Page 69 of Moto
“I’ll have two fried eggs and extra home fries,” Sam orders without missing a beat.
“And you?” the waitress asks. I stutter, unable to peel my eyes away from my aunt.
“Um . . . the same, please.”
* * *
Sam hangs backin the diner as I leave for work. Our whole breakfast has me freaking out. She was acting so weird. So unlike her. It makes me wonder if there was a break in her drug case. A big break causing her to fret like that. I chew my nail as I cross the street. Our conversation is going to worry me all day.
Just as I make it to the sidewalk, I hear the roar of an engine. It actually startles me. I look around for the bike and spot a black monster with gold markings pull out from the shadows of the alleyway. I recognize him immediately. It’s Viper, Reese’s arch nemesis. Or, at least, that’s how he exaggerated it. Apparently, they climbed up the racing circuit together. Always in top competition. But Reese was better, and he beat Viper out for the top spot. We all know the rest is history. Reese is convinced Viper is harboring some resentment, and I’m inclined to agree seeing the way they reacted to each other the night of the rally.
My skin erupts in goose bumps, and not the good kind, as he watches me cross the pavement in the direction of the double doors of the hospital. That fucking helmet creeps me out, alien tentacles and all.
Once inside, I shiver with a foreboding feeling. I swear, I need to run fifteen miles just to shake off the anxiety of the morning.
I hurry upstairs, change into my scrubs, and throw myself into work, desperate for the distraction. Before I know it, it’s nearly noon and time for lunch.
In the nurses’ lounge, there’s a spread set out. Potluck. Right, I completely spaced.
“Don’t worry, Kayla. There’s plenty for everyone.” Tricia, my nurse manager, encourages me to eat. “You can just make two dishes next time.” She winks.
She’s a sweet older lady you can get over on, no problem. She hates conflict and avoids it at all costs.
“I can do that.” I pick up a paper plate and smile.
“Done deal.” She steals a drumstick of fried chicken and takes a bite.
Before I even grab a serving spoon, Dev walks into the room.
“I heard there was a feast in here.” He’s his usual suave self. I can almost hear Tricia swoon as he stalks around the table, taking inventory.
“Help yourself to whatever you want, Dr. Dynamite.”
“Dynamite?” I repeat. “Do I even want to know?”
Dev just shrugs like he has no clue.
“Did I say that out loud?” Tricia giggles like a schoolgirl, blushing. “Well, I’m off.” The woman pushing sixty excuses herself and nearly runs out of the room.
As soon as she’s gone, Dev crowds me into the corner where the countertops meet.
“Hey.” He kisses me openly, and I jump. “Whoa. Why so jittery, butterfly?” He places his hands on my arms.
“I just . . .” I shake it off. “Weird morning.”
“Breakfast go okay with your aunt?”
“Yeah . . . yes.”No, I don’t know.“She has a lot on her plate, and I worry, you know?”
“She’s fine. She’s a tough lady.”
“I know. You’re right.” I’m being ridiculous, but she really freaked me out, and then that whole thing with Viper . . . It was all justbizarre.
“Of course, I am.” He presses his lips to mine again. “Dev.” I lift up on my toes and pull away. “Someone is going to see.”
“So what? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to kiss you right here, in this spot? The very first place I ever laid eyes on you.”
“How long, Dr. Dynamite?” I toy.
