“Look at me, really look at me. This is not the face of a man who has had an easy life. This is the face of a man whoknows hardship. Who knows what it’s like to bleed, to feel pain. There is no way I would ever want that kind of life for you.”
“So, why are you here now?” she asked.
“Because I keep trying to stay away. I know I’m not good for you. I know deep in my fucking soul, if I even still have one, that you need a good man. A kind man, and I’m not it, but I … I would like to walk you home. Every single night. That is all I can offer you.”
She stared at him for the longest time.
Tank was scarred. She didn’t care about that. There was no doubt that he was scary, dangerous, and could probably kill men with his bare hands, but again, she didn’t care.
Bell didn’t know exactly what it was, but she enjoyed being around him. She should send him away, because already, Tank was putting boundaries on their relationship, no, friendship, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
“Then I guess we have a deal,” Bell said.
“Do you want to climb on the back? I’ll drive you home.”
She shook her head. “Hell no. If hanging out with you is so dangerous, then I am not getting on that death trap again.” Even though she did enjoy it the first and last time, the only time she was on a bike.
Boundaries had to be set, and she was making sure to set some.
Nodding at the road ahead, she started to walk.
“So your friend is no longer picking you up?” Tank asked.
“I told her to stop.” Bell cringed.
“You did?”
There was no point in lying. “Yeah, I told her this guy was randomly meeting up with me, so she didn’t need to worry anymore.” Not that her friend ever did worry. Half the time, she failed to come and pick her up.
“You’re just rubbing it in how bad I was, aren’t you?”
“Not at all.” She chuckled. “Only stating the truth.” She shrugged. “The same day you decided you were too good for me.”
“I’m not, Bell. You’re too good for me.”
“Let’s just drop it, okay? We’re … friends, kind of. Strictly friends.” She pressed her palms together and locked her fingers. “So, how does this work exactly? How do I be a friend to a scary biker?”
“You think I’m scary?”
“Nope, but I’m trying to appeal to your image with the whole leather cut. Also, the last time you came into the diner, you pushed your chest out.” She thrust her chest out, holding her arms wide to her sides, attempting to portray him as macho.
“You’re lying.”
“Am not. If we could afford security cameras, I would’ve totally shown you.”
He chuckled. “We’re like any ordinary friends.”
“So I can ask you about your day?” She nudged his shoulder and smiled at him.
“Yeah, you can. Not a whole lot has happened. Got back from a ride. Talked shop. The end.”
Bell laughed. “You think that is talking about your day?”
“What about your day?” he asked.
“Today was a boring day. I woke up at eight, had coffee, and breakfast was some toast. My bread had mold on it, so it was gross. After spitting it out, and attempting to wash my mouth out with toothpaste, I went for a walk to grab the morning paper.”
“You read the morning paper?” Tank asked.