Page 6 of Snowfall
“Hey,” I muster.
“Hey yourself.” Gerard is the epitome of cool. I wonder if he can tell how nervous I am?
“You two kids have fun, and Mom, call to check in if you’re going to be home after eleven.” My daughter thinks she’s being cute, dredging up her old adolescent ground rules.
I roll my eyes. “Smartass.” I kiss her on the head, grab my purse off the foyer table, and follow Gerard out the door.
“Love you!” Kira chirps as she shuts the door behind us.
“Cute kid,” Gerard comments as he places his dark sunglasses back on his face.
“Yeah, she has her moments.” I smile. “Do you have any kids?” The question just rolls out.
“One. A son, Kyle. Ky, we call him. He’s just a bit older than Kira.” He talks with such pride.
“By the sound of it, you have a good relationship.”
“Great one. He’s a good boy. Somehow, me and his quacky mother raised him right.” There’s sarcasm in his tone.
I totally get it. I’ll never fathom how Kira turned out so wonderful with her father being who he is, but I refuse to look a gift horse in the mouth. I try not to worry about the past and instead focus my efforts on the future. Or, at the very least, the present.
I gaze down at the machine Gerard is standing in front of proudly. I am so out of my element here.
“Don’t looks so nervous, Kristen. I’m an expert rider.”
“I’m worried about not being an expert passenger.”
“Do you get motion sickness?”
“No.”
“You’ll be fine.” He hands me a black helmet after stowing my purse in a side compartment. I prepared for this, wearing my hair in a low ponytail.
I secure the helmet on my head as Gerard does the same. It doesn’t cover my face, only protects the top and back of my head.
It isn’t unbearable at all.
“First lesson.” Gerard throws his leg over the seat. “Sit here and hold on.”
I stare blankly at him. “I’m not sure I can handle all that instruction at once.”
He beams. “I have full faith in you, darlin’.” He pats the leather. I take a breath and mimic his motion, throwing my leg over the seat. There is barely any room, and my arms move straight to his torso for support.
“Perfect. You’re a natural.” Gerard glances back at me as he turns on the engine. My whole body vibrates, from head to toe.Holy shit.
“So, what are the plans?” I ask bravely. I have no idea where this night is going to take us, but secretly I hope someplace good.
“A ride, then dinner, and if you’re up for it, another ride.” He pulls away from the sidewalk, and all my muscles tense.
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit.
After a few minutes, my body relaxes, adjusting to the open feeling of wind all around me. It’s all new and exciting. Invigorating, terrifying, and uplifting all at the same time.Freeing.
All my senses are stimulated as we drive down the winding coast. I inhale the smell of the salt air mixed with Gerard’s spicy aftershave while the rev of the motorcycle’s engine echoes in my ears and the soft feel of his shirt contrasts against the hard ridges of muscle beneath my fingertips.
I can’t remember the last time I felt so many favorable things at once. But I’m soaking up every second I can, because I know moments like this are fleeting, and for me, for many years, nonexistent.
The ride is over all too soon as we pull up to what looks like a rehabbed farmhouse atop a cliff.
