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He nods and follows me inside. I grab a pair of Garrett’s old shorts for him to wear. Once we’re both dried and changed, we crawl into my bed. He cuddles me close but doesn’t let things get sexual.
It’s okay. I can be patient.
CHAPTER5
A tap at my window jars me from sleep but it no longer alarms me. I can’t count how many times Alden has climbed in my window since that first time over five years ago. We talk and sometimes we kiss. On the nights when one of us is upset, we hold each other in my small bed until he sneaks out at the first sign of dawn.
It’s been almost two years since Alden asked me to be patient. Long enough for me to have let go of any hope of being with him. I’ll be going to college soon and it’ll put an end to us. He won’t be living across the street and sneaking in my window. The distance will be good for me. I need to get him out of my head and move on. It hurts more than I’d like to admit, but it’s probably for the best.
I’m not sure Alden will ever settle with anyone. It’s a miracle he hasn’t been arrested in the years of partying, drugs, and drinking—not to mention the fights he still arranges. More than once, Dad has gone out with his mom to hunt him down and bring him home. There seems to be no taming him. He managed to graduate by the skin of his teeth but hasn’t done much since as far as I can tell, except party and make money working on motorcycles.
It’s late, but I’m surprised I fell asleep waiting for him despite my excitement. I knew he’d come tonight, and there’s something I want from him. One last thing before I move on.
“Happy Birthday, El,” he says, pulling me in for a kiss as soon as his feet hit my floor. “Get dressed, I want to show you something.”
“What? It’s late.” And I planned for something very different tonight. Going to college as a virgin is not happening, and he’s the one I want to be the first.
“And you’re eighteen, not eighty. Come on. It’s important.” Call me weak, but I’ve never been able to resist him. With a sigh, I quickly change from my sleep shorts to a pair of jeans and a tank top. No bra. I’m on a mission tonight.
“Shh,” I caution, as we creep down the hall. I may have turned eighteen today, but I still don’t want to explain to my parents what he’s doing here in the middle of the night.
His motorcycle is parked a few houses down, and I beam at him when I throw my leg over it. There’s nothing I want to do more on my birthday than wrap my arms around Alden and feel the warm air rush over me. He plunks a helmet onto my head. “You look sexy wearing my helmet.”
“Don’t be mad that I pull it off better than you.”
He chuckles, tugs me forward and drops a kiss on my lips. “Hold on, babe.” The bike roars to life, and I wrap my arms around him tight. We aren’t on the road long before he pulls into the parking lot of Freddy’s Garage.
“What are we doing at Freddy’s?” I ask, as he walks me to the door.
“It’s not Freddy’s anymore,” he replies, pulling out a set of keys. “It’s mine. Well, half mine.”
He unlocks the service entrance and flicks on the lights before leading me inside. “What do you mean?”
A rich dark smell fills my senses. Motor oil, grease, old smoke, a hint of paint. The overhead lighting is bright and harsh against the night. Four bays stand empty while a motorcycle waits in the fifth.
His expression drips with pride when he looks around at the walls lined with toolboxes. “Freddy is retiring. His brother, Lewis, isn’t ready to go yet and he offered to let me buy Freddy’s stake in the place. I’m a partner. I own fifty percent of the business. In a few years, when Lewis is ready to retire, I’ll buy the other half. Then it’ll be Stokes Brothers Custom Bikes. How does that sound?”
Shocking, if I’m being honest, but I don’t want to dampen his joy. “It sounds…amazing, but how? I mean, that must’ve cost so much.”
My doubts bounce off him with no effect. “I’ve been saving.” He steps toward me. “What did you think I was doing with the money I made? I wasn’t taking those risks just for fun.”
“The drugs,” I breathe. “You said you weren’t dealing anymore.”
“I’m not. That’s all behind me. And it wasn’t only from dealing. The underground fights, you wouldn’t believe how much some guys would wager. Plus, you know I’ve been working on bikes. It all added up. And now it’s paid off.” He sweeps his hand around. “This is all legal. I signed the paperwork today.”
He stares at me for the longest time while my thoughts climb over one another. I’ve always worried for him. I didn’t know exactly what he was doing but I knew he wasn’t afraid to break the law.
“You’re done with all that? No more illegal shit? This isn’t going to be some chop shop?”
His laughter bounces off the walls. “No, I’m going to build and repair custom motorcycles. Once Oliver gets his degree, he’s going to handle the business side of things.” His eyes travel over the mostly empty space. “I’ll start with a couple of custom orders and in a few years, all these bays will be full. I’ll have guys working under me. Good, creative guys. I’m going to do this shit.” He reaches to run his hand under my jaw. “Believe me, El. Be happy for me.”
It sounds like a plea, and my heart softens under his gaze. “I do believe you.” His arms wrap around me when I grab him in a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you.” This is his dream, it rings out in his voice when he talks about it, one he first mentioned to me years ago. He’s going to make it real. “I’m proud of you, Alden. This is amazing.”
His lips land on mine. We’ve made out loads of times, but there’s so much behind the way he’s kissing me now. So many emotions it feels like he’s trying to communicate with lips and tongue. My breath is heated, and my entire body is on fire when he pulls back.
“You were the first person I wanted to tell.”
“I’m glad.” My voice shakes the tiniest bit as I look into those dark eyes. “Will you be my first person too?”
