Page 76 of Lucky Strike

“My birthday is at the end of the month, just after Thanksgiving,” she said.

“Do you want to do something special?”

Her hazel eyes lit. “Can you take me somewhere on your motorcycle? Maybe we can go to Tahoe.”

She’d made it clear a few times how eager she was to go for a ride. Every time she mentioned the subject, Sam treated the request the same as Zabe asking for a pool. He pushed the conversation aside, hoping she’d forget.

“I don’t know if that’ll be a good idea. It’s probably going to be all snowy and cold. Let’s do something indoors where I can keep you nice and toasty.” He dropped some kisses on her jaw.

“Yeah, but you’re still riding your bike.”

“Sure, because it’s my only mode of transportation and I’m making short trips to get food or see my mom or see you. I’d brave any type of bad weather to be with you.”

Luna slouched into the couch cushions, crossing her arms, not at all impressed with his attempt to be romantic. “Okay, but what if I promise to bundle up well? Or we can head south where it’ll be warmer.”

He sighed. “Come on, Lu. You’re going to be able to hold on to me in a really thick coat? Your birthday is going to suck if you fall off. Why can’t you just pick something else you want to do?”

“We’re in Placerville. It’s not like there are a lot of options. You asked me what I wanted to do, and this is it.”

“I just think you should pick something more practical.”

Luna glared, but Sam didn’t care at the moment. He wasn’t risking safety to give in to her careless whims.

“Here. Have more of this amazing popcorn you’re making us eat,” he said.

She didn’t respond for several minutes. “Fine. I’ve come up with something else.”

“Great.”

“We can take my car for the trip. Maybe we can go to the coast for a few days. But I still want my own motorcycle helmet for when the weather gets nicer. Do they come in different colors? I don’t want something boring.”

“You do realize that a helmet, even a boring black one, is going to cost over a hundred dollars for a good one.”

“Did I say you have to buy it for me? I have my own money.”

“I just don’t want you to waste it.”

“And why would I be wasting my money? As long as you help me pick out a good one, what exactly is the problem?”

The last thing Sam wanted was to get into a fight. “Let’s watch the movie and talk about this later.”

They watched the movie for a few minutes but Luna sat apart from him, her arms remaining crossed. Sam stuffed more popcorn into his mouth.

“But if I did buy a helmet, you’ll take me somewhere during the summer, right?”

He resisted the urge to groan. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

“What is there to see?” she asked, her tone rising. “Do you think we’re not going to be together then? Are you planning to sell your bike? If you don’t want to take me for a ride, just say so instead of coming up with all these excuses.”

“I don’t want to take you for a ride,” he said, his frustration coming out. “Can we just watch the movie? I don’t even know what’s going on anymore.”

“But why? I’ve already been on the bike. How is this any different—”

“I was scared as shit the whole time! And that was before we were even together. There’s no way I’m doing it now.”

Her brow furrowed as she studied him. He prayed she’d understand and stop pushing. All of this was too hard.

“Okay,” she replied.

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