Page 36 of Blossoms of the Heart
“You coming?”
“To this circuit place?”
He nodded.
God, I should say no. I was more than desperate for sleep. That aside, going anywhere with Tai in the past always got me in some sort of trouble.
Usually with Mom, who wasn’t here. I was an adult now, more than.
Plus, had I ever been able to say no to him?
I couldn’t remember, and if I did it must have been when I was sick.
“Yes,” I heard myself say.
While a satisfied smile smoothed across Tai’s lips, Mitsuke’s mouth dropped.
“Oh my God,” she said on a sigh.
“I’ll stay for an hour or so.” I tried to style it out.
A deep chuckle rumbled in Tai’s chest.
“Phoebe, it’s not the kind of place that you stay at for an hour or so.” Mitsuke was shaking her head. “Just don’t die.”
“Hey, don’t scare her. She’s with me.” Tai beamed.
“That’s the problem.”
“Maybe you should come along too,” I said to Mitsuke.
“No, you two go. Just stay out of trouble.”
“Mitsuke, don’t let the old man stay up worrying.” He gave Mitsuke a knowing look to which she stuck out her tongue, reminding me of a naughty little six year old.
Tai took hold of my hand and pulled me away, preventing any further conversation.
His large hands over mine seeped warmth into my skin.
He looked back at me over his shoulder as we maneuvered our way through the crowds and grinned.
I smiled back but really, I didn’t know what the hell I was getting myself into.
This… this was just like we used to be years ago.
Me following him on a whim’s notice, off to somewhere I knew would be trouble. Worrying my ass off that Mom would find out but not caring about the consequences.
But this was now, and I could follow him wherever I wanted to and I didn’t have to worry about anyone. Or anything…
Just maybe my life.
When we got outside on the road he pulled me up to a midnight black Kawasaki motorcycle. It looked like something you’d see in one of the Terminator films.
He took the helmet off the handle, where it had been hooked, and handed it to me.
“We’re going by bike?” I gasped.
I’d never ridden on one of those things and never had it on my to-do list.
