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“Hi, Bridges. Weston. I was wondering if I could tag along with you tomorrow on the trail. I can ride out ahead of you so I don’t interrupt conversations, but Kayley’s a little worried about me riding alone. It’s my first long distance ride, and if I get hurt, I’m afraid she’ll freak out. We just got married over the summer, and she said she’s not ready to be a widow,” Raj said.

Bridges smiled. “Sure. This is only West’s second long ride. I’m riding with him for the same reason—I don’t want him out there by himself since I can’t follow him as I’d like.”

Raj glanced between us and grinned. “That’s nice. Kayley’s bike is stationary at her gym in St. Louis. Not a fan of trail riding.”

Bridges chuckled and gave a nod. “Can’t blame her. I used to race, but I quit about ten years ago. Now I build custom bicycles for others who compete or enjoy riding. West wants to do a charity ride next summer, so he needs to get acquainted with the hazards of the trail.”

“Hazards?” Raj and I spoke in frightening tandem at Bridges’ comment.

“Well, traffic on the roads, for one thing. Not many rides will be on nice trails like this. On West’s cross-country trip, he’ll have to ride on the highway sometimes and that can be quite challenging. I’ve found that some motorists get pissed at bikers on the roadway slowing down their trip from one spot to another, and I even had an asshole or two try to run me over. Then, on the trails, there are critters and snakes that’ll dodge in front of you and could cause you to wreck.”

Bridges pointed to a nasty scar on his right knee. “Baby rabbit jumped right in front of my bike and I crashed into a tree to keep from hitting it.” He then pointed to where there was a jagged scar on the underside of his forearm. “Ran into a bush trying to avoid a copperhead. Cut my arm on an old barbed-wire fence hidden in the blackberry brambles.”

Raj sat on the grass as we both listened to Bridges’ war stories for an hour. At the end of it, I was sure both of us were reconsidering our plans to ride off into the sunset, but then, Bridges laughed loudly.

“You young guys are too easy. That shit all happened, but it doesn’t begin to compete with the high you get when you’ve accomplished something that seems impossible. When you complete the ride, you’ll have such a sense of accomplishment that will stay with you forever. You’ll feel as though you can do anything, and you’ll take that energy into everything you tackle in life.”

I had no doubt he was right. He hadn’t lied to me so far. I trusted the man with my very life.

“Which side do you want?” Bridges asked.

I chuckled. “You pick. I got the window on the flight here.”

I was trying to return Bridges’ kindness so he didn’t feel taken advantage. I’d never want him to think I was only being nice to him because of what I wanted him to do for me.

I appreciated Bridges’ help—don’t get me wrong—but I truly wanted his guidance and support. Not because he felt obligated to do it due to his friendship with my father. I wanted us to be friends and help each other with things that came along because we liked each other.

Okay, I wanted more than that from him, but I couldn’t get a read on the guy. He seemed so much wiser than me, and I didn’t want to come across as a kid with a crush—which was close to exactly who I was.

“I’ll take the right side. I usually sleep in the middle, so if I encroach, as you mentioned earlier, just elbow me and I’ll move.” Bridges walked over to the right side of the bed and lay down on top of the covers, punching the pillow and turning his back to me.

“Uh, goodnight.” I shrugged and slid under the covers. I guess we’re sleeping him on top and me under so we don’t touch?

I’d settled on my side with my back to him when suddenly, the lighted wall sconce on his side of the bed illuminated, and Bridges got up from the bed, walking around to my side. His expression was one of frustration, which wasn’t really a surprise at all.

“Look, this doesn’t have to be anything, okay? I just need to settle something in my mind. Is it okay if I kiss you?”

My stomach immediately tied in knots as I sat up. “Y-yeah. Sure.”

I probably looked like an idiot because I closed my eyes and puckered my lips like I was eight. Bridges huffed, and then both of his hands were framing my face and a soft kiss brushed over my mouth.

He tilted his head a bit to gently give me a few light pecks, but my blood was boiling. No way was he letting that sweet brush of his lips over mine be the first kiss I got from him. My curiosity wouldn’t let it go.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and swept my tongue over his lips, giddy when he let me inside. His arms moved to my back as our tongues met for the first time. His tongue was relentless in mapping the inside of my mouth, and mine fought to do the same to him.

Suddenly, Bridges stopped the kiss and pulled away. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

Before I could ask him what was wrong, he pushed me down on the mattress and hovered over me.

“Is it sick that I want you in ways that are too fucking filthy for me to say out loud? Fucking hell. Alexis already accused me of having a thing for you, and I told her she was crazy. Now, I’m not so sure she was wrong. Am I pressuring you?”

He started to get off the bed, but I refused to let him go. “I’m not a child, nor am I a teen. I’m a grown man who happens to be the son of your friend. What’s wrong with us finding each other attractive?”

“God, your father would kill me if he knew...”

“Hell, Bridges, I doubt it. He trusted you, and he thought the best of you, so I’m sure he wouldn’t think badly of you for looking out for anything. Take a breath, okay. We’re not walking down the aisle, are we? We’re just sort of exploring our options. I mean, if you’re willing to test the waters with me. I’m not a virgin, just so you know. I’ve had relationships and hook-ups, and I’ve had my share of heartbreak.

“I know what can happen if this doesn’t work.” I moved my finger between us so he wasn’t confused. “I don’t want to look back and say, ‘What if we’d taken a chance?’” I did my damnedest to keep the pleading tone from leaking into my voice.