Switching Gears Part 3

My stomach growls. Yeah, probably.

We sit there for a second. He looks at the door, as do I. At the same time we run for it. I get to the stairs first, but as I run up a few of them, he grabs my foot and pulls me so I slide down three.

On my face.

No fair! You cheated! I catch up to him and knock him into the wall as he tries to pa.s.s me.

Cheating isnt illegal when youre racing your sister, he says as I try to trip him. His footsteps are out of my reach and he bounds up the rest of the stairs, leaving me in a heap at the bottom.

I dont care if hes bigger than me. Hes so going down.

CHAPTER 3.

Sat.u.r.days are supposed to be awesome. And mine was, until about two hours ago. I put the key in the ignition of my stupid Civic again and turn it.

Nothing.

My car is officially a big piece of c.r.a.p. And so am I, since all I have on me is a dead cell phone. Stupid battery. Theyve got to find a way to make phones last without batteries someday. But for now, Im screwed. Without a phone. At the bottom of a stupid mountain, stranded in a dirt parking lot, and surrounded by a bunch of trees. Which are honestly looking pretty creepy as the stupid sun sinks lower in the sky.

And yes. Stupid is the word of the day.

This same thing happened last year, but Lucas was with me. His first ride. But he had a cell that actually worked.

We were at a different trail"an easier one, for his sake. I remember it was windy. Probably too windy to take a newbie biking, but he wouldnt let me reschedule. He was stubborn like that. Like me.

Youre sure this is as easy as you say it is? he had asked as he stared down the dirt trail. His blue eyes were wide as he gripped the handlebars of his bike. He looked terrified, which kind of thrilled me. Just a little. He was always so good at everything he did, so I secretly hoped I could best him at this.

Youll be fine. I promise. Its like well, riding a bike. I tried to hide my smile, but it didnt really work.

He narrowed his eyes. Really?

I laughed. Obviously. Just pretend youre on cement and youll do great.

He sat back on his seat and squeezed his grips tighter. Im not on anything close to cement. Im on dirt. Lots of dirt. With lots of rocks.

I glanced around. There arent any I trailed off as he pointed to a huge one in the middle of the trail. Well, that ones kind of out of place. But just go around it. Youre a big boy. I patted his arm and he grinned. And I melted.

Quit distracting me. He cleared his throat and flexed his fingers as a huge gust of wind came up. This wind is totally throwing me off my game.

At least its not messing up your hair. I swear the kid had perfect hair. And I always let him know about it.

He let out a frustrated breath. Helmet hair isnt any better.

You ready? You look nervous.

He put a hand to his chest. Me? Never.

He totally looked nervous. Youll be fine. Promise.

Whatever you say. He pushed off, going so slow that I had to control my laughter when we reached the next section of the trail. I pulled up alongside him as he stared at the downhill we were going to have to take. There is no way Im riding down that.

I snorted. Its easy. I already told you not to pull your brakes too hard. Lean back on your seat and, most importantly, dont crash.

Thanks for the tips, Miss Im-way-more-awesome-than-Lucas. The sarcasm dripped off his tongue like water, but he couldnt hide his smile.

Youd better remember that.

Okay smarty-pants. You go first. Ill be right behind you.

Great. I took off down the hill, relishing in the moment when all I could feel was the wind on my face. Once I got to the bottom, I stopped and turned to see where Lucas was. I tried to retain my laughter as I watched him walk his bike down the hill, but failed.

Yeah, yeah. You kick my b.u.t.t in mountain biking. I know. But I totally kill you in basketball.

Were even then.

He smiled as he stopped his bike next to mine and leaned over to plant a kiss on my cheek. Even if I suck, youre the bestest teacher ever.

My cheek tingled and I stared at him, losing myself in those blue eyes all over again. He had no idea how long Id loved him, but there was no way Id tell him. Unless he told me first. So instead of reacting, I giggled and tried not to let him see how much it affected me. That was so cheesy it kind of made me want to barf.

He had acted hurt, but had burst out laughing two seconds later. Me too.

The memory fades and Im thrust back into reality. I feel the knot in my chest tighten and take slow breaths to keep myself under control.

With the door open, my eyes fall on the heart I had drawn in the dirt with Luca.s.s name in it. Why do I do this to myself? Emotion rushes through me as I stare at his name. I grab the stick I made it with and destroy any evidence of it being there.

I stand, chuck the stick across the parking lot, and sink back into the drivers seat. The knot in my chest loosens a little and I close my eyes and lean my forehead on my steering wheel.

Get a hold of yourself, Emmy.

It takes a few minutes to calm down. Ive cried enough tears over Lucas the past year, and especially the last month, and I dont have any left. But still, sometimes they threaten and I have to fight to keep them at bay.

With a deep breath, I try to turn on my phone again before throwing it on the worn pa.s.senger seat.

My mom is gonna freak when she cant get a hold of me. Especially since I was supposed to be home an hour ago.

Ive taken note of a few cars up here with mine, but Mom would murder me if I hitched a ride with someone I didnt know. Im contemplating walking home, which would take for-freaking-ever, when Cole pulls up in his truck.

Perfect. Just who I want to deal with today.

Everything okay, Marty?

I look up, surprised at the concerned look on Coles face. Everythings peachy. Nice. I sound like Dad. Peachy? Really?

He looks at my car and back at me. Car trouble?

I sigh. No.

Hanging out in the heat for no reason then? Sounds like fun.

Its a blast. I stare at the dirt again.

Need a jump?

Someone already tried. Which is true. They even offered me a ride home, but I had to tell them no and I was too big of a wimp to ask to use their cell phone.

He gets out and leans against his truck with his arms folded. Is someone coming to help you?

Yes, I mutter.

He raises an eyebrow. Really? He doesnt look convinced.

I I sigh. No. No ones coming. My phone died about two hours ago and I cant get in a car with a stranger. As much as I really wanted to earlier.

His eyes widen. Youve been sitting here that long? He glances around before looking back at me.

I shrug. Hes quiet for a moment and thats when I realize hes alone. Hes never alone. Wheres your girlfriend?

He looks confused. Who?

Whitney.

He laughs. Shes not my girlfriend.

Huh. Could have fooled me. I dont know why I even brought it up. Its not like I care.

So youre stranded up here. Its not a question.

I dont answer.

He lets out a breath and opens his pa.s.senger door. Get in.

I glance up, surprised. What? No!

Im taking you home and well call a tow truck to come get your car. He moves toward me, his hand out. Come on. Im taking you home. Im not a stranger, so you have no reason to refuse.

Yes I do, Im fine. And youre kind of a stranger.

He folds his arms again. Seriously?

I try to hide my smile, but I cant.

He doesnt look amused. At all. Come on, Marty. He glances around and gestures to the setting sun. Its getting dark. Youre not staying out here by yourself.

Its not that dark. And why are you up here anyway? You cant bike in the dark.

Who said I was biking?

I point to the bike in his truck. Um that?

That doesnt mean anything.

I let out a frustrated breath. What are you talking about?

Sometimes I come up here to do a quick ride before the sun goes all the way down. Im fine doing that. Because Im a guy. Crazy stalker people wont bother me since Im not a girl.

I sit up straighter. Who does he think he is? You think just because Im a girl, crazy stalker people will bother me? I can handle myself.

He glares at me and folds his arms again. Get in the truck.

No.

He stares at me for a second, his jaw working. Ive never seen him worked up before. Come on, Marty. Get in the truck. Its not going to kill you.

It might. And Im not leaving my bike up here.

He throws his hands up. Then unlock it and Ill put it in the back of my truck!

I frown at him and twist the ring my parents gave me for my sixteenth birthday. Tempting, but Ill pa.s.s.

Youre the most stubborn person Ive ever met in my life, he snaps.

Thanks.

His eyes narrow. Not a compliment.

I stare at the ground again, wishing I were anywhere but here.

He sighs and I glance up as he rubs his temples with one hand. Emmy, please. Let me take you home. I can call a tow truck on the way and come back with your dad or something.

My heart quickens as I realize he used my first name. Hes never called me that before.

I chew on my lip and glance around. Hes right. It is getting dark. And Ive heard plenty of stories about the creepers that hang out in this area. I swallow my pride and take a deep breath. Okay, I whisper.

What?

You can take me home. And I dont need to call a tow truck. My dad and I can come back in the morning to get my car. This isnt the first time its c.r.a.pped out on me. I stand and wipe some dirt from my shorts. This doesnt change anything, though.

He rolls his eyes. Of course it doesnt.

I turn around to unlock my bike and I freeze as he reaches around me and takes it off the rack, lifting it into his truck.

Ill lock it up if you want to climb in.