As soon as we take off and my body jolts back, the feeling of skepticism and uncertainty is left in the wind, being replaced by the adrenaline that starts pumping through my veins.

I had no idea how intoxicating the feeling of flying through the night air on the back of a motorcycle could be. We tear through the quiet streets, we're the only ones on the road and I keep my hold tight but lift my head to take in the sights rushing past me.

The barriers and confines of viewing the roads through a car window are gone. And instead of just watching the passing scenes, I'm apart of them. The sense of presence is so powerful that I don't feel the cold on my bare skin. I just feel alive and free.

I giggle loudly and tighten my grip on Drayton's waist as he hits the gas and the bike lurches forward even faster. 

Streetlights, houses, trees and parked cars all blur together, creating an abstract image of perfection. It's so unclear but so beautiful at the same time. All of my senses have taken on a different significance as we smoothly glide through the dead of night, the loud engine roaring in our wake.
We pass the turn off to my house but at this point it doesn't matter, I could do this for hours.

We drive to the edge of town and follow a narrow winding road that takes us higher and higher with each bend. The street lights are fewer out here but the headlight on the front of the bike lights up the path in front of us as we twist and turn.

Eventually we reach a hilltop. It's a small space with a little concrete slab that could probably hold around twenty cars. It's surrounded by tall dry grass and a wire fence running around the cliff edge. Drayton kills the engine and flicks the stand down. I jump off the bike and pull the helmet from my head.

"That was INCREDIBLE!" I bounce up and down with excitement as he watches me with a small grin. I pass him the helmet and continue to stare at the sleek black bike. "Seriously! That felt amazing."

"Yeah?" He climbs off the bike and walks towards me with a genuine grin lighting his eyes. "It's nice to see this side of you. You look so - so alive."

"I feel alive!" I exclaim. The depth of his stare isn't totally registering with me right now, I'm still too pumped up on adrenaline. But I do notice the heat behind his gaze. "I get it now. I get why you ride. It's amazing!"

He chuckles lightly and we walk over towards a bench seat that sits at the edge of the concrete and looks out over the town below us. Lights twinkle for miles and even the glow of the next town over is bright from here. The shine of streetlights turns into the twinkling of the stars in the sky and the entire view is breathtaking.

"This place is gorgeous," I murmur as we sit down on the bench.

"It's definitely something else." There's a slight indifference in his tone, but the way his gaze gently surfs it's way over the scene before him, I know that he adores it and likely spends a lot of time up here.

He reaches into his pocket and flicks open his pack of cigarettes, popping one in his mouth and effectively ruining the purity of our surroundings.

"Dray, come on!" I whine. "Why do you smoke?! You have to know it's not good for your health?"

He rolls his eyes but to my surprise puts the cigarette back in the box and puts it away. "I've smoked since I was twelve alright. It's a habit."

"Twelve?!" I nearly choke as the word comes out of my mouth. "How in the heck did you start smoking when you were twelve?"

He doesn't say anything. His eyes stay on the view below, his brows knit tightly together and his mouth is set in a hard line. I begin to think that he won't elaborate but he finally exhales and starts to speak. "It's a nervous habit alright. I don't smoke all the time. Just when I feel - nervous or uncomfortable."

It wasn't the explanation I had been expecting. It still doesn't explain why he started smoking when he was twelve but my concentration is set on his admission. "You're... nervous? Right now?"

Again, silence follows and my mind starts to wander back to all the moments he's pulled a cigarette out in my presence. It really doesn't make sense to me in the slightest but I'm afraid to push too much more. He's already opened up more than I thought he would.

"That day on the football field when you came to give my money back" - he kicks dirt around beneath his feet - "I dunno, I panicked a little I suppose. I couldn't reach for my cigs so I said something dumb to mask my discomfort. It was stupid as hell but it is what it is. They help distract me from the nerves. Gives me something to focus on."

"You get nervous?" I don't know what else to say. I hadn't expected such a confession, it's kind of blowing my mind to think that I could make him feel that way and part of me wants to know why.

"I am human last I checked?" He turns to look at me with a small smirk.

"Well I don't know about that..." We both laugh. "You do seem a little superhuman when you're running up and down the football field."

"It's actually my good looks that have you questioning my species isn't it?" He leans in with a raised brow. "How do you girls refer to guys like me? Greek Gods?"

I shove him in the chest but can't help laughing at the faux smug facial expression and his wiggling eyebrows. "Keep dreaming Lahey."

The laughter fills the quiet air and dominates our surrounding sounds, the crickets chirping and the soft hum of cars travelling through the highway below. We gaze out over the view as our chuckling subsides. The earlier adrenaline begins to fade and I start to feel the cold a little more than I had before. I rub my arms, feeling the goosebumps under my hands as I try to wrap around myself and warm up.

"Oh here." Drayton quickly pulls his leather jacket off and drops it over my shoulders. He's only wearing a black t-shirt underneath it and my eyes travel his sleeve tattoo, the curiosity to ask what it means burns on the tip of my tongue, but I decide that he's probably filled his quota of sharing tonight.

"Thanks," I mumble as the scent of him surrounds me and warms me in a way all of its own. "Won't you get cold though?"

"Na I'm good"  - he looks at me - "I got all this to keep me warm." He flexes his bicep with a smug expression so I quickly grip his skin between my index finger and thumb and pinch him, hard!

"Ow, damn!" He pulls away and rubs the skin that's now glowing a soft red. "Shit you're a nutcase."

"That's me." I smile proudly and pull the jacket tighter around myself. The little white jumpsuit was not at all the proper attire to wear for this kind of outing but it had been last minute so there was nothing to be done about it.

"So" - Drayton says slowly, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward. "How come you and Gray didn't seal the deal. I thought that's what you do?"

I sigh loudly. I had considered it was likely that he might ask.

After we'd gone back to his place, Grayson and I had made out a little while a movie played on his television. But the events of the night hadn't allowed me to even pretend that I was in the mood so I'd politely told him I was tired and needed to go home. He's a sweet guy so he hadn't had a problem with it at all. He'd offered me a ride home as well but I had the intention of going straight to the police station so I'd said my brother would pick me up. I can't tell Dray any of that though.

"I just wasn't into it I suppose." I shrug my shoulders with a small smile. "I didn't want to waste any more of his time."

"Did it have anything to do with what happened in the bathroom at the party?"

My entire body seizes up and the warmth that I'd previously felt is gone. A cold chill runs up my spine and I swallow loudly as Drayton straightens up next to me.

"What happened Dallas?" he asks firmly.

It's as if the last fifteen minutes hadn't even happened. All the remnants of the friendly laughter have faded away, replaced by the stoic, stone-faced Drayton that I know better than anything else. "I saw you come out of the bathroom looking upset and then he followed ten minutes later with a bloody nose. I tried to find him so I could politely interrogate him but he was gone. So tell me what happened."

"Nothing." I shrug my shoulders. "Nothing happened."

"Dallas!" he demands with a bite in his voice. I can't help but look up at him; his eyes stare back at me with a darkness that I haven't seen yet. "Tell me what happened. You can trust me."

I'm starting to think that, that this entire thing was about him finding out what had happened. The smoking confession, the motorcycle ride, the serene settings. It was all to get me to open up to him. I can't just assume his motives, but I don't know why he seems so intent on finding out.

"Honestly Dray, nothing happened. I handled it."

"Handled what?!" He grips my shoulders and turns my body so that it's angled towards him. The rage in his eyes is still evident but it's being slightly softened by concern. "Did he touch you? I want to help. But I need a valid reason before I go and beat the shit out of him."

"No Drayton, no!" I shake my head furiously in the hopes that I can physically emphasize how much I don't want him to do that. "I'm going to go to the police okay. I'm going to file a complaint and I'm handling this legitimately. Don't hit anyone!"

"So what he did requires the police!" he exclaims with distress. "Seriously, what the fuck happened!"

I grip his hand, worried that he might get on his bike and search the entire state until he finds him and puts him six feet under. "Nothing happened. It could have but I got out before it did. I promise! He - he did try to-" I can't get the words to leave my mouth but I don't need to because Drayton's eyes widen as he turns away from me and slurs a string of obscenities as he drops my hand and runs it through his hair. My skin feels a little colder without his.

"But I'm fine! See!" I wave my hands over the front of my body with a wide smile. He turns to me but he looks like he's in physical pain and it tugs on my heart. I've never seen him so vulnerable and I want it to stop. I wish we could go back to ten minutes earlier where the atmosphere was so much lighter and we actually seemed to be enjoying each other's company. The silence seems to stretch on forever. He keeps his gaze on the ground, his broad shoulders rising and falling with his rapid breaths.

I shuffle a little closer to him. I don't know what to do, I don't know why this has upset him so much, but I want to make it better. I have a strong urge to comfort him. Perhaps my presence won't make an ounce of difference to his mood. But I want to try anyway. I rest my hand on his shoulder.

"Dray," I speak softly. "I'm okay. I appreciate you caring, but please just forget about it. Nothing happened. So there's no need to stress."

"It could have though." His strained voice makes me think I won't get his carefree self back again. "Something fucking horrible could have happened and I - I just don't - I couldn-"

"Hey!" I place my finger under his chin and turn his face towards mine. "I am fine! Just relax. Please?"

He takes a deep breath and to my relief, nods his head in agreement. The entire conversation has left me reeling with a handful of questions that I desperately want to fire off at him. But there's no chance that I'll push the subject further. I'd rather just have things return to the way they were before.

We sit quietly for a little while, our close proximity has our thighs touching and as hard as I try, the electric hum that tingles throughout my entire body is almost impossible to ignore.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Drayton asks after a little while. "To the police station?"

I hadn't wanted to involve him or even tell him about what had happened. But now that he's offering his support and presence, I realise how much I need and want it.

"On one condition," I smile at his confusion. "Well two actually. More smiling and I want a ride to school on the bike on Monday."

He laughs loudly and I feel an eruption of fluttering in my stomach. The relief I feel at seeing his gorgeous smile is alarming but I ignore the sirens because the joy it brings me far outweighs the concern.

"Deal Bryan," he chuckles. "I'll take you to school on the bike every day if you want."

"Hmm," I grin. "I might hold you to that."

Our eyes lock on to one another, a mutual understanding and respect pass between us and I know without a doubt that I can trust him. Even if we're mad at each other or frustrated with the others choices, he'll be here for me. The gentle but intense look in his eyes tells me that much.

"Come on." He stands up and offers me his hand, pulling me to my feet before we walk over to the bike and get on.

Excitement starts to lift my spirits once more as the engine roars to life and I wrap my arms around his firm waist. I can feel the outline of his muscles under my hands and I'm almost tempted to run my hands up the length of his chest. But I resist the urge and we soon take off.

• • •

The next morning I feel lighter. It surprises me considering last night's events. But after I'd made a statement at the station and spent an extra hour being driven all over town on the back of Dray's bike, I feel a sense of relief.

The police had assured they'd look straight into the incident and I'd provided them with Ben's tinder details which would help speed up the process in finding him. They told me that they would be in contact as their investigation progressed and now all I have to do is wait.

I decided to do my best in shaking the whole experience off. I wasn't going to be unrealistic about my expectations. He'd get a warning at the most considering he hadn't actually assaulted me. But I hoped that the scare would be enough to make him consider his actions the next time he decides to do something so disgusting.

I spend the morning dancing around the house in a pair of sweat shorts and a cropped hoodie, killing time until Spencer comes over at around midday and as promised, I fill her in on ALL of the details.

"Someone tried to assault you!" she gasps as we sit cross-legged on my bed. I nod in confirmation and she starts to pale. "And Drayton threatened to beat him?" I nod again. "And you rode around on the back of his motorcycle?"

"Yep."

"Well," her gaze widens as she takes a deep breath, "I have a few responses to this story. The first being, are you okay?! I mean, do you need to talk to someone?"

"I'm okay," I admit with a small smile. "I might not be saying that if it had gone further, but I'm alright."

"Good." She nods. "Someone needs to rip that assholes dick off and feed it to him."

"Lord," I mumble at the violent threat. "Sounds reasonable I suppose."

"Yeah. The second thing is," she grins, "what a fucking perfect rest of the night! It sounds incredible!"

"I honestly had no idea that I'd love it being on a motorcycle as much as I did." I can feel a smile pulling my lips up as I think about how exhilarating the experience had been.

"So what's the deal with you two then?" Spencer brings me back to the present with her curious tone. "Is there something going on? Something developing?"

"No!" I immediately dismiss the thoughts from forming in her head. "No we're just - I dunno, we're getting along I suppose. I guess we're friends."

"But you think he's attractive right?"

"Yeah, I always have. I've never denied that he's ridiculously hot."

"Okay." She looks down at the comforter as her eyes dart around with a thoughtful expression. "So you're attracted to him and you like him as a person. Sounds like feelings to me."

"Stop!" I shove her shoulder playfully. "We are just friends and I can appreciate that he is an attractive individual. That's it."

"How can you not like him?" she cries loudly with her palms face up on either knee. "You spent the whole night driving around like freaking Bonnie and Clyde. He's perfect!"

"First of all," I recoil with furrowed brows, "Hardly Bonnie and Clyde. We didn't shoot or rob anyone. Please learn your references. Second of all. I don't have to like someone just because they're hot. I'm not you."

"Wow!" She pulls her head back, creating two extra chins as she feigns offence. She knows I'm right though. "I see how it is."

We break into a fit of giggles as I mirror her expression, the two of us pulling stupid faces at each other with a set of extra chins. But the moment is soon disrupted by the familiar sound of an engine loudly pulling into the driveway. Spencer's head whips towards the window and she practically falls off the bed as she leaps up and dashes over to peer out of the nets.

"Holy shit!" she squeals. "He's here. He's in your driveway! He's getting off the bike. Oh my God he's taking off his helmet-"

"Okay thanks for the play by play." I hop off the bed and stand behind her. I look through the nets and sure enough Drayton is making his way towards the house in a pair of jeans and a grey t-shirt. A thin silver chain dangles around his neck and his relaxed yet dominating walk does wild things to my stomach.

Spencer follows me out to the living area and the doorbell rings just as my hand wraps around the doorknob.

"Hey cheer pear." He smiles, rendering me a little speechless for a moment. This is the Drayton I get today. The playful, carefree Drayton. He glances behind me and gives Spencer a quick nod and a smile. I suppose she waves back but I don't turn around to find out.

"Hey." I step aside to let him in but he stays on the doorstep, flinging his keys around his index finger. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing today?" he asks with a knowing smirk.

"Uh." I look behind me at Spencer who shrugs with a big smile on her face. She shakes her head and I suppose that means that we have no plans. "Nothing I guess," I tell Drayton once I've turned back. "Why?"

"Because I wanna spend the day with you."

"Really?" I squash the fluttering in my tummy but it's hard to ignore with Spencer subtly poking me in the back. "Whadya wanna do?"

"I wanna teach you to ride my motorcycle."

• • •

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