15. The chapter with Rose's ride

Christian

But, contrary to what I imagined, Allie didn't stop following me, seeming willing to find a new subject.

" Are you going to the festival?”

" Yes, Rose is waiting for me in the parking lot right now," I said without thinking.

An expression of pure surprise came over the girl's face, seeming not to understand why her friend would be waiting for me, and I don't judge her, given the troubled beginning Rose and I had.

" Rose? Waiting for you? What for?

" I'm giving her a ride," I held up one of the helmets I was carrying, watching her expression become increasingly surprised.

" And since when does she hitch a ride with you? " I noticed a certain annoyance in her voice, and I confess that I couldn't resist teasing her a little.

I could see Rose talking to some girls a few meters away at the entrance of the parking lot. She frowned as soon as she noticed who was next to me, but forced a smile in response to something one of the girls had said.

She was wearing baggy jeans and what was left of a tank top that looked as if she had lost a fight with scissors, but I had the impression that she could look good even with a sack of potatoes on.

" Actually, we left the party together on Saturday and discovered that we have a lot in common," I summarized the story.

Not giving her the chance to retort, I walked toward Rose, almost making my way through the sorority girls who seemed interested in talking to her. Not missing the opportunity to tease Allie a little more, I used one hand to hold both helmets and with my free arm, I wrapped my arm around Rose's waist, exposed by the cropped tank top she was wearing, clasping her body to mine, before kissing her cheek, deviating from her lips by a few inches. Rose was surprised by this interaction, but seemed to understand why, as she smiled in response, running her hand up my arm, feeling the leather of the jacket I was wearing.

" Like I said, girls, I was just waiting for my ride, and it's here," my friend explained.

I pulled away a little, placing myself beside her, but just as I was about to let go of her waist, she discreetly held my hand, keeping me in that position.

" And it looks like my ride will be more exciting than I imagined," she teased, noticing the helmets I was holding.

I noticed the discomfort on Alicia's face, but if anyone else noticed, they didn't show it.

" You have an interesting boyfriend, Campbell," Audrey teased.

" She's not my girlfriend," I clarified, releasing her with the excuse of handing her one of the helmets.

" Yes, I'm not dating anyone," Rose explained with amusement.

" Rose seems to be afraid of commitment," Allie snapped, flashing a not-so-natural smile.

" Far from it, but why would I get involved in a commitment now? When so many interesting things could happen?”

It was impossible for anyone not to notice the atmosphere that had formed between the two, I myself was already getting annoyed with the whole situation, I just wanted to get on my bike and go to the damn festival.

" Exactly, if she got involved in a commitment she couldn't accept this cute t-shirt Liam made for her.” A girl with black skin and well-groomed brown hair pointed.

Well, that explains the disaster she's wearing.

" Rose, I'll get the motorcycle and wait for me here," I instructed, turning away from the group of girls.

I entered the parking lot, heading towards the area where the motorcycles are, and it didn't take long for the blue chrome of my Fat Boy to catch my attention. I still remember the day my parents and their friends took me to choose my first motorcycle.

I had just turned sixteen and got my driver's license when they scheduled the day that all the members of the Wandering Falcons would accompany me to the dealership to choose my bike, even Amber went from Minneapolis to Missoula for the big day.

I climbed on the bike, putting on my helmet before starting it, listening to the roar of the engine with a small smile on my face.

It wasn't long before I reached the place where Rose was still stuck in a small argument with the sorority girls, her expression was one of pure boredom, although she forced a smile now and then. All of their attention turned to me as I approached with my motorcycle, stopping next to them.

" Are you kidding that you have a Harley Davidson?” The black girl from before didn't hide her surprise.

" Girl, it looks like your ride just got even more exciting," Audrey teased Rose, not noticing her friend's discomfort at this insinuation.

Or maybe she did, as she gave Alicia a quick victorious glance in her direction.

" I'd better not waste any time," Rose sneered, coming toward me.

" You didn't bring a jacket? " I asked, looking at the short tank top she was wearing.

" I didn't know I would need one.”

I mentally blamed myself for this, she was expected to drive, so obviously she wouldn't be prepared. I should have warned her. I took off my jacket, throwing it in her direction, and she caught it with a surprised expression.

" You'll be cold," I explained.

She silently accepted it, putting on my jacket before climbing on her rump. I expected her to use the back of the seat as a support, and a shiver ran through my body as her nails brushed the skin of my chest over the fabric of my shirt, down my abdomen, and into an embrace, clinging her body to mine.

" See you at the festival, girls," Rose said goodbye before I could get us moving.

We moved a few meters apart when I heard her voice practically shouting behind me as the wind whipped our faces.

" You're so nice that I'm beginning to think you've been abducted by aliens," she sneered.

" Don't get used to it, if you weren't accompanied, you wouldn't be like this," I returned in a tone loud enough for her to hear.

" You mean that if it weren't for your willingness to show Allie what she had lost, I'd be freezing right now? " I didn't have to look at her to know that she was smiling.

" No, I would give you the jacket, I just wouldn't be as nice as I was," I laughed.

It wasn't long before I felt a light tap on my shoulder, making me laugh even harder.

" You don't have to be an asshole all the time, you know.”

" But I'm not an asshole all the time, I'm an asshole with you," I corrected.