Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
A lot had changed in our lives in the last twenty years. At times, it felt as if he was still the same boy I fell head over heels in love with.
A look.
A word.
A smile.
His scent.
His kiss.
His hands all over my body.
They were the same.
Only continuing to confuse me.
At least we were on civil speaking terms. I couldn’t keep up with the emotional highs and lows. The attraction for him was still there. There was no hiding from it, seeing it for what it was. I hated being the reason there was so much tension between us.
Which was why I started spending more time at the beach, away with my thoughts. I’d picture myself with a baby in my arms, showing them how to swim, walk, and talk. Then Tristian would appear in my fantasy, where we were happy, laughing, in love…
For a moment, our life seemed perfect. Not filled with all this complicated indecision of the future we might never have together. I never imagined I’d be living a life that appeared to be someone else’s. Day in and day out, I thought about Tristian.
Our baby.
Were they my family now?
The rumbling of a motorcycle pulled me away from my thoughts. I sat up and gazed behind me as I heard the bike get closer to me. Stepping into my white sneakers next, I stood and walked toward the street. There in front of my eyes, the past and present collided with such a force I found it hard to breathe.
Once Tristian noticed I was there, he leaned the street bike on the kickstand and took off his helmet. With an intense stare, he left me speechless. His gaze spoke volumes without having to say a word as he sat there on the bike. For the first time, I welcomed the way he was gazing at me. Almost like I was the same girl I was back then. As soon as his stare shifted to my hand that was still on my belly, I swear I saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Was he envisioning the same thing I was?
Breaking our trancelike state, I questioned, “Where did the street bike come from?”
He grinned. “I rented it for us. I thought I’d take my wife for a ride.”
I hid back a smile, moseying around the bike. “I’m not exactly dressed for riding.”
“Never stopped you before.”
“She’s a beauty.” I nodded, unable to stop the satisfied expression on my face. “A 2019 Kawasaki Z H2.”
He beamed, loving the fact that I was still obsessed with motorcycles.
“How many do you own these days?”
“Like forty,” he replied. “Give or take.”
“How often do you ride?”
“Not as much as I’d like to.”
“I bet the chicks go crazy for you when you’re taking them for a ride too.”
“No one has been on the back of any of my bikes, besides you.”
“You’re lying.”
“I don’t lie to you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m not going to pretend that seeing you on this bike doesn’t affect me.”
There was a permanent grin on his face. “Why do you think I rented it?”
“I see. So you want history to repeat itself?”
“If it involves you loving me again.”
“And how about you? Where do you stand on that?”
“I never stopped loving you, kitten.”
Did he just say he loved me?
“Come for a ride with me.”
With a smartass expression, I folded my arms over my chest. “How about you come for a ride with me?”
He arched an eyebrow. “With you?”
“Oh, yes. This girl can ride now too.”
“No shit?”
“I learned in college.”
“Do I need to pay your instructor a little visit?”
“He’s married with three kids.”
“Good. I didn’t want to have to kill him.”
I shook my head, giggling.
“I miss that laugh, kitten. You remember how much you used to laugh for me?”
“Amongst other things.”
“All bad?”
“Some good. Great, actually.”
“How many bikes do you own now?”
“About a handful.”
He got off the bike. “Alright, Belle Hawkins. Show me what you got.”
Grabbing the extra helmet from his hands, I put it on while I jumped on the seat. Kicking the stand, I hit the accelerator and brakes at the same time, causing the front tire to pop straight up into a perfect wheelie. I didn’t have to look over at him to know he was standing tall and proud. Not wanting to lose any momentum, I displayed all the tricks I knew like the back of my hand. Sliding the bike toward him was my last performance, and I stopped inches away from his feet.
He instantly started clapping. “Kitten, I’m impressed.”
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love hearing him say that to me. Truth was, I wanted to impress him. Anytime I’d ride around town, I’d think of him.
Even though I didn’t want to.
Even though I fought it.
Even though I hated him.
He was always there with me.
I had to remind myself he wasn’t the guy I thought he was, the one I wholeheartedly believed I knew. I shook away the hurt, wanting to stay in the moment with him this time.