Page 21 of Wicked Devotions
“Funny that I just told you I don’t get a say in what you do, but you feel free to tell me what to do.” I start walking toward the parking garage leaving him standing on the sidewalk.
“My bike is over there.” He points down the street to where he parked his Ducati.
It didn’t even occur to me that I might have to ride this with him. I rode to campus this morning with Emerson. I’m equal parts terrified and excited looking at the sleek, matte blackmotorcycle. Probably more excited if I’m being honest, but I’d rather die than let him know that.
“I’m surprised Declan okayed this.” He was pretty adamant that I not ride with Cy earlier this week.
“I’m surprised you give a fuck what he thinks. I know I don’t.” He walks past me this time, grabbing my hand and pulling me along. It takes me a minute to realize he’s intertwined our fingers.
I shake him off but keep following him. “I have a boyfriend.”
“And? Holding hands isn’t cheating.”
I’m not so sure about that, especially when it’s about as far as I’ve gone with Banks. I’m hoping that changes tomorrow. I need to know he wants me, that he wants to explore our relationship further now that my dad isn’t hovering in the background.
Cy hands me a helmet as he puts his on. He helps me adjust the straps and buckles on my helmet. “Three instructions for riding with me. Lean with me into turns; wrap your arms around my waist tightly; and if I scare you, pat my stomach. I might slow down.” He winks and throws his leg over the bike.
I’d like to think I look natural climbing behind him, but I feel clumsy. He points to where I can restmy feet. I wrap my arms around him but try to maintain a little distance between us. That proves to be a futile endeavor as he wraps his hands around my wrist and tugs me flush against his back.
“Stay like this and follow my lead.”
The motorcycle roars to life beneath us as Cy directs us out onto the street. Nothing brings me more joy than knowing Dad would absolutely lose his mind if he saw me on the back of a motorcycle with a pierced and tattooed guy. I thought I’d be scared, but I find myself melting into the strength of Cy’s back. It’s easy to follow his own movements as he drives, leaning into turns like this isn’t my first time doing this.
The ride is over far too soon, but my legs are still a bit wobbly when I slide off. The smile that Cy flashes at me steals my breath. He’s warmer to me than the other two guys I now live with, but he’s not much of a smiler. Seeing such an unbridled show of joy from him feels like a gift.
“I told you not to take your bike.” Declan stands on the stoop in front of the side door, his arms crossed over his chest. Anger radiates from him.
Even though it’s not directed at me, I take a step back. Cy notices and steps in front of me. It’sinstinctive on his part; I’m not even sure if he realizes he did it.
“Calm down.” He steps up onto the stoop beside Declan. “I think she actually liked it, didn’t you, Angel?” He looks back at me for affirmation.
“I did. It was fun.”
“She’s a natural.” He pats Declan’s cheek gently and walks past him into the house.
“You shouldn’t ride with him,” he says quietly as we look at each other.
“I thought you wanted me to always have one of you around?”
“I do, but that,” he points at the motorcycle beside me, “is a death trap.”
“He drove safely.” I walk up the steps until I’m beside him. “He wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”
“You put a lot of trust into people you don’t know. Might want to be careful.” He doesn’t look at me as he issues the warning.
I don’t respond, just close the door quietly behind me. As soon as I get up to my room, the conversation I had on campus with Cyrus comes rushing back. I flop back onto my bed and stare at the ceiling while I try to think of something to wear.I don’t even know where I’m going, let alone the dress code.
After several minutes of spiraling, I decide to call the one person I know at Trinity who isn’t residing under the same roof as me. Emilia picks up on the second ring.
“Hey, what’s up?” she greets.
“Hi. I was informed by my roommates that we’re going to a party tonight. It’s at a place called Cypress ruins, what’s that like? How should I dress?”
“They’re taking you there?” Her voice is laced with trepidation.
“Yeah,” I drag the word out, anxiety building with every passing second. “Why do you sound like that?”
“It’s just that those parties are legendary. You should dress comfortably because it’s at an old church, most of the structure has collapsed and is overgrown. You’ll have to walk through a cypress forest to get there because there’s no road.”