Page 89 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“Cool. Let’s go.”

We walk up to the guy and I place the helmet on the counter. He grins and says, “Sweet choice,” before ringing us up.

“I’ll pay for it,” I offer Damian.

“That’s okay. I got it.”

“I want to repay the favor for the books you bought for me.”

“You really don’t have to, Sophie.”

“Iwantto, Damian. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”

He sighs before surrendering.

I stick my hand into my bag for my wallet, but then I remember that my credit card doesn’t work. My face and neck engulf in flames. “Oh, um, I forgot. I can’t pay…” I want to slap myself a million times until I disappear from this world. “My parents cut me off,” I stammer, my eyes moving between Damian and the man. “Because I spent too much money on books.”

“I know,” Damian says. “I overheard your conversation with your mom.”

“You did?” My face engulfs in more flames.

“It was kind of hard not to,” he admits. “I think the whole store heard you.”

When I gape at him, I realize his lips are turned up in a teasing grin. I playfully slap his arm. “Shut up.”

He chuckles. “I’m sure no one else heard you. I stuck close by in case something was wrong. I didn’t mean to overhear.”

“That’s okay. Thanks for looking out for me.”

Damian taps his phone on the machine and the man hands me the helmet with a smile. “I hope you kids have fun. You make a cute couple.”

My face is an inferno now. “We’re not a couple,” I say at the same time Damian says, “We’re not together.”

The man holds up his hands with a wink. “I got it.”

“Thanks,” I mutter before walking away with the helmet.

Damian and I are quiet as we head back to his bike. Not wanting things to be weird or awkward, I laugh and say, “Why do adults feel like they have to stick their noses in our business? It’s like they think it’s so cute when a guy and a girl hang out together. Not every relationship is a romantic one.”

“I know,” he says. “But maybe they just like seeing young love. Not us,” he quickly clarifies. “Just in general.”

“I know what you mean,” I assure him. We reach the bike and I hug the helmet to my chest. “Can I just say that I really love it the more I hold it? I can’t wait to ride with it.” I stare down at it. “How do I put it on?”

“I’m glad you like it.” He takes it from me and gently slides it over my head. “You know, it has a visor,” he says as he lifts it. “You can learn how to ride a bike and wear it.”

I snort. “As if. My parents would roast me in the backyard.”

He lifts his shoulders. “You never know. My dad was against the bike at first, too, but he eventually got used to it.”

“Yeah, but my parents would never let me purposely put my life at risk. Not after my brother and sis—” I snap my lips shut when I realize what was just about to escape my lips. “I mean, never mind.”

He seems curious, but he lets it go and nods at the bike. “Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”

I’ve gotten more or less used to the bike now. Since I don’t have the wind hitting my face anymore, I have a better view of my surroundings. I don’t recognize the area because we’re traveling in a direction I’ve never been to before. It seems we’re headed to the next town over.

I wonder what the surprise could possibly be. To travel an hour away on a school night?

Eventually, Damian slows down before a very large cinema. He parks in the lot and we take our helmets with us into the theater. I know I don’t own it, but I feel so cool holding it.Honestly, I wish I could keep it, but I have no use for it. Not to mention that Damian paid for it.