Page 6 of Reaper
The bike rumbles up the driveway and Reaper parks behind the truck.
I climb off first and unbuckle the helmet as he swings his leg over to stand.
“We still have to run to the feed store, or your dad's gonna start asking questions.”
“Okay!” I bounce in place and swing open the truck door with renewed spirit.
Reaper jumps into the driver’s side and pulls down the visor, catching the keys as they fall into his big hand. Little things like this amuse me. The size of him, the timbre in his voice, the way he knows… everything.
Dad’s truck is an older model Ford with rust around the wheel wells and a stall in the crank. Reaper knows this and turns it twice before the engine starts.
Suddenly, I feel awkward.
On the bike, the world was a fantasy. It was like I was up in the loft watching Mama drink sweet tea on the front porch. The bike evoked a sense of autonomy, illusion, freedom.
Here in the truck, things are real again, and the kiss I planted on his lips is in the forefront of my mind, bringing with it a sense of panic. I need to talk about it. I need to know what he’s thinking. Sure, he acted normal after it happened, but he also leaned into my touch. It’s not like he pushed me away.
For a moment I let my mind think that maybe Reaper likes me too, but I draw the thought back just as quickly. Reaper could have anyone he wants. He’s not thinking about me.
“Sorry I got a little crazy back there. I didn’t mean to like… maul you or anything. I… it’s embarrassing how little it takes to entertain me.”
He does the half smile thing he does, while he swipes his big hand over his face, bristling his beard as he moves. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed. I get it.”
“Really?”
He nods. “Yeah. No big deal.” His tone is so casual and to the point. Clearly, he’s not moved by the kiss.
“Okay… well…” I want to ask him more about why he kissed me back, but instead I turn toward him and let out a heavy breath. He’s holding the steering wheel with one hand as he leans into the door.
It’s a vibe and my panties are soaking it in.
“Are you seeing someone?” The words spill out of my mouth before I can catch them.
“No. Why?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. You’re you… so I figured maybe you’d be seeing someone.”
He laughs. “I’m me? What does that mean?”
“That you like…” I lift my shoulders and lower them again. “You look like the kind of guy that has an easy time with the ladies.”
“Ha! I gave that up a long time ago. Women are a pain in the ass.”
“Oh really?” Sarcasm sits in my throat. “How so?”
“Well, not all of them, but a lot of ‘em. I haven’t dated in years.”
“Why?” I realize we’re getting personal now, but I push past that on pure nosiness.
“Don’t know. Just staying away from the drama, I guess. Besides, I’m busy with work.”
“You like doing the bounty thing?”
He lifts his cap off his head and puts it back on again as though maybe he’s a little nervous to open up. “Not really. It’s high stress. I’d rather be out on a farm somewhere, doing labor.”
“Really? No, you wouldn’t. It’s boring.”
“I like boring. Trust me, the whole running after assholes thing gets old.”