16. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Nate
T he nervous knock on my front door tells me who’s there. I swing it open and take her in, dressed unusually in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. The jeans are embroidered with flowers and the shirt is a deep purple, so she’s still vibrant. She’s pulled her wild hair back into a soft ponytail, showing off the worried look on her face.
“Are you sure I didn’t need to bring anything?” she asks.
I chuckle as I lead her inside.
“Even a bag of chips or something?”
“No, Adalie. You don’t need to bring anything. Looks like you did, though.” I gesture to the bag she has with her.
“Oh, this is a change of clothes for after. I don’t really like wearing pants.”
I almost trip over my own damn feet at an image of Adalie, pants less, those legs wrapped around me. Fuck my life.
We’ve talked on the phone every night since Monday. The more I talk to her, the more I want to talk to her. I’d originally believed we could never work for a few reasons, a big one being because we’re too different. But as I get to know her, I find myself admiring her kindness and strength. Which makes me want her even more.
I clear my throat. “I brought the helmet and jacket here that you borrowed last time instead of putting them back in storage at Hops Scotch. They’re in my bedroom.”
Adalie follows me, stopping in the doorway to my room. When I turn back to her with the riding gear, she’s looking at my bed. Maybe we don’t have to go on a ride today. Maybe I’ll tell Taylor I’m not feeling great and let him go without me.
Then I firmly remind myself, as much as I like her, as much as I want her, she’s still my daughter’s friend. A relationship between us would be dangerous and could hurt Dani if it doesn’t work out and my track record with relationships proves it probably won’t. It isn’t just how different we are that made me think it wouldn’t work. It’s that I suck at relationships of all kinds. I’ve always found it difficult to connect with people, leading me to a life as a bit of a loner.
She takes the jacket and helmet, and we go outside where Taylor has already uncovered the bikes.
“Hey, Adalie,” he says. “You ready for this? It’s going to be quite a long ride.”
“I’m actually kind of excited,” she says, proving it with the sparkle in her eyes and the only slightly nervous smile on her face. “It was so fun riding with Nate last time. I’ve wanted to do it again ever since.”
I go to my bike, maneuvering it around so I can walk it out of the yard, trying not to think too hard about that first ride with Adalie and how she’d kissed me, how I’d kissed her back.
We’ve just about reached the road when the rumble of three motorcycles comes toward us. Zach, Mace, and Doug stop in front of my house, each one pulling up and removing their helmets, but not turning off the engines or getting off the bikes.
“You guys ready?” Mace calls.
“Almost,” Taylor says, parking his bike and returning to help me. Or, more specifically, to help Adalie.
“The wives aren’t coming?” she asks, shrugging into the jacket and zipping it up. It’s a bit too big for her and covers up all that purple, but at least this time, her jeans still look like her.
“They’re probably together,” I say. “They’ll be over later.”
She tugs on a pair of gloves I’d also loaned her and puts on the helmet. Taylor stands next to her as she climbs on behind me, reminding her where to keep her feet.
Then he taps her helmet. “You’re already a pro. You’re not going to need me anymore,” he says before going to his own bike and climbing on.
We start our engines, and the five motorcycles roll out of the neighbourhood. It takes a little while, riding through the back roads, until we get onto the highway and really open up. As soon as I accelerate, Adalie’s grip on me tightens, but she doesn’t pull and settles quickly.
We make our way through North Vancouver, the city on either side of the highway until it falls away, showing off mountains on our right and the sparkling water of Howe Sound on our left. I don’t care so much about the scenery, but I can see the beauty of it. I like this ride mostly because there’s not a lot of traffic and we cruise without needing to slow or stop. Doug rides in front with Mace behind him. I’m in the middle, Taylor and Zach bringing up the rear.
As we make our way up the Sea-to-Sky, I find myself wondering what Adalie thinks about what she sees. Is she more interested in the water or the mountains? Has she ever been to the Mine Museum in Britannia Beach? Did she notice the people rock-climbing on the face of The Chief?
When we pull into the McDonald’s parking lot in Squamish, I have a million things I want to ask her, but when she hops off and removes the helmet, I forget every one of them at the sight of her grin and the excitement in her eyes. I find myself grinning back, hoping she gets carried away again.
She doesn’t, hugging me tight when I’ve also gotten off the bike, but not kissing me.
“That was so much fun,” she says, backing away.
Everyone else has parked, Zach and Taylor heading inside to buy milkshakes.
“I completely understand why you love it,” Adalie says, unzipping her jacket and pulling off the gloves. It’s a pretty warm day for April, but not too hot. Perfect weather for riding. “It feels like flying. And you can’t talk to anyone, so you get to sit with the scenery and the sound of the motorcycles. It’s like meditation. But you still have the camaraderie of the people around you.” She wraps her arms around her middle, bouncing on the balls of her feet, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she looks at me. “I especially understand why you like it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, but I’m smiling as well.
“You don’t like to talk,” she says.
Doug and Mace laugh at that. Doug claps me on the shoulder. “How does it feel to be called out?”
But I don’t mind. Especially not when she’s looking at me like we share a secret. Like she knows I don’t talk much, but I’ve been talking to her , more than I’ve ever talked to anyone before.
Taylor and Zach return with the drinks, handing them out.
“Strawberry, right, Adalie?” Taylor asks.
She takes it gratefully and we all find seats around the outdoor tables, chatting. Adalie sits next to me, our thighs touching. She chimes into the conversation a few times, but I say nothing, just enjoying her presence. When we’re done and get back on our bikes, Adalie climbs on behind me without any help, relaxed, her hands on my waist. I love how confident she is already. She’s an excellent passenger, shifting her weight with me when I turn, not fidgeting while we ride.
When we return to my house, I ask her about it and her face flushes. “I did a bit of research this week. On how to be a good passenger.” She shrugs, following me into the backyard. “And I trust you. You make it easy.”
I park my bike and turn to her, wanting to drag her into my arms, steal that kiss I’ve been craving all day. But then Taylor comes into the backyard with his bike and Adalie retreats inside to change.
Zach comes into the yard next. Mace and Doug have gone home to get Raine and Patricia, and will be back soon. When Adalie returns, she’s wearing a breezy cream-coloured dress with a bunch of pale flowers in blue, yellow, red, and purple. She grins at us.
“I put my bathing suit on underneath so I can go in the hot tub this time. But I’m not going in alone.”
Taylor laughs as he turns on some music. “I’ll go in with you later, Adalie,” he says.
I scowl, wanting to tell him if anyone’s going into the hot tub with Adalie, it’ll be me. Which is ridiculous, since no one would stop me. It’s technically mine, after all.
We get out a few snacks, I get everyone beers. Adalie accepts a sour I finished at my home brew a few days ago. It’s only after she has a cup in her hand that I realize I brewed it for her. I don’t care about her not liking stouts, especially now that we’ve talked about what kinds of beer she does like. And with summer starting, I’ve already come up with a few new lighter brews I hope Adalie will like.
Mace and Doug return, and Adalie’s friends arrive. When she gets a text, she doesn’t interrupt the conversation and goes out to the front yard, coming back, laughing at something one of her friends has said.
I recognize the woman next to Adalie as Lis, the chef at Blue Vista. A step behind is Spencer and Vic. Spencer is carrying a cooler bag which Lis takes from him and hands to me.
“Adalie told me you said not to bring anything, but…” She rolls her eyes. “Please. You can’t ask a chef not to cook.”
I take the bag.
“There’s a pasta salad, a potato salad, and some antipasto with tortilla chips.”
I raise an eyebrow. “How much food do you think we need?”
She shrugs. “If you don’t have leftovers, someone might have left the party hungry.”
Taylor laughs and takes the bag from me. “Thanks, Lis. Nate. Get these people a drink.”
I do as I’m told while Taylor introduces everyone. When I return, Adalie has disappeared again. She comes into the backyard, her arm linked with a pretty brunette I’ve met a couple times, and Derek walking behind, carrying another bag.
Adalie smiles at me. “I told them you said not to bring anything. No one listens. You remember Ava? From the night you guys signed the contract.”
I nod and shake her hand and then Derek’s.
“Nate was also the first person we told we were engaged,” Derek says.
I remember the day I’d met Derek. I hadn’t realized no one else knew they were engaged when he told me.
After introductions are complete and everyone has a drink, Derek and Spencer draw me into a conversation about beer. As we chat, I can’t seem to take my eyes off Adalie. She’s bright and happy, laughing easily when people talk to her. Every once in a while, she glances at me and catches me staring.
Vic comes over and the conversation turns to summer plans.
Adalie gets a little louder, a little gigglier, a little more pink. She and Lis start dancing to the music, and Patricia joins in. I’m enthralled by the way she moves, even though I can tell she’s tipsy.
“She really is a lightweight,” I say, mostly to myself.
Her friends glance over at the dancing party.
“She really is,” Spencer says. “Makes for a cheap date, though.”
I know he’s engaged to Lis, so the jealousy that burns through me is completely irrational. “You know this from experience?”
I’m very proud of myself for keeping my voice even.
Spencer takes a drink of his beer before answering. “Have I bought her drinks before? Yes. Have I taken her on a date? No. None of the four of us have ever dated each other.” He gestures at Derek, Vic, and over to Adalie with the rim of his beer cup.
Adalie overhears, turning to us and grinning. “I don’t know. I’ve always thought Vic and I had something special.”
Vic rolls her eyes. “Adalie. You’re drunk. Go home.”
Vic’s tone is dry, like it’s a joke she’s made before, and Adalie laughs, letting Lis spin her as they dance, her skirt flaring out with the move.
When Adalie faces Lis again, the other woman says, “You said the hot tub might be open.”
Adalie glances at me and I nod.
Lis claps. “Let’s go in.”
Adalie does a little shimmy. “I’m already ready.”
“I need to get changed!” Lis rushes inside, stopping to kiss Spencer’s cheek on her way past.
“Anyone else?” Taylor asks. Patricia, Raine, and Ava go inside as well, and I set my beer down to help my brother get the cover off the tub. Adalie stands next to me.
“I probably shouldn’t drink anymore while I’m in there.” She hands me her cup.
“Are you feeling okay?” I ask. “You want something else?”
“Water?” She smiles at me, and I am certain I will get her anything she wants. “Thanks.”
I’m about to turn away to get the water but stop as she takes the hem of her dress in her hands and, in one swift motion, pulls it over her head, leaving her in a bikini in the colours of a sunset—dusky purple fading to pink, to gold—with palm trees in a dark purple silhouette. My gaze drags down her body, from her wild curls to her light purple toenails. She has a belly button piercing, the deep red gemstone catching the light as she climbs into the water. She settles down with a sigh and I tell my cock to calm the fuck down.
Inside, Lis is leaving the bathroom while I pour Adalie some water.
“Is that for Adalie?” she asks.
“Yes.”
She stops and comes closer, her towel wrapped around her like a dress. She leans her elbows on the kitchen island.
“You really like her, don’t you?”
I don’t say anything. What can I say? I do. But I’m not about to tell Lis that before I’ve even told Adalie.
“It’s okay,” she says, winking at me. “Your secret’s safe with me. But I should warn you, everyone kind of suspects.”
I follow her outside, handing Adalie her water, which she accepts with a quiet, “Thank you.” Our fingers brush and I don’t want to stop touching her. I want to slide my hand along the back of her shoulders to see if her skin is as soft as it looks.
I return to the conversation with Spencer, Derek, and Vic. The night goes well. Everyone has a good time. There is leftover food, so everyone has eaten enough. Later, after the sun has set and it’s started to get cold, the hot tub is empty and we’ve retreated into Taylor’s living room. Eventually, Spencer says he’s ordered an Uber, and it’s on its way.
They pack up and I follow them to the front when the car arrives. Before she gets in, I catch Adalie’s hand.
“Do you still want me to call tonight?” I ask quietly.
“Yes,” she whispers. Then she laughs. “But you’ll have to do it fast. I’ll probably fall asleep pretty quick.”
“That’s okay. I’ll talk to you soon. Twenty minutes?”
“Perfect.”
She gets into the car, and I watch as it drives away. I already miss her.