He followed me out. And, wouldn't you know it, Cole was pulling up on his motorcycle right when I wanted to leave.

“Sorry, my boyfriend’s here to pick me up,” I told Chad, hoping he got the message.

Chad frowned. “Ashley, you sure you want to date a grease monkey like him? Can he even give you what you want?”

“He’s better than someone who can’t make up his mind about what they want.”

With that, I headed over to Cole.

Chad grabbed my arm again.

“Ouch!” I yelled. He saw the cuts.

“I didn’t know you got hurt.”

“You think you would care even if you knew?”

Cole watched it all, and suddenly punched Chad in the face, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Cole looked at him and said, “Back off!” Then he helped me with my helmet and we took off.

As the motorcycle sped through the hills, I leaned against his back.

“Girlfriend, where to?”

He heard me. I put my arms around him. “Since I’m your girlfriend, can I see your place? I’m hungry.”

“Sure thing. I can cook, too.”

“Four dishes.”

“You got it.”

Cole’s laugh echoed through the hills. For the first time, I felt free.