I take more photos before handing her the camera, hoping she can see what I see. She stares for a long time, and I’m concerned she’s trying to delete it, but then her glistening eyes meet mine.
“Okay, it’s a good picture. Whatever.” She hands the camera back. Her cheeks are red and she’s chewing on her lip. “Just, you know, don’t send it to Dani. Or Kennedy. Or Sam!”
“Scout’s honor.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “You were never a scout, were you?”
“Correct.” I tuck the bag of ducks into the back.
“How do you feel about bikes?” she asks as I help her into my jacket, sneaking a few kisses while I do.
“Bikes?”
“Yeah. We could rent bikes, and that way we could get more shots from different places down the beach without moving the Jeep.” I hesitate and rub the back of my neck as she pokes at my stomach. “You do know how to ride a bike, don’t you?”
“I mean, yeah, but…,” I stammer and frown at the idea. I’ve never biked on the beach before. “Angel, I’m all for watching you bike around in that little dress, but it’s the beach.”
“Is…is that your grumpy face?” she teases, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“My…no…it’s just my face.”
“Okay, grumpy duck, if you say so. There’s a bike trail, concrete. I saw it earlier while we were walking. We’re not biking through the sand. We could see if they have any of those tandem bikes. I’ll do the steering and you can see the sights. By ‘see the sights’ I do mean stare at my ass.” I’m thinking it over when she drops her arms and hooks my pinkie around hers. She blushes again—fuck that’s cute, I can’t say no to that. She slips my camera off my neck and points it at me. “We don’t have to. How do I do this again?”
I put my hand over hers and help her adjust the settings. She takes a burst of shots, then pulls the camera away and starts flipping through them.
“You have a wonderful smile, Jamie. Has anyone told you that?”
“I better. Those damn invisible braces aren’t cheap.”
She turns the camera around and shows me and I just stare. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing. I’m not used to seeing myself smile for pictures.”
“Well, it’s been nice seeing you smile then.” She puts the strap of the camera back over my neck and kisses my cheek before skipping toward the bike shop.
Days ago, I stared at a stack of bills, mulling over how to pay off, rent out, and escape the house. I hated my life, and myself, to the point that I was ready to give up on everything. I’ve been begging for something to keep me here—and not just in the city I’ve always called home. Maybe I was just waiting for her. Life can be funny like that, or at least that’s what people say.
Two kids are working at the rental shop and they’re both gawking at Lexi through the window before we even step inside. Neither of them is even trying to hide what they’re doing as they fog up the glass with their breath. They’re probably straight out of high school and blazed out of their minds, but if I had to do this job, I would be, too.
Most days, I am.
“Hey, pretty mama,” the blonde kid says as we walk in, making me wonder if they know the windows don’t have a tint. It’s like I’m not even standing there next to her as he continues to hit on her. “Are you looking for something fun to ride today?”
Her hand finds mine, and she smirks. “Oh, I’ve already got that covered.”
“Dickhead!” the other kid with braces whisper shouts, smacking his buddy in the head then turning back to us. “What he meant was, do you guys wanna rent a bike?”
“Do you have tandem bikes?” Lexi asks, and the kid with braces offers to take her outside to see them.
I hang back, and as soon as they’re out of earshot, I turn the blonde jackass. “You need to apologize to her.”
“Oh, come on, it was funny! Bro. Chicks love that line,” he snorts, clearly amused with himself as he plays on his phone. “It was, you know, like a compliment, man. I had to shoot my shot with a thick ass piece like that.”
“Apologize to her for acting like a primate in heat.” I keep my voice low as I step forward. “Or I’ll rip your fucking nose ring right out of your face. Bro.”
The kid’s eyes are wide and I’m not sure they’ve ever been open this wide before. He sizes me up, which is hilarious considering I doubt he could lift a pencil, let alone stand up for himself. I’m not a fighter, I never have been, but he can plainly see that I haven’t missed a gym day in a while.
“Yo, bro, chill. Fuck, I’m super jealous that you’re hitting that, my man! High five? Those tits are banging, and that round ass?—”
