Chapter 2

“Yeah?” He asked as he lowered his headphones.

“Looks like you need a tube,” she answered.

“It’s you ... that was ... pretty wild on the train.”

“I know. Usually that keeps the freaks from bothering me—never have I had a guy actually...”

“I didn’t think you’d—either.”

She smiled nervously, quickly reached in her messenger bag for a spare tube. “h-here ... it’s the least I could do.”

“Thanks. I like that fixie. I’m Brynn.”

“Ayla. And thanks. I uhh ... gotta get going.” She started to leave.

“Hol’ up ... does it need tuh end like that?”

“Huh?” she turned.

“I mean ... you’re cute, but you know that. Maybe we could hang out and stuff—with or without the you know.”

“Why not? At least you don’t mind transgirls. I guess take my number.”

He pulled out his phone.

“This thing with this guy is probably gonna crash and burn anyway, like usual.” She thought while giving him her number. “I do like your style.”

After exchanging numbers, she rode off, he texted that he was going to be there quicker than he thought and fixed his flat. After a few moments he got a response; “it’s fine, I got held up some, myself.”

He smiled, then looked proudly at his repaired steed, hopped on, back in traffic, bopping to music, making good time. Skid to a stop in front of s small pizza joint, he messaged he was there, locked his bike, went inside. He received a reply with “in the corner,” ordered a slice and a beer.

“Where are you?”

“Waiting on food. Shouldn’t be much longer.”

“Cool. Back corner.”

With his food, he went to the back corner with his eyes peeled and spotted the person he was meeting.

“Mazekin,” he asked.

She turned with wide eyes, her mouth hung open.

“Ayla?”

“It’s you!”

“Crazy, huh?”

She sighed with relief. “I guess I don’t need to tell you what I am so you can ditch me.”

He sat down across from her. “Need to tell me what?”

“You know ... you saw ... you ... sucked it...”

“You came. Said Julius Caesar, or somebody.” He took a sip of beer.

She chuckled.

“I knew the guy I was talking to on that app rode bikes, but I wasn’t expecting you. Is it bad that I was hoping to get walked out on, so I could text you?”

“I don’t think I wanna walk out on you, but we can go on a ride after this ... if you can keep up.”

“I do alleycats, sir! Don’t test me.” She laughed.

“I’m pretty glad it was you I was talking to the whole time. I’ve done a few alleycats in my day, there’s one in a few days that you need a partner for.”

“You did suck my—”

“Your tasty dick?”

“Yeah, that. So I guess I can be your partner for the race.”

“I hope not just for the race. What about after?”

“Mmm ... what about before?” She leaned forward.

“What about now?” He leaned forward.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe I’m verse, if that helps.”

“I’m sooo in the now.”

They shared a kiss. She leaned back with her bottom lip bit, followed by a small “o” face.

“You woke up the princess.”

Not missing a beat. “I wouldn’t mind putting her back to sleep, if the queen doesn’t mind.”

She scoffed. “Sir Brynn! The queen approves.” She smiled slyly.

He smiled.

“The princess just doesn’t see anybody, though. You gotta prove your worth, beat me in a race.”

“Easy.”

“Wow. Really? Okay ... we’ll see.”