Page 15 of Return to Me Always

Once we stopped, I wasn't sure I could even get off the bike with my rigid legs. As if sensing I needed help, Tyler held out his hand to me and kept a tight grip on my arm as I stumbled off and steadied myself.

"You all right?" he asked, not even appearing the slightest bit stiff.

I looked up into his blue eyes and felt a sharp little tug in my chest. "Yeah. How about you? You must be exhausted."

"I'm fine, Ryder."

He handed me a bottle of water from his bag, and I realized how thirsty I was. The water was icy cold, and I drank more than I should have probably. The last thing I wanted was a potty break in the dark woods. Finished with his drink, Tyler began filling up the tank.

"I guess I'll go find the bathroom," I mumbled as I stretched out my legs.

It felt good to move around, and I wondered how long we'd be on this motorcycle trek. Not that I minded sleeping against Tyler's warm back. But didn't he need to sleep too? And where on earth were we actually headed?

I was dying for some answers. And Tyler seemed to know where he wanted to go. He didn't act like someone who was just winging it. Actually, he appeared to have some kind of definite plan and destination. When I got back, I was determined to ask questions.

But when I was done a few moments later, I discovered Tyler wasn't there. My heart skipped a beat as I looked around for him. Maybe he was just inside? Or using the bathroom too? Anxiety shot through me, and I realized how much I was already relying on him.

I turned on my phone to check the time—two in the morning—then powered it down to save the battery. When I looked up, I saw Tyler walking toward me, and I sighed with relief.

"Worried about me?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"No. Worried aboutme," I half-joked.

He laughed, and I was amazed at the sound.

"Come on," he said. "We've got to keep moving."

As I got back on the bike, I asked, "Will you at least tell me where we're going?"

"North."

I couldn't help rolling my eyes. "Okay. Thanks for all that information."

He started up the engine, stopping our conversation before it really even began, and I wondered if he'd done that on purpose. Clearly, Tyler didn't want to chat with me.

We took off, and I held on once more, wondering how my epic journey had been so completely turned upside down. I worried about my mom in Arizona and whether she had been contacted. I worried about what we were going to do and how we were going to ever prove that we hadn't stabbed that man.

The wild thoughts swirled in my head until I thought I might collapse.

Chapter Five

Sometime in the early morning, I must have fallen asleep because I woke up sprawled across Tyler's back again, my arm secure under his. The bike slowed down, and I was surprised to see the sunrise outlining a city.

"Where are we?" I said, attempting to wipe some drool off the side of my mouth.

"Glasgow."

Excuse me? "As in Scotland?"

He didn't respond, just concentrated on driving. Damn, he must be beyond exhausted. How many miles had we ridden in the night? And I had slept most of it away, snoring up against him while he had focused on the road.

We drove through the rest of the city and what looked like suburbs until we finally stopped in front of a beautiful old house made from aged brown bricks.

"Whose house is this?" I asked while getting off the motorcycle, my legs stiff again.

"A friend's."

He started to walk across the large yard, glancing around.

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