Page 16 of The Trauma Response
“Hey, speaking of riding, are you two going to meet us at Brokedown and go riding tonight?” Chantelle leans against the bookcase but I had forgotten all about the plan. We don’t usually meet more than once or twice a week, but tonight is hockey trivia night and some of the guys from the Dragons will be there. Since Chantelle is the coach’s daughter, it makes sense she’ll want to hang out.
“Uh, maybe. It depends,” I say, trying to construct an argument that might convince Whits to go with me. “I don’t have an extra helmet, so I’m not sure if—”
“Oh, I have an extra in my car you can borrow.” Chantelle’s offer comes with a bright smile. She’s not willing to release her newly-made friend just yet, but a little sparkle in her eyes tells me she’s playing my wing-woman too.
I raise an eyebrow. “What do you think, Whits? You up for hanging out a bit longer? We can swing by my place and pick up the bike, take you for a ride, meet the guys?” I thumb over my shoulder. “And see that one again.”
She draws her lower lip in and bites it, her gaze bouncing everywhere while she considers. It’s a risk, yes. She’s seen a lot of bike accidents gone wrong, but I’m also a careful guy. I’ll do everything I can to ensure her safety. With a submitting sigh, she throws her hands in the air. “Why not? I’ve been locked away for three months. Might as well throw me into the deep end and reintroduce me to all of society at once.”
“Perfect. You’ll love the guys. I promise.” My heart leaps, knowing that not only is she willing to hang out with me a little longer, but that she’s going to backpack with me to the tavern. Having her arms around me is going to do things to my brain that I’m probably not ready for, but I’ll take that chance. I’ll take all of the chances just to see Whits smile again and again. For a little of that sunshine who loves meeting new people to pop outand say hi. The only problem is figuring out how to let her go at the end of the night.
Chapter nine
Maybe Jackson had a good idea sending Cai to dig me out of my hole of depression. Cai always did calm my nerves and remind me that even the worst of things usually have a silver lining. It doesn’t even matter that the guy showed up at the behest of my little bro, he came. He cared. He conquered. And now I’m sitting in the front seat of his car with a massive pile of books and a somersaulting stomach because I’m about to go riding on the back of a death rocket with him, heading to meet his friends.
When we finally arrive at his place, I barely have time to take in the garage before he’s instructing me on what to do.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he asks, glancing at my hand.
I blink a few times and try to orient myself. “Uh…yeah. I can hold on just fine.”
“I meant in general. I know you’re outgoing and like meeting people, but I’d understand if you’re not ready to meet my friends.” His hopeful tone says he really wants this, and I find I’m eager to oblige even if I am a little out of my comfort zone.Once upon a time, Ididlike being around crowds of people. Might as well get back to it with people he already knows and trusts.
“I’m good. I promise,” I say and smile to convince us both.
“Okay, well I know it’s hot out but I’d like you to wear this for a little added protection.” He opens a leather jacket for me to put on.
Fortunately, it’s gotten dark out and the temps have lowered. Otherwise, I’d probably die of a heat stroke. I slip on and zip up the jacket, already a little too warm, and Cai steps up to me with Chantelle’s extra helmet in hand.
“This has comms so we’ll be able to talk while we ride.” I let him slide her helmet over my head, which is a feat with my ponytail. “I think…one sec.” He reaches around behind me and lowers my ponytail so the helmet will fit better. It’s wise, but all I can think about is the warmth his closeness brings to my already overheating body. A sweat breaks on my forehead, but fortunately he mistakes it for the hot jacket. “Sorry, it’ll cool down once we’re riding.” With that, he places the helmet again and gently tightens the chin strap. “You good?”
“Yeah, I think so.” The comms crackle but he seems to hear me even though he’s not wearing his head protection yet.
Cai slips his black helmet over his head and connects the straps. “Hear me okay?”
The comms come to life with the deep, melodic tone of his voice. My knees waver a little at the sound of it so close in my ears. I’m in trouble.Superdeep trouble. Old feelings flood forward again, reminding me that I once held a candle for this man for so long, it practically melted down to a stub before we finally split for college.
“Yeah, still good,” I manage but with a wobbly voice. “I’m a little nervous.”
Cai grasps the bottom of my borrowed helmet and touches his forehead to mine. “You’re good. I’ve got you, beautiful.” With that, he slaps his visor down and my heart skips another beat. Wow, this whole biker vibe suits him really,reallywell. Despite knowing it’s Cai behind that darkened visor, I’m still caught up in the mysteriousness of it all. I can’t see his face, have no idea what expression he’s making, but I’m sure I have googly eyes and a drooly mouth. Which is made worse when I remember my visor is still up. I pull it down and point to the bike.
“Okay, how do I get on this beast?”
Cai slings his leg over the massive bike and stands it upright. “Just do what I did and put your feet on the little pegs back there.”
I look over the bike and finally find the pegs. “Those? How am I supposed to do that? I’ll fold myself in half!”
He chuckles, tone rumbling. “Maybe, but you’ll be snug as a bug behind me.”
I shake my head and swing my leg over, almost hurtling myself over the other side. Cai catches me by my calf and rights me all while keeping the bike upright. I find the pegs and realize this whole experience will be a lot more intimate than I’d planned. I can’t stay on the little seat. I simply slide back down until every bit of me is against him, which he doesn’t seem to mind since he grasps my hands and wraps my arms around his waist.
“Hold on tight, lean when I lean, and try not to scream into the comms. If we stop, use your hands to brace yourself on the gas tank here.” He presses my hand onto the tank to show me where to put them. “That way you don’t smack your helmet into mine. Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be. I’m trusting you with my life, Cai.” It’s meant to be a joke, but he tenses. Three full breaths pass before he clears his throat and starts the bike. It roars to life beneath us, deepand loud. He kicks up the kickstand, but before we take off, he settles his left hand on my knee and squeezes it.
“I’ll never let anything happen to you, beautiful. You have my word on that in every way.”
I swallow hard and wrap my arms around him again. “I know,” I whisper, which must ease his mind. He slides his hand off my knee and grasps the handlebars.
