Chapter Ten: Carnival Games
Bones
“I’m not so sure about this,” Harper said, biting her lower lip as she stared at the motorcycle.
I had called Gunner to take over for me at the casino and he’d brought along his Old Lady’s helmet for Harper to borrow. I held it out to her. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful,” I assured her. “You’ll have fun. There’s nothing like riding on a bike.”
She hesitated a moment longer.
I could see in her expression that she’d decided to do this, to get on despite her obvious misgivings. I didn’t want to lie and tell her it was perfectly safe. Accidents did happen, but I would try my damnedest to make sure she wasn’t involved in one. I’d been riding since I was a teenager and never been involved in an accident.
“Where will we go?” she asked, taking the full-face helmet and putting it on her head.
I helped her buckle the strap with practiced ease and thought about it for a moment. “It’s more about the ride than the destination,” I told her. “Let’s just get on and see where the bike takes us.”
Harper had just gotten off work, so it was early evening and the sun was starting its slow descent across the western sky. We probably only had about half an hour before it would be dark out.
I mounted my bike, waiting for Harper to climb on behind me. After a moment, I felt her hands on my shoulders, which she used to brace herself as she swung her leg over the motorcycle and settled behind me. Her warmth seeped into my back as she wrapped her arms around my waist, holding tightly even though I hadn’t started the bike yet, much less started to move. Her curves were pressed against me and her helmeted head pressed against on my shoulder blades.
In the past, I didn’t wear a helmet myself, not liking how they looked. They made me feel like an uptight nerd. But after Rider died in a motorcycle accident, I changed my mind about it. It was worth it to keep my head safe, even if I didn’t like the way it looked, and there was no way I’d ever allow Harper, or anyone, onto the back of my bike without one.
I really didn’t have a destination in mind as we left the parking garage next to the hotel. I headed east because I knew this road followed the ocean and the sunset would be breathtaking. I wanted Harper to see it.
The road was three lanes, so I easily weaved in and out of traffic, following the curve of the road as I rode.
Harper maintained her tight hold on me for a while, but little-by-little, she started to relax and even pointed to the beach as we passed a flock of seagulls swooping down and catching pieces of bread being thrown up into the air by easily amused tourists.
I could see her in the side mirror. As the sun went down over the water, I saw her peaceful face focused in that direction. The small smile she wore seemed like something reserved for moments of simple happiness, and I felt strangely honored to get to see it.
I reached the outskirts of Holbeck and I knew if I kept riding down this road, it would lead straight into Glenam, the next town over and the home of our rival club, Devil Riders. Going into another club’s territory while wearing my colors would be considered an act of disrespect and could even start a war. We already had tension between the two clubs because it was founded by the former sergeant-at-arms of Rebel Saints, who jumped ship when he found out about the club’s new direction after Rider passed away. He took half the club members with him. This had been a big part of the reason the Rebel Saints wasn’t quite the at-ease, happy group of men it usually was. We were still getting over that betrayal.
I turned the motorcycle north, heading further inland. There were some fun back roads in this area, full of twists and turns as they cut through the farmland. We ended up going by Wheelz, but I didn’t stop. Tonight, I wanted to be alone with Harper.
I hadn’t meant to ask her to come on a ride, not when I’d just decided a few days ago that I should leave her alone, but it was hard to stick to the conviction when I saw her in person. When she was grabbed by that creep of a man in the casino, a protective instinct flared to life inside of me. I blamed it for compelling me to make these plans. I was on a high from the adrenaline rush I got when I’d threatened the jerk.
The night felt nice and warm with a little humidity, but then again, there was always some lingering in the air here. The only sounds I could hear were the roar of the powerful engine beneath me and the wind blowing across the smooth surface of my helmet. My hands were starting to go numb from the continued vibrations of the bike, so I figured I could use a break. Struck with an idea, I turned back toward the beach, making my way across town to get to my destination.
When the boardwalk came into view, I felt Harper straighten behind me. Parking in the asphalt lot, right up to the edge of the sandy beach, I killed the engine and waited for Harper to get off.
Once she’d dismounted and pulled off her helmet, a huge grin stretched across her face. “That was awesome,” she said.
I got off the motorcycle after her and took both of our helmets, attaching the metal clasps to hooks located under my seat. “Have you been to the boardwalk?” I asked as I gestured to the bright lights and Ferris wheel ahead of us.
“Not yet. I drove by when I first arrived in town, but I haven’t made the time to check it out yet.”
Her answer came as no surprise. If I’d learned anything about Harper, it was that she spent most of her time working. “Well, now’s your chance,” I said, taking a hold of her hand and giving her arm a light tug to get her moving.
There were always people at the boardwalk, but it was particularly busy at this time of day. I wasn’t the only person who could appreciate a beautiful sunset.
Harper walked at my side along the wooden planks, interlocking our fingers instead of letting go of my hand.
I didn’t mind. She had the softest skin I’d ever touched.
We passed a caricature artist who was drawing a little girl with a skateboard on her lap. Across from this an arcade stood, full of kids, mostly young boys, who were feeding coins into the machines. We saw a man with a cart making pink and blue cotton candy, and another man dressed as a clown as he blew up balloons. I couldn’t imagine how hot he had to be under all those clothes and makeup.
“This is like a carnival?” Harper asked as she looked around.
I nodded. “Year-round. In fact, the Ferris wheel is kind of what the town is known for.”