Fall From Grace (17 page)

"Wait a minute! Aren't you going to class?"

"Nah, I've had a tough week. I'm ditching today. Besides, I've got some serious wooing to come up with." He looks back at me as he says this, with a big grin on his face. Yup, he was so playing me.
 

The rest of the week flies by as I try to get Gabs' take on Ashs' declarations. She isn't having it, refusing to get in the middle of my messed up drama. I know she was secretly wishing we were kaput so she wouldn't have to pretend to like him anymore. I guess referring to him as 'arse wipe' made her intentions pretty clear. I know she's just trying to protect me and I don't blame her. If the situation was reversed I would be just as sceptical.

I don't really know what to think anymore either. I've analyzed, sweat bullets, fretted, cried, screamed and panicked. Pretty much the gamut of all pms-y emotions. I'm exhausted and going in with no expectations, so that I can't get hurt this time right? With that thought lingering, I hear a roar zipping up my driveway; it sounds like a lap in the Indy. I peek out the window to see Ash flipping his leg over a sleek black motorcycle. He pulls off his helmet and hitches it onto the back of the bike, he has GOT to be kidding. Although my heart does speed up just a little in anticipation. I've never been on one before, but hell, I know enough that being that close to him could have serious repercussions and he knows it. You sly dog. I hear the front door open already, Shit, Dad!
 

I'm still at the top of the stairs but I can hear my Dad giving him the what for, clear as day. I hang back for a little listen as I let him have some choice words with his daughters date; I mean I don't want to make this TOO easy for him. I smile to myself as he lays into the hard hitting lecture about speed, death traps, his only child, responsibility, and my personal favourite – the wrath of Dad. You know the one. How if you hurt one hair on my daughters head I will hunt you down and remove all body parts that mean one spec of importance to you. I giggle to myself a bit and figure he's had enough for one night as I turn the corner and head down the stairs.

Ash seems pretty unfazed, but a little relieved to see me. All in all I think he faired pretty well. Dad is quite red faced and flustered, but after that tirade I would say he's holding his own.

"Home by midnight Stella, not a second later, wear your helmet at all times and for gods sake, do NOT let him go above 45."

"Sure Dad, gotcha." I give him a little salut as he wraps me in an awkward hug before he hightails it to the kitchen without a single utterance of good bye to my date.
 

I turn back to Ash looking quite surprised by that sudden show of affection, I think he's still in shock that his daughter started dating before 30, poor guy.

"Well, you sure know how to rile up the adults. Is it a special gene you possess, or just a genuine lack of respect for authority figures?" I say as I slide on my boots and grab my coat from the hook. I'm so glad I opted for jeans casual instead of flowy dressy, much more death mobile appropriate.

"I think they're in awe of my awesomely charismatic charm and witty remarks. Besides, I saw the look on your Dad's face, he is SO jealous of my bike out there, it's killing him!" I smile at him picturing my Dad on his motorcycle, he'd probably not make it to the end of the driveway before ditching it. He's super smart, but clumsy as hell.
 

"So, where are you whisking me off to on your machine built to make you seem more manly?"

"Ouch. I guess I deserved that," he says with a smirk as he grabs my hand and we close the front door behind us.

"I thought we could go for a drive, and I have a little spot in mind for a pit stop if you're up for it?" he replies as he brushes a stray strand of hair from my cheek.

"As long as it's awesome. You DO remember I haven't forgiven you yet," I say as I break free from his hand and lop down the front steps. I've got to get some control here and I can't just let him think that he can touch me whenever he wants. I need to exercise my woman's lib and all that crap. As I stand before the bike with my hands on my hips I start to sweat a little. Not that I'm scared, well maybe a little, but this is exactly where he wants me and I know it. I can't let my hormones do the talking tonight, I need to figure out what the hell is really up with him and whether he's just too damaged for me. I won't deny that we share an amazing chemistry, but it can't be all about that. Time to cut the crap.

"Well, what do you think?" He comes up behind me leaning over my shoulder.

"It's Shiny. Let's go." I grab the spare helmet and pop it on my head trying to look like I know what I'm doing. I see Ash suppressing a laugh, but doesn't offer his assistance which I'm grateful for.

"Ok, so whatever you do, don't let go and try not to lean with me, just go with the flow of the bike, don't try to overcompensate in the turns – got it?" He flips his leg over the seat and pulls his own helmet on as he kicks up the stand and fiddles with the switches. The bike roars to life as he looks back at me. "You coming?"

"Ok, ok, give me a minute Grey." I zip up my cropped leather jacket to my neck and tuck the dangling strands of my hair into the helmet. As I flip my leg over the seat, I try to adjust myself with minimal touching to him, but it's a little difficult as the seat slops down towards him. Clever design. I loop my arms around his waist casually and knot my fingers together for stability. "Ok ready."

"You know you're going to have to squeeze a little closer then that. You do realize how these things work," he says as he turns his head a little to the left to peer back at me. His voice is coming from inside the helmet though, it doesn't surprise me that he would have the latest tech for his bike.

"Just drive, I got it."

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

I have to admit that the bike is super hot; the sound is smooth and seemingly gentle, but with a hidden power that can be unleashed at any time. As he starts to make his way down my driveway we go fairly slow due to the gravel but once we hit the highway, a totally different story. He punches the gas immediately, leaving me no choice but to vice grip his waist and hang on for dear life.

"Told ya," he laughs into the mic.
 

Now I totally get it; I completely understand the pull of chicks to guys on bikes. It was fantastic. I have no idea how fast he was going (sorry Dad), but the ride was so exhilarating, it left me speechless. Feeling the wind pushing against us, the speed, Ash's body pressed so close to mine, the confidence he was exuding manipulating this powerful machine, I
 
am a total a bike whore!
 

We were quiet for a bit, mainly because I couldn't stop my goofy smiling and I think Ash wanted to just drive fast. Finally he broke the silence.

"So, what do you think? Am I winning some brownie points? Are you being wooed?"
 

"You're doing ok. Pretty slick I must say though, does this work on all the girls?"

"I've actually never taken a girl on my bike before. I like to ride alone, driving fast helps me think."

"So what changed your mind with me? What do I owe this display of favouritism?" I questioned with a bit of sarcasm mixed in with a smile.

"In case you haven't noticed Stella, you aren't exactly like all the other girls." Which of corse leaves my heart hammering in my chest. On that note he accelerated even faster and we enjoyed the rest of the ride in silence. We really didn't need to say anything more, our body language spoke volumes. I pulled myself a little closer to him, tucking my hands into his leather jacket pockets for some extra warmth, feeling his abs through the thin liner fabric as I wrapped my arms tighter around his waist. I could feel his pulse quicken as I did this. My body seems to have some sort of spidey sense around Ash. If it weren't humanly possibly I would swear that I could feel things with him that I can't in anyone else; like there's a pull drawing us into a little bubble where I'm sensitive to the most minute details of his body, his temperature rising and falling, his heartbeat quickening, his smell even. I know this is strange but sometimes I can tell when he's near before I see him, my heart beats faster, my skin prickles and then magically he appears. This happened a few times the other week, but I just chalked it up to my attraction for him. Now I'm not so sure.
 

We headed into a small outskirt of Alessa, a little town that pretty much has nothing but a general store, post office included, and a few houses littering the main drag. Ash started to slow down and turned north. We drove a few miles before I could see our destination in the distance. It was a place easy to miss, an old building nestled back into the woods that has definitely seen better days. There were actually a few cars in the small dirt parking lot, but it was not someplace I would ever venture on my own. I see a little neon sign in the window, that you would probably miss if you weren't paying attention, stating this place as 'The Devil's Pit', charming. It almost looks like Merlotte's from 'True Blood'. First off it's in the middle of nowhere, there are skeezy guys on Harley's in the parking lot, most of the windows are blacked out, and I imagine many a fight breaks out in the parking lot accompanied by broken bottles and drunk guys proving their manhood. What the hell are we doing here? Two high school kids are going to get slaughtered in a place like this. Let alone the fact that we are both underage.
 

"Um, Ash, why are we stopping here? Was the ponderosa too lacking in knifings?" I say as he cuts the engine and I pull my helmet off, wary to remove myself from the bike.

"Time for some adventure Stella, aren't you curious to see what will happen in a place like this?" He pulls off his helmet and gestures to the area around us.

"I think I know what will happen. We'll go in, be denied a drink cause we clearly aren't 21, get thrown out on our asses, accidentally knock down a bike which will domino the others onto the ground, get beaten up by a bunch of thugs who value their bikes over human life. They'll bury us, with no evidence, in a swamp, burn our belongings and then go back in and finish their drinks. I watch CSI, I'm not naive."

Ash laughs at my analogy, but still rests his helmet on the bike, ruffling his hair into that messy look that I love. Damn him.

"I'd say you watch too much TV," he says as he motions for me to get off the bike. I flip my leg over and fiddle with my hair in a lame attempt at fixing hat head. "Where's your sense of adventure Stells?"

"I think it left town when I saw that guy over there hock a giant loogie in the grass while giving me the evil eye." I shudder.

'C'mon, it'll be fun, I promise," he says grabbing my hand and leading me into what I feel is certain death.

I don't think I'm really wrong in that statement. I mean the dingy bar was exactly that. A dank, dark hole in the wall with some very scary patrons scattered throughout. There was a long wooden bar to the left which you can tell is permanently sticky with spilled beer, filthy elbows and years of neglect. There's a jukebox on the far north wall playing some old tune from the 70's, and no I'm not talking disco either, it sounds a little like Black Sabbath? There are some old wooden tables scattered in the middle with mismatched chairs and stools rounding out the seating arrangements. To the right is a little dance floor and rickety stage, God I hope there is no entertainment tonight. Behind that are two doors that lead to 'gents' and 'fillys'. I suppose I am a filly, but I'll have to double check with Ash before I attempt to use the washroom never to be seen again.

"So, what makes you think they will serve a bunch of snot nosed teenagers booze? You do realize we are underage?" I whisper this statement, even though it appears that not one person has looked up or noticed us come in. I guess the local folk like to keep a low profile.

"Stop worrying Stella. Let's sit at the bar." He ushers me to the counter and we take a seat on some high stools that were worn down to the perfect ass shape. I see the barman at the far end wiping some glasses as he looks up to Ash. He doesn't acknowledge a smile, or utter a word. I see Ash hold up two fingers as the barman gives a slight nod and finishes up his task.

"What was that?" I ask.

"Sorry, did you want a shirley temple? I thought perhaps you would be up for a real drink," he says with a smile tugging at his lips.

"Ok, ok, you got me. Are we being punked?"

"Oh ye have little faith." Ash pops a large bill on the bar as the mute barman slides down a few drinks. It appears to be a rich honey coloured liquid – brandy?

"I hate to break it to you Mr. Sinatra, but I prefer my beverages to have coke, or 7-up included. Besides, you shouldn't be drinking, you're driving."

"Lighten up Stella, it's one drink. It's the house specialty, c'mon try it, you'll like it." He grabs his and takes a long haul never leaving eye contact with me; his green eyes gleaming.

"Alright, but just so you know, I'm not a big fan of cognac unless it's a vintage '56." I grab the glass and take a little sip but it's like nothing I've ever tasted before, it doesn't even taste like hard liquor. More like warm liquid velvet as it rolls down my throat and a heat fills my entire body making my extremities tingle as if all my nerve endings have just woken up from a long sleep .

"Whoa, what is that stuff?" I ask as I take another sip.
 

"Just something they make locally for their 'special' clientele," he says as he watches me carefully, judging my reaction.