Page 7 of Wilder Love
“Baby?” she croaked, her voice hoarse like she hadn’t used it in a while. “You okay?”
“Yeah, Mom. I’m good. Dylan and I are going to the beach. Did you need anything?”
She mumbled something I didn’t catch and closed her eyes again, curling onto her side. I watched her sleeping for a few moments. Dylan and I had inherited her black hair, high cheekbones and skin tone. Tawny, like we always had the start of a suntan even when we didn’t. She once told us that she was part Cherokee, but Mom said a lot of things and they weren’t always true. Dylan and I didn’t know who our father was, or anything about her life before she had us. Whenever we had asked, Mom always said it wasn’t important, that kids just needed a mom.
Sometimes it felt like we didn’t even have that.
2
Remy
Shane was wearing a white T-shirt that said: Live Fast, Die Shredding, frayed cargo pants with the hems rolled up and Vans. He was straddling a shiny black and chrome motorcycle—a Triumph, according to the logo—and smiled at me as I walked toward him. Like I was someone special and he was happy to see me.
“Are you okay to ride on the back of a bike or would you prefer to go in the Jeep?”
“The bike,” I said without hesitation and was rewarded with a smile.
“Come here, Firefly.” He crooked his finger and held up the helmet in his hand.
“Firefly?”
“You remind me of the blue ghost fireflies.”
“Are they here? In California?” I looked around as if they might light up the sky.
“Nope.” He grinned.
Well, okay then. I stepped closer and he put the helmet on my head, securing the strap under my chin. How many other girls had worn this helmet? How many other girls had ridden on the back of his motorcycle?
“You ever ride on the back of a bike before?” he asked, putting on his own helmet.
“Nope.”
“Another first. Wish I could have them all.”
I wish he could, too, but it was too late for that.
“Do you want to go somewhere with me?” he asked.
“I thought we were going to the fireworks?”
“We are. They’re down at the pier but it gets crowded. I know a better place. Off the beaten track. But only if you’re up for it.”
“Since I don’t know where you’re taking me, how do I answer that?”
“Do you trust me?”
I smiled. “No.”
“A leap of faith?”
If he asked me to jump off a bridge with him, I’d be right beside him. “My second one today.”
“Brave girl.” He gave me a mischievous grin. “Climb on and put your feet here.” He pointed to the chrome foot pegs. “I’ll drive safely.”
I climbed on behind him and he reached back and pulled my arms around his waist. “Hang on tight.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. I never wanted to let go. The engine rumbled beneath me, my body humming from the vibrations and then we were off.
