Nick didn’t give a shit about the grease. He was probably covered in food so he reached for Bryce’s hand and said, “Nick. I moved in next door a few days before you did. She’s pretty.” He nodded toward the bike.

“Thanks. She’s a 1974 Harley Davidson Shovelhead. Prettiest girl I’ve ever had. So pretty no one lays a hand on her except me.” He winked at Nick. “You ride?” Bryce leaned against the wall of his garage and crossed his arms. His hair was a little longer on the top than the sides. He was maybe two inches shorter than Nick, but stockier.

“Hell no.” Nick laughed. “I can appreciate a nice bike when I see one, but, if I’m being honest, they scare the shit out of me. You wouldn’t catch me on one.”

“No! Don’t say that.” Bryce chuckled. “It’s only because you haven’t been on one before. There’s nothing like the freedom of cruising on a bike, wind all around you and just fucking going.” His voice was all passion, and it almost made Nick want to ride. Almost.

“I’ll have to take your word for it. So, do you work at a shop around here?”

“Yeah, I rent a space downtown and have a shop. I also buy old bikes, fix them up and resell them. What about you?” Bryce’s deep-set eyes took him in as though he was trying to figure out what Nick did by his clothes. He’d changed before leaving work, though.

“I’m a chef. I own Nick’s.  We make comfort food, home-cooked-meal kind of stuff, with my own little twist.”

“I haven’t heard of it, but it sounds great. I’ll have to check it out sometime. Do you want a beer?” Bryce walked over to a mini-fridge in his garage.

“No, I’m okay. Thanks. It was a long day and I have to be up early again tomorrow. I just wanted to stop in and introduce myself.” Jesus, he sounded like he was eighty years old. It was a Friday night. There was no reason he couldn’t have a beer with his neighbor. The urge was there to say yes, even though he’d given an automatic no. He’d only spent a minute talking to the guy, but Nick liked him already. He liked the passion in which he spoke about his bike. He could tell this man would be fun to be around, which was what he was looking for, right? Fun.

Just as he opened his mouth to change his mind, Bryce spoke. “Yeah, okay. It was great to meet you.” He twisted the lid off his Corona. “Stop by anytime.”

Nick nodded, and again considered changing his mind about the drink, but he didn’t. “Same to you, man. Have a good one.”

Nick walked away, unlocked his place, went straight for the shower, jacked off, and then fell into bed.

Maybe he’d take Bryce’s advice and give riding a motorcycle a try. He’d been given a second chance, and he didn’t want to let any opportunities pass him by this time. Who the hell knew, maybe he’d fall in love with it. He could use something else in his life to be passionate about.

***

Bryce kept busy over the next week working at the shop, going out, or just screwing around in his garage. It was a Sunday, and he sat in his living room watching sports highlights on the TV when there was a knock at the door.

“Hold on.” It made him an asshole, but he hoped like hell it wasn’t his mom. Every time she spoke to him she either grilled him on how he felt—do you have headaches—or Christi, neither of which he particularly wanted to talk to her about.

He looked through the peephole to see it was his neighbor—Nate...no, Nick, he thought his name was. Bryce pulled open the door just as the man rubbed a hand over his shortly cropped brown hair. He looked a little flustered, with wide eyes and a frown that seemed pretty comfortable on his longish face.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Bryce asked him.

“Not too bad. I actually came over to ask you a favor. If you’re busy, no worries. I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but I stopped by this little furniture discount store up the road. They’re having a going-out-of-business sale and there’s a furniture set I’d like for my living room. They can’t deliver it until tomorrow and, hell, this is embarrassing.” Nick shook his head. “But I’m having my mother over for dinner tonight and—”

“Say no more.” Bryce held up a hand. “I get the mother thing. They mean well, but can be a hassle. Let me grab some shoes and my keys and we’ll head out. Come in.” Bryce nodded inside and Nick followed him. He liked to ride his bikes as much as possible, but he also had a truck for hauling or bad weather.

“Jesus, now I’m feeling even more behind. You moved in after me and you’re already finished.”