Read Engage for Free Online Page B

never let anything happen to you,” he added and flipped his visor down. A few seconds later, the bike roared to life.
    I nodded. We were off.
     
    The ride was smoother than I anticipated. After realizing that we weren’t going to crash every time we leaned into a corner, I finally relaxed and loosened my hold. I was most grateful for the backrest, which stopped me from flying off the back every time he accelerated.
    The ride afforded us absolutely no time or means to talk, which came as a bit of a relief. I really didn’t know how to tell him about Seth without making it sound like the breakup was because of him, even if it really was. Henry already had an overabundance of confidence; he didn’t need one more thing to inflate his ego. For now, I was going to play this card close to my chest.
    At about an hour in, we took a break in Gainesville, Texas, to use the restroom and stretch our muscles for a few minutes.
    “So why did you get out of the military?” I asked as I rolled my neck. “You never did say.”
    Henry ran a hand through his hair. “They didn’t kick me out, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
    “Then what?”
    “Living in Korea made me realize a few things about myself, about my life. I went back and forth a lot, not sure if I really wanted out.”
    “What made you finally do it?”
    He gaze was steady. “You,” he said and promptly put his helmet on.
    “What? What do you mean?” I asked but he pretended not to hear. “You can’t just say something like that—”
    The bike rumbled to life, effectively cutting off all conversation.
    Thoroughly miffed, I climbed on behind him and smacked him upside the helmet. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I felt him chuckling as we pulled out of the parking lot.
     
    It was nearly eleven-thirty by the time we exited the interstate and rode into a suburban neighborhood filled with brick houses. We came to a stop in front of a beautiful two-story house with white columns flanking the red door. We climbed off the bike and removed our helmets, and I tried to salvage my hair by twisting it up into a bun.
    “What did you mean back there?” I asked as I followed him up the concrete walkway.
    He looked over his shoulder with a faux frown. “I don’t know what you mean,” he said and rang the doorbell.
    “You know exactly what I mean,” I grumbled. I meant to say more but a tall woman answered the door. She was tanned, her blonde hair pulled off to the side in a messy-chic ponytail and she had the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen.
    My heart fell at the sight of her, whoever she was.
    “Henry?” she asked with an excited smile. He held his hand out but she waved it away and threw her arms around him instead. “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”
    Henry pulled away. “I think we’ve actually met before. In Florida?”
    Her eyes grew wide. “You’re right. I’m sorry, that was a while ago,” she said. “Anyway, come in. I’m so rude.”
    We walked inside and were greeted with a cinnamon apple scent. The house was beautiful, with comfortable furniture and an old country cottage feel. My eyes flew to the collection of bird figurines on the mantle over the fireplace. There must have been several dozen of them in different shapes and materials.
    “Oh, I know, it’s kinda corny,” the woman said when she noticed me looking. “Birds are kind of like my emblem.”
    I nodded, suddenly deciding that I liked her, whoever she was. She was too sunny to hate, even if she and Henry were involved.
    Henry’s hand pressed into the small of my back. “This is Elsie.”
    “I’m Julie,” the woman said, giving me a firm handshake. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Jason told me so much about you.”
    My skin tingled and I felt hot and cold at the same time. “Jason?” I breathed. I prayed that Julie was about to tell me that Jason had been alive all along, just living two hours south of me.
    I felt Henry’s hand squeeze mine. I looked