Every Little Dream(45)

She’s everything I need.



Katie



The music blares. I find the only country station out here and crank it. Except too many songs are about lost loves and heartbreak. I keep flipping until I find some mind-numbing pop station. The windows are down. The wind whips through and the last traces of the sea wash away. I tap the wheel, keeping rhythm to the beat. I’m going home. When I pulled out of the Inn, my excitement was at a high at the thought of seeing my dad again, feeling his rugged arms around me. But as each mile passes, slowly, my enthusiasm fades.

I glance in the rearview mirror, not even realizing that I’m looking for a bike swerving between the cars. The window is down because I’m straining to hear the roar of his motorcycle.

What did I expect? That Chad would come chasing after me? He’d said from the start that this was about me helping his image and in exchange he’d offer me some excitement from my boring life. I know that. Somehow my heart couldn’t stick to the bargain. It wanted more. With each romantic gesture, I fell a little harder. Somewhere along the line, my heart fell in love, without my permission.

I should be feeling relief. I should be glad to be heading home. Away from the mess that had become my life. Away from the reminders of last night. But instead, sadness weighs on me. Along with all the bad memories of the past couple days, is my time with Chad. Everything in me says to go back. Give him a chance. I shake my head. No. After last night, I can’t stick around. I can’t stay. I’ve had enough of that kind of excitement, and somehow, I think that kind of excitement follows Chad around. Home is calling.

My note explained everything. He’ll know how I feel. Or how I said I feel. I didn’t tell the truth, but I wrote what was necessary to leave him behind. A truth that eventually my heart will believe.

I glance in the mirror again. It’s been two hours. If he were going to find me, he would have. Was it all in my head? Of course. What else can I think? He rejected me. The only time I’ve ever made a pass at someone. He said no. I turn up the music louder. Maybe it can drown out everything I’m feeling.

A horn beeps.

I straighten up, filled with hope, but it’s just an angry driver shaking a fist at me for drifting into his lane. The hollowed-out feeling in my chest grows. I refuse to look again. Minutes later, I hear the familiar roar of a motorcycle, but I can’t look. Several bikes have already passed me.

Then a bike swerves in front of me. I study the back of the bike and the helmet. It then swerves back to the lane on my left and pulls up close to my car. The emotion overcomes me; my throat chokes up. A sob escapes.

He points to the side of the road.

I shrug. I can’t just pull off on the side of the highway. He revs his engine and pulls in front of me again. His bike slows down and he pulls into the right lane. I follow. The shoulder widens after an exit and he flicks on his blinker.

My heart pitter-patters. My nerves skyrocket. I pull over too. For a moment, I sit there. What do I say? What is he going to say?

He gets off his bike and pulls his helmet off before striding over. He jerks the door open and pulls me out and onto the side road. Is he mad?

“Chad, I…”

He turns around suddenly. “Shut up and kiss me.”

“But, but—”

His hand goes to the back of my head and he crushes me to him. Our lips meet. At first, he’s demanding and hungry. His tongue forces my mouth open and he devours me. I let him. He pulls away, his breathing ragged. Mine isn’t any better.

“You didn’t say goodbye.”

My heart sinks. Is that what this is about? Then why’d he kiss me?

“For that you’re going to have to be punished.” He smiles. Gently this time, he leans into me, his lips soft and tender against mine. He cherishes me. He places his hands on the side of my face. His thumbs stroke my skin, stirring up passion inside me.

A truck roars past. The wind swirls around us. Cars honk as they pass.

He smiles but doesn’t stop kissing me. “To hell with them.”

Finally, I break away, breathless. “Didn’t you read my note?”

He tilts his head. “Though it was very nice of you to let me down easily, I don’t completely agree with you. You’re right. We’re not right for each other.” He brushes his lips across my cheek. “We’re completely different.”

I nod. Waiting. It would’ve been better for him to have not followed me.

“But did you not get to know me at all?” He strokes his chin. “I don’t care about any of that bullshit. We’re good for each other. I’m good for you and you’re good for me.”

“We fulfilled out deal, right? Isn’t that what our whole relationship has been about—us helping each other out for a bit? We did that. I found more than enough excitement and I don’t care for it anymore.”