“Make sure the cameras are okay.”
“You matter way more than a camera, Angel.” I pour some water over the cut, then wrap the shirt around her calf. “It’s not perfect; I can probably get a first aid kit from somewhere.”
“I’m fine. I fell off a bike in front of the hottest guy on the beach. I’m more embarrassed than anything.” She snickers, but I can hear the underlying pain. “Now I’ll never get in your pants.”
I don’t even hear the last words because of where her eyes are. I took off my shirt. Shit. I turn so she doesn’t have to stare at the disgusting scars. I’m not ready to ruin our day with that conversation. My hands shake as I clean the blood, bracing myself for the questions I don’t want to answer. When her words finally replay in my head in slow motion, I realize she said nothing about my side or the jagged disfigurement. In fact, she called me…hot.
She’s smiling through the pain, giving me a shrug. I feel like an absolute moron. Panicking over something she’s not concerned about at all. I’m blaming myself for the crash, too. I should have been paying more attention and not fucking with my phone. “Damnit, I ruined your shirt. Fucking assholes. I’m sorry I dragged you out here. We should have stayed at your place and gone over pictures.”
She reaches over and touches my arm so softly I almost don’t feel it. “I’m the one who suggested the beach and the bikes. You didn’t do anything wrong, James.”
“Sorry, I…uhm… guess I got a little upset. It’s not deep, so you shouldn’t need stitches.”
“Hey,” She tilts my head up with a finger and I can’t breathe. “Don’t let it ruin the morning. We still had a really wonderful time, and we got some work done. You should check out all the texts I’m getting from my sister and Dani because of a few pictures I posted.”
I take a breath and try to relax. “Posted? Should I be ready for round two with your mom later?”
“No, I keep my account super private. Want to help me back up, tough guy? Let’s find out if I can ride this thing or if I have to walk.”
“You’re not walking back like that,” I say firmly as I help her to her feet, then lean in next to her ear and whisper, “Would you prefer to ride the bike back, or me?”
She covers her face and how the pinks and reds of her skin creep through her fingers when she laughs. “Oh, my god. Are you taking flirting lessons from a bike shop kid?”
“Hey, at least you didn’t slap me. Now wrap those pretty legs around me and I’ll carry you back and walk the bike.”
“James, you don’t have to do that. I can?—”
“I want to. I want to take care of you.” I brush her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Please?”
We strap the bag to the bike and I help her climb on my back, careful not to bump against the cut. She snuggles against my neck and plays with my hair. For the first time in my life, I never want to leave the beach. It takes us over an hour to get back to the Jeep after we stopped a few times to give us both a break.
“Alright, you stay here and I’ll run the bike back. I’ll try to find something to clean that up a little better, too.” I start to move away, but she grabs my shirt and pulls me in for a deep, fiery kiss.
“Hurry back.”
On my way back from returning the bike, I pull out my phone to check my texts to make sure Lexi doesn’t need anything else. As soon as the screen lights up, I remember what distracted me before the bike went down.
Unknown Number
I went by the house, but you’re not at home. Such a shame.
Don’t ignore my calls again, dickhead.
She’s cute in a boring way. How long before I get this one to leave your sorry ass?
[Image Attached]
Lexi and I eating breakfast this morning just down the street from where I’m standing now.
I think back over the last couple of days, trying to figure out how the hell she found me and how she knows about Lexi. It wouldn’t surprise me if she hired a PI to follow me around before she came into town so she could have extra ammunition to hurl at me.
I shove the phone in my pocket, knowing I can’t let her get to Lexi. No matter what.
CHAPTER20
TRUE LOVE
??? P!NK, LILY ALLEN
