Beautiful Mess(54)

“Don’t you dare!” She knew exactly what he was thinking. “If you start calling me that, I’ll punch you!”

“After what you did to poor Trey, I definitely don’t want that!” he laughed.

They walked down the drive to the curb in front of her house. Bri froze when she saw what was parked there.

“What the hell is that?” She gaped at the very dangerous looking motorcycle in front of her.

“That’s my bike,” Cole beamed at the metal monstrosity.

“Since when do you have a motorcycle?” Bri squeaked.

“I bought it right before school started. I saved up all summer for it. It was what I was working for.” He rubbed the motorcycle affectionately.

“Why?”

“Well, my truck is terrible on gas, and with traffic, I wanted something a little more maneuverable. Why, do you have something against bikes?”

“That is not a bike! That is motorized death! Do you have some twisted death wish or something?”

Cole laughed. “Of course not! You’re being ridiculous, Bri. It’s fun, I promise! Come on, hop on,” he patted the seat.

“No, absolutely not. I happen to like my brain where it is, you know, inside my skull! Not splattered all over the pavement!”

“Bri, I have a helmet for you,” he sighed.

“That is so reassuring,” Bri quipped. She pulled her keys out of her purse. “Here’s what we’re going to do. You are going to drive my car. That way, you can still drive, and I don’t have to fear for my life. See, everybody wins!” She tossed him the keys, and went to open the passenger side door on her Mazda.

“Stop right there,” Cole demanded. He walked over and opened the door for her. “Just because we’re taking your car, doesn’t mean you’re getting your own door.” She slid in and he closed the door.

“Who knew you were such a gentleman,” Bri smiled at him as he got in.

“Ambria, with you I’ve never been anything but a gentleman,” he smiled back.

Cole drove them up to the hills around LA and pulled out his camera. Bri carried the bag with his extra lenses and filters in it, while Cole snapped pictures. She was having fun following him around, while he tried to get the perfect angle or the best lighting. She could’ve sworn he snapped a few pictures of her when she wasn’t looking. When Cole was satisfied he’d gotten some good shots, they turned back for the car.

“I’d better not be in any of those pictures,” she warned as they drove away.

“Well, that’s the thing. There’s no way for you to find out, is there?” he teased. Bri punched his arm playfully. “Hey! I need that arm to drive!” he laughed and glanced sideways at her. “So, are you sure you’re over the whole Trey thing?”

“I’m still a little angry, but yeah, for the most part I’m over it.”

“Good, because there’s something I’ve been dying to ask you, but I was worried it was too soon.”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“Where the heck did you learn to throw a punch like that?” He smiled at her, and Bri laughed. “I mean, most girls would’ve just smacked the guy. Or if they did hit him, they would’ve hurt themselves more than him. But you clocked him pretty good! The whole side of his jaw is bruised, and you didn’t even break a nail,” he winked at her. “So, seriously, where did you learn to hit like that?”

“Well, my friend Rosa, back in Dallas, had four older, larger, brothers who made sure she’d be able to fight off any guy who came near her. She taught me.”

“Well, she was one hell of a teacher! Remind me never to piss you off, I don’t want you mangling my face, too!”

Cole pulled up to an Asian restaurant, and opened Bri’s door for her.

“Thanks for coming with me today, Bri. It was fun,” he said, once they’d been seated.

“Yeah, fun for you! You weren’t the one lugging all the equipment around,” she teased. She really wasn’t complaining. She’d had the best view following behind him.

“What? You’re a strong, independent woman. If I’d tried to take the bag from you, you would’ve given me a black eye!”

“I’ll give you a black eye right now, if you’re not careful!” she laughed.

Their food arrived, and Bri swatted Cole away as he tried to steal some of her kung pao chicken.

“So, there’s something I wanted to tell you,” Cole began after a couple of bites.

“Okay, what’s up?”

“It’s really not a big deal, but I wanted you to know I broke things off with Serena. Permanently.” He glanced up at her through his lashes, gauging her reaction.