Page 32 of The Inn Dilemma (Give a Bookish Girl a Biker)
Chapter Twenty-Three
Holt
T he next day, I can focus on nothing except kissing Nova and the conversation I need to have with her. The conversation where I lay it all out there, open up my heart to her, and share my true intentions.
I text all the guys—and Chantelle—hoping at least some of them will be up for a ride today because I desperately need to clear my head.
Caius and Des are the only two available, and we agree to meet at the overlook.
When I arrive, they’re both there waiting for me, helmets off. Their expressions only remind me of last night’s mess.
I help Tootsie off the back of my bike, clicking her leash onto her collar. Titan remains asleep in the carrier on my chest.
Des leans down and pets Tootsie. Caius shakes his head and laughs.
He points at Titan, and I assume he’ll have one of his smart remarks, but instead he asks,“So Christian’s sister, huh? ”
I flip up my visor and narrow my eyes at him. “Shut up. I didn’t ask you guys to ride for some chick talk.”
Des gives me a self-satisfied smile. “Fine. Then let’s get going.”
I flip my visor back down, then Des and Caius slide on their helmets. They get on their bikes as Tootsie hops back onto her seat and I strap her in, removing her leash. Once I’m on, I rev my engine and coast onto the open road, my two friends following.
Fall has hit Colorado full force. The trees are radiant colors of red, orange, and yellow. The sky is overcast, but there’s no hint of rain. It’s my favorite weather to ride in and I’m grateful for it.
“So, back to Nova,” Des says.
I growl into my mic, “That’s not why I wanted to go riding.”
“If kissing Nova at Brokedown in front of everyone didn’t give you a reason to want to go riding today, I don’t know what would,” Des goes on as if he didn’t hear me. “Feels a little bit like payback from how you teased me about Maya,” he mutters.
I twist the throttle and take off, attempting to drown out Des’s words. For a man who’s quiet most of the time, he sure has a lot to say about Nova.
The guys easily catch up when I drop back down to the speed limit. The last thing I need is a ticket.
“Calm down, Holt,” Cai says, and I growl.
Des and Caius’s laughter fills my helmet.
“You know none of us expected to end up with our women the way we did. But you’ve known Nova most of your life. I don’t think settling down with her would be—” Caius says .
“I want to settle down with her!” I admit loudly. “But she’s on a dating sabbatical. If you knew her history…”
“Maybe I don’t know anything about Beau, but Reese and her were friends in high school. Reese saw how Nova was treated back then. She was controlled most of her life.” This from Des.
“And the ex-boyfriend was no different. She needs time to heal,” I say.
“That’s noble of you to give her space. But I wouldn’t give her too much or she may get the wrong idea.” Caius sounds more serious than usual.
I suppress another growl. “I thought I said I didn’t want to talk about this.”
“You did,” Des confirms. “But it doesn’t mean me and Caius don’t see that this is something you need to work out.”
“Preferably without Nova’s brother present,” Cai adds.
I was afraid Chris would come up too. And now that he has, yet another one of my fears has been confirmed.
“I have no idea how Chris is going to handle this when he finds out. I’d be beyond mortified if he witnessed what went down last night.”
“I’m sure once the initial shock wears off, he’ll be happy for you both. He knows you’ve always wanted what’s best for her,” Des adds.
“I hope you’re right.”
“You need to make your intentions known,” Cai says.
“This isn’t some Jane Austen novel. There’s more to it. Her dad would never approve of me.” It hadn’t been a concern of mine up until this minute.I’m not sure why this new fear surfaces, but it does all the same, and it makes me question all of this even more .
Both guys scoff. “He doesn’t approve of anyone. Look at what he put Chris through to get what he worked his whole life for. Who cares about Kent Price’s approval?”
I want to agree with them, and I do to a point.
But the truth is, no matter how much she may deny it, Nova still craves her dad’s approval.
And I want her to have a good relationship with him.
It may be slow moving, but it seems like things are changing for their family—for the better.
I’d add a layer of complication to their new dynamic.
It could be that complication that takes away from their progress.
Again, I’m not sure why it would, but the fear arises regardless. It’s a fear I can’t currently shake.
“Nova cares.”
Neither one of them has anything to say to that.
“I appreciate the pep talk, guys, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk about something else. What’s going on with you and your backpacks?” I ask, referring to their women.
The shift in topic works like a charm, and for the first time in almost twenty-four hours, I think about something other than Nova, that kiss, and the impending, necessary conversations with Chris and Nova.