Page 60 of Drowning

Even though we both knew that we were still deeply affected by everything that had happened, there was a mutual understanding between us—that we would take things one step at a time and carve ourownpath back to healing.

Getting up, I gave Kane a sly smile and swayed my hips methodically before heading off to the garage, ready and willing to escape with him, even for just a short while. If it meant I could get away from the stares of anger and pity and the suffocating reminder of the elephant in the room, then I wanted to do it.

I knew that everyone healed and dealt with their trauma differently, and this was my fucking way. I didn't care who liked it or who didn't.

As Kane entered the garage right behind me, his black cut-off tee clinging to his tight, sculpted body, he slapped my ass as I swung my leg over my bike, cupping it firmly.

"Shit, I want you to straddle me the way you straddle your bike." He winked, putting his helmet on at the same time as me.

"I know just the place." I nodded, smirking under my helmet, walking my bike out before him.

The sun pelted down over us, igniting the already burning flames of desire that stuck to us like our shadows, but I ignored it.

I craved the feeling of the open road washing away my stress. I longed for the soothing rumble of my bike as I pushed it past its limits, setting every nerve ending in my fucking body on fire.

And looking over at Kane, I could tell that he knewexactlyhow I was fucking feeling. So we took off, eager, like kids leaving school on the last day to begin their summer. And even though ours was coming to an end, I could tell that today was the beginning ofsomething—I just didn't know what.

The loud revving of the engine felt like freedom, and as we sped off down the empty roads, it felt like we were leaving our troubles behind, if only for a little while. For now, we would take what we could get, and make the best of it.

And just for that moment, it was all we needed.

thirty-five

Reckless Coping

K a n e

Inch by inch, Emerson crept ahead of me, her legs tightly hugging her bike as she rode with both hands held high in the air above her head.

She never looked freer.

Holding the handlebars with one hand, I took out my phone with the other and began to record her, wanting to remember this moment long after it was over. For a brief moment, she was herself again, and fuck, I missed seeing her like that. I snapped a couple stills as the camera recorded, not knowing if she knew what I was doing or not.

Her long brown hair that usually hung down the middle of her back was now flying behind her in the wind, and the way shehandled her bike effortlessly with every curve just turned me on even more. Usually in a crop top that accentuated her perky tits and toned stomach, she was now covered by a black fitted hoodie that left so much to the imagination.

But I knew why, and I didn't bother saying anything.

No matter what Emerson wore, she wasfuckingbeautiful. Her showing off her perfect body was just a plus.

I knew what she was battling—for the most part—but she didn't know that I knew, and that part fucking killed me inside.

So we rode in denial, just enjoying each other's company as the afternoon passed us by. The blue skies that hovered over us eventually turned dark, filled with gorgeous hues of orange and pink blended together like a picture on a postcard.

But it wasn't the sight above me that took my breath away; it was the one right beside me of Emerson on her bike with her hair blowing in the wind that fucking did it.

The way the setting sun reflected off her delicate features was enough to make me forget about everything else. For those few moments, it was just the two of us, lost in the world of our own making.

But as the sun continued its descent, reality crept back in. I knew that eventually we would have to face the demons that haunted us both—the ones that threatened to tear us apart.

But for now—in this fleeting moment—I pushed the thought from my mind and focused on the feeling of freedom as we rode side by side. The wind in my hair and her laughter in the air. Because for now, it was just us and the comfort of the open road that welcomed us with open arms.

Pulling off a familiar side street that led to a secluded part of the beach, miles away from the house, I followed Emerson until she came to a stop and parked her bike. My legs were numb and shaky when I climbed off mine, taking in the rough waves in front of us that the bright moon bounced off of as I walked toward her.

"It's fucking beautiful," she said, sighing contentedly as I walked up behind her and wrapped her in my embrace.

"It sure the fuck is," I whispered in her ear as she wiggled her ass against my cock, making it harder and making the urge to bend her over the seawall and fuck her under the stars even more intense.

But I didn't want to make a move. I didn't want to push her to do something when she was still so fucking fragile. I was content with just holding her in my arms like this.