Every Little Dream (Second Chances) (16 page)

Justine rushes over and puts her hand on my arm. “She’s gone.”
 

“What do you mean?” I stumble back. “My dad said she went…home.” It sinks in. Not home to the Inn. “She left?”

Justine nods. “She was ready to be back with her family.”

I’m a tough guy. But right now those words, the fact that Katie’s gone, leaves me feeling like a little boy. Crushed.
 

Justine fishes in her pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. “She left this for you.”
 

The piece of paper is a ray of sunshine. I take it with a shaky hand.
 

“Good luck.” Justine smiles. “She can’t be too far away.”
 

I quickly read it, then shove it in my pocket and sprint back to my bike.
 

It eats up the road and I don’t think about the speed limit. I only think about finding Katie.
 

I turn onto the highway and let go. I fly. I’m flying. The wind ripples through my shirt. For the first time, I’m doing what I want. For me. For no one else. All our memories are boxed in my heart. Dancing with her. Fighting for her. Eating peanut butter crackers. Talking. Kissing.

They say you just know when it’s right. That the right girl could come along at any time, when we least expect it. I know firsthand this is true, because I’d do anything for her and want to spend the rest of my life proving it to her.

She’s everything I need.

Katie

The music blares. I find the only country station out here and crank it. Except too many songs are about lost loves and heartbreak. I keep flipping until I find some mind-numbing pop station. The windows are down. The wind whips through and the last traces of the sea wash away. I tap the wheel, keeping rhythm to the beat. I’m going home. When I pulled out of the Inn, my excitement was at a high at the thought of seeing my dad again, feeling his rugged arms around me. But as each mile passes, slowly, my enthusiasm fades.

I glance in the rearview mirror, not even realizing that I’m looking for a bike swerving between the cars. The window is down because I’m straining to hear the roar of his motorcycle.
 

What did I expect? That Chad would come chasing after me? He’d said from the start that this was about me helping his image and in exchange he’d offer me some excitement from my boring life. I know that. Somehow my heart couldn’t stick to the bargain. It wanted more. With each romantic gesture, I fell a little harder. Somewhere along the line, my heart fell in love, without my permission.

I should be feeling relief. I should be glad to be heading home. Away from the mess that had become my life. Away from the reminders of last night. But instead, sadness weighs on me. Along with all the bad memories of the past couple days, is my time with Chad. Everything in me says to go back. Give him a chance. I shake my head. No. After last night, I can’t stick around. I can’t stay. I’ve had enough of that kind of excitement, and somehow, I think that kind of excitement follows Chad around. Home is calling.

My note explained everything. He’ll know how I feel. Or how I said I feel. I didn’t tell the truth, but I wrote what was necessary to leave him behind. A truth that eventually my heart will believe.

I glance in the mirror again. It’s been two hours. If he were going to find me, he would have. Was it all in my head? Of course. What else can I think? He rejected me. The only time I’ve ever made a pass at someone. He said no. I turn up the music louder. Maybe it can drown out everything I’m feeling.
 

A horn beeps.
 

I straighten up, filled with hope, but it’s just an angry driver shaking a fist at me for drifting into his lane. The hollowed-out feeling in my chest grows. I refuse to look again. Minutes later, I hear the familiar roar of a motorcycle, but I can’t look. Several bikes have already passed me.
 

Then a bike swerves in front of me. I study the back of the bike and the helmet. It then swerves back to the lane on my left and pulls up close to my car. The emotion overcomes me; my throat chokes up. A sob escapes.

He points to the side of the road.

I shrug. I can’t just pull off on the side of the highway. He revs his engine and pulls in front of me again. His bike slows down and he pulls into the right lane. I follow. The shoulder widens after an exit and he flicks on his blinker.

My heart pitter-patters. My nerves skyrocket. I pull over too. For a moment, I sit there. What do I say? What is he going to say?

He gets off his bike and pulls his helmet off before striding over. He jerks the door open and pulls me out and onto the side road. Is he mad?

“Chad, I…”

He turns around suddenly. “Shut up and kiss me.”
 

“But, but—”

His hand goes to the back of my head and he crushes me to him. Our lips meet. At first, he’s demanding and hungry. His tongue forces my mouth open and he devours me. I let him. He pulls away, his breathing ragged. Mine isn’t any better.

“You didn’t say goodbye.”
 

My heart sinks. Is that what this is about? Then why’d he kiss me?

“For that you’re going to have to be punished.” He smiles. Gently this time, he leans into me, his lips soft and tender against mine. He cherishes me. He places his hands on the side of my face. His thumbs stroke my skin, stirring up passion inside me.
 

A truck roars past. The wind swirls around us. Cars honk as they pass.

He smiles but doesn’t stop kissing me. “To hell with them.”
 

Finally, I break away, breathless. “Didn’t you read my note?”
 

He tilts his head. “Though it was very nice of you to let me down easily, I don’t completely agree with you. You’re right. We’re not right for each other.” He brushes his lips across my cheek. “We’re completely different.”

I nod. Waiting. It would’ve been better for him to have not followed me.

“But did you not get to know me at all?” He strokes his chin. “I don’t care about any of that bullshit. We’re good for each other. I’m good for you and you’re good for me.”

“We fulfilled out deal, right? Isn’t that what our whole relationship has been about—us helping each other out for a bit? We did that. I found more than enough excitement and I don’t care for it anymore.”

His face softens and his finger traces over my lips. “I’m sorry you got dragged into that mess. I had no idea what I was dealing with or what I was doing for my dad until it was too late. That guy was an ass and will hopefully go away for a long time.”

“I forgive you. I’m just glad we brought the real bad guys down.”
 

His eyes widen at my show of spunk. “You’re not only beautiful, but amazing.”
 

I squeeze his hand. “I have to hold onto that belief or I’ll drive myself crazy with the what-ifs.”

He tugs me closer. “But really, I’m just a friend?”

“Well…” My heart pounds. After that kiss we’re definitely more than friends. But with me going home, I don’t know what we are or where we stand.

“What do you want, Katie?” His eyes swirl with emotion, with passion. He means what he says. It’s my decision. “If you want this, I’ll do anything.”

I step away. “I’m going home. To my dad’s.”

“I’ll go with you,” he states with no hesitation.

“My dad will expect you to live with the rules of his house. Church on Sundays. Dress up nice for Sunday dinners. Saturday night bowling.”

“I can do nice.”
 

“You’ll get bored.”

“Maybe this time I want a different kind of excitement.” He leans in for a kiss. “Maybe you’re all the excitement I need.”

“You’ll have to watch your mouth. No more F-bombs flying.”
 

He shrugs. “I can do that.”

“What about working for your dad? Law school? You’d be good.”

“I’ve never wanted that. I have other dreams.”
 

I’m left with nothing. No more excuses, but now I’m curious. “What dreams?”
 

“I want to fly. I want to fly a plane. Be a pilot. It’s all I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid.”
 

I giggle. “Then you might be in luck.”

“How so?”
 

“There’s a small airstrip near my dad’s ranch.”
 

“I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

I tap my finger against my lips. I have to give him a fair warning. “One last thing. My dad is kind of protective. If you come with me, you have to be serious about this, about giving us a chance. This isn’t a game to me. And it won’t be to him. If you hurt me, he’ll kick you out on your ass so fast you won’t know what hit you.”

“Are you sure he won’t mind me just moving in? I could get a room someplace.”

“Then you don’t know my dad. He’ll want the chance to get to know you and put you to work.” I smile at the thought of Chad in the country, driving a tractor or painting the barn.

He moves in and kisses me. His lips brush mine. “Well, that’s good because, don’t you know?” he whispers.

“What?” My voice shakes. His body is up against mine.

“That all my dreams are wrapped in you?”
 

I have to choke back a sob. I can’t believe this. I never expected this. There’s only one thing left to say. “Don’t you know?”

“What?” His voice is hoarse.

“I feel the same way too.”
 

We lose ourselves in a kiss. The wind stirs around us with each passing car, the sun passing across in the sky. For the first time in a long time I know I’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. More than okay.

With one last kiss, he pulls away with a smile. “Let’s go chase our dreams. Every last one.”
 

The End

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Every Little Dream
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If you missed them, 
Every Little Piece
 and
 
Every Little Secret
 are both part of this series and available.

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