She almost slid as she ran to her car in the driveway. Thankfully, not too much snow had accumulated on her windshield.
She was backing out of the driveway before the windshield wipers had made the first swipe, the car fishtailing slightly when she pressed down on the accelerator. Gripping the wheel tightly, she sped through the streets toward Drake’s house. She was afraid if she took too long, he would leave without her.
She almost slid off the road when she made the turn into his driveway. Straightening the wheels, she managed to bring it to a stop in front of Drake’s open garage.
Drake, Jace, and Cal all stood, watching her with open mouths before Drake stormed toward the car.
“Are you crazy going that fast on slick roads?” he asked in frustration when she got out.
“I didn’t want you to leave without me.”
A strange look came upon his face, his lips parting on a rough sigh.
He reached out his cold hand to cup her cheek. “Didn’t you tell me you wanted to do things my way?”
Bliss nodded eagerly. Had he changed his mind, and he was going to let her down?
She looked down, unable to meet his eyes.
“In a relationship, couples wait for each other. I would have waited.”
She glanced back up at him, giving a weak laugh. “I guess I’m used to The Last Riders. Whenever we went out, you had to get there before all the bikes were filled, or you got left behind.”
Drake pointed to the garage. “No one else is riding next to me but you, either in my car or on my bike.”
Bliss stared at the sports car he drove with the motorcycle sitting next to it in the garage.
“Okay.” She gave him a trembling smile.
Jace and Cal were both busy talking and admiring the two other bikes sitting next to Drake’s.
“You bought them motorcycles?”
“No, these are Rider’s. For some reason they refuse to tell me, The Last Riders promised them motorcycles, despite the fact that they broke into the factory to look at said motorcycles. However, I put a stop to it. Thanks to the State of Kentucky, they needed my permission for their motorcycle licenses before they turned eighteen. Now that they’re old enough to get their licenses, I want them to wait for their bikes until after graduation, and I’ll be the one buying them, not The Last Riders.
“Since I’m not a complete hard-ass, I do occasionally let them go for a ride when they do something I’m proud of, like make an A on their Trigonometry test. Rider dropped them off about fifteen minutes ago.”
“That’s a definite incentive to get their grades up.” Bliss stomped her feet to remain warm.
From the eagerness on the boys’ faces, Drake might just be successful in getting them to walk up to the podium to get their diplomas.
Drake took her hand to lead her into the warm garage.
“Hi, Bliss.”
“Hi, Jace, Cal. Cool bikes.”
“Yes, they are!” Jace exclaimed. “Rider has some killer rides. You going for a ride with us?”
“You’re still going to take them out? The roads are getting slick,” she warned, seeing the snow was beginning to fall faster.
“I’d rather teach them how to ride on bad roads than have them learn by themselves when I’m not around. You ready?”
“Yes.”
Drake got on his bike, straddling the monster with as much ease as any Last Rider. They wouldn’t have hesitated to ride on a night like this, either.
Cal and Jace both mounted their borrowed motorcycles as she climbed on behind Drake.
“Ready?”
Bliss nodded against his shoulder.
“Jace, you and Cal go first. Ride next to each other. Go slow, and I’ll follow behind.”
The boys rode their bikes out of the garage as Drake started his motorcycle, riding behind them.
Bliss circled her arms around Drake’s waist as they went, breathing in deeply. She had been afraid of riding with him, but that was before she realized how well he rode. Most weekenders were terrible, more show than skill. Drake definitely handled his motorcycle with skill.
She sucked in her breath when Cal’s bike skidded, but the boy managed to straighten out.
“It’s not the first time I’ve taken them out.” Drake’s calm voice had her relaxing against him.
Being on the back of a bike was like being out with an old friend. What was different was the man she was clinging to.
“You doing all right?”
“I’m fine.” For the first time in a long time, Bliss believed she truly was.
Before, when she had ridden with someone else, she had felt carefree. Behind Drake, though, she felt safe and connected with the rider. It was different. She liked holding on to him. Plus, it was nice not having to worry about another woman grabbing her spot if they made a stop.
She didn’t think she would be able to give up her spot behind Drake without a fight.