Falling For You

-XXI-

Let me know what you think of this chapter, enjoy! 

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Harley 

"Thanks," I flash a polite smile to the cashier. 

Picking up the few items I was told to purchase by my mother I exit through the automatic glass doors. Opening the storage compartment on my bike I gently shove the food in latching and locking the lid again. I'm about to slide my black helmet on when a little voice catches my attention. 

"Hawley!" Laney tugs her petite hand out of Cody's grasp and barrels into my legs hugging me. 

"Hey Laney, what's up?" I pry her clutching arms off so I can bend down to her level. 

"Me and Coco are going to the park to play!" 

"Oh is that so?" I chuckle at her enthusiastic gestures, her small body not able to stay in one spot. 

"Hey 'Hawley'," Cody greets once he's weaved around the few pedestrians milling about, mimicking the way Laney says my name. 

"Coco Hawley should come too!" 

"Uh," he awkwardly scratches the back of his head. "If she wants to, but she doesn't have to." 

"Sure I'd love to!" I couldn't resist the six years olds adorable puppy eyes. Plus my mom wouldn't need the ingredients until tomorrow, so I have time to spare today. 

Resting my bike helmet back on the seat I join them on the short stroll to the play area. 

"I love the monkey bars!" Laney animatedly talks with a happy skip in her step. "I used to need help but I don't anymore! Right Coco?" 

Cody fondly smiles at his bubbly sister. "Right Laney." 

She continues to happily chatter until the blue and green playground is in her sight; then she promptly takes off eager to get to the beloved monkey bars. The playground theme is dinosaurs as various types like T-Rex and stegosaurus are spread about. It's a decent size structure with four swings, two green and blue slides with varying shape and length, along with my favourite. The hand glider that swings you down a wiggly path. 

"Hawley look!" With her seemingly endless amount of energy Laney effortlessly grabs onto the metal bars swinging quickly to the awaiting side. 

"That was awesome!" I smile at her proud beaming face. "Good job!" 

After playing on the slides she reaches the glider, which is a little too high for her to reach. 

"Hawley can you lift me up?" 

"Yeah sure," I shoot a glance in Cody's direction to make sure he's okay with it, when he flashes a smile I help her. 

"Aw Lane you forgot about me already?" Cody fake pouts attempting to look sad. 

"I like her better," she calls out before letting out a happy shrill giggling. No clue how she manages to maintain arm strength. 

With mock offence Cody looks my way. "Harley I can't believe you've replaced me!" 

Gently letting down a wiggly Laney off the structure I respond. "She just knows I'm cooler." 

"I'm hurt." Placing a hand on his heart he adds to his affect. "Laney tell her she should say sorry." 

"But she's right," look at that this child already loves me more. "She is cooler!" 

"Laney how could you do this to me," he flipping sniffles. 

Who knew the school's badboy was actually a closet drama queen? 

"Don't worry," Laney peers up at him with her sparkling eyes. "You're still my favourite brother." 

A crease forms on his forehead when he scrunches his brow. "But I'm your only brother." 

"Exactly!" She giggles cheerfully laughing. I can't help myself from joining in too when I see the scowl set on Cody's face, of course I could tell it held a smile behind it but Laney didn't. 

For about another half hour we watch Laney dashing from one thing to another never taking a break, sometimes roping us in on her antics. Once a few other kids came we were quickly forgotten and had a chance to take a rest ourselves. 

"You're good with kids." Cody states, not looking my direction but instead watching Laney interact with a girl around her age. 

"Laney is a good kid." I shrug, leaning back into the blue wooden bench. 

"Hey uh," his eyes nervously dart to mine before looking down at his twitching hands. "Do you want to hangout this Saturday? Without Laney?" 

"Like a date?" 

"Yeah." For once the cool and composed Cody Spears seems nervous. 

"What about that girl you were with yesterday?" Rather hard to forget the screaming girl at the bowling alley. 

He seems to cringe a little before speaking. "We aren't a thing. That was just uh, a casual thing." 

"Why do you want me to go on a date with you?" I scruntinize him still suspicious. I mean sure we've been getting along better than I anticipated but still. Drew told me to be careful of him which I've still yet to find out the reason why. 

"I like you, I think you're a cool person," still being the watchful older brother he quickly glances to check if Laney is still okay. "I want to get to know you more." 

I exhale a deep sigh. My brain is telling me to be on guard and say no for various reasons. Yet my gut is saying go for it and say yes, give him a chance. 

"Okay." I decide. 

"Okay?"

"Okay I will." 

Letting out a breath of relief he visibly relaxes. "Great, I'll pick you up at six." 

After checking the time and realzining it's time to leave Cody collects Laney who's bidding goodbye to her new group of friends. 

"See you later Harley." We're back in front of the corner store where my motorbike is parked. 

"Bye Hawley, thanks for coming to play with me today!" 

"No problem, it was loads of fun!" I can't contain a smile breaking through at her politeness. It's a rare thing you see in children nowadays. 

Once Cody turns around gently pulling Laney with him I strap my smooth helmet on. Kicking up the stand I let the rumbling feeling course through my body relaxing my muscles. There's something satisfying about driving on a motorcycle. The wind whipping passed the nose of the bike following the aerodynamic path till the tail, and when I ride without a helmet my hair blowing behind me gives a freeing sensation. It's a wonderful thing to experience. 

Opening the garage I drive in before shutting everything off and closing the doors. Putting the newly bought food away in the cupboards I retreat to my room as my dad is in his office and my mom is still not home. 

Flopping backwards onto my bed I internally prepare myself for the phone call I have to make. As the contact is regularly used it doesn't take long until it starts ringing. 

"Hello?" 

"Hey Ally."