Page 28 of What They Say

“Thanks, Benny.” He grinned. “And thank you, Mercedes.”

Benny picked up the guitar again, strumming a soft chord. “Anytime, brother. Now go get some sleep. You’ve got a ride tomorrow, right?”

Chase smiled despite himself. “Yeah. I do.”

As he walked out into the cool night air, the weight on his shoulders felt lighter than it had in months. The club, the band, his dad, and now Kath—maybe he didn’t have to choose just one path.

Chapter Eight

Kath

Kath pulled up behind The Grindhouse at 2:45, heart hammering harder than the bike’s engine had on the ride over. She killed the ignition and sat there for a second, helmet still on, trying to talk herself down.

It’s just a ride. Two people on a bike. You did it yesterday, and no one died. It’s no big deal.

Except it felt like a big deal. She hadn’t let herself look forward to spending time with a guy in...God, she couldn’t even remember how long. Not since she’d promised herself she’d never chase sparks the way her mother had.

She spotted Chase’s truck already parked nearby. He was leaning against the tailgate, hands in his pockets, looking calm and steady in the afternoon light. When he saw her looking, that small, genuine smile crossed his face again—the one that made something warm unfurl low in her stomach.

Kath swung off the bike and pulled her helmet off, shaking out her hair. “You’re early.”

“So are you,” he replied, pushing off the truck. “Couldn’t wait?”

She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “Don’t get cocky, Mason.”

His eyebrows lifted slightly at the last name, but he didn’t correct her. Instead, he walked over, leaving a respectful distance between them, and looked at the bike with open appreciation.

“You ready?” he asked.

He took the spare helmet from her hands. “I’m ready if you are.”

“Born ready.”

She climbed on first. Chase settled in behind her, his hands resting lightly on her waist. Not gripping, not pushing boundaries—just there. Solid. Respectful. She could feel the warmth of his body through her jacket, and it sent a traitorous little shiver down her spine.

“You good?” she asked over her shoulder.

“Perfect,” he said, voice low and close. “Wherever you want to go.”

Kath twisted the throttle and pulled out of the lot. The familiar roar of the engine wrapped around them, and for the first few miles, she let herself just ride—pushing the speed a little, leaning into the curves, feeling the wind whip past. Chase moved with her effortlessly, like he trusted her completely.

They left town behind and took the long river road, the one with the big sweeping turns and open fields. Every time she accelerated, she felt his hands tighten just slightly on her waist—not controlling, just holding on. It felt safe. Which terrified her.

Don’t do this, she thought. Don’t let a guy on the back of your bike make you stupid.

But when she pulled off at the same overlook from the day before and killed the engine, the quiet that settled between them didn’t feel dangerous. It felt peaceful.

Chase took his helmet off and handed it to her. “You ride like the bike’s part of you.”

Kath swung her leg over and leaned against the seat, trying to ignore how warm her cheeks felt. “It kind of is. First big thing I ever bought just for me. No one else’s name on it. No one else’s expectations.”

Chase nodded like he understood. He came to stand beside her, looking out over the river. “I get that. My truck’s the same way. Club helped me build it, over on the mechanical side of things, but it’s mine. First thing that ever felt like it belonged to me and no one else.”

They stood in silence for a while, the sun warm on their skin. Kath found herself stealing glances at him. He wasn’t pushing to fill the quiet. He wasn’t trying to impress her with stories or jokes. He was just...there.

It made her want to tell him things.

“I don’t usually do this,” she said suddenly.