Midnight Rider

Chapter 8

Saturday night we decided to have a girls night. We were going to the movies to see Aquaman. We were hanging out at my house before the movies.

“So Aquaman huh? Can I come?” Dru asked.

“Ya sure! The more the merrier” I answered.

“Awesome, I won’t pass up seeing Jason Momoa!” Dru laughed.

“No one would pass that up” Ciara laughed.

The four of us piled in my car to head to the movie theater. The movie theater was packed. We had to stand in line and wait to get popcorn and sodas. Dominique stood next to me and whispered, “ hey, I don’t know who that guy is to the left but he’s staring at you”.

“What?”

“There’s a group of guys to the left and one of them can’t keep his eyes off you”

I tried to be sneaky to see who was staring at me. Well, she was right. There’s a group of three guys. One is really good looking, the tall dark and handsome type. He’s wearing jeans, a t shirt and leather jacket. He’s definitely staring. Weirdly though, he looks really familiar.  We lock eyes. Crap, he caught me staring.

“Angel?” Wow he sounds as good as he looks.  But he sounds just like, “Tanner?”

Oh my gosh! Tanner! He used to hang around in the group with me and Jason in high school.  Jason liked hanging around Tanner because his family had money for toys like dirtbikes, fourwheelers and old cars. They had property we used to camp and have bonfires at all the time. Honestly I always liked him in high school but he always had different girlfriends so I never pursued it. I started dating Jason instead.

“I thought that was you” he came and wrapped me up in a hug. I could feel the girls staring at my back. My heart did a small leap as he hugged me.

“It’s so good to see you Tanner! Where have you been?”

He put me down and smiled at me, “Well after I school my dad wanted me to join the military. Family tradition thing. I’m here taking college classes”.

I turned to look at the girls and they were all eyeing the two of us.

“Would you like to join us in the movies?” Dru asked.

“Sounds good to me,” one of the other guys in the group answered. He actually answered while staring at Ciara. I doubt she minded. We grabbed our popcorn and sodas. I hung back to talk to Dru. “I know what your doing” I whispered to her.

“I have no idea what your talking about, I just asked if the very good looking Tanner and his friends would want to watch the movie with us.” She winked.

“What if I don’t want attention from a man right now?”

“Oh please, you text that rider guy sometimes and I saw what your face looked like when he hugged you. It’s only a movie Angel.”

“For now”  Of course everyone just so happened to leave a seat open between Tanner and Dru. We didn’t talk during the movie except for when he asked if I wanted some of his M&Ms.  The other guy, which I learned his name was Eric, was whispering to Ciara the whole time. They were definitely having a good time.

“That was a great movie,” Dominque was walking out of the theater next to me, “ Jason Momoa is great.”

Dru and I laughed.  We stopped walking and waited for Ciara and Eric to catch up.  

“Hey would you want to do this again sometime?” Tanner asked. I knew this would happen. I deserve to go out and have a good time with someone right?

“Yea that would be great. Here’s my number,” I smiled and put my number in his phone. The guys walked the other direction as we went to my car.

“So???” Dominique linked arms with Ciara.

“So what?” she blushed.

“Oh come on, he couldn’t keep his eyes off you” I said.

“Tanner couldn’t keep his off you either” Dru answered.

“He’s got my number if he wants to hang out again,” Ciara said.

“Tanner asked if I like to hang out again and I said yes. So he also has my number.” I smiled.

“Oooohhhhh” Dru and Dominique laughed together.

“You guys are ridiculous” I laughed. We drove back to the house. Ciara and Dominque stayed for a couple drinks and then went home.

“I think I’m gonna head to bed,” Dru said while putting her glass in the sink. “Are you staying up?”

“Ya I’m not tired,” I answered. “You know what I want to do?”

“Well not sleep apparently” Dru laughed.

“Haha no, I really want to go on a motorcycle ride” I c****d an eyebrow at her.

“Really? You think he’ll come get you?”

“I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot”

“Alright well good luck, be careful and goodnight” she said climbing up the stairs.

Maybe it’s because I’ve had a couple drinks or something but I decided to give it a shot and text the “Midnight Rider”.

Hey are you awake?

I barely waited two minutes til I got an answer.

Always…especially for you —

I want to ask you for something

If you asking for more of the stuff you found in my hoodie, the answer is no.—

Oh no! That’s not what I meant.

Ok good, ask away—

I’m really in the mood for a motorcycle ride. Didn’t know if you’d feel up for it?

I’m always up for a ride  …..haha jk. I could use a ride, they help me clear my head. I need more of that recently.—

Haha good. I’ll get dressed. Do you remember where I live?

Absolutely. Couldn’t forget if I wanted to. I’m close by I’ll be there in ten.—

I blushed with a big smile on my face. I quietly ran upstairs to throw on some jeans, sneakers and his hoodie. I came outside just in time to see him pull up. Listen I know how crazy this is going to sound considering I’ve never actually seen this guy but, my heart skip a beat when he pulled up.  And again although I can’t see him I can tell he probably looks good under the helmet and clothes.  I smiled as I walked up to the bike.

“Still not gonna take the helmet off?” I asked.

“Nope….like I said it’s better off you don’t know what I look like or who I am”

“Fine you win….for now” I held onto his shoulder as I climbed on the back of the bike.

The cool air felt good against my face and whipping through my hair. We went through down town, past all the bars and night life and to the outskirts. There are several look out points outside of town. We stopped at one to stretch our legs. I walked over to some big rocks and stretched out across one staring up at the sky. The rider came and laid out next to me.

“It’s so beautiful and calm” I sighed.

“Yea, that’s why I like coming out here” he sat out and rested his arms on his legs.

I propped myself up on my elbows. “Why were you so close to my house?” I asked, “ are you stalking me?”

“I know it sounds that way. I guess you could say it’s kinda true.”

“Uhhh please explain” I sat up all the way staring at the side of his helmet.

He turned to look at me, well I assume he did, he still wouldn’t take the helmet off. “Well…we do have a interesting relationship or friendship I guess you could say. But, since I saw you outside Club Dragon and gave you a ride home, and since you told me what your ex did, I’ve been keeping a close watch on your house. I drive by some nights I guess just to make sure your ex isn’t stalking you. I don’t mean it to be as creepy as it sounds,” he laughed.

I don’t feel threated by the rider. If anything he makes me feel safe, probably because he’s rescued me before. If he wanted to do anything bad to me he could of by now. My brother looks out for me but it’s nice to know someone else does too.

I smiled at him, “well it does sound a little creepy, but, you don’t scare me. If you wanted to hurt me you could of done it by now. I actually trust you.”

“You think that’s a good idea? You don’t even really know me” he seemed surprised but also relieved.

“No I don’t personally know you but I think I know your character. And like I said, you could of already hurt me by now and you haven’t. Plus you already saved my ass once.” I added.

“You’re crazy you know that?” I could hear the smile in his laugh.

“Takes one to know one”

“You’re right. Let’s head back.” He stood up and reached for my hand to help me up. I held on extra tight for the ride back. I wasn’t ready for it to end. It was late when we pulled up to my house. I grabbed his shoulder to help myself off the bike.

“Thanks for the ride” I smiled at him. I hope it’s too dark for him to see how much I’m blushing.

“Anytime, you know how to find me” and he rode away.

I crept upstairs, trying not to wake anyone. I went into the bathroom to wash my face before going to bed. It could be the cool air or my stupid giddiness but my cheeks were flushed. I left his hoodie on as I drifted off to sleep.