The world seemed to narrow around us.
I blinked. “What?”
Moore, standing a few feet away, barked out a short laugh. “Damn,” he said. “Shit really is serious with you two.”
He shook his head, amused, and walked off like he’d just seen confirmation of something he’d already suspected.
Asher didn’t look away from me. Didn’t release my hand.
He stepped closer then. Close enough that I could feel him. Close enough that the rest of the riders definitely noticed. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest without hesitation. Not hiding. Not cautious.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
He leaned down slightly. “Ride with me,” he repeated.
I swallowed. “Are you sure?”
His eyes were steady. Certain. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
Chapter Fourteen
Asher
The second Juliet settled against my back; everything clicked into place.
Her hands slid around my waist, tentative at first, then sure as her fingers curled into my jacket like she belonged there.
“You good?” I asked over my shoulder.
“Yeah,” she said, voice close to my ear. “I’m good.”
I rolled the bike forward slowly as Moore lifted his hand at the front of the line. Engines rumbled all around us, a deep, collective sound that vibrated through my bones. The flowers Juliet had designed sat proudly on the handlebars, red and white bright against black metal.
I felt fucking fantastic.
Not hyped. Not reckless.
Fantastic.
Moore took the lead, steady as ever, and I fell in just off his right shoulder. Blaze, Cookie, and the rest of the guys filled in behind us, the rest of the riders stretching out in a long, gleaming line.
We rolled out clean.
No hesitation. No snags.
The first stretch of road opened up ahead of us, and the ride settled into a rhythm. Wind cut past my helmet, cool and sharp, carrying the smell of asphalt and exhaust and early spring air. Juliet leaned with me instinctively, her body moving with the bike like she trusted it and me.
That trust sat heavy and good in my chest.
I checked my mirrors constantly; habit drilled in deep. The formation held. No one drifting. No bikes lagging. The flowers held up secure, steady, and added color without throwing balance.
Halfway through the route, I felt my shoulders finally relax.
We passed through stretches of open road and small pockets of spectators. Families waving, people pulling phones out to record, kids pointing at the flowers with wide eyes. The police escort stayed tight, visible but unobtrusive, doing their job without making it feel like a barricade.
Juliet’s helmet bumped lightly against my back as she laughed at something someone yelled from the sidewalk. I didn’t hear the words, but the sound of her laugh carried through me anyway.
I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed that.