The Boy From Italy (Pentatonix)

Ch 23. Helmet

By some work of God, the motorcycle is fully functional and back in work by Monday afternoon. School doesn't start until the next day which means there's still half a day left to give the motorcycle all the test driving it could ever need. Avi and Mitch both came over every day to help Scott figure it out. Even if Mitch was really only there for moral support and to convince Scott and Avi to work on it shirtless.

"That might be it, Scott." Avi grins at their handy work. "Go ahead and give it a try."

Scott straddles the bike, putting a hand on the throttle. The most satisfying thing Scott has felt in days is when the bike roars to life. He hadn't been completely sure what buying a motorcycle would do to heal his broken heart, but it had done something. Even if Scott was still hurting he had spent an entire weekend with his friends. He even got to know Mitch a little better. All in all, it was a pretty solid weekend.

"Oh, Hell yes!" Scott can't help the cheer that comes from him in a moment so filled with joy it hurts.

Avi claps him on the back. "We fucking did it, man! Go give her a test spin. You deserve it."

"One of you has to come with me." Scott decides. "Both of you helped out so much with this. I can't do it solo. It just wouldn't be right and we all know it."

"Well, while your logic is sound if we're both on that thing than it's going to be nearly impossible to steer safely." Avi flashes a grin that says he's willing to try it anyway. "Of course, it would really suck to crash and break her after all our hard work."

"It's just wrong to take the first ride by myself."

Mitch meets his eyes with a large grin. "I'll go with you."

"Really? Badass."

Mitch chuckles as he climbs onto the bike behind Scott. When a chest presses up against Scott's back he can't help but smile. It's a smile that he hopes goes unnoticed by Avi and Mitch, but the slight smile on Avi's face isn't in his favor.

"Hey, can you pass me the helmet, Av?"

Avi nods and walks over to his jeep to grab it from the back. It was one of the things Avi had purchased on their second day working on the bike.

"Make sure you hold on tight, Mitch. I don't know how jumpy this ride will be."

A pair of arms slide around Scott's waist and soon he can feel hot breath against his ear. "Does this feel okay, bello?"

"Yeah, it's great, Mitch. Don't be afraid to hold on tighter if you need to. You won't hurt me any."

Mitch keeps his mouth next to Scott's ear. It takes everything in the blonde not to shiver. Part of him wants to move away but not from any sort of discomfort. He doesn't want to do anything stupid. Even if he didn't make Kirstie cheat on him, Scott can't help but wonder if he was part of the problem. He doesn't want to make Mitch leave him, not when he's feeling all of these things so suddenly.

"Promise?"

Scott chuckles. "Yeah, I promise."

Avi comes back a few seconds later, one helmet in hand. "Dude, I only bought one helmet. I really wasn't thinking about joint rides. Sorry, Scott."

"Don't worry about it, man," Scott says with an easy smile. "Give it to Mitch."

This earns a complaint from the Italian. "Hey, no way. You need the helmet more than I do."

"What? No. You're a guest on the bike and that means you get the helmet. Plus, I've never done this before and I will jump off a cliff if you get hurt."

"Scott, you're driving. If you don't wear a helmet than the wind will be in your eyes. If you drive with your eyes closed then I'll definitely get hurt."

"Mitch-"

Mitch stops him. "Scott, I trust you. Please, just wear the helmet."

"I have to agree with Mitch on this one, dude." Avi breaks into the conversation as he hands the helmet over to Scott. Scott takes it after a few seconds but he isn't happy about it. Avi pats him on the back. "We'll get another later today, dude. Just go give her a test ride. And stop pouting, this is a happy moment."

Scott grumbles something unintelligible as he smoothes his hair down with one hand and puts the helmet on with the other. It's a simple jet black helmet, nothing too special about it. Avi chuckles and takes a step back. When Avi isn't looking, Mitch whispers something into Scott's ear.

"Please tell me you've done this before."

Scott chuckles. "I thought you trusted me?"

"I do." Mitch squeezes Scott's leg gently. Scott hadn't been aware of its placement until that moment. Now it's all he can think about. "I'm not ready to die either though, Scott."

"You won't, Mitch. I do know what I'm doing."

"Really?"

"Yeah, my dad taught me to ride when I was younger than I am now."

"You never really talk about him."

"I know." Scott sighs. "I try not to talk about people that I want to punch in the jaw."