Chapter 11 Solana #2
I’m sure those three words felt light to others, but everything to me. It had been a long time since I’d felt those words were true. It seemed like Rose Haven brought back a confidence in humanity that I didn’t know was missing.
I couldn’t find the words, so I slipped onto the back of his bike. None were needed. I watched as he pulled on his helmet.
Something about this ride felt different from the others. His helmet was all black, thorns wrapping around it—barbed wire at first glance, but a rose was hidden in the design.
He swung his leg over and kicked the stand, steadying the bike beneath us. I pressed into his warmth, wrapping my arms around him, already bracing for the rush that only came from being on the back of his bike.
Slowly, he pulled away from the curb, then picked up his speed. This time going faster than he had the first few times I rode with him. We headed for the highway, this time around. I watched closely as he slipped in between the cars, smoothly for the next thirty minutes before taking the next exit.
We passed a sign that read Welcome to Hillsboro as we rode into what looked like a busier version of Rose Haven. My heart began to race at the thought that maybe—just maybe—tonight would be the night I was found. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to steady it.
The bike slowed beneath me, the shift in motion giving it away. Duke reached back, gripping my hand as he glanced over his shoulder.
“You alright? You need me to go slower?” he asked.
“I’m fine. Just nervous.”
“You don’t have to be. You’re safe anywhere you go with me, love.”
I rolled my eyes as if he could see me do it.
“Don’t be rolling you eyes under that helmet either.”
I giggled as he turned around to face the traffic, taking off just as the light turned green.
Only a few minutes passed before we made it to what looked to be a bar.
He pulled in and parked by the light post. Once he kicked down the brake stand, He stood then helped me down from the back of the bike.
“You ever been to The Row?” he asked, after taking his helmet off.
“Nope. I’m shocked you drove this far to go to another bar when you have one, too.”
He smirked and took my helmet from me to place into the storage on his bike.
“It wouldn’t have been much of a date if I took you to my place, now would it?” he asked.
“You got me there.” I giggled, and he reached out to take my hand.
We stayed like that as he led me to the front door, opening it so I could step inside first. My eyes widened, taking in all the color around me. This bar felt nothing like Duke’s—his carried an industrial edge, while this one leaned more into a laid-back, kickback kind of vibe.
They had string lights everywhere and there was a stage with a light focused on it. It had a few high-top tables throughout the place, with booths in the back. A bar was on our right as soon as we walked in.
Duke patted lower back to let me know to keep moving. A woman with pecan skin and a short, curly afro led us to a table off to the side. It was private, yet still allowing us to be in the midst of everything.
I slid into the booth as the host placed menus in front of us with a big smile. I could tell she appreciated the way Duke was looking, but she was a girl’s girl, so she didn’t do too much.
“You two know what you want to drink tonight?” she asked.
“I’ll take water. I don’t want to be drinking and I’m our own only means of getting back home. But you get whatever you want, love.” Duke spoke up, looking directly at me.
My brow lifted at him, calling me love again. Ever since he’d started calling me Sweets, he hadn’t used anything else—and hearing love now hit differently. I turned to face the host to give her my order.
“Can I get a ginger ale?” I asked.
She nodded with a smile, then walked away.
“You know you didn’t have to get that on my account.” He picked up the menu, then flipped it over and turned it to show me a picture of different drinks.
“You can get a flight. Ain’t that what y’all ladies like these days? Mimosas or margaritas?” he asked with a smirk before pulling a bag of Skittles from the inside of his jacket.
He poured a few into his hand and tossed them back. I leaned back in the chair and smiled.
“So I have questions.”
He placed his elbows on the table, then leaned forward.
“Let’s hear ‘em,” he responded.
“Why do you call me Love sometimes then other Sweets? oh and what’s up with you and Skittles? I feel like I always see you with them. I would like to assume they’re just your favorite candy, but something tells me it means more than that.”
Duke leaned back and folded up his skittles, then placed them back into the inside pocket of his jacket.
“First question, it’s whatever I feel at the moment. But you’re both, as long as you answer to them. Second question, it’s the one good thing my mother has ever done for me. Now enough about me. Tell me about you. You feel so damn mysterious to me.”
He had me lost for words. First, I hated that the only good thing he held of his mother was locked into a brand of candy. I mean, I wasn’t much better in the mom department, although she had never harmed me. We didn’t have enough time for me to take more than that book of recipes with me.
I cleared my throat, preparing to answer as the host came back to the table, placing my ginger ale in front of me and his bottle of water in front of him. Duke popped the cap and took a drink as he waited for me to respond.
I said a silent prayer that the correct words found me.
“Uh, let’s just say my previous life isn’t one worth harping on. I just wanted a fresh start and Rose Haven seems to be doing just that.”
Duke nodded. I knew he wanted to know more, but he also didn’t want to ruin the night.
“I can accept that for now.”
“Thank you. When I’m ready to tell you more, trust me, I won’t miss a detail.”