I take my hands off the handlebars and shake out my arms. “It’s hard work, though. Will I have to do weight training for it to feel less heavy?”
“A different bike would help with that. It’s kinda like muscle memory. Once you get used to riding, you don’t even think about it anymore.”
I lean back against him. “Thanks for teaching me. I’d like to try it again, but maybe you should take me back into town. My meeting will be starting soon.”
He turns the key to the off position and then hugs his arms around my middle. “Deal.”
Thirteen
Daxslowshismotorcycleas he approaches the country club parking lot. I climb off the back and pull off my helmet. When Dax frees his head from his helmet, I’m quick to peck his lips.
“You aren’t afraid of people seeing me drop you off?” he asks, smiling from the kiss.
I move to the back locker and swap my helmet for my purse. “More like I’m afraid of leaving your side and entering a room full of my mom’s frenemies.”
“Wow, you make it sound so fun,” Dax jokes.
“Thinking about hanging out with you tomorrow will get me through.”
“I can’t wait either.”
I swipe my fingers through his wayward hair. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Just going back to the clubhouse. I think my brother is out tonight, so maybe I’ll get some sleep.”
My chest constricts. “Will you be okay?”
Dax clutches my hand and kisses it gently. “Yeah. I’ll be thinking about you.”
A confusing mix of worry and giddiness bubbles inside me. I stumble on the right words to say as Dax lowers my hand.
“Vanessa?” Sylvie’s voice makes me jolt, and I lose grip of Dax.
I turn and find her and Hope walking towards us. Sylvie has an excited, curious look on her face. Her open-mouthed smile shows how badly she wants to bombard me with questions. Hope, on the other hand, has bewilderment plastered all over her. Her eyes narrow, and her head shakes like she can’t believe I’d let someone like Dax be in my presence.
“Ah, hello?” Sylvie says, salivating for a response. “Care to make some introductions?”
I swipe at my forehead, catching the forming sweat beads. “Ah, yeah. This is Dax. Dax, these are my friends, Hope and Sylvie.”
Still sitting on his motorcycle, Dax lifts his hand off his knee and barely forms a wave. “Hi.”
“Soooo,” Sylvie drags out the word, leaning in as she waves her hand between Dax and me. “How did this happen? Where did you two meet? Why are you here together?”
I turn Sylvie around by the shoulders. “He just gave me a ride back from Logan’s Point.”
With a gasp, Sylvie digs her heels into the pavement. “Oh my gosh. You came here on his motorcycle?”
Dax smirks. “She even took over the handlebars.”
This time it’s Hope who gasps. “Ness, you didn’t.”
I shrug. “I trust him. That’s why I asked him to be my date to the gala.”
“What?” both girls exclaim at once.
Dax snickers from the bike, while regret slivers through my nervous system. Telling these two gossip queens was probably not the smartest idea.
Sylvie beams at Dax. “I need to know everything.”
