I tried not to let the surprise on Ian’s face when I said that get to me. He and Jake finally stopped staring at each other as Ian passed me the helmet. “You sure?”
“Do us both a favor,” I said quietly, and tugged the helmet on. “If I say it, I’m probably sure. So you don’t have to verify every statement in triplicate. Particularly when you’re going to decide what I need without consultation anyway.”
Definitely came out bitchy. His eyes shuttered, and then he tugged his own helmet on before throwing his leg over the bike. I waited until I had the strap in place before I climbed on behind him.
We really needed to go before my mother showed up. Wrapping my arms around Ian, I clasped them together over his abdomen. He touched my hands once. The clasping gesture settled some of the chaos bouncing in my system. As he accelerated toward the road, I was very aware of the yellow SUV following us. I was still in shorts. Maybe I should have changed into jeans, but I closed my eyes and focused on the breeze as we turned out.
For the first time, I was really glad the bike prevented us from talking. Not even the ride home from the party had felt this awkward.
What was I doing?
Was I being a real friend because I would rather preserve the relationship, even if it hurt to be rejected?
Was I being bitchy because I’d made some comments, and despite his protests, I didn’t really believe him?
Weren’t these the exact problems I’d feared when we started dating in the first place?
Around and around my thoughts raced. When Ian accelerated and the rush of warm wind hit my face, I sighed. There was a thrill on the back of this bike. I loved riding it.
Were we going to take the bike to Homecoming? The mental image of trying to climb on it in my dress and whatever heels I ended up getting—had I mentioned I wasn’t a fan of heels? But I’d get them. That dress needed the right kind of shoes, and Converse weren’t it.
Combat boots would be funny.
Oh—motorcycle boots. I bet I could pull that off.
Cheryl would have kittens. Rachel would laugh.
I didn’t think the guys would care.
I was still giggling when we turned into Archie’s driveway. The gate swung open. Someone had been watching for us, so we barely slowed before Ian skimmed around it. I was just climbing off the bike and still chortling to myself as Jake and Coop pulled up next to us.
Ian twisted to look at me while he shut off the bike. A grin twisted his lips. “What’s so funny?”
“I was thinking about going to Homecoming on the bike.”
His eyebrows climbed.
“Not a chance in a hell,” Jake called as he slammed the driver’s side door.
“Yeah, Frankie,” Coop said as he opened the backdoor to grab my bikini and both of our backpacks. “That dress leaves you far too bare for the bike. Seriously, not a good idea.”
Ian glanced at them, then back at me as I shrugged. “I dunno. It would be different,” I told him. “Then I thought about heels, and that I wobble in them anyway, so I could do motorcycle boots. It would be cute, right?”
The skeptical looks I got from two of them made me laugh harder, but it was Coop who shook his head. “Nope. I saw you in that dress. I want to see the rest of your legs. With the heels. It will be hot as hell.”
I rolled my eyes. “Buzzkill.”
“Not my fault you looked fantastic. Course, I liked you in that first one you put on, too.” He grinned. “We still need an excuse to go back and get that one.”
“Dream on,” I told him, and passed my helmet to Ian, who watched us with a bemused look before I grabbed my bikini and backpack.
“Oh,” Coop called as I headed for the front door. “I intend to.”
I’d barely lifted my hand to knock when Jeremy opened it. The man ran a tight ship, and he was actually one of my favorite people. “Hello, Miss Frankie. Mr. Coop. Do come in.”
“Hey, Jeremy,” I greeted him.
He smiled. “Mr. Archie is already out by the pool, he said for you to go up and use his room to change. The gentlemen can use the adjoining guest bedroom. Food is also waiting.”