Page 110 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“But we have to take my bike. Can you meet me in the parking lot with your helmet? Unless you have plans. I totally understand.”

“And miss another chance to hang out with Queen Rose? Heck no.”

That makes me smile. “Okay, see you in a bit.”

I drop off my school things in my apartment and make my way to the parking lot. Whenever I approach my bike, I get this feeling that it will either not be there or be vandalized. But as much as some of the kids dislike me, I’m not worth them getting in trouble with my mom. Or maybe most people just don’t care about me.

Truthfully, it doesn’t matter what anyone here thinks about me. Except for one person. Knowing Sophie, she would accept me no matter what, because she already has. As a friend, at least.But either way, I hope I never give her a reason not to want me in her life.

“I made sure to change out of my uniform,” her familiar voice says. When I spin around, I find her approaching with Queen Rose in her arms. She changed into a white shirt and jeans. “Where are we going?” She slides the pink helmet over her head and raises the visor. “Another surprise?”

“Not exactly. It’s a special place I want to share with you.”

“Ooh, that sounds intriguing.”

“There’s a bit of hiking, if you’re okay with that.”

“Bring it on.”

After we’re both on the bike, she hesitates for a second before wrapping her arms around me. Like the other times, I instantly feel the warmth of her body as it presses into mine. That spark passes through me, as well as a tingly sensation down my back. I wish I could twist around and pull her into my arms, hold her close and thank her for all that she’s done for me. Thank her for being the amazing person that she is. Thank her for seeing something in me that no one else has. Thank her for accepting me for who I am.

But the last thing I want to do is make her uncomfortable, so I tell her to squeeze tight and kick into gear. Then we’re off. Sophie yells happily as we zip down the streets, and I can’t help but laugh. She’s come a long way since she first rode with me on my bike. She used to be afraid, but now she’s adventurous and a bit riskier. There are so many layers to this girl, layers I wish I could uncover one by one. She’s not the goody-goody I thought she was on my first day here. She’s so much more, and I wish I could spend the rest of my life getting to know every little detail about her. What lies in her heart.

We reach the hiking trail and I park in the lot. The weather isn’t ideal for a hike, but I’m glad Sophie seems excited for it.

“It shouldn’t be a long walk,” I tell her as we start the hike.

“It’s okay. I’m glad I’m spending time with you.”

That causes my heart to dance in a way it’s never danced in my life.

“Thanks. I’m glad I’m spending time with you, too.”

She smiles before turning her head away from me, her face growing pink.

We talk about various topics, mostly school, as we continue the trail. Then I make a turn toward an area that leads in the opposite direction from the path we were walking on.

“Uh, Damian? Are we going right?” Sophie asks. “The sign points that way.”

“I know. Do you trust me?”

She plays with her hair. “I don’t know. Do you plan to murder me and dump my body somewhere in the wilderness?”

“I didn’t bring gloves and my prints would be all over you. You’re not worth me going to jail.”

“I don’t know if I can take that risk.”

She smiles and I return the smile. Then we both laugh.

“You know I trust you,” she says. “I did ride with you on the back of your motorcycle more than twice.”

“You’re right. How could I forget what a big risk-taker you are? You’ll love the place I’m about to show you. Well, at least I hope you will.”

“I’m sure I will. It’s kind of cute how nervous you are.”

My eyes flash to hers. “Did you just say I’m cute?”

“Would you prefer sexy?”