Riding the Universe by Gaby Triana Page A

doesn’t mean I’m a rebel.”
    â€œYeah, but how many girls—guys even—do you see riding motorcycles to school? Going against the grain is rebellious by definition.”
    â€œWell, I’m not doing it to be rebellious. It’s just what I love. It’s not a front or fake. Lolita is a part of me.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œLolita. My bike.”
    He looks at me incredulously then starts laughing. And right when I think it’s over, he keeps laughing. I purse my lips and wait for the hysterics to end. “Oh, man…God, Chloé, that’s…so awesome.”
    â€œWhat? That you laugh at the most mundane things?”
    He laughs even harder. “You think it’s mundane to give your bike a name?”
    â€œI didn’t name her. My uncle did. Can I ask you something?”
    â€œNo.” He grins.
    â€œThis is going to sound strange, but…did you cover my motorcycle with a tarp a couple of weeks ago?”
    â€œUh…no. Why?” Judging from his reaction, either he really didn’t, or he’s a good faker.
    â€œNo reason. Someone covered her in the rain the first day of tutoring, but…whatever. I should’ve known you wouldn’t do anything nice for me.” I give him a playful smile.
    â€œI might do something nice for you. You don’t have to get all tough girl on me.” He tries turning a composed look toward me, but his eyes are smiling. I’d fight back more, but I like seeing him this way. He’s a completely different person. I want to take him back for show-and-tell so everyone can see how Gordon Spudinka really is when you break him down.
    â€œTough girl?” I pick at a piece of rotten wood from thedock and flick it at him. “Don’t be condescending. I am not playing this game with you today.” I point my finger right at his nose, but he grabs it and acts like he’s going to bite it.
    I freeze. Some people are playful by nature, but some you have to encourage, slowly crack open. I look at Gordon smiling, holding my finger—so opposite to how he was in the auditorium today or even the first time I met him. I think I’ve definitely cracked him open.
    And it’s sexy as hell.
    For the first time since I’ve known him, I feel hesitation wash over me. Not because we’re sitting here with fingers linked, skin and auras touching, but because I don’t know how to feel. Half my brain says it’s not a good idea to start a relationship while still dealing with the loss of a loved one. If it ends in breakup, it will compound the trauma. But the other half of my brain feels my heart needs this. Something to remind me that life still has good things in it.
    Yet here I am in a moment that requires decision making on my part—some sort of momentum—and I can’t seem to move. Gordon watches me with his hazel eyes, studying my face, probably wondering what’s wrong. I mean, I asked him to come here, and when he finally does, I freak out. Even though I entertained the idea that his wall might eventually come down, I guess I didn’t believe that it really would.
    But it has.
    And because Sagittarius and Leo are both fire signs, well known for being volatile together, and because I’m hardheaded and dive into things I definitely shouldn’t be diving into, I brace myself. For the spontaneous combustion that’s sure to come.

Eleven
    â€œY ou know what?” I slip my fingers out of his. “You have to study, and…I have to go too.”
    Gordon’s eyes reflect more than just the estuary in front of us. They’re loaded with disappointment. I’d love to stay forever, stretching this afternoon as far as it’ll go. But I have a chemistry test next Monday to study for, Lolita patiently waits to have her leak fixed, Seth’s body slowly withers inside a box, and Rock is probably planting the same lips he kissed me with on someone new.