Brazen Tricks - Ali Dean Page 0,5
do you give me that sort of sad and lost look on purpose?” She squints and I try to tune into the look she’s talking about. “You don’t even know you’re doing it, do you?”
Jordan lets out a defeated sigh, and I decide silence is the best response. She tosses the shorts on the bed and climbs back on until she’s sitting back on her heels between my legs.
My hands itch to touch her but I stay still, not wanting to break whatever apparent spell she’s accusing me of casting on her.
“Did you know that this is the image that kept playing in my head when we were apart after my crash?” Her tone is softer now.
“Me sitting in bed looking sad and pitiful?”
“I didn’t say pitiful,” she corrects me. “I think I said sexy too.”
My hands run up her bare thighs, but I’m the one who snaps out of the trance from the touch. “You really want to try inverts?” I ask. Sure, I’d love to distract her and keep her from doing something dangerous. We all know what another head injury could mean. And the risk of head injury is highest with inverts, even if it wasn’t so long ago she could do them with ease. But I also don’t want any resentment to fester if I hold her back.
“I really do, Beck,” she says, her eyes searching mine. “You don’t think I’m ready?”
“It’s not that. I know you’re ready. But I also don’t want anything to happen to you.” It’s as simple as that. She knows that fearing she could fall doesn’t mean I don’t believe in her. Even the best, most capable skateboarders take bad falls. It’s part of trying new tricks, pushing ourselves. My fingertips brush the edge of her underwear but I stop my hands from continuing. “I understand why you didn’t want to tell me not to do Shred Live.”
“But this isn’t the same. You didn’t even want to film the show, Beck. While I want more than anything to fly on my skateboard.”
I smile at that visual. “It’s similar enough. And you’re going to soar, Hotshot. Come on, go put those shorts on before I change my mind.”
I move my hands off her hips only to give her a little slap to get moving.
My lips press together as I catch just a twinge of disappointment, which is quickly replaced by one of my favorite Jordan looks: the pre-skateboarding-session anticipation.
If only there was a way to protect her while letting her fly. But that’s not how it works. Not with skateboarding, and not with the public presence I’ve established over the past year. As long as she’s not running away from either one, I’ll be here at her side, doing my best to keep her safe.
Chapter Three
Jordan
The house is mostly empty, with the roommates already at work. Lennon, who has been staying with Moses since Southskate Fest a few weeks ago, is already out back skateboarding. When she spots us, she skates in our direction with a wave. “Hey guys. I’ll head in so you’ve got the park to yourselves.”
I think Lennon is just as uncertain about where she stands with Moses as the rest of us are. She’s been super respectful of our space, to the point where I wish she would just relax a little and accept that we’re cool with her being here. Beck seems to agree because he tells her she doesn’t have to head in.
“It’s cool, I could use a break, but I’ll come back out in a bit. I’m going to make a smoothie, you guys want some too?”
“Definitely! I was too excited to get on my board so I skipped breakfast.”
“Perfect.”
As Lennon goes inside, Beck asks, “You want to warm up on the trampoline? Maybe you can get your upside-down mojo going again.”
I give his arm a light punch. “I thought you said you weren’t going to hold me back,” I tease. “Or is that what you meant when you said I was ready to soar?”
“All right, I won’t stall anymore.” He tilts his head to the side. “Just give me a kiss. I didn’t get one yet this morning. Then go do your thing, Hotshot.”
I’ve been torn between kissing him and skateboarding since my eyes opened this morning, so with that suggestion, my hand reaches for the back of his neck, pulling him down to me. I make it a good one too, knowing I won’t get distracted from my goal with the park right