Midnight Rider

Chapter 11

I lived on cloud nine all through work on Friday.

“You’d better get off that cloud nine you’re riding,” Dominque told me on the phone later that night.

“Why would you say that?” I asked somewhat annoyed.

“Because you’re going on a date tomorrow with Tanner…you can’t be thinking about Gabriel while out with Tanner.”

“I mean…..yea I get that but, Tanner could of just been asking me to the drag strip as friends you know. We all used to go there and hang out to watch him race.”

“If Ciara was on here she’d tell you that you’re just wishful thinking”

“Where is she anyway?”

“Probably on the phone with Eric about their date tomorrow night”

“I see well I promise to get off the cloud ok? And I’m getting off the phone, I’ll talk to you later.” I hung up and went downstairs to see what Dru was doing. Christian had went to one of his friends house for a guys night and I figured she’d be bored. She was standing in front of the open fridge when I walked into the kitchen.

“Ugghh there’s nothing to eat in here.” She grumbled and closed the fridge door.

“Didn’t you just get groceries the other day?”

“Yea nothing just sounds good and I don’t fee like cooking and dealing with dishes.” She slumped into a chair.

“Ok well, how about pizza? We can go to that pizza place down from Club Dragon?”

“Pizza does sound good,” She jumped up and grabbed her purse, “I’ll drive”. Club Dragon is on a street we call the strip. There’s old warehouses and store fronts turned into bars, restaurants and different shops. On a corner just down from Club Dragon is a pizza place in a building that used to be an old pharmacy. There’s still a window on the side of the building they used to use as a walk/drive up for prescriptions and they turned it into a walk up window to buy pizza instead. Works great late nights for everyone leaving the bars. You can just buy a slice and keep walking. They even have a bar inside you can sit at and watch them make the pizzas. The place is called ‘Rx Pizza’. We decided to sit by the big windows at looked out onto the street.

“Let’s sit by the window so we can people watch,” Dru tugged at my arm towards a table.

We ordered our pizza and a couple drinks.

“Do you think Tanner is asking me to hang out tomorrow since we’re old friends or as something more?” I asked her while shoving bread sticks into my mouth.

“The way he was looking at you, I’d say something more, but you never know I guess. He could be trying to feel out the situation since he knows you and Jason aren’t together anymore.”

“I’m kinda of hesitant about having a relationship with Tanner.”

“I thought you were just going to tell the guys that you didn’t want a relationship right now?”

“Well I am but I don’t know how I’d feel about being in one with Tanner anyway.”

“Why do you say that? He’s good looking, has good job and is going to school, and he’s probably interested in you what’s not to like?”

“Well for starters he was Jason’s best friend in high school. I did have a crush on him back then and he was also a bit of a player.”

“People can change as they get older. Maybe he’s not a player anymore. Does he still talk to Jason?”

“Not unless it’s been since our breakup. When Tanner moved away they kind of lost touch.”

The later it got we started to watch people coming and going from the bars. More people were walking up to the window and ordering pizza slices. I could hear Dru talking to me but I was lost in thought looking out the window. I heard some bikes coming from up the street. I can give you three guesses as to which bikes they were but I’m sure you’ll only need one. They parked the bikes and starting walking in by the front windows to go around the corner to the walk up window. I saw Vanessa and gave her a little smile and wave. She smiled and slapped the rider on this arm before pointing to me inside the window. He stopped and shock his head. I couldn’t hear him but I imagine he’s laughing. He gave me a nod, which I returned and disappeared around the corner.

“Hey was that him?!” Dru kicked me under the table.

“Yea that him!”

“Run over to the window! If he’s ordering pizza he could have his  helmet off to eat it!”

“You can’t see the window in here, plus if he just saw me he’s gonna be on the look out for if I try to see him.”

“Fine, I tried. Have you talked to him lately?”

“Not really. I’ve been busy with work and the date with Gabriel and the one with Tanner coming up.”

Ten minutes later we saw them walk back by and leave.

“I wouldn’t worry about Tanner tomorrow, just go have fun. If he turns out to be just like he was in high school then you’ll know not to pursue him.”

“Yea your right.” We finished eating our pizza and walked up to the register to pay. “Oh your meals been paid for already,” the waitress smiled at us.

“By who??” Dru questioned her.

“Who do you think?” I side eyed her.

“He left this for you too, have a good day!” I took a piece of paper from her as we walked outside. Dru looked over my shoulder as I read it. ‘Angel, have a good night and I’ll see you around’.

~~~

I woke up early the next morning to shower and get ready for Tanner to pick me up. I decided to wear shorts, sneakers and a tye dye tank top. I put my hair up in a ponytail before brushing my teeth. Dru walked into the bathroom as I was finishing.

“Hey Tanner’s here, and word of warning he was eyeing your flowers from Gabriel very suspiciously.”

I just raised an eyebrow and followed her back down the stairs. Tanner’s back was to me as I came into the kitchen, Christian was sitting across from him watching me over his coffee.

“Hey you look like you feel great this morning. Have a fun night at your friend’s?” I laughed at Christian. He looked like he barely slept if at all.

“I feel about as good as I look,” he tried to smile at me.

Tanner turned around and stood up, “Ready to go?” I don’t know if he wanted me to catch him but I definitely saw him eyeing me up and down.

“Yup I’m all good,” we turned and walked toward the door. “See you guys later!” I yelled over my shoulder as we went outside.

Tanner open the passenger door to his blue mustang for me and I slid inside. I got a good look at him as he walked around the front of the car. Neither of us was dressed up considering we were going to the drag strip. He wore jeans, sneakers and an old cut off. It was one of those all cut offs that had no sides anymore and I could see his abs as he walked by. Although the logo was faded I could tell it was from our high school football and his number 48 was on the back. He smiled at me was he got in.  

“You haven’t changed since high school,” he rolled the windows down as we drove off.

“You haven’t really either, you’re even wearing that old shirt still,” I laughed at him.

“Hey this is a classic.”

“Uh huh ok. Are you ready to get beat by me today?”

“Maybe I’ll just let you win.” He smiled over at me.

“You keep telling yourself that.”

“We’re gonna head to my parents house first to get the cars and coolers, then we will head out there.”

“Ok sounds good”

“So…….who are the flowers from?” I could tell he was trying to be joking about it but seemed genuinely interested.

“Oh a patient that I have at work, his grandson gave them to me.”

“That’s cute so like a little kid or something?” again trying to joke.

“Well no, he’s our age.”

“Did he ask you out?” He was all serious this time.

“Yes, we’ve been on one date.”

“Would you go out with him again?”

“Look Tanner, I just want to go on dates and have a good time right now. I’m not looking for a committed relationship yet.” I looked over waiting for him to answer.

He eased up and ran his hand over his short sandy brown hair. “I get it….I’ll just have to change your mind.” He smiled.

“Seriously? This isn’t a pissing contest” I rolled my eyes.

“Challenge accepted.” He laughed.

So my whole idea about maybe Tanner just wanting to hang out as friends is down the drain. We pulled up to his parents house. He already had one of the cars loaded onto the trailer. The 1973 Tran Am was already loaded. It’s candy apple red with black pin stripes and the black bird on the hood.

“We’re taking your dad’s car?” I asked walking around the trailer.

“Ya he said we could use it today, he’s not coming though, him and my mom have plans.”

“Awesome, I like his car way better than yours.” I playfully pushed him.

“Ah! I’m offended!” he laughed, “what’s wrong with my car?”

“Aside from being ugly, nothing” I laughed. I truly didn’t like his car. It’s a pearl white fox body mustang. I just think they are ugly.

“Ok so the coolers here in the garage, I’m gonna go grab some ice from the freezer and some stuff from inside. There’s a case of water in the back garage room will you grab it and bring it out here?” He asked pointing to the back of the garage.

“Yea I got it.” I walked past him as he ducked inside the house. This part of the garage was typical. Parts and tools everywhere. I opened the door to the back room and flipped on the light. More tools and parts. I noticed something under a tarp in a far back corner. I could see a back motorcycle tire sticking out up under the tarp. Tanner did have dirtbikes when we were younger but this wasn’t a dirtbike tire. I know the difference. Curiosity got the best of be and I pulled back the tarp.

I couldn’t breathe for a minute. All the air left my lungs. Under the tarp was an all black motorcycle. Someone had obviously been working on it though because not all the parts were on it. Some were scattered near by.