Twelve Steps to Love

8 | flying

After Eli and I left the bathroom, we stayed at the party with Lexi, Dev and Michael for about two more hours before Eli said he wanted to show me something.

Eli hadn't had a drink all night and I only had a couple of beers so we both got on Eli's bike feeling good. We have been driving for about ten minutes now, and Eli has pulled into a big clearing that looks like a race track.

Once Eli parked his bike on the road I pulled my helmet off as I questioned why we were here.

"Is this a track for street racing?" I bluntly ask as I hop off the bike and observe my surroundings.

"Yeah." Eli murmurs as he soaks the atmosphere in. We're the only people here but I can tell there have been a lot of people here recently from the beer cans and empty cups that still litter the ground.

"I used to race here, before I left." Eli confesses and I can't hide the shock from taking over my face. I'm not surprised he would street race, but I am surprised I didn't know about it.

"How did I not know that?" I confusedly ask.

"I would say I was working Friday nights and would come here." He explains, and by the look on his face he knows my questions before I even ask. 

"Dev knew, I don't think he told Lexi and yes, this does have something to do with why I left but I'm still not going to tell you what happened."

"Well, okay." I lowly murmur while I try to figure out what to say next. "I'm guessing you haven't raced since you've been back?" I ask as he shakes his head no.

"I bet you kicked ass." I smirk to I try to lighten the mood. I move closer to Eli so that his addictive scent has taken over my surroundings and now it's just him.

"Mmm, you guessed right." He murmurs as he plays with my hair and gazes down at me with hooded eyes. "I was undefeated, which pissed a lot of people off."

"I wish you told me." I say in a seductive tone as I gently place my hands on his biceps. "I bet you look hot when you race."

"Right again." Eli smirks as he places his hands on my waist.

"Why don't you show me?" I flirt as I try to make myself taller and push myself closer to Eli's insane body.

"Okay." He smirks as he turns to grab my helmet and place it on my head before leading me over to the bike and telling me to hop on.

"How am I supposed to watch you if I'm on the bike with you?" I question as he hops on the bike and places his own helmet on his head.

"I haven't raced in months." Eli admits as he turns his bike on. "I need to warm up before you can watch me, and I like riding with you better anyways."

And with that he told me to hold on and we took off at a speed I didn't know existed. Everything zoomed by in a blur and Eli managed all of the twists and turns with ease. It felt as if we were flying, as if there was nothing else in the world except for us.

We completed two more laps before Eli finally slowed and I was able to hop off.

"That was amazing!" I exclaimed as I took my helmet off and faced Eli with a giant smile plastered on my face. "You need to teach me how to do that! I mean that was incredible, we were literally flying Eli-"

I was cut off by Eli throwing his helmet on the ground, cupping my face and looking at me with such an intensity my knee's almost buckled. I couldn't form any words so I just stayed silent and let my eyes talk for me.

His hazel orbs pierced into my soul as he searched my face for an emotion. I'm not sure what he was looking for, but all I can hope is that I have it to give to him.

"With you, we're always flying Camila."

And with that he kissed me with everything he had, taking me to the sky all over again.

~~~~~

After our intense kiss Eli taught me how to drive his bike. I obviously can't do it well yet, but he's promised to help me improve.

So after about two more hours at the track, our night filled with stolen kisses and compliments came to an end and Eli dropped me off at home, but not before promising to come to the BBQ again tomorrow.

It's currently Sunday afternoon and Abuela has had me up and working since 9am, hangover and everything. I was just about to take off for my power nap when the doorbell rings and mama tells me to answer it.

Sighing heavily because I was so close, I trudge my way over to the door before opening it and revealing Lexi. I barely mumble out a greeting, too tired to wonder why she bothered knocking this time as I walk into my room and collapse on my bed.

Just as I'm about to fall asleep Lexi finally speaks.

"Dev and I had a fight and I think we might have broken up."

I'm suddenly very awake as I try to wrap my head around what she just said. Sure they have bickered and had some small arguments, but it's never lasted long enough for her to come to me while still angry. Dev doesn't let her leave angry.

"What happened?" I worriedly ask as I move over so she can sit on my bed with me.

"Well he got mad that we got into that fight last night." She starts as tears brim her eyes making my heart shatter as I reach out to grab her hand. "I eventually calmed him down and everything was okay but then when him, Michael and I were all drinking he got too drunk.

I think he's been having fights with his parents and he drank too much. But anyways he left to the bathroom leaving Michael and I alone. We went to go sit outside because we wanted to leave soon and when Dev came back he started getting angry and jealous. He thought I was trying to hide from him to spend time alone with Michael."

Her explanation left me shocked and angry. Dev has always been a little possessive of Lexi, but never in a concerning way, in a way where he just wanted to protect her and their relationship. Before I can offer up any sort of advice Lexi starts speaking again.

"Why does he not trust me, Cami? We've been dating for two years and he thinks I'd cheat on him? God, when I told him off for being stupid I told him to 'fuck outta my life' and he just stormed off. I was so angry but I didn't mean it!" She admits as the tears finally fall.

I bring her into a hug as she cries into my shoulder.

"Dev isn't going to break up with you, Lex, he loves you and he was just drunk. You guys will figure it out." I say with conviction as mama calls out for me.

"Camila, Elijah y Dev están aquí! ¡Sal a cenar!" Mama yells, making me look over to Lexi with a knowing gaze before realizing she doesn't know what mama said. (Camila, Elijah and Dev are here! Come for dinner!)

"He's here, Lexi."