Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Anxious to get the hell out of there, I ordered some chicken and reached into my pocket for my billfold to pay. Something tumbled from my pocket and clanked loudly on the floor. It was the key Aubrey had given me. I picked it up and closed it into the palm of my hand as I paid for my meal.
It hit me then. Here I was looking for a stupid sign, when all along I’d had the key. Dick rang the bell. They’d been together seven months, and she hadn’t given the princess fucker a key. I’m not the other guy. She just hadn’t admitted it to herself yet. Now that was something I could give her a hand in doing.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Adele was sitting on the couch with her legs crossed. “So, you’re going back tonight?”
I nodded. “I don’t have time to waste. Every second that I’m here, he’s getting more of an upper hand. I just came back to throw my bike into the back of my truck.” I wriggled my forehead. “She wants me to take her for a ride.”
“That’s great and all. I just hope she’s not taking you for a ride.”
“That’s kind of what I’ve been angling for, Sis.”
“You know what I mean! Stringing you along. The fact that she has a boyfriend who seems like a good guy makes this complicated. She’s not going to want to hurt him.”
“I’m aware this isn’t ideal. But here is the key to what I needed to know.” I stuck my hand in my back pocket, pulling out Aubrey’s house key. “Right here.”
“That’s a literal key.”
“Exactly.” I winked. “He doesn’t have one. She gave one to me. Granted, it was to be able to use the toilet at my leisure while I’m doing her lawn. But what does the fact that he doesn’t have one say?”
“That he’s not cutting her grass.” She laughed. “Believe me, I want to think that you’re going to get the girl in the end, but the alternative makes me nervous. That’s all. What happens then?”
“Then, your dear old brokenhearted brother camps out on his couch eating a shitload of Tim Tams all day in his pajamas.”
She threw a pillow at me. “That’s what scares me.”
“You’re worried about me.” I threw the pillow back. “That’s cute but unnecessary.”
“I really hope you’re right.”
Back in Temecula, with my bike gassed up, I was anxious to see her. It was Friday afternoon, so she was still in work. Unable to contain my excitement, I sent her a text.
Chance: In the mood to straddle me?
Aubrey: Excuse me?
Chance: Get your mind out of the gutter, dirty girl. I brought the Harley back from Hermosa Beach. Care to live out your little biker fantasy with me?
Aubrey: You want to take me out?
Chance: Among other things, yes.
Aubrey: When?
Chance: This weekend sometime if you’re free. I was thinking we could take a little road trip.
Aubrey: The last time I did that with you, it got me into trouble.
Chance: Come on, Princess. I’ll let you call me Charlie Hummer.
Aubrey: Hunnam. LOL. Charlie Hunnam!
Chance: I like Hummer better.
Aubrey: I’m sure you do, pervert.
Chance: Who’s the pervert? I was talking about the vehicle. What were you talking about? Better yet…can you demonstrate?
Aubrey: You’re unbelievable.
Chance: Are you smiling?
Aubrey: Maybe.
Chance: Good. So, what do you say?
Aubrey: I can’t do it tomorrow. What about Sunday?
Not wanting to wait an entire day to spend time with her, disappointment set in.
Chance: I happen to be available Sunday.
Aubrey: Do I need to bring anything?
Chance: I’ve got it taken care of.
Aubrey: That scares me.
Chance: LOL. It should.
Aubrey: See you Sunday then.
Chance: What time shall I pick you up?
Aubrey: Noon?
Chance: Sounds good.
She didn’t respond. I couldn’t help sending one last text.
Chance: I can’t wait.
I spent the rest of Friday afternoon and evening preparing for our Sunday trip. First order of business: buying Aubrey a helmet. At the store, I nearly died in laughter when I spotted one that was supposed to look like the green skin of a watermelon. It had a triangle sliced into it that made it appear like a chunk was cut off. I figured she’d kill me if I made her wear that. I settled on a different one that was perfect for her.
Not used to riding with anyone, I also adjusted the rear suspension on the bike in preparation for my passenger.
Back at the motel, I went online in search of a route that we could take and a good place where we could stop. I found a town called Julian that was about seventy-six miles away. That would mean about a two-hour ride. It was a mountainous area about an hour east of San Diego and apparently known for its apple pies. Apple pie for my apple-bottom girl. Julian it was.
I kept fantasizing about finding a bed and breakfast there where we could stay the night but knew that she would never go for that. So, our destination had to be easily doable in a round trip, getting us back to Temecula at a decent hour.