Page 97 of Seasoned
“You and I are going on a bike ride.”
“Oh no, we’re not. Been there, done that. I learned my lesson. Remembering how to ride a bike is not as easy as everyone says.”
“Come on, you can’t give up that easily. You’re telling me you can take all the lumps that come with opening and running a business, but you give up on something you want to do because you have one accident in the park? And by the way, I’m not even mad about you running over my son, otherwise you and I would not have reconnected.”
“Be that as it may, I am in no way prepared to ride a bike in the park. What if I fall again?”
“I’ll be right there with you. I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”
He opened the passenger side door and gestured for her to get in.
Jackie folded her arms over her chest. “You’re serious? You’re going to force me to get back on a bike?”
“You fall down, you get up.”
“I did get up and accepted that bicycle riding is not for me. I’m not getting back on a bike!”
“I may not have been the best father, but I did teach two of my girls how to ride their bikes, and I’m pretty sure I can do the same for you. You have to trust me.”
He waited with the door open, and Jackie hesitated. If she busted her ass in front of Tyson, she would be mortified.
“I won’t let you fall,” he said again.
He seemed so certain, she finally let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. But if I do have another accident, you’re going to be sorry.”
“Fair enough. Hop in.”
They went to the park, the same park where she had knocked down Kendrick, and immediately her anxiety spiked. Nonetheless, she climbed out of the Cadillac and waited for Tyson to unlock the bikes from the back.
She took one and glanced at its pristine condition. “Where did you get these?”
The bikes were in good shape, the tires fully inflated, and the frames looked almost brand-new.
“Rented them from a bike shop. You ready?”
Her belly fluttered with unease. “No.”
“You got this,” he said reassuringly, and gave her arm a squeeze of encouragement. Against her better judgment, Jackie took one of the helmets he handed her and followed behind him. They walked in silence to a section of the park that ended near some trees and was away from the general foot traffic.
“We’re going to practice here,” Tyson announced, pushing down the kickstand on his bike.
“I’m so nervous,” Jackie said, looking at him for reassurance.
“I got you. Put on your helmet and hop on.”
She did as he instructed and within seconds, was riding on the bike. Riding on a level surface was the easy part. The problem had arisen when there was an incline, but she followed Tyson’s instructions, riding around their little area, practicing how to brake slowly and suddenly, as she became more comfortable on this new bike.
Tyson walked along beside her and made sure she remained steady and balanced. When she was completely comfortable, they both hopped on and went for a slow ride along the paved pathways. They eased past joggers and speed walkers, and Tyson rode behind her, keeping an eye on her progress.
“Take it easy,” he coached, when she wobbled a little bit.
Her fingers tightened around the handlebars and she tensed.
“Relax,” he advised, pulling up beside her. “Take a couple of deep breaths.”
She followed his instructions and finally relaxed, the two of them cruising along beside each other. She became so comfortable that when she saw people walking in front of her, she no longer semi-panicked. She simply rang the warning bell and most people scooted out of the way. For those who didn’t, she carefully went around them.
“Want to try going a little faster?” Tyson asked.
