“Whoa,” Seren said and laughed. “You’re going to kill my buzz with all of those questions.”
I reined in my enthusiasm a bit. “Sorry. I find it all fascinating.”
She stared off into the distance. “It’s not at all fascinating. It’s better than waiting around to die.”
Brody stepped forward and put down a water next to her, before squeezing her shoulders. “You promised us no more of that kind of talk. You’re in remission.”
“I am. So why are you trying to get me to drink this?” she teased, and he let go of her and lifted the glass of water to her lips. “Drink”
She took a timid sip and said. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“Stop calling me that,” he said, but a crease appeared on his cheek.
I didn’t know what to make of it all. So I cocked a brow when she looked over at me.
“He’s not really. He sometimes acts like my dad. He got sick of me calling him ‘Daddy.’ It got all kinds of crazy looks at Disney World,” she said and giggled.
“Did you start in Florida?” I asked.
She nodded and drank more water.
“Where do you plan to end your journey?” I asked.
“I don’t know. We’ll ride until it stops being fun,” Seren said. “Or when Cole returns from Afghanistan.”
“He’ll want to keep it going for you,” Brody said to her, and she gave a little nod. “Brody here is filling in for Cole.”
“I’m not only filling in, Seren,” he interjected.
“Yeah. You’re taking pictures too,” she added.
“With what?” I asked.
“Cellphone,” he replied.
I waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. “That’s it? Why not a video camera and post it on the internet. People can follow along with your travels.”
“Our trip is for ourselves and our family. We’re not worried about the rest of the world,” Brody replied. Seren nodded in agreement.
“Oh,” I said, halting the wheels turning in my brain. “Where are you headed next?”
“After I kiss you, up on stage. Then tomorrow morning to meet some Patriots at Gillette Stadium,” Seren responded.
I was still thinking over all she’d shared but stopped when I noticed they both were staring at me.
“She won’t kiss you,” Brody said as he turned to me, “You don’t have to.”
It didn’t register right away, but suddenly Seren’s mouth was clamped to mine. I saw Brody ready to stop it, but I wrapped my arms around her small waist and gave in to the kiss—until she slipped her tongue into my mouth. I didn’t stop though, and cheers and catcalls exploded around us. She broke it off and grabbed my hand, and we did a silly bow.
“How was the kiss?” he asked Seren though he was looking directly at me.
“Oh, it was better than you could ever imagine,” Seren bragged to him.
“Maybe I won’t have to just imagine. Eh, Piper?” Brody purred running his tongue over his full lips.
My eyes greedily followed.
He lifted a brow, and a wide grin spread across his face making his dimples make an appearance again.
I shifted my eyes away from him and felt warmth on my cheeks. He had me blushing and actually hoping he’d make a move, but he didn’t. And that added more heat to my skin. I didn’t want him to think I was disappointed. So to salvage my pride, I pushed my hair off my shoulder and lifted my chin. “I’m done with kissing, at least for the night, anyway.” I drained the rest of my glass. “I enjoyed that kiss, though.”
“I like you, Goldie,” Seren laughed hardily and hit my back.
I gave her a pained look. “Piper. Call me Piper.’
“Alright, Hot Lips—I mean Piper,” she said. I met her wide grin; before she bounded off toward the front of the room and the stage.
“You’re full of surprises,” Brody said, giving me a sultry look that heated me up inside. Damn him.
I dropped my chin. I surprised myself too.
“There you are. You all right?”
Jorge stepped forward with Nora flanking him.
“You, Taylor, and Faith were gone from the table when we came back. I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?” He eyed Brody.
“Getting attacked,” Brody said stepping closer to me and placing his hand on the small of my back.
“It was Taylor,” I said, frowning.
Jorge jaw clenched. “Tell me you kicked his ass?”
“You know me. I’m all right, but Brody helped me out, too,” I said, glancing at him. His eyes were cold and freezing on Jorge.
“Doesn’t matter if she could help herself. She was lucky it didn’t go bad. You should keep an eye on her,” Brody argued.
“You don’t know me or her, so don’t tell me how it should be,” Jorge spat.
I stepped away from Brody, who didn’t stop me. “It was Taylor who shouldn’t have done it. And I don’t need a babysitter,” I affirmed, crossing my arms.
“Maybe not,” Brody said and stepped close to me. I froze in place. His eyes bore into mine. “But I’m glad I was there to help you out, anyway. Take care of yourself and be careful, Sprite,” he said and walked off toward the stage.
“Wait,” I said softly and took steps toward him, but I felt Jorge tug my arm. “What’s going on?”
“We . . . I was going up to watch Seren’s performance on the stage,” I said.
“We can go, too.” Nora said and stepped up next to Jorge. She was the only one of us smiling now.
“What’s going on?” Jorge asked again.
I shrugged. “I’m going to talk to Brody, and I’d like to record Seren. They are doing a cross-country bucket list.” I wanted to say more, but from his expression, I could tell he wasn’t even listening. I moved my arm. “You and Nora are having fun, and so am I.”
I took out my phone and walked off, but I knew Jorge was following me with Nora. I stopped next to Brody, who had his cellphone out. Seren took the stage and stood next to the lead singer. He took down the microphone. “Now this little lady is going to sing along with us.”
“What are you doing?” Brody asked me.
“I’m recording Seren,” I replied.
“You don’t even know her,” he said dully.
“I like her story, and I like the Biker Babes’ bucket list. I’d like to know more. Can anyone come along on your journey?” I asked.
He turned his head. That got his full attention. “What? You hear a little about it and now you want to come along?” He let out a chuckle, then pressed his lips together once he saw I wasn’t joking.
“Yes, I do. I could record everything and set up a blog, Tumblr, Instagram, everything for the Biker Babes. I have contacts who could make a nice design,” I pitched.
I opened my mouth to say more, but then Seren started to sing Evanescence’s, “Bring Me to Life.” I was transfixed. Seren’s voice was as complimentary to the song as the original, and I found myself swaying along, bumping against Jorge, who had crept up close behind me. “She’s amazing,” I said to both of them as I continued to record her.
“Yes, she is,” Brody responded.
I glanced over at him and noticed he was staring off into space.
“She’s in remission, right?” I asked in a gentle tone.
“Yes,” he paused and said. “Thanks for being a good sport back there.”
I gazed at him until he came back from wherever he had gone. His skin pulled taut over the elegant ridge of his cheekbones. He was downright beautiful.
I cleared my throat. “Maybe Seren would let me tag along to learn more.”
“Listen, you seem nice, but we’re not your school project. We’re not interested in all that social media junk. This is about loss, life, and experience. These women have been through a lot and are out to have fun,” he said.
“I can have fun too,” I countered.
He gave me an incredulous look. “We are on bikes. Do you have a bike?”
I took a deep breath. He had me there, but I wasn’t ready to give up. “No. But I could rent a car.”
He looked away dismissively. I tried again. “I’ve ridden on the back of a bike many times with my father and his friends.”
That got his attention back to me. “Your father had a bike?” he asked.
“Yes. He had a 1940 Harley Knucklehead. It’s in Los Gatos at my Aunt’s farm,” I said. “It’s mine now, and you can have it if you give me a chance to come along and archive your journey.”
He frowned. “You’d give away your father’s ride to come across the country with strangers? You’re crazy.”
I was, but he was still talking. “It doesn’t run, and it’s collecting dust in the garage. I know that much. He would be happy to have it go to someone who appreciates it. I don’t see myself riding it. It’s a shame for it to go to waste,” I asserted.
“Maybe, but I’d never take his bike. There are no fancy, five-star hotels, and we may be going to places that are much worse than what you’ve already experienced here,” he said, running his hand through his hair and making me go cross-eyed again. I needed to focus, or I’d lose this opportunity. “How about this. Give me a week. If I can’t pull my weight, dump me.”
“You’d have to ride, on a bike for a part of it, which means one of us would have to have you on the back of ours. That’s not pulling your weight,” he disagreed.
It was sound logic, but I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I didn’t want to be underestimated. I wanted to be given a chance. And from what I got from our conversation, he wasn’t the only one calling the shots in the Biker Babes’ group.
My eyes shifted to Seren walking off the stage, and I immediately rushed over to her, leaned over her ear, and spoke quickly. “I’d like to come along on your trip and work on my own bucket list. I don’t have a bike, but I’ve ridden on my dad’s. If you let me come along, I’d like to record your journey—maybe make some films. I have a video camera and a bunch of stuff to record with. Give me a chance for a week, what do you think?” I sucked in air.
She laughed. “Sure, Piper. I think the other Babes would love to have someone wanting to help them record stuff. But we are leaving Boston tomorrow, so you’ll need to get packed up tonight. You can store stuff in Doc and Fiona’s caravan. You can carry a backpack on Brody’s bike.”
“She’s not riding on my bike and she’s not coming,” Brody said, glaring at me. “I’m serious.”
Seren jutted her chin. “So am I. I like her ideas. Hell, she can ride on the back of mine.”
“No, she can’t,” Brody protested.
“She won’t,” Jorge said stepping closer to us.
Seren took my arm, and we took off in a rush through the bar, all the way outside and into the alley. “Give me your phone number and be at Gillette Stadium at noon tomorrow. I’ll talk to Brody. He can handle a week. You do have a bucket list?”
“I don’t, but I will make one tonight,” I assured.
She took my phone and typed in her number. “I was getting weary, but having you on this trip will make it fun. I hope you do come along.”
I gave her my number to type in her phone number right before Jorge and Brody caught up with us. Seren ran over to Brody, who was giving me all kinds of dirty looks. My best friend was giving me the same.
“Are you drunk or insane?” Jorge asked. His tone was harsh.
I met his eyes. “A little, but that has nothing to do with this.”
“What is this?” Jorge asked. “What are you doing?”
I didn’t know how to answer. I looked over Jorge’s shoulder at Brody. I could see this wasn’t going to be easy. But all I knew was this was more than an opportunity. This was my chance, and I was seizing it.
I CUT MY GAZE AWAY from Piper, who was giving me “puppy-left-in-the-rain” eyes. They were making me feel bad. But why should I feel bad? She was the one butting in on our trip.
“Give me one good reason, why you don’t want her to come,” Seren said, grinning at me like some demented cat.
“Because I told her no and she runs over and asks you. She’s already starting trouble between us.” That had her closing her mouth for a minute and me touching my chest for that stale cigarette. Fuck.
“Seven measly days on the road . . . recording us and making a website for free. I don’t see how that’s a problem,” she pointed out.
“We don’t even know her,” I objected.
“One, we know she’s old enough to get into a bar, and two, we know she can handle herself. She proved as much to you tonight,” Seren said, using her fingers to add it up for emphasis. “Three, we’ve had plenty of bikers ride along with us on the road—”
“They had their own rides, and they didn’t stay with us. She’s going to need looking after,” I said. I couldn’t keep myself from meeting Piper’s big eyes once again. I felt a ripple right down to my cock. She was a beauty.
I chewed on my bottom lip and put my hands on my hips. “She worked some voodoo with that kiss,” I half joked.
“Yeah, she did,” Seren said with snark. “Try it. We all know you want to. That’s why you’re mad.”
I pushed my hair off my forehead. She was right. Kissing her was a start, but I had other ideas going through my head. Many places I’d use my lips and command hers. Seren knew me well enough that I wasn’t going there and trying to push me was her way of avoiding things. So I called her out on it.
“Serendipity. Stop this. You already know this trip isn’t only about the bucket list. It was our chance to get to know each other. I’m here for you, just as I promised Cole.”
“You and Cole think you have it all figured out and that I don’t get a say in anything,” Seren said, folding her arms.
“But you agreed to try. Cole is over there fighting, and he doesn’t want you alone.” I tried to meet her eyes, but she avoided them by letting that pink hair fall over her face.
“I know,” she said. “But I still want her to come along. I just have a good feeling. If you’re interested in Piper, that’s fine with me.”
“She probably doesn’t even know how to camp,” I said feebly, as I glanced over at Piper. She was looking distressed now, and that made me feel guilty and want to go over and comfort her. She was already complicating things.
“Why not try to find out?” Seren said. “Go; take her for a ride.”
I looked at her for the rest of the joke but saw she was serious. “Talk it out, but think about her offer and what it could mean for the group before you turn her down again,” Seren said, fluffing her pink hair. “Now, I’m going over to get Pretty Boy to buy me a drink,” she sauntered over to where Piper stood with her friend before I could stop her.
“Hey, handsome. Come and buy a nice sick lady a drink,” Seren said to him. He looked at her like he wanted to say no, but also like didn’t want to come across as a dick. Too late for that.
“I’d like to talk to Piper. We’ll ride and come back,” I said forcing myself not to look at her.
“I’m not letting her leave with a stranger,” the guy with Piper said.
“Jorge this is Brody and Seren,” she replied gesturing at us.
“Nice try,” he replied.
“But you had no problem leaving her earlier when she got attacked,” I said to him. It wasn’t fair, but he shut his mouth. Good.
“I’m not going anywhere with him,” Piper said, and that had me looking at her.
She had her head tilted up, and her lips poked out. She looked hot but defiant.
“Why not?” I asked.
“Because you look like you want to eat me,” Piper said and covered her mouth.
Seren laughed.
I couldn’t deny that—or the blood rushing to my dick that had me hard as fuck just thinking about eating her. But that wasn’t what she looked worried about. “The thought never crossed my mind,” I lied. My eyes wandered over her body; her curves were all in the right places. “All I want to do is discus
s the trip. If you can’t handle talking to me, you can’t handle coming along.”
Her face turned red enough to see in the lights around the bar. “I can. My apologies for insinuating. . . .” She cleared her throat. “I won’t let that happen again.”
I felt a sharp slap on my arm from Seren. “Stop acting like an asshole,” she jeered.
I had no comeback. I was being an asshole. I felt bad for embarrassing her. “Apologies.”
“That’s better,” Seren said grinning at me.
“I’m going home,” Piper announced to all of us.
“I’ll take you,” Jorge said. He didn’t look upset now that I was on the outs.
Piper shook her head. “I’ll take the ride home from Brody.
Now that surprised me.
“Nice meeting you, Seren,” she said sweetly.
“I expect to see you tomorrow,” Seren said giving me a pleading look.
I gave her my ‘I’m still checking her out whether you like it or not’ look. And she caught it.
Seren resigned and linked her arm with Jorge. “Come on. I’ll give you our contact information. I promise he’s not a killer.”
“I’ll call you when I get home,” Piper told him, and I left them fighting it out.
“I’ll be back in a sec,” I went back to the bar, got my leather jacket and came back out expecting to find her friend Jorge with her. But instead, I found her laughing at the door with the bouncer who was chatting her up. She was beautiful all the time, but when she laughed, she was stunning. I walked up to her, and her laughter stopped. I felt my stomach drop. I deserved that and wanted to fix it. “I didn’t mean what I said—”
“You most certainly did,” she said cutting me off. “I apologize for getting Seren involved. I really wanted . . . want, to come and record their stories.”
She still wanted to come along for the ride and the trip. A part of me was relieved though I still wasn’t sure about allowing her to come with us. That didn’t stop me from nodding and motioning for her to follow me.
She shook the bouncer’s hand, and the prick had the nerve to slip her his number right in front of me! I was shredding that the second I got back in good books with her. I didn’t know why I cared, but yeah. I wanted to get in good. I wanted to get one of those smiles for me. The air was chillier than the bar, and I had us picking up the pace as we made it down the few blocks where I’d locked up my bike in a lot. I saw she was shivering and held out my jacket.
Piper Dreams: Dream it, Seize it, Live it. (Dreams Series Book 1) Page 6