He raises his hands up in defense. “Right on. I was trying to be a gentleman, asking if the lady would like some help, but you look like you’ve got it covered.”
I grin. “This lady can take care of herself today.”
“Obviously.”
I frown at him.
“What?”
He chuckles again and I ignore him.
I could change a flat tire in my sleep I’ve done it so much. I grab my little blue tire lever and pry the tire away from the rim. Once I get the tire off, I grab the tube and pull it out. It’s completely flat, so I set it on the ground next to me and pull a new tube out of the pouch. I check the tire for nasty stickers, since I accidentally plowed through a weed patch, and find a mother of a beast stuck on the other side. It’s a doozy. No wonder I got a flat. After pulling it out, I check for more, but don’t find any.
The entire time I work, I can feel Cole staring at me, but I don’t look up. He makes me too nervous.
“You’re fast.”
I shrug. “Not really.” I pull out a CO2 cartridge after I put the new tube back in the tire and put it back to the rim. The CO2 fills the tube up with air in seconds.
Good little tricks to have. Especially during a race. Once I’m finished, I stand and wipe off my dusty clothes.
“Nothing like watching a girl change a tire.”
I glance over and give Cole a strange look. “What?”
“You just don’t see it very often. It was pretty hot.”
I chuckle. “Right.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and freeze when Cole’s fingers touch my cheek. He rubs his thumb along my cheekbone and I’m afraid to look up at him again.
“You had some dirt on your face.”
“Oh?”
He chuckles. “Yes. But seriously. I could watch you work on bikes all day. And I promise, I’m not trying to be creepy …”
“That was totally creepy.” Not really, but I have to say it so it sounds like I don’t enjoy him looking at me. Or enjoy me looking at him. Or … I’m confusing myself.
I put my helmet back on and, as I go to climb on my bike, Cole surprises me by grabbing my hand.
I stare at our hands as he steps closer to me, making my stomach do all sorts of crazy flips. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” I’m glad my voice is steady right now because I’m kind of terrified by the way he’s looking at me. So serious. And there’s something else in his expression that I can’t quite read. Which scares me even more.
“Go out with me.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
“You heard me. Go out with me. On a real date.”
“Cole—”
“Before you say no, hear me out.” He’s still hanging on to my hand. I like it. Too much. So much so that I want to tell the voice in my head warning me to run away to shut up. Which is so not like me. “I was serious last night about wanting to get to know you better. The real you. The one I saw last year before … things happened.”
Before Lucas happened. “I’m not the same—”
“I know. But I still like hanging out with you. I think you’re an awesome biker, you’re funny and sarcastic. A little stubborn sometimes, but it’s cute on you.”
“How can stubbornness be cute on me? It’s not a piece of clothing.”
He shrugs. “It doesn’t make sense to me either, but the fact is you are stubborn.”
“Okay. We all know that. Everyone knows that. Let’s not bring it up anymore, okay?”
“Deal.”
“Great.”
“Anyway, back to asking you out. Like I said before. I like you.” His gaze slides to the trees and he clears his throat before looking back at me. His cheeks are a little red. I’ve never seen him get embarrassed or uncomfortable before. To be honest, it’s kind of cute. “And … I totally just embarrassed myself for saying that, but when it’s true, it’s true.”
What the what? My face heats and I try to pull my hand away, but he doesn’t let go. “I think you’re … on something.”
“Trust me. You’d know if I was on something.” He laughs. “So, here’s the deal. All I ask is one date. Put our differences aside and go to dinner.”
“You sound like you’re in a movie or something.”
He laughs. “That’s what I’m going for. Don’t you like romantic comedies?”
“Some.”
“Good. Because I swear I’m in one right now making a fool of myself.”
I can’t help it. I bust up laughing.
He chuckles as well as his cheeks turn pink. “Anyway, if the date sucks then you don’t ever have to talk to me again. Unless you beat Whitney next Saturday. Then you’ll have to join our team again. But I won’t bug you about going out with me again.”
“You won’t?”
“No.”
I study him. He’s totally serious. I don’t want to rush into saying yes, though. It would overinflate his ego even more. “I’ll think about it.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“So, it’s not a flat out no then?”
I shake my head. “No. I’ll think about it and let you know.”
“Great. Let’s say Friday night.”
“I haven’t said yes yet!”
He grins. “You didn’t say no either.” He drops my hand and gets on his bike.
Flustered, I get on my bike too and wait to see what he’s going to do. He lifts a hand and gestures toward the trail. “Ladies first.”
I shrug. “Okay.” I push off, and in seconds I’m flying downhill, guiding my bike over rocks and a tree root here and there. The wind blasts across my face, warmer than earlier. I know I’m going to be bright red once I get home.
We make it to the bottom in record time, and of course Cole is right behind me. I sort of wish he would have gone first so I could check out his moves. I know he’s an awesome climber, but I’ve heard his downhill is even better.
“Need a ride home?” he asks as he takes his gloves off.
“I’ve got my car. Thanks, though.”
He glances at the car and raises an eyebrow. “Glad it’s working again.”
“Me too.”
I hook up my bike to my rack as he does the same to his. Once it’s good and tight, I take my helmet and CamelBak off and throw them in the back seat.
Cole’s watching me and I blush under his gaze. “This was nice, Marty. We should do it more often.”
“Sure.”
He grins and takes a step closer, leaning on my car door. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.”
“Have a good day, Marty.”
I groan. “Do you really have to call me that every time you talk to me?”
He moves away from me and opens the door of his truck. “You love it.”
I don’t want to admit it’s growing on me. A little.
CHAPTER 13
Friday comes fast. Too fast. I’m not ready for our date, and Cole is supposed to pick me up at seven.
Ten minutes from now.
I’m sure he’ll be late. Aren’t most guys? Honestly I have no idea. I haven’t been out with someone for so long. I’ve kind of forgotten the proper etiquette and all that. That is, if the guy has any etiquette to begin with.
“Emmy, are you sure you don’t want any dinner?” Dad yells from upstairs.
“Yes!” I yell while brushing my teeth. Toothpaste flies out of my mouth and onto the mirror in front of me.
Awesome.
My phone beeps and I frown at the text from Kelsie. She’s wondering what I’m doing tonight. I send her a quick text that I’ll call her a little later and shove the phone in my purse. If she knew I was going out with Cole, I’d never hear the end of it. And I can only deal with so much right now.
I hear someone coming down the stairs and jump as Mom comes and stands in the doorway with her arms folded. “So who’s this mystery boy who’s been taking up all of your time lately?”
&
nbsp; “Cole.” I spit my toothpaste out, rinse, and wipe off the mirror with a towel. “And he hasn’t been taking up all my time. Not really.” I stare at myself in the mirror, noticing the dark circles under my eyes. I haven’t slept well this week. My outfit is cute at least. My favorite jeans and a new blue top. I’m not one for fashion, and Kelsie may not approve, but at least I like it.
“Who is he?”
I glance at Mom’s reflection in the mirror and run my fingers through my hair. She looks tired. Almost as tired as me and, once again, the guilt takes over. “A … biking friend.”
“Where are you going?”
“To dinner.”
“A date?”
I pause. “Kind of. I think.”
She smiles. “You haven’t been on a date since—”
I don’t want her to bring up Lucas, so I hurry and cut her off.
“I know.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re going out.” She hesitates and touches my shoulder. “I was wondering if you’re doing okay. After we talked on Sunday, you’ve been … distant.”
“I’m fine.” I step away. I should ask her how she’s doing, but I don’t. I don’t want to know if she’s losing her mind more than before. I don’t want to know if she doesn’t remember some of what I was like as a child. I want everything to go back to normal. It’s easier to pretend like nothing’s wrong, even though I’m not good at pretending.
The doorbell rings and I glance at the clock on my wall.
Great. He’s early.
“Sounds like he’s here,” Mom says, glancing upstairs. “Please be back by a decent hour.”
“I will. I’ll … uh … see you when I get home.” I want to hug her, maybe even kiss her cheek and tell her I love her, but I step around her instead.
I’m a coward.
“Be safe,” she says, only loud enough for me to hear.
I race upstairs to open the door, and I’m surprised to see Gavin has beat me there instead. They’re chatting like they’re old friends or something. Weird.
Cole looks over as I come down the hall. His mouth drops open as he looks me over. I feel my cheeks heat, as usual, and tuck my hair behind my ear. “You look …” He clears his throat. “Good. You look good.”
“Thanks.” I don’t know if I should tell him he looks good too or not. I decide against it. I’ll probably embarrass myself somehow anyway. And besides, I’m sure he knows he looks good. Because he does. He really does. I shake that thought out of my head and grab my jacket. “You’re early.”
He shrugs. “Didn’t want to be late. You ready to go?”
“Yep.”
He opens the door. “Shall we?” He gestures outside and before I can move, Gavin steps in front of me.
“Have fun tonight.” He turns toward Cole. “And don’t even think about putting any moves on my little sister.”
As if my face wasn’t red enough already … “Gavin,” I growl. Seriously. I’ll kill him.
Cole laughs. “No worries. Your sister would probably punch me in the face if I tried anything anyway.”
“Good to know I’ve taught her well,” Gavin says, smiling at me. He glances at Cole again. “But seriously. I have eyes everywhere.”
“Gavin,” I snap. “Goodbye.”
He grins and heads into the kitchen, leaving us alone and awkward by the door.
“He seems nice,” Cole says.
I glare down the hall. “You’d think that, wouldn’t you?” I sigh and walk out the door. Cole follows me.
Before I can open the door to his truck, he slides past me and opens it for me. “Allow me.”
I roll my eyes but say thank you anyway. Even if he confuses the heck out of me, I’m glad he’s a gentleman.
As I wait for him to walk around and get in, I smile at the song on the radio. I turn it up, just enough that we won’t have to talk on the way to wherever we’re going.
Cole gets in and the first thing he does is turn the radio down.
Perfect. Plan ruined.
“You really do look nice,” he says. “Blue looks good on you. It matches your eyes.”
My lips twitch. “Do you tell that to all your dates?”
He laughs. “Trust me when I say I don’t go out much.”
I turn to look at him. “Really?”
“Don’t act so surprised.” He glances over with a little grin on his face.
“I’m not acting. I just … don’t really know what to think.” From how he acts around girls, I could have sworn he took a different one out every night.
“Told you. Rumors.” He shoots me a grin. “By the way, do you like Mexican food?”
My stomach growls. Yes. Of course I do, but sometimes too many beans can do a number on a person. Especially a stressed person. And yes. Even girls. “Yes. Mexican is fine.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Fine as in … you like it? Or fine as in, ‘eh, it’s okay I guess.’”
I laugh. “I like it.” My stomach growls again and I have a feeling I’m going to have a problem if we do decide on Mexican. I’ll have to order something not so … beanie.
“Cool. We’re not having Mexican food, though. Is In-N-Out okay?”
I snap to attention and gape at him. “Are you kidding? I love that place.” Since they built one down the street from us, I can’t get enough of it.
“It’s the fries, huh?”
“The fries, the burgers. All of it.” I find myself smiling and make sure my mouth is closed so I don’t start drooling or something. I wouldn’t put it past me …
“Awesome. The way to a girl’s heart is through her stomach.”
I have to agree with that. “Mine is. I love food.”
He laughs. “My kind of girl then.”
“Trust me. I’m not your kind of girl.” Guys like girls who pick at their food, don’t they? Ice cube eating girls. Skinny and tiny girls. Not … girls like me. I might be on the skinny side, but curves are my good friends.
“You’d be surprised what kind of girl I like.”
I don’t know what to say to that, so I wait for him to park and hum along to the song on the radio.
Dinner is heavenly. The burger, juicy and perfect with lots and lots of lettuce and yummy sauce. The fries? Delish. And a big fat glass of ice water to wash it all down.
“Seriously? Water?”
I shrug as I set my drink down. “Nothing like a tall glass of H2O to cool down.”
He takes a swig of his Dr Pepper. “Water is okay, but only during a race. Other than that it’s not my first choice. Or second. Or third even.”
“It’s the healthy choice.”
“It’s the plain choice.”
“Like your choice is better.” I gesture toward his Dr Pepper and wrinkle my nose. “It tastes like medicine.”
“The best kind of medicine.”
“Uh … no.” I chuckle and finish off my fries.
“So. Good choice for a date?”
I smile. “You did good. I really wasn’t looking forward to a date in a stuffy nice restaurant. You obviously know how I roll.”
“I try to pay attention.”
“Really?” I doubt he’s ever seen me come here. If he has, it was either a coincidence or he was stalking me. I’m doubting anyone would ever go to the lengths to stalk me. I mean, come on. It’s me. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you I like this place. How did you know?”
He leans forward and whispers, “I asked Kelsie what your favorite place to eat was.”
“Ah. Research with the best friend then.”
He folds his arms and leans back against the booth. “Of course.”
“Impressive. You can get a lot out of her. Unfortunately.” Hopefully he didn’t ask her about anything embarrassing.
“I try.” He leans forward again, resting his arms on the table. “Seeing how this date is going well, we should do this more often.”
I don’t say anything, just sip my water.
“No answer? Obviously
I’m failing at something or you would have agreed with me.”
“Cole …”
He raises a hand. “It’s okay. I’ll try harder.” He piles our wrappers on the tray and leans back against the booth. “So … what do you like to do? Besides biking, of course.”
I twirl my ice around with my straw and shrug. “I don’t know. I guess I like to listen to music. I like to read, fix bikes, but most of my free time is spent on the mountain.”
“Nice.”
“What about you?” For some reason, I’ve never thought about what else he does. I’ve never wanted to know, but now I’m curious.
“I like to long board a little. And play the guitar.”
My eyes widen. “You play the guitar? My friend Oakley plays the guitar. Or played, I guess.” Before Lucas died, she played all the time. I loved listening to her play. I always wanted her to teach me.
He gives me a funny look. “Yep. Started when I was six.”
“You’re good then.”
“Eh. Depends on who you ask.”
“Do you have a band or anything?”
He snorts. “No.”
“Why not? If you’re that good, why don’t you play for people?”
“I don’t want to show off.”
Something about the way he won’t meet my eyes makes me wonder if he’s really telling the truth. “Would you play for me sometime?”
“Maybe. If you’re nice to me.”
“I’m totally nice.”
“Sometimes.” He winks and I pretend to throw my water at him.
“Fair enough.” I twirl my ice around in my cup again. I don’t want to talk about me. Especially the parts of me I don’t like. Like my meanness. Sometimes it just comes out when I don’t want it to. I try a different tactic to change the subject. “Since I’m actually out on a date with you and didn’t turn you down … I think I deserve to know a truth.”
“Ah. Should have seen that one coming.”
“I like to catch people off guard.”
“This is true.” He taps his fingers on the table and looks like he’s thinking of something to tell me. “I broke my arm snowboarding once.”
“Really?”
“Really. First time I went with a bunch of friends. I thought I was cool and wanted to show off, so I did a front flip off a jump and the next thing I knew, I was getting helped down the mountain by the ski patrol.”
Switching Gears Page 9