Switching Gears Part 6

No kidding.

She grabs a strand of her light hair and twists it around her finger. But seriously. You scare the c.r.a.p out of me with how fast you go sometimes.

I like the thrill of it. I grin. That sounded so stupid, but its true. A few riders pa.s.s our spot, making me look up. I wonder what time it is. I glance at my watch and frown. We need to head down. My dad told me I could go on a short ride today. My parents will kill me if Im not back on time.

I think of Mom and look out into the valley again as my mood darkens. I wont let it bother me. I wont. No feeling sorry for myself, and no crying.

Keep it together.

Kelsie plays with the bracelet around her wrist, looking thoughtful. So hows Cole?

What do you mean, hows Cole?

She chuckles. I love how riled up you get the second I mention his name.

I do not.

Do, too. Do you know what I think?

No. And I dont really want to know either.

I think you two would be so cute together.

Oh, come on, Kels"

Just think about it. Youre a mountain biker, hes a mountain biker. You could totally get married and have mountain biking children.

Youre super hilarious.

A family of mountain bikers. Its like your perfect fantasy.

I try not to smile, but I cant help it. Even if what shes saying is totally ridiculous, she always knows how to cheer me up. Whatever.

She puts her arm around me. Hes into you, girl. And Ill prove it.

Dont. Please. I dont need you to play matchmaker.

She laughs. Oh, Im not planning on being the matchmaker. You two will do that on your own. Theres so much chemistry there. I just need to give you guys a little push. She smiles and I feel my cheeks heat.

I dont like Cole.

Just keep telling yourself that. Have you ever noticed how he always seems to find you? And by the way he teases you, its totally obvious. Teasing means he likes you. And with how sarcastic you are with him Kelsie, I dont like him. I grit my teeth. I cant like him. Hes not Lucas. I stare out into the valley, my whole body tense. I barely know him at all.

She unwraps her arm from around my shoulder. Youre still not over him are you? She gives me a small smile and puts a hand over mine. All I can do to keep from crying is shake my head. Oh, honey. Im sorry. Shes quiet, gathering her thoughts while I try to push mine away. Its okay to move on, you know? Hed want you to do that.

We should go. I sniff, scoot away from her, and jump down from the rock.

I hear her following me, but shes quiet. I feel bad now. Its not like I dont want to move on. I do, I just cant. Kelsie glances at me as she slides her gloves back on. Hey. Im sorry. I shouldnt have said anything.

A long sigh escapes my lips. You can say whatever you want, Kels. I know youre right. I just dont want to admit it, you know? Im having a hard time letting go.

She nods. I know. She gets back on her bike and adjusts her helmet. So, to cheer you back up, I have a proposal for you.

Shoot.

Breakfast. Tomorrow. Then we go to the mall and get some shopping done.

I squeeze my eyes shut, the thought of shopping already giving me a headache.

Hey. You promised.

I know.

Want to race back down?

Right. Have you seen this trail? Its super narrow. Wed totally take each other out and run over all the walkers on the way.

Yeah. Youre probably right.

Lets do it anyway. I push off and hear her laughing behind me.

CHAPTER 6.

I dont do Mondays.

And since I hardly slept at all last night, Im basically a well-dressed zombie sitting at breakfast with Kelsie. We started the tradition last year with our biking team"breakfast at our local diner every Monday during the summer. Now its just me and her. We should start a different tradition, but I like scones too much.

Today, though, even scones cant pull me away from my bad mood.

I stare at the old records hung up on the walls and wonder what it would have been like to live back in the fifties. I wonder if life was as complicated as it is now. As I contemplate changing the song on the awesome jukebox in the corner, Im certain of one thing: things were a lot simpler then.

I wonder how Id look in a poodle skirt Emmy. I glance up as Kelsie nearly finishes off her scrambled eggs and looks at my plate. You havent touched your food. Whats the matter?

Im tired. And Im not feeling too great. I still havent talked to Mom. I shut myself in my room all day yesterday and then left before she got up this morning. Maybe thats why I dont feel good. The guilt is starting to eat at me.

She frowns. You could have texted me this morning. I would have brought soup or something over instead. Even though soup would be gross for breakfast. She shivers and takes one final bite of scrambled eggs.

I take a tiny bite of my scone and chew it up before pushing it away. Soup cant cure what I have.

Soup can cure anything. Especially mine.

Yours comes from a can.

She shrugs. What can I say? Campbells has healing properties.

I roll my eyes and stare out the window. All I have is a headache. Not a big deal. I swirl my eggs around on my plate as I eye my scone again. I may have to take it home.

She sets her fork down. Seriously, though. Whats up?

Nothing.

Her eyes narrow. Somethings up. Youre my best friend. I can read your moods better than I read my own.

Is that even possible?

Of course. She downs her orange juice in two seconds and sets her cup on the table. Want to tell me whats bothering you? You look worried or something.

I shake my head. Im fine, Kels. Really. We have some stuff going on at home, but its not a big deal.

The same thing as yesterday?

I dont really want to talk about it right now.

Okay. Anything I can do?

Not right now. I smile to rea.s.sure her. But thanks.

Hey, Kelsie, Marty.

I look up and see Cole striding toward us. Hes alone again. No Whitney or his other biking minions.

Hi, Kelsie says.

I dont say anything, just fight the urge to get up and leave. After our encounter in his truck on Sat.u.r.day, I really dont want to talk to him. Even though it wasnt really an encounter at all. He was being nice and giving me a ride home. I dont like the way he made me feel, though. All fl.u.s.tered.

Stupid boys.

Cole stops and folds his arms. I have to admit, he looks good this morning. His green shirt brings out flecks of green in his hazel eyes. I look away to stop myself from checking him out further. Still do breakfast every Monday?

Yep, Kelsie says, finishing off a piece of toast.

I thought so. He looks at me. Something like regret flashes across his features. Want to get some practice in after breakfast, Marty? Ill meet you in Ogden if youd like. Give you some pointers.

I frown as I look at him. You keep asking me that. Why would I need pointers from you?

You know why. He grins.

I lean back against the booth and fold my arms. Maybe if you didnt have that ridiculously large ego, I might actually say yes.

Really?

My eyes narrow. No.

He laughs. Fine. Just thought Id offer since you dont have a car right now.

My face heats. I never told Kelsie about him taking me home and even though shes trying to look like shes super interested in whats left of her breakfast, shes listening. Ill uh get a ride with Kelsie if I go. Thanks, though. I shift uncomfortably as he stares at me.

Sorry, Em. I have to work. Remember? Kelsie winks and stands up and leaves me. I need to wash this syrup off my hand. Be right back.

Syrup? Really? She didnt even have pancakes.

Cole smiles after her, then slides in next to me, his arm resting on the booth behind me. He leans close, and the near contact makes my heart freak out. So, is it really a no? Id rather go with you than by myself. If youre up to the challenge.

Is he asking me out? No. Never. Even though a part of me"a very small part"maybe kind of wishes he was.

I have stuff to do. I glance at him, keeping my face as straight as possible. Thanks for the offer though.

The corner of his mouth turns up. Youre using stuff as an excuse to not hang out with me? Ouch.

A smile tugs at my lips. No. I really do have a bunch of stuff to do. At home. For my family. I grimace. You know cleaning and stuff.

Cleaning and stuff? You couldnt have thought of a better excuse?

Someone calls Coles name and he turns as one of his friends greets him from across the room. He raises a hand at him and turns back to me. Well that sucks. Okay. Maybe we can do it again sometime. When you dont have to clean and stuff. See you around then, Marty. He tugs on a strand of my hair, grins, and walks away, leaving me confused and fl.u.s.tered. Again.

So whats this about him knowing your car is dead?

I glare at Kelsie as she slides back in her seat. Thanks for leaving me.

She chuckles. Just letting you guys have a moment. So, spill. I know you have some details youre not telling me.

I sigh. My car died at the trailhead the other night and Cole showed up. He took me home. No big deal.

Her eyes widen. No big deal? This is huge! And a second ago he was totally asking you out.

Was not. I look over as he sits down next to one of his friends in another booth. He glances at me, catches me staring, and sits up straighter with a smile on his face. My cheeks burn as I turn and stare at my food.

Was too. Didnt you see the way he was looking at you? She pauses. The way hes still looking at you? She chuckles as I glare at her. Theres something there. He wouldnt have asked you out otherwise.

I grit my teeth and push my food around my plate. He might have asked me to go riding, but that doesnt mean he was asking me out.

Oh, quit being so you and let the guy take you out.

Im not going out with him, okay?

I dont mean to snap at her, and as soon as I do, I feel horrible.

Shes quiet for a moment and instead of finishing her breakfast, pushes it away. Sorry, Emmy. Didnt mean to make you mad. Is this about Lucas again?

No. Its just I think of Mom again and shake my head. My family. Its kind of got me on edge. Im sorry for freaking out. I really didnt mean to take it out on you, I swear.

She shrugs. Youre allowed to have a freak-out once in a while.