Page 30 of Mark Us Little Bear
“Yup, I’m the cute biker.”
My mouth part in an O-shape. “Shut up.”
“Yeah, it started as a joke but people love when I move these hips and shake this ass.” He beams, proud and satisfied with himself, “I even shot a few videos with Ronnie.”
“Holy shit, that suits you perfectly.” He has that goofy personality and the endless blubbering to go with it. “How did you persuade him to do that?”
“I’ve always been like this it’s just that I have a lot on my mind lately,” Ronnie explains, his gaze dropping to his plate as soon as he is done.
“Where are you off to, rocking that outfit?” Bradley wags his finger along the length of my body and his heated gaze encounters my sudden, somber expression—my stomach twists and I feel a pang in my chest. It always happened right out of the blue. One moment I’m fine, laughing and making jokes, and the next, a volcano of emotions threatens to burst out of me.
Jumping off the chair, I head to the sink, “I’m meeting Dylan.” After I wash my dishes, I snatch my helmet from the hanger near the entrance and pull it down my head.
In seconds, tears sting my eyes, a lump forms in my throat and my mouth goes dry—I can’t stop it no matter how hard I try.
“Wait, we’re heading out as well.”
“Amber,” Ronnie places his hand on my shoulder, “Did we make you uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m…” I dig my heel into the hardwood floor and pivot my boot from side to side. “I’ll be fine I’m just tired.” I brush it off with a smile yet I know I can’t fool him. He saw that sadness in me the first day we met without me saying anything.
“Let’s take a photo quickly. Close your visors.” Bradley extracts his phone from his pocket, pulling us closer, he snaps a few pictures before we file out the door.
Meeting Dylan, my friend, in her cute little bakery,Rhodes & Stark,I park my bike in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and climb off.
Noticing my arrival, she waves at me from inside and I wave back with a wide grin, powered by the joy in her eyes.
Her red, orange, and light blonde hair flows at her sides—she came to me with this idea a year ago and I knew it would turn out stunning on her. Ever since when she needs to renew it, she comes to me.
The bell above the door chimes as I push through it and she greets me with a big hug. “Amber, your outfit is stunning. It’s so good to see you.”
“You too, looking chic as always.” I know how much Dylan loves fashion herself. That was one of the things we noticed about each other when we first met. It’s a way for us—loners I guess—to express ourselves. I remember when she told me about not having many friends until she met Luka and that circle grew a little.
“How are the boys treating you?” she asks, leading me to the tables outside the shop. Birds chirp on top of a few trees nearby and the light breeze instantly relaxes me. The sweet smell of coffee lingers with a hint of cinnamon. I grab the coffee cup she places for me on the table and take a sip.
“They are the best.”They are amazing; very accepting; saucy; praising… and so many more things I can’t say out loud.
Goddammit, why did I read it? Heat slowly reaches my cheeks but I can blame the coffee because it’s hot.
“Good because one phone call and Luka will whoop their asses.”
I gulp hard. “Someone suggested I wanted my ass to receive the same treatment this morning.” Which reminds me…
Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I open the gallery and delete the pictures I took before I put the phone down on the wooden surface.
“Someone got herself busy?” her brows go up.
I twitch my mouth to the side, “Trying something new would be more like it.”
“Sounds like you’re exploring which is beautiful,” she laughs after giving it a moment of thought, “Luka is very dominant and so are they. And they area lot, especially Bradley.”
“I can tell,” I chuckle, knowing how energetic and talkative he can be.
She moves her hair backward, smiling as she sips her cup of coffee. “Ronnie is very special to Luka. They share a special bond and love that can’t be defined. Every time I see them together it makes me smile. I’m so happy they have each other, both deserve that kind of friendship.”
“It makes me smile too…”and a little jealous because I know how rare that is.
“I was lucky enough to meet my best friend, Sophie, in high school and she owns this shop with me. What about you?”
