto his motorcycle, everything blurred as fast as his tires could spin. He hit the first corner outside of town hard, riding the road with the wind whipping around him like it could blow Emily out of his head. But it didn’t. Not this time.

He gave the handle a little twist, a little power, hopingfor some much-needed freedom. If anything could make sense of this mess, it was a long ride and the open night sky.

Empty streets were a blur of dark as he raced past, the wind yanking at him like it was trying to pull him off his bike. But he wouldn’t let it. Out here, it was just him and the bike and the cool air. But try as he might, he couldn’t push Emily’s face from his mind no matter how fast he went. Every mile brought him closer to nowhere, and he liked it like that.

His mind twisted with each curve, the road winding and wild like his thoughts. He leaned into the turns, enjoying the ride, his heart pushing at his chest the way he pushed the bike to go faster. Away from Emily, away from town, away from whatever this thing between them was becoming.

The wind stung, sharp and clean, and it felt good; like a reset. Like maybe the end would tell him something different from the beginning. But no matter how hard he rode, Emily stayed right there, in his mind, in his heart, turning with him like they were on this wild ride together.

Mark gunned it, anticipating the stretch of straightaway ahead. He didn’t care where it led. All that mattered was the speed, the rush, the way it let him leave everything behind, even if only for a moment. He needed the air and the night to make him forget the way Emily smiled, the way she seemed to see right through him, the way she made his pulse thud every time they were close.

When the road finally curved again, it pointed toward the town’s scenic overlook, a place where he could sit and think and maybe catch his breath. He slowed a little, the roar of the engine dropping to a purr, the sudden quiet louder than he expected.

As Mark pulled into the area, he spotted the bikebefore he spotted her. Emily, here, of all places. Her presence filled the overlook like she had planned it—like she knew he’d be there. Mark cut the engine, but his thoughts were pounding in his head louder than the motor. By the time he got his helmet off, she was walking toward him.

“You lost, stranger?” Emily’s warm and inviting voice cut through the night.

Mark felt his heart skip a beat but did his best to ignore it as he hung his helmet on the handlebar. “No, this is one of my favorite places to come relax. How did you find out about it?”

“One of the locals told me this place was incredible at night, so I decided to come check it out.” Noticing his motorcycle, she asked, “Is that your dad’s bike?”

“Sure is.”

“He had good taste,” she said, circling the black beast.

“Yours isn’t bad either,” he acknowledged with a lopsided grin. “I was impressed the first day I saw you ride up on it.”

“Really? I didn’t even know you were paying attention,” she mused.

“What are you doing out here, Emily?” he questioned as he gestured to a lone bench that was placed at the center of the overlook.

“Trying to clear my head. And you?”

“Same.” He looked at her, wondering what she was thinking. “It’s nice to end up here with you.”

“Guess I should’ve known. Great minds think alike.” Emily laughed as she moved over to the bench to join him. “So, Mr. Rescue, save anyone lately, besides Kurt and me, of course?”

He shook his head. “I hope I didn’t overstep. Old habits die hard.”

“I get that. Riding is like that for me,” she admitted. “You wouldn’t believe half the stories I have about my road trips.”

“Try me.” He looked at her with a dare in his eyes, like he was the road, and she was already going too fast to turn back.

So, she took him up on his offer. She told him about wild rides and missed turns, near misses, and close calls. He listened, laughed, and shared his own tales of adventure. His words were full of twists and chances, and she told him she couldn’t believe he’d taken them. But they both knew what was really being said beneath it all. Risks. Not all of them are worth taking. Some of them are worth everything.

“Ever crash your bike?” she asked.

“A few times. Always got back on, though, until my accident on the job. For a while, I was worried I might never be able to ride again, but then you came into my life and encouraged me to try.”

“And here you are,” she murmured with an approving smile.

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