Page 60 of Shatter

Okay, now's not the time to cry. I roll my shoulders back.

"Okay. What first?"

"Your choice, Little Bird."

"Bike," I answer immediately, trotting happily over to the beautiful thing. I know absolutely nothing about bikes, but this one looks pretty. Like it might be an antique.

Harrison gently tugs the baseball cap off of my head and down my ponytail, before picking up the helmet and gently placing it on my head. He's so close; his lips are inches from mine, his thick fingers maneuvering the delicate clasp. I want to kiss him - to show him with my body how much I appreciate him. But I want to let him finish his task more.

I'll appreciate him when we get back home.

Home.

His condo feels more like home than the mansion I grew up in. I never gave a shit about my room there, or how it looked or was decorated. It was a place to drink myself stupid and sleep. That's it.

Harrison's home feels lively, though. It has remnants of the man all around it. The color of his sheets, the kids' toys, his bookshelf full of memories. It's well loved. It feels alive in a way that that sterile mansion could never.

I wonder if he'd be willing to give that up to move into a house with a backyard. I guess we could raise babies in a condo. People do it all the time.

A conversation for another day.

"Okay, how do I do this?" I ask, feeling stupid. I should have learned this as a child, but I was too busy taking acting and modeling classes.

"Throw your leg over the side and sit on the seat."

I do as I'm told, my hands resting on the handlebars.

"This is your brake," he says, wrapping my hand around it and giving it a few good squeezes. "Put your feet on the pedals."

He leans in close, one hand holding the handlebars and one hand holding the seat, keeping me upright as I lift my feet onto the pedals. I'm nervous, but excited.

"What if I fall?"

Soulful brown eyes look into mine with a seriousness that steals the breath from my lungs.

"I won't let you."

And God, doesn't that just explain everything about this man? This may be a silly moment, but he went out of his way to arrange a safe space for me to check something insignificant off of the list that I made. He rearranged his day to make this happen, without me even having to ask him. He saw a need, and he filled it. He's giving me my wings and making sure he won't let me fall while I learn how to fly.

Tears prick my eyes again as my heart thumps against my breastbone, trying to fly to him. To the man I'm almost certain I'm in love with.

I decide then that I don't know what the future holds - condos or suburbs, staying hidden or going public, babies or not; I want it to be with this man right here.

He nods. "It's easier to balance once you start moving forward, okay?" I nod. "Press forward one pedal at a time, alternating feet. I'll be right here with you."

I bite my lower lip in concentration. The feeling is weird at first, but I slowly start moving forward. I wobble dangerously before pulling myself center. Harrison walks along right next to me, still holding me steady.

I do slow, awkward circles as I get a feel for the balance. Eventually, Harrison releases the handlebars and only holds onto the seat. I wobble a little, but figure it out quickly. The pedals push me forward, and the handlebars aim where we're going.

Harrison moves behind me so I can't see him.

"Don't let go!" I squeal. Logically, I know if I fall it won't hurt much, but it'll be embarrassing. And I like knowing he's still there to keep me safe.

"Too late!" he shouts, and when I look up, he's already twenty feet away.

I wobble a little but manage to straighten out the handlebars again, and keep my feet on their slow rotations.

I'm riding a bike!