Your Exception (13 page)

Zach and I are enjoying our lunch when out of the blue, he asks, “You got anything going on this weekend?”

“I don’t think so. Why, what’s up?”

“You feel like going on a trip?”

“To where?” I’m extremely curious.

“There’s a group of us riding our bikes down to the SPAM Museum this weekend.”

“The SPAM Museum? Really? Where the hell is that at?”

He laughs. “In Austin, Minnesota. Haven’t you heard of it before?”

“Nope. I don’t even like SPAM.” I shudder at the thought.

“Who doesn’t like SPAM?”

“This girl. I remember being forced to eat it growing up, but never caring for it.”

“I love it. I could eat it every day.”

“What a conversation we’re having, Zachary.” Who knew my afternoon would consist of discussing mystery meat. “Will I know anyone else going?”

“I think there will be a few. You know Donny and Kay, right? I think they’re going to be there too.
” As he names off a few more regulars, he mentions Logan.

“Logan is going?”

“Yeah, last I knew. Basically, anyone who has a bike was invited.”

Suddenly
,
knowing Logan is going to be there, I’m more interested in going.
Even though he’s still an ass.
“Oh. Okay. When is everyone planning on leaving?”

“We’re all meeting here Saturday morning, then taking off together.”

“When would we be coming back?”

“Some time on Sunday.”

“We’re spending the night?”

“It’s a six hour ride just to get there. Everyone is getting a hotel.”

“So…would we be sharing a room?”

“I’ll get one with two beds,” he says and chuckles.

I can share a hotel room with Zach. It might be a little awkward, but it’ll be fine. Now that I’ve reassured myself, I decide to accept his invitation. It makes me wonder what Logan will think of me and Zach in a hotel room together. Will he be jealous? Will he even care? Does it even matter?

“I think that sounds fun, Zachary. Thank you for inviting me.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he says, smiling as he takes another sip of his soda.

*****

“You’re going where?” Cassidy exclaims.

“To the SPAM Museum with Zachary.”

“You get to ride on the back of Zach’s bike, holding onto him for six solid hours, sleep in the same room with him, and then hold onto him with your legs wrapped around him for six more hours?”

“I wouldn’t put it exactly in those words, but yes. I’ll also get to experience a part of history and see how everything works.”

“That’s not why you’re going.”

“Then why am I?”

“I’m not sure yet, but something tells me you have an ulterior motive.”

Damn, she’s good. But I want to go. With or without Logan being present.

I ignore her statement and go upstairs. I grab just a small bag and fill it with a pair of jeans, t-shirt, long sleeved shirt, socks and panties. That should do it for one night. I second guess what to wear to sleep in, and settle on sweatpants and an old t-shirt. My bathroom is a mess as I dig around for my sunscreen, a few extra ponytail holders, and a brush and toss them inside of my bag. I find my sunglasses and set them on top so they’re not forgotten.

I’m excited and wide awake as I crawl into bed and wait for morning.

*****

There are
about ten bikes parked outside of The Edge as I pull up. I spot Zach, and I walk towards him and his Harley. I casually look around, but I don’t see Logan anywhere. Zach bends down, putting my bag into one of the side saddles. Without looking up at me, he says, “He’s not coming.”

Not thinking I heard him correctly, I ask, “What?”

“If you’re looking for Logan, he’s not coming.” He buckles the straps.

“Oh.”

He looks a little distressed but doesn’t say anything more. He obviously knows I was looking for him.

“Where’s Kay?”

Standing up, he looks down at me. “They’re not here yet. We’re still waiting for ten more bikes to show up. Did you eat?”

“I did, thanks.”

“I was going to tell you to grab something to eat because it’s a long ride, but we’ll stop halfway and grab something quick if you get hungry.”

“Sounds good to me.”

I hear loud pipes, and turn to see about fifteen more bikes enter in two straight lines. Zach and the other bikers get on their bikes and start them up. Zach looks at me and gives me a nod to say he’s ready for me to get on. He grabs a hold of my arm as I reach for his shoulder and step on the foot peg, bouncing up to get my leg over the bike. I’m grateful for the backrest and cushiony seat because I know my ass is going to be numb in a few short hours. I put my sunglasses on and place my arms around Zach’s waist. Logan had taken me for a few bike rides, and I never thought twice about sliding my arms around him, or about my knees snug against his thighs. But with Zach, I try to open my legs just a bit more so that I’m not wrapped around him.

Donny and Kay are one of the last ones to show up, but as we pull out, they’re right next to us. Kay waves at me and I wave back, noticing her ass is almost off the back of her seat. She doesn’t look near as comfortable as I am. I feel my ponytail shoot out as we take off.

I’m sad Logan isn’t coming along. A part of me was hoping to see him, but I’m not going to let it ruin my fun. This is going to be a good day.

Four hours later, we pull into a gas station. Zach fills the tank
, and I walk around and stretch my legs. We go inside to grab some snacks, and I opt for a turkey sandwich and some dill pickle chips. Zach gets a piece of pizza and a hot dog. The gas station quickly fills up with the twenty-five motorcycles and close to forty extra occupants, so we pay for our stuff and quickly exit. We scarf down our food and wait until everyone is ready to head back out.

After
the one stop, we finally get to the SPAM museum and park in the back of the lot. After some much needed stretching, we meet up with Kay, then walk up to the large brick building with the glass windows and the huge blue and yellow SPAM logo at the top. I feel like a child as I walk through the doors and enter this world of meat.

We spend hours there, looking at all random stuff they have everywhere. I can’t believe they don’t charge you anything to come here. They have a mock assembly line where you can try your hand at canning. They have a wall with a giant picture of SPAM on it with a doorway going through it. If you look up you will see the biggest bun, tomatoes, and slice of cheese you’ve ever seen, hanging from the ceiling. Thousands of cans are stacked on top of each other, towering to the ceiling, and who knew there were so many different kinds of spiced pork artifacts—a fancier way of saying mystery meat.

After we take turns putting on white lab coats and getting our pictures taken, we spend some time in the gift shop. You can get the craziest souvenirs I’ve ever seen. Beverage koozies, mugs, tennis balls, t-shirts, and even glow in the dark boxer shorts. All with the SPAM logo on them. I watch Zach purchase a pair of the boxers.

“I got you something,” he says to me.

“I hope it’s not a pair of those boxers,” I tease. He holds up a key chain with a big picture of SPAM on it.

I laugh. “That was so nice of you.” I look at it and laugh again.

“So you can remember the best day of your life,” he jokes.

“Um, yeah. Or close to it.”

“We’re heading to a sports bar to eat. It’s right by the hotel, so I think everyone will be hanging out there for the remainder of the night to drink. They’re supposed to have a band tonight, and I’ve heard they have great food.”

“Perfect.”

We get to the hotel and park the bike. We check in and bring our stuff to our room. I grab my brush and try to brush out the rat’s nest that’s accumulated on the top of my head from the windy ride. I can’t believe I looked like this the whole time I was at the museum. Zach patiently waits as I touch up my makeup. We exit and walk across the street to the bar. When we enter, Zach goes up to the bar to get a beer, and I sit at a table in the near empty room. I immediately feel out of place, and keep glancing to the opening door, hoping Kay will walk in any second, but it turns out to be people I don’t know. Zach comes back and sits at my table with me.

“You okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine. I had a fun day today.”

“Me too. Tonight will be fun as well.”

A group of four guys come over and join us at our table. Zach introduces me, but I’ll never remember their names. I smile politely and shake their hands. Kay magically appears and sits next me to as Donny falls into the ongoing discussion of newer models of motorcycles and their features while Kay and I try to come up with something in common to talk about. I’m grateful for the familiar face, even though we’ve never spoken more than a few words to each other.

After my belly is full of delicious steak and potatoes, the band starts setting up
, and I realize I recognize them from somewhere; probably a night out with Cassidy. Zach ends up having to make a few rounds to say hello to everyone. I stay in my seat and notice he never wanders too far away and always has his eyes on me. I turn to meet his smiling gaze every time, making sure I’m okay. He feels so much like a protective big brother sometimes.

Once the music gets going, I watch all these big biker guys out on the floor dancing horribly. It’s great, and easily the best entertainment. Almost everyone is completely wasted by this point. I’ve seen so many shots and drinks downed tonight...these people don’t mess around. They’re here to party.

I notice Zach isn’t his normal straight laced self either. Could he be…drunk? I’ve never actually seen Zach drunk before. I’ve seen him drink his fair share of alcohol, but he always stops before he gets to that point. I sit back and smile to myself as I see him more happy and carefree than I ever have before. Kay and I continue making small talk while the band plays until Zach comes over and grabs my hand.

“What are you doing?” I ask him.

“I’m dancing with you,” he replies.

“No, no, no. I really don’t dance. You know that!”

He has the biggest grin on his face as he picks me up, throws me over his shoulder, and carries me to the dance floor. He slowly lets me down, my body brushing against his. He looks at me, his eyes full of glee and a hint of lust. He wraps his arms lovingly around my back, and I’m held against his chest as he slowly dances with me. Drunk Zach is the most adorable thing I’ve ever encountered. He looks like a happy child when he drinks. I feel a little weird being this close to him, but how can I refuse those puppy dog eyes?

I place my head against his chest and sway with him until the song is over. I step away from him. “Thank you for the dance, Zachary.”

I grin and start to walk back to my seat when he grabs my hand and spins me around. I twirl right back into him as he grabs me and starts dancing faster than before. I have to admit, he’s got moves. Drunk Zach can dance! I laugh so hard I have tears coming out of my eyes and try to follow his lead, moving my feet the way he does. I don’t even attempt the high kicks he can pull off. Kay and Donny join us on the crowded dance floor, and we all dance the night away until we hear last call.

Zach sits at a table with a glass of water. I’m glad there are guys bigger than him here in case someone needs to carry him back to the room. He gains his composure, pays his tab, and we start to scatter outside.

When we get into the hotel, Kay and Donny walk us to our door, and to my surprise, come in with us.

“I gotta take a leak,” Zach calls out as he stumbles to the bathroom.

I notice a few items on one of the beds that I don’t recognize. I turn to Kay. “Is this yours?” I ask, pointing to the stuff on the bed.

“Yeah. We didn’t book a room in time, so Zach said we could share yours.”

It hits me. Zach and I are sharing a bed. There is no way Kay is going to share one with me while Zach and Donny sleep in one together.

Crap.

I wait for Zach to get out, then walk in with my pajamas. I wash my face from the day’s events, and take a deep breath before opening the bathroom door. Zach is stripped down to his boxers, and lying in our bed.
Crap!

I
put my dirty clothes inside my bag and slowly make the short walk towards Zach. He smiles at me and pulls my side of the covers back for me. My heart is pounding, and my nerves are forcing me to break out in a small sweat as I climb in the queen sized bed. Maybe it’s a good thing Kay and Donny are sleeping in the same room as us. Not that I’m excited to sleep right next to Zach, but he is pretty drunk and it might be weirder if it were just the two us. Not that he’d ever try anything on me.
I don’t think…

I can smell Zach’s cologne mixed with alcohol. His huge body takes up most of the bed as I try to remain on my side as close to the edge as possible. I’ve only shared a bed with two different men, and I cared very deeply for both of them. I don’t know why there’s this anxiety about sleeping next to Zach. It’s Zachary, one of my best friends, but this feels…off.
Different.