Redemption

Chapter 12: Midnight Ride

Summary: Amber takes Tara out motorcycle riding since neither can sleep, and they start to become romantically interested in each other again—there are a few fluffy moments during this (I better get some thank you's). 

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The wind howls as it rushes past them, whipping Tara's hair into a wild frenzy, strands flying in every direction. Each gust tugs at her, but she clings tightly to Amber, her arms wrapped securely around Amber's waist as if she were a lifeline. Tara's fingers dig into Amber's jacket, knuckles whitening with the force of her grip. The roar of the motorcycle engine vibrates through her chest, a constant reminder of the speed at which they're traveling. Every bump in the road sends a jolt through her, making her hold on even tighter, her body pressed firmly against Amber's back. 

Tara's heart races in time with the rhythm of the bike's engine, each breath she takes feeling shallow and quick. She can feel the warmth of Amber's body through her jacket, a comforting contrast to the cool air that lashes at her face. Her thoughts are a whirlwind, mirroring the chaos of her hair as she silently prays that her grip holds, that she won't lose her balance or slip. Despite the thrill, a tinge of fear gnaws at her, the thought of tumbling off the speeding bike ever-present in her mind. But she trusts Amber, trusts her to keep them both safe, even as they tear through the streets at breakneck speed.  

Earlier in the evening, as darkness fully settled over the city, Tara found herself restless in her room. The night had already swallowed the last traces of daylight, leaving her surrounded by the soft glow of streetlights filtering through her window. Despite the quiet serenity of the night, sleep remained elusive. Tara had finished all her assignments earlier in the week, leaving her with nothing to occupy the long hours that stretched ahead. She flipped through channels on the TV and scrolled aimlessly through her phone, but nothing could hold her attention. 

She thought about reaching out to her friends, but she knew they'd all be fast asleep by now. Even Sam, who often stayed up late working on something or doing Quinn, had turned in for the night. Tara felt a pang of loneliness in the stillness of the apartment, the silence pressing in on her from all sides. That's when her thoughts drifted to Amber. Tara hesitated for a moment, unsure if Amber would even be awake, but the growing sense of isolation pushed her to take the chance. She grabbed her phone and called Amber, hoping for an answer. 

To her relief, Amber picked up after a few rings. Her voice came through the speaker, tinged with the familiar weariness Tara had come to recognize, but there was also a hint of something else—like she was about to head out, maybe for a drive or something. The thought intrigued Tara, and without really thinking it through, she asked if she could join Amber. She didn't have to ask twice. 

Now, Tara found herself clinging to Amber as they sped through the night, the motorcycle's engine a steady hum beneath them. What had started as a restless evening had transformed into an impromptu midnight ride, the world blurring around them as they cut through the city streets. The cool night air brushed against Tara's skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of Amber's body in front of her. It was exhilarating, freeing even, and despite the speed, Tara felt safe with Amber being the one to drive the motorcycle. She could tell that Amber had a better experience with the bike, which made her feel even safer knowing that Amber wouldn't crash and kill them both. 

Amber drives in focused silence, her thoughts heavy as she navigates the dark streets. She takes a gentle curve, ensuring Tara remains securely behind her, clinging to her back. The last thing Amber wants is to hurt Tara again, a fear rooted in the past mistakes that haunt her. No matter how much time passes, the guilt lingers. 

As she hits another curve, her tires splash through a puddle, sending water flying onto a group of pedestrians. Angry shouts follow, and Amber's body tense as she hears something whizzing through the air. A beer bottle smashes against the pavement, narrowly missing Tara. Amber's heart races as she quickly pulls into a small parking spot meant for bikes and motorcycles, the sound of the engine cutting off echoing in the night.