Love & Ride

Chapter 33

Tyler pulls up near a diner called "The Cavern". We get off his bike and get in. Suddenly, he puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to a table near a window at the back. We sit in front of each other and I take off my jacket then put it next to me.

A server drops two menus on our table. I grab one and so does he. I clear my voice as I take a look at their list of burgers. I take my menu down a bit then look at Tyler, who's attention is on the list of deserts.

He looks up at me and I freeze instantly. He bites his lower lip.

- "Have you decided?" He asks.

- "Uh, yeah, a cheese burger." I clear my voice.

- "What do you drink?"

- "A coke is fine." God, why is this so awkward? I really need to chill.

A server comes to us and we order two cheese burgers and two cokes.

I put my hair behind my ear and look in Tyler's eyes for a few seconds then look down. He laughs and brushes his hair back.

- "What?" I ask.

- "Nothing." He clears his voice. "So, how'd you like riding?" He asks with a smile.

- "It was fine." I nod.

- "You loved it."

- "I said it was fine." I smile.

- "You're lying." He gives me that arrogant smile that could kill me right here, right now.

- "Okay, okay, it was cool." I admit.

- "Cool?"

- "Really cool."

- "Do you want to get better?"

- "I already rock!" I say and we laugh together.

The server brings our burgers and I start eating my French fries.

- "I didn't realize that I was so hungry." I say as I take a big bite of my burger.

I close my eyes and chew slowly. These burgers are actually delicious, I wonder how Tyler knows all these places.

- "Like it?" He asks.

- "It's great! How do you find all these places? I mean, I would never have stopped at this diner."

- "Yeah exactly, if you wanted a burger, you would have gone straight to Mc Donalds, but there are so many small businesses that are a hundred times better." He's totally right. This is actually the best burger I've ever eaten!

- "Yeah that's true." I say then take another bite.

We finish eating and Tyler pays for both of us despite my protests to pay for myself, then we get back on the motorcycle and drive away. Tyler takes a quick right turn and I hold on to him harder. Riding feels great, I'm not going to lie, I love it, I really want to do it again, especially now, at night, the streets aren't full and New York looks prettier than ever.

I take a deep breath then scream:

- "Stop!"

- "What?"

- "Stop riding, I want to do it."

- "What?"

- "Just pull over!"

He takes a look around then heads to the right side of the road and stops the motorcycle. I take off my helmet then get off the bike.

- "Why did we stop?" He asks.

- "I want to ride home." I say. He takes off his helmet then smiles at me. "What?"

- "Come on." He pulls back and I take his place.