Pulling back, I giggle. “Seems like you liked that a little.”
He nods his head, his eyes glistening as he leans in, his face mere inches from mine. “Told you I still got it.”
Making me laugh as he lifts me up, spins us, and moves us into the bedroom. Attempting to hold his pants up as he carries me.
“You realize what would have happened if they caught us?” he laughs as we fall onto the bed.
“But you toyed with him the entire time.”
“What?”
“You slowed down and let them catch up.”
He gives me a look, trying to stop himself from smirking. He gives a quick nod, as if he doesn’t want to admit it out loud.
13
“Now spill.” He whispers, demanding.
“About what?”
“What’s going on in there?” He taps my head.
“It just makes me think of them.” I nod towards where the bike is parked. “And I think I’ve ridden like twice with Z, since Dad died.”
“What? Why?”
“It was something I always did with Dad.” I shrug again. “No one else. It just felt broken after…”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I shrug, getting up off the bed and walking over into my closet, grabbing out the box I keep the wallet stored in.
Eli looks at me questioning as I walk it back over.
“It’s his wallet.”
His eyes widen.
“He kept this picture in there.” Opening the wallet and pulling out the photo. “I love everything about it.”
“It definitely captured the essence of your family.” He laughs.
Z and Zeke are in the back, wrestling down to the ground. Mom’s looking at Dad in shock, but there’s also a smile on her face. Because Dad’s sitting on the bike, it’s clear the bike is rolling as his feet hovering over the ground, and there I am, strapped to his chest.
“I feel like I saw him do that the first time I ever went over there.”
“Yeah, apparently, when he strapped me to his chest and rolled around in front of the house, it was like instantly out. Mom said it wasn’t a normal thing. It was just when I was struggling to fall asleep that the bike always calmed me.”
“Somehow riding with a 3-month-old strapped to his chest sums him up perfectly.”
“Actually, now that I think about it.” Needing to change the subject.
He tilts his head curiously.
“I rode once with someone else.”
“Who?”
