Lynn had been looking forward to dinner all day, because that's the only time should could see Lincoln. When mom called up the stairs, she jumped up and went out the door like a shot. In the hall, she paused and waited for Lincoln to come out of his room. When he saw her, he started.
"Hey, bro," she said, and punched his arm twice in rapid succession.
He rubbed the spot where she hit him and smiled weakly. "Hey, Lynn."
"I miss you, man," she said.
"I miss you too."
At the table, she kept sneaking furtive glances at him. Once or twice he was looking thoughtfully at Luan, which made Lynn's blood hot, but then he'd look at her and smile, and it was okay.
When dinner was over, she went to her room and hoped against hope that he would come to her. He didn't, and she felt like crying. Then, just after eight, he texted her.
"R u ungrounded tomorrow?"
"Yea," she shot back.
"Wanna ride bikes?"
"Sure!"
She fell asleep quick and peaceful that night. In the morning, she woke in a golden bar of sunshine. Birds sang outside her window and everything was perfect. At breakfast, Lincoln looked cruddy, his face pale and dark bags under his eyes. Her heart twisted, and she couldn't stop herself from slapping her hand on his forehead and checking to see if he was running a temperature. "You okay, bro?" she asked.
"I'm fine," he said, and looked into her eyes. "I just have a lot on my mind."
She flinched. Luan.
Her appetite was suddenly gone, and she sat impatiently while everyone else ate. God, did it always take this long? You'd think these people had no lives.
When, finally, it was over, she jumped up from the table and helped wash the dishes, flying through them so fast that she was certain she left bits of food stuck to them. Done, she found her mother in the living room. Lori and Leni were sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Me and Lincoln are gonna ride bikes."
"Alright," mom said.
Leni and Lori exchanged a strange look that she didn't like. Upstairs, she found Lincoln in his room.
"Ready, bro?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said, pulling on his shoes.
She turned just as Luan's door closed. The little bitch was probably watching and listening.
Outside, the day was bright and hot. She grabbed her bike from the garage and pedaled to the bottom of the driveway. She looked back and watched Lincoln mount his bike.
"Where do you want to go?" she asked as he pulled up beside her.
"I was thinking the park."
"Okay. Race you there!"
She took off, and Lincoln followed, laughing. "Hey, that's cheating!"
"No it's not!" she called back.
From Franklin Avenue, they turned onto Delmont Place, which runs through the heart of Royal Woods. The park bordered the west bank of the Chippewa River, a vast, rolling green whose western half was dominated by dense forest. Lynn stayed in front most of the way, but Lincoln pulled ahead a block from the park. He glanced at her, his teeth gritted in determination, and pedaled harder, zooming by and cutting her off, forcing her to slam on her brakes.
"Oh, you little cheat!"
She was close behind when he flew through the main gate and hung a sharp left onto one of the main bike trails winding through the park. The lane was narrow and paved, tall pine trees looming on either side, blocking out all but a few errant rays of sun. Lynn got to within two feet of Lincoln, but couldn't pass. She slacked her speed so that she wouldn't plow into him if he stopped suddenly, and looked for a chance to get by. She finally got it when the trail emptied out in a wide field flanking the river. She went left, leaning her weight so that she was nearly on her side, and shot by. She looked over her shoulder saw Lincoln falling fast behind, and laughed.
"Lynn!" he cried, his voice edged with fear.
She turned, and a tree was hurtling toward her fast. Heart jumping into her throat, she cut left, and missed it, but dumped the bike, launching over the handlebars. For a long brief moment that seemed to last forever, she was soaring through the air, her arms and legs thrashing. Just before she hit the ground, she tucked, and the impact was muted, most of it absorbed by the tall, shaggy grass. The wind left her in a rush, and she rolled, coming to rest with her butt in a puddle.
"Lynn!" Lincoln was screaming.
She tried to reply, but could only issue a breathless gasp. She took inventory of her injuries. Her back and butt ached, and her head kind of hurt, but otherwise she was okay.
"Lynn!"
Suddenly Lincoln was on his knees next to him, his sweet face filling her vision. She blinked.
"Lynn! Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she finally managed and sat up. She tittered. "But my butt's wet."
For some reason that struck Lincoln as funny, and he laughed and laughed. Lynn smiled too.
"I was so worried," he said, "I thought you were going to break your neck."
"So did I," she admitted. "But I'm okay, I promise."
"Are you sure? You should let me check you out."
"Gee, Lincoln, I said I'm fine." His concern touched her though. He was so sweet.
"Okay," he said. "I was just scared."
Screw it. Lynn grabbed his face in both her hands and kissed him, shoving her tongue into his mouth. He fought against her for the briefest second, but then gave in and kissed her back, urgently. She pulled him down on top of her, and he pressed his body into hers. A strange but not unpleasant quiver rippled between her legs.
Lincoln thrust his hands into her hair and lashed her tongue with his. He accidentally bit her bottom lip, and she moaned. Her heart was jackhammering in her chest. He was like an animal, and she liked it.
Finally he pulled away, panting. Lynn just looked up at him as she tried to catch her breath.
"Lincoln," she said, "the reason me and Luan..."
"I know," he said simply.
She blinked. "What?"
"Luan told me yesterday."
She sat bolt upright. "That bitch, we were supposed to wait..."
"I know that too. Don't be mad. I'm glad she told me."
"Well?"
He sat down next to her and drew a heavy breath. Lynn had the feeling that she wouldn't like what he had to say.
"I don't know," he said. "I...I just...it's a lot to handle at once, you know?"
"I guess," she said.
"I...I love both of you."
She looked at him. "No, you have to make a decision. It's got to be one or the other."
"I know," he moaned and rubbed his forehead. "My heart is pulling me in two different directions, though."
Lynn drew her knees to her chest and sighed. "Which direction is the strongest?" she asked.
"That's just it, neither one is stronger than the other. I guess...I don't know, I've always loved all you guys equally, so right now, it's the same, only it's a different kind of love. Do you know what I mean?"
Lynn nodded. She did. He was always so measured and insightful. Lisa may be a math and science genius, but when it came to people, Lincoln had her beat by a couple dozen football fields.
"I just don't think I can share you, Linc. Maybe I'm selfish, but I want you, and I don't want her even near you."
"I know," he said sadly. "It wouldn't be fair to either of you. But you have to realize where I'm at."
"I know where you're at," Lynn said. "Or I can imagine. I'm not pushing you to decide right now, and no matter what you choose, I'll always love you."
Lincoln smiled and put his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled close to him and rested her head on his chest. His heart beat against her ear in a steady, soothing rhythm. A beam of sunlight fell upon them, warming her skin, and a cool breeze blew through the field. Lynn didn't ever want this moment to end, but soon Lincoln stirred.
"We should probably get back," he said.
She moaned. "But I'm comfy."
"I know," he said, "me too."
He got up and they walked side-by-side to where her bike had come to rest. She picked it up and climbed on.
"Glad it's not busted," she said, and Lincoln kissed her. This time it was soft and slow and sweet.
When their lips parted, she let out an involuntary giggle.
"I'm glad you're not busted," he said, "now come on. Race you back!"
