Chereads / The Gap Between / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6

Raina could hardly keep it all together. She wanted to share her excitement with Leon the most, but not like this. Not with Ashley half dressed looking like a goddess as Raina herself was covered in dirt, hay, and not to mention her smell. Raina stood stuttering in half a daze when the sound of a motorcycle pulling in the driveway made her turn at its bright light. It was Luke! Raina felt as if she had not seen him in a lifetime. Her stuttering immediately came to a stop as she yelled his name, "Luke!" she turned to run to him as she did she felt a hand graze her wrist ever so slightly. She glanced down to see that it had been Leon's hand that had extended out that was now dropping to his side. "Raina," she heard him whisper. It was too late. Her feet had already moved her to stand beside Luke, who was still sitting on his bike and now removed his helmet. His hair had been cut since the last time Raina had seen him. In fact, had she not recognized his motorcycle, she might not have recognized it was him at all. Luke had gained muscle and height, it seemed. There was no denying that the once thin rail boy with freckles and long ginger locks was no longer. Raina's words that she was about to say were now stuck in her throat as she stood staring at this now heart throb of a man that stood before her. However, it did not matter now because Luke was off his bike.

"Raina!!" Luke exclaimed as he picked her up and spun her around. Raina held onto him as tight as she could. "Girl, if you haven't gotten prettier by the day... I'd be a liar if I'd said anything else, that's for sure." He sat her down and pushed her away from him, holding her by the hands. "Girl, let me get a good look at you!! Now give me a spin!!" he said as he twirled her by her hand. Raina gave out a giggle as he pulled her in.

"Boy, if you ain't become a smooth talker, well, I just don't know cause we can both clearly see I'm covered in horse crap!" she said as she pointed down to her clothes. As she did, she could not help but notice that Leon and Ashley had both now reappeared out of the house fully clothed. Raina had no clue when they went in, but she did know one thing. She was not staying there! "Hey uh...I know you just pulled in, but I could use my hair whipping me in my face if you know what I mean.." Raina said before she could even think. Luke stared down at her, then glanced toward his brother and the woman beside him. He shook his head as he gave a half smile.

"You ain't changed a bit have you...you may look a woman. But you're still a girl chasing fantasy..." he said as he waved at Leon, then placed his helmet on Raina's head and sat on his bike. Then he nodded at her, "C'mon, they're gonna be standing on us in two seconds..." Raina quickly hopped on as Luke reved the engine and pulled back out. Leon's face contorted a bit as he called after them. But Luke ignored him. If there was one thing Luke enjoyed, it was driving his brother crazy. Not to mention that he always was trying to break the grasp that Leon had over on Raina's heart since the first day they met her.

The wind beat against their faces along with the bugs of the night. Raina felt as if she was flying. Pulling herself tighter to Luke with her left arm, she allowed her right one to ride the waves of the wind. Her mind that was just racing with thoughts had finally calmed down, and now she was able to enjoy herself. The pressure in her chest that she had felt just moments ago was now subsiding, and all she could hear was the steady pounding of her heart. Luke pulled into the small cafe in their town and slowly came to a stop. Raina pulled the now heavy feeling helmet off her head as she got off and passed it to Luke. Luke sat staring at her as she gave her hair a shake and adjusted her ponytail.

"Soooo...wanna tell me what that was about??" he asked as he stared at her while getting off his bike. Raina felt her cheeks flush. Then she glanced at the cafe.

"Over pie??" Raina asked with a shrug of her shoulders. A smile came over Luke's face.

"I'd rather it be a beer, buuuutttttt seeing as you're still under age....I'll settle for pie like old times," he said with a chuckle and nudged her towards the small building. Raina's brows furrowed.

"You're still under aged too!! Don't blame it all on me!!" Raina teased as she nudged her shoulder into his. Luke laughed out harder this time as he opened the door for her and gestured her in.

"I have no idea what you are saying, young lady." Luke said with a smile as they made their way in and up to the counter. Pulling out a chair for Raina, he gestured for her to have a seat. Raina raised an eye brow up in question. Luke just shrugged, "I guess you could say I've picked up a few manners along the way." Raina sat down in the seat as Luke leaned down and whispered in her ear, "At least the ones to help me get lucky..." Raina thrusted her elbow back into his stomach. Luke grunted as he pulled away and sat beside her, holding his stomach pretending to be hurt. "Except on you, that is..." he added. Raina giggled at him. She then gestured to the man at the counter, the number two. The old man nodded and disappeared for a minute behind the counter. "So...what's going on?" Luke asked. Raina had hoped that the short walk into the cafe had made him forget all about it. A long sigh escaped her lips. There was no more dodging it.