Page 55 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

I feel the chuckle overtake his body. “I work out sometimes.”

“Wow, I didn’t expect that,” I say as I shift my hands on his waist.

He laughs again as he squirms. “I’m kind of ticklish.”

“I remember. Brayden used to love tickling you.”

“Just like he did to my mom. Are you ready? Make sure to hold onto me very tightly. And never loosen your hold, okay? This thing moves much faster than you can imagine. And since you don’t have a helmet, I want you to be extra careful.”

“Aye, aye, captain!” I say.

“If you want me to stop, just yell into my ear, okay?”

“Got it, but I doubt I’ll want you to stop.”

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

He revs the engine and off we go.

Oh my gosh! He was definitely right that I couldn’t have imagined how fast this bike goes. Holy heck, this is awesome! The wind feels so good in my hair and the adrenaline is such a boost to my energy. I feel like I’m on an amusement park ride. I don’t want this to ever end.

Brock slows down and then stops by a red light. “You okay?” he calls over his shoulder.

“I’m more than okay. This is sick, dude. No wonder your mom loved it so much and has her own bike. I never want to get off this thing.”

I feel him laugh again. “You think your mom would let you buy one?” he asks.

“I think she’ll kill me if she sees me getting off your bike.”

He goes still. “Oh, really? Sorry, I didn’t know—”

“It’s okay, Brock!” I assure him. “She knows I’m in good hands.”

He nods. “I’d sooner hurt myself than let anything happen to you.”

I don’t have a chance to respond because the light turns green, and Brock warns me to hold on before taking off again.Oh my gosh, this is so, so, awesome. Please don’t let it stop anytime soon.

But unfortunately, it does. Brock slows down before my house and then helps me off the bike.

“This was the best thing in the world!” I say.

“I’m glad you had fun.”

I leap at him and close my arms around him, my cheek hitting his helmeted face. “Thanks so much, Brock. For the ride and for keeping me company today.” I lean back and smile at him. “You’re the sweetest person in the world.”

He lifts his visor, though his gaze is lowered. “I don’t know about that.”

“You are.” I squeeze him again, then step back. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.”

“Good night.”

I walk up to the front door of my house, but I don’t go in until after he climbs onto his bike and zooms away.

Chapter Seventeen

Brock

Lexi waves at me from where she sits near the window in art class. I smile, hurrying inside to sit next to her.