Along The Way

Chapter 3 -When I Was Trying Hard Not to Lose it

| Dylan |

THERE WAS SOMETHING therapeutic about speed. Maybe it was the way you felt in control of the moment, flying down the roads with no set limits to stop you. Maybe it was the freedom of traveling to any place, just you and your bike, without asking for anyone's permission. Maybe it was the rush you felt when you experienced the open air, with the wind brushing through your face, and all the obscured view going on around you. Whatever the cause, I thrived on it.

Reed might be the addict, but I was the one who'd found a legal drug that took me into a state of nirvana without putting my future on the line.

The tight hold of the delicate arms wrapped around my body, however, let me know even in drugs there were different tastes.

Thinking about her made me hiperaware of the soft warm body squeezed against mine. Her hands clutched at the lapels of my jacket and I could swear I'd heard her mention God two or three times already.

Going easy on her I shifted gears.

I didn't think I had a destination in mind when I left that party, mad as hell. But as I looked around, my mind immediately recognized the road. It was one I'd often found myself following whenever things turned out to be too much. Which lately was often enough.

A thankful sigh against my ear reminded me I had extra cargo this night. Though in this case it changed nothing.

I needed this.

There was no way I'd be able to keep going if I didn't take some time to cool off. I could still feel the anger radiating off my body in waves. Only Reed could bring up the worst in me.

I eased the bike to a stop on the dirt, planting my feet on the ground and my eyes shifted to take in the perfect view on my right. Blue, violet and black hues covered the sky like a canvass, its reflection playing in the water below. The sounds of the night only added to that sense of peace and calm the image transmitted. It never got old.

Charlotte shifted behind me, her slender arms releasing me from their tight hold, and somehow there was a part of me that wished she'd just keep holding on tight. If only for a few more minutes. I shook myself.

I sensed more than saw her get off the bike. Then she was on my line of sight, all dirty blonde hair and short tight dress that showed the delicate line of her body.

"This is beautiful." She sighed.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. She looked like an angel with the wind ruffling her hair and that scenery as backdrop. The light of the moon delineated her profile and the soft curve of her small nose. She was staring ahead, but I remembered the color of her eyes when I saw her in the light. They were like two pools of emerald one wouldn't mind getting lost into.

I sounded like a pu**y but it was the fu**ing truth.

Then she turned her attention to me. Luckily the dark of the night diminished the full force of her gaze. My heart still stopped for a beat just as it had when I saw her on that porch.

"Are you okay?" If angels talked they'd sound just like her.

I noticed I was still straddling my bike, my gaze now fixed on her. I should probably take her home. It was the wise thing to do, but somehow I found myself stealing a few more minutes.

My hands clenched and unclenched on the handles trying to ease the tension in my muscles.

Fu**ing Reed.

I was getting tired of covering his ass. I'd been honest when I said I'd talk with coach if this kept going. He was risking his chance at a scholarship with his reckless behavior. He was risking the team's overall performance. Worse, he was making it imposible for our aunt and uncle to look past his temper tantrums.