Page 136 of Love at First Ride
‘Where is he?’
‘Still in California. Blissfully in love and happy by the sounds of it. They’ve set up a cafe in San Diego.’
‘Can you please give me his number? I’d like to talk to him.’
‘Yes. He said the same about you. He misses you. I told him you had a boyfriend who rides a motorcycle.’
‘What did he say to that?’
‘He said he thought you must have gained a little confidence since he last saw you.’
I smile. ‘Maybe I have.’
‘You’ve blossomed, sweetheart. It’s wonderful to see. Shall I help you with the suitcases?’
‘It’s only just across the road, Dad. You’ll see me all the time.’
‘Yes, well, a father has to grab these chances to help his little girl when he can. There aren’t many nowadays. I’m no longer an important man in your life.’
‘That’s not true.’
‘It’s as it should be. I’m happy for you and AJ. Now I just have to hope that you’ll give me some grandchildren one day.’
I give him a second horrified look, but inside, the idea of having AJ’s children makes me feel warm. ‘Deal. But maybe not quite yet, hey? For now, you can just carry suitcases.’
I was worried it would be weird without a pool table. Yet, so far, everyone’s made themselves right at home.
To my left, on the couch, Nicole is curled into Balthazar’s side, a bottle of beer in her hand. She’s laughing at Chase sitting alone opposite her, manspreading in a pair of baggy workmen’s jeans and a fitted white tank, his brows drawn sharply together.
‘So, what’d you say to her exactly?’ she asks, a curious smile on her lips.
Chase shrugs his shoulders. His voice is only just audible. ‘I… you know. Asked her if she wanted to get railed.’
Next to me, AJ almost spits out his beer.
‘Youwhat?’ Nicole blurts, cackling as she leans forward.
‘Holy crap, Brennan, you’re a neanderthal,’ Balthazar says.
Chase’s frown grows deeper.
‘Not somethin’ you wanna say to your crush, man,’ AJ says next to me, shaking his head. He’s comfortable, both his legs propped up on an ottoman loaned to us by Mercy. His right leg remains in plaster, and there’s a medical boot in place on his lower left leg and ankle.
‘Do you even know what that means?’ Balthazar asks, still laughing. ‘Like, seriously?’
‘Sure, I know,’ Chase says, but I can see the base of his neck start to redden. ‘It means, like…do you wanna bang?’
Nicole says, ‘Chase, you just asked the girl for a quick fuck. No wonder she got out the car.’
Chase is silent for a moment. He picks the label on his beer bottle. ‘It don’t mean that. I just asked if she wanted to have sex with me. I meant… you know. Stay over. Get freaky.’
AJ wipes a hand over his face. ‘Dude, you implied you wanted it quick and rough. A one-time thing. You should have asked Aubri if she wanted to come up for a drink. Reyes is right, you’re dragging your fucking knuckles on the ground right now.’
Chase squirms in his chair. ‘Shit. No wonder she blocked me. What do I do now? Hollie?’
I look up. His eyes are pleading. I never thought I’d develop a soft spot for my former school bully, or that he’d be looking to me for advice. I press my lips together. ‘Do you like her?’ I ask.
He nods his head vigorously. ‘Really like her. We were having a good time ’til I opened my dumb mouth.’
