Keira is wrapped around me, her head pressed against myback, her arms circling my waist, holding me tight as we travel at a safe speed.
As I’m thanking my lucky stars we’ll make it back to my place in one piece, thunder roars and it’s pouring again.
Fuck.
From the mirror, I spot the nose of a cargo truck gunning down the highway. Those motherfuckers are an annoyance on a sunny day. Worse on a day like today.
I curse.
I grip the handle of my custom Fat Bob tighter and steady it.
Even though the Harley-Davidson is a sturdy bike, I’ve never missed my SUV or one of my many cars more than I do now.
Time to get off the highway. Fast.
I move one lane.
Then, another.
A row of bumper-to-bumper vehicles prevents me from moving one more lane.
Shit.
To my left, another cargo truck inches forward.
A bigger one this time.
The fucker zooms by us like a speeding bullet. In doing so, the 18-wheeler’s tires hit a puddle, splashing enough water to fill a swimming pool straight at me. I mentally prepare myself, white knuckling the bike’s handles, praying to God I keep my eyes open. My breath hitches from the impact against my visor.
Jesus.
My heart pounds and adrenaline shoots through my veins as I struggle to regain control of the seven-hundred-pound beast roaring between my legs.
If I let the bike fishtail, we’re dead. Cars around me honk their horns, only adding to my stress. It’s a tug-of-war for a fewfrightening seconds, but years of riding kicks my instincts into gear.
Keira’s arms close around my chest like a vice.
At least, I haven’t lost her.
The cargo truck is long gone and oblivious to its destructive wake.
Fucker.
When I see an opening, I change lanes.
I don’t have far to go to reach the exit.
Thank God.
I rev up the engine and leave the jungle behind.
I spot a gas station and set course towards it.
Once I get there, I turn off the ignition and lift my visor.
Dirty water drips everywhere.
I look up to the sky and exhale on a prayer.