I slow down a bit to glance behind me, to see if they’re following. Sure enough, the headlights lightly peer through the backwoods. I’m not going to make this easy on them. They want to see wild Tessa? They’ll see wild Tessa. I speed up and head toward a section of the path less marked and easier for Allie and me to hide.
Something in me wishes Jackson was here to play this little game. He wanted to play more games and find adventures. We get far enough away that I drift us and reverse back even farther into the woods before quickly shutting the engine and lights off. I give myself a brief moment to look at the sky full of stars, watching the twinkle of them overhead. I remember one more thing, turning my ringer off my phone. I’ve watched enough horror films to turn it off. I glance at my phone and see some angry text messages.
Leif Erickson:I swear to Jesus, if you don’t get your ass back to the bonfire, it’ll be more than your ass being punished.
Leif Erickson:Tessa. I will fucking duct tape you to a chair.
Brittany:Hehe, keep going babe. Don’t make it easy on them.
Family is sometimes the worst influence.
Leif Erikson:Teresa Saoirse, you wanted my temper? Might want to keep your doors locked. You want an asshole? You got it.
Michelle:Just let me know you’re okay.
I send her back an emoji.
I hear the motors and the lights of the other bikes getting closer and closer. I push a finger to my lips to tell Allie to stay quiet. She does it back to me. Good job sweet girl. You’ll give your daddy a run for this money one day.
The sounds are within yards of us, and if I calculated it right, they’ll breeze right past us with their speed. A few moments go by, and the sounds disappear further into the woods. I give it a few extra moments before I get Allie and I back on the wheeler.
Suckers. I start the engine back up. “Alright Allie-cat, I think I gave you enough fun for the night. Let’s get back and we can make smores.” I kiss her little cheek and we ride at a slower pace than our original speed, giving us the chance to enjoy more of the ride. Allie kicks her legs against the wheeler, as if riding a horse, to “giddy up.” God bless the man she marries.
The edge of the trail is getting closer, and I can see the illumination of the bonfire. I see everyone standing, and I can’t help but smile.
Checkmate, Jackson.
I park the wheeler in the open space around the fire and turn it off. I set Allie down as she runs into Michelle’s arms, recounting the story of how we hid from the boys. I glide into an empty seat next to Brittany as she hands me my drink.
“Was it worth it?” she asks.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” I take a big swig of my drink, pulling out my phone to send Jackson a message back.
Me:I’m safe. Not a scratch on me, you big oaf.
Matthew glares at me through the fire, shaking his head. “At least you kept her safe. I can’t say the same for you, though. I’d tell you to run, but apparently, you’d like that too much. ”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. Did Jackson tell everyone about what we did in the woods that day?
“What fun is the chase if you make it easy?” Matthew laughs, and I’m glad I have at least one person on my side. The music continues to blare through the speakers until the rumble of Sparky and Keola arrives through the trees. A small snicker escapes me. They park the wheelers, and I can see the death in both their glares. Keola marches over to stand in front of me.
“Can I help you there, buddy?” I sip my drink again .
“You stupid woman,you have a death wish. If you don’t die by the people after you, you will by Jackson”
I scoff. “If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m not afraid of him. You may be, but I’m not. Look, if you lived the life I’ve lived, you’d understand that this is an accomplishment, not an act of disobedience. Now, sit your ass down and enjoy the rest of the night.” I stand to face him. Just like Jackson, Keola has height on me and I refuse to back down. It is a stare down.
“I’ll take care of Keola,” Brittany exclaims from her seat.
“No, no, it’s fine. He’s too afraid of the consequences to lay a hand on me.”
Keola rolls his eyes. “You’re lucky he’s claimed you. Don’t fuck with me.”
My eyes grow wide, Keola’s words settling in the pit of my stomach. His? Claim? I’ve only known Jackson a few weeks. Yet, the thought is both unsettling and calming.
Leif Erickson:I will see you soon, Teresa.
No Little Cub, no darlin’. A slight spark of regret might be settling in. I brush it off. I’m surrounded by people who love me, and I have rum. If I drink too much, I’ll just make Sparky or Matthew take us home. There’s too much tension, and, while I don’t think Keola is a bad person, he doesn’t think too highly of me. I’d rather keep my distance.