Her face pales and darkness encroaches in her eyes. “Do. Not. Call. Me. That. Ever.”
I step into her space. “It wasn’t my intention to upset you.” I read the file Screech got for me. I know what the name means. I just didn’t think it would evoke this response.
I know her sister was her best friend, so I was trying to bring back the happy parts of her past. She can’t leave it all tucked away as bad. If that was the case, her sister’s life would be a waste, and no life is worthless. It took time for me to learn that.
Even though my dad is gone, he taught me more in his lifetime than some people ever get from their father’s. Rather than be bitter for the loss, I try to be strong for my mother and brother like he would if he were here. I want her to see that, if Suzie were here, she would still want Desirae to find the sunshine. I just need her to see it.
Her eyes soften. “That’s my sister’s nickname.”
“Talk to me.” I reach out and cup her chin.
“Hammer, let it go.” She tries to pull away from me, obviously using my road name again to try to put emotional distance between us since I won’t let her put physical distance there.
I cage her in against the kitchen counter. “I don’t wanna.” It’s time to man up and give her what I gave her in the dark of night. “You wanna heal me, Desirae.”
I see the recognition in her eyes. She heard me. Well, good, now she’s going to see me as I lay it out to her, eye to eye.
“You wanna heal my broken body, Desirae. I wanna heal your broken soul. I can’t give you your sister back, but I can show you how to live again. We both died a little inside, and together, we can learn to live again.”
She blinks and swallows hard.
An idea hits me. It may not be smart, but it’s what I have in the moment.
“Ride with me?”
Her eyes go wide. “On a motorcycle?”
“Yeah, my legs and hips can handle the vibrations for a short ride. You know not to wiggle. We won’t go long. We can escape together. It’ll be me, you, and the open road.”
Knowing this is crazy and dangerous, she still somehow manages to nod her head.
I drop a quick kiss to her lips then back away so we both can go put on jeans and boots. Then we head out to the elevator where I take her hand in mine, and she doesn’t fight me. I will take this as a win. We are getting somewhere, and we are getting there together.
I remember when I took the stairs every day, and now I can’t imagine making the five flights without being in pain by the end.
The sunlight hits as soon as we exit the building, and there sits my one and only woman, my Harley. I trace my finger over her every curve as I visually inspect the machine. She is black and orange with a custom paint job of a Hammer on the gas tank.
Hopping on, I wave Desirae on behind me. She climbs on like a professional and settles in behind me. Leaning in, I feel her breath on my neck.
“Helmet?”
I smile as I crank the engine and let it come to life under us. “Florida, baby; no helmet law.”
She wraps her arms around me tightly. “You do like to live dangerously, don’t you?”
I laugh. “You have no idea.”
Backing out, I let my hips settle into the seat, molding into the bike. We make the slow ride out of the complex and hit the road. Then I twist the throttle and relax as the wind hits my face, and Desirae holds me with her laughter in my ear.
In my entire life, I have never felt more alive and free than I do in this very moment with her. For the first time since my father died, I can see myself having what he once had with my mom. For years, I walked the edge, not caring if I lived to see another day. I was a soldier. I was trained, did what was commanded, and sent money home. I didn’t live. Sure, I had fun along the way, but I never had my own reason for anything … until the curly-haired, feisty physical therapist came into my life.
I know the ride can’t be too long without putting her in danger, so I choose the roads that will take us in a slow loop with a view of the beach along the way. I hope the view will give Des some of the peace she desperately needs.
We move as one as the beach comes into view, and I hear her gasp. Something tells me this was just what she needed.