Jade pulled out a phone from her backpack. “I’ll call Connor to pick you up.”
God no. Not after the daggers the man gave him the other night, threatening bodily harm. How bad could a ride on a moped be? “It’s fine. Just tell me how to get in it.”
Jade gave him a dubious look. “Are you sure?”
Hell no, he wasn’t sure. But he couldn’t chicken out now. “Yes.”
Unlocking a small compartment at the back of the vehicle, she pulled out two small black helmets and handed one to Nate. He inwardly groaned. It looked like something from an old world war two movie. If she handed him matching goggles, he was out of there.
With awkward movements, he got in, his knees almost touching his chin, and secured the belt nice and tight, making sure he wouldn’t fall out.
She slid on the seat, adjusted her skirt, and tucked it under her legs, he assumed so it didn’t flap around as she rode. When she started the engine, it sounded more like a lawnmower than any kind of motorbike he’d ever heard.
After giving her his address, he was hit with a thought. “Have you taken many people riding?”
She gave him a quick glance as she steered the bike out of the school. “You’re my first. No one has been brave enough to try. Hang on!” She revved the throttle and took off up the street.
Nate clung onto the sides white-knuckle tight.
Chapter 11
Jade had laughed at Nate’s shocked, white face when she told him she’d never taken anyone for a ride before. But the way he held on for dear life made her not feel so guilty for joking about him being her first passenger.
As they stopped in front of Nate’s house, he fumbled with the seatbelt then jumped out of the sidecar. “Did you enjoy the ride?” she asked sweetly.
Something close to fear flashed in his eyes. Wow, he didn’t have to look so terrified. It wasn’t her fault a car pulled out in front of them and she had to slam on the brakes, nearly sending him flying across the road.
“No. Never again.” He took off the helmet and threw it to her.
She caught it and was about to tell him to grow a pair when she saw a ginger cat sitting on the doorstep of the house. Like the animal knew it had drawn someone’s attention, it meowed loudly. Jade looked closer and noticed its matted fur and skinny body.
Jumping off the moped and throwing the helmets in the compartment, she raced over to the cat. “Hey, sweet thing.” Glancing over her shoulder, she asked, “Is he yours?” If it was, she’d blast him for neglecting the poor animal.
Nate shook his head. “Never seen it before.”
“Are you lost? Looks like you haven’t had a meal in a long time. I bet you’re starving.” In answer, the cat gave a long, pitiful meow. “We need to feed him,” she said to Nate and tried to pick him up, but it scurried out of reach.
“We should leave it alone. It’s a stray. Who knows what kind of diseases it has?”
Jade’s brows drew together. “You’d let him starve?”
With a sigh, he said, “No.” Then he pulled his keys from his pocket, unlocked the door, and entered the house. Jade followed, and so did the cat, like he knew food was close by.
Jade dropped her backpack on the floor near the door and gave the living room a quick scan.
“The kitchen’s through there,” Nate said, pointing. “Have a look at what you can find.”
With that, Jade rushed out of the room. Inside the fridge, she found some roasted chicken. Pulling it out, she went in search of a plate and a bowl to pour water into. When Nate entered the kitchen, Jade had shredded the meat into small pieces onto a plate.
“Did you see how skinny he is? He probably hasn’t eaten in days.”
“Will the cat stick around because we’re feeding it?” Nate asked.
Probably. “I’m sure he’ll move on once he has a full belly.”
Nate didn’t look convinced.
She passed him the bowl of water and she picked up the chicken. “Let’s feed this poor cat.”
