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Frenchie swore that he had acquired the bikes through entirely legal means. Oluwande knew that Frenchie thrived on technicalities and loopholes, but he wasn’t going to look this particular gift horse in the mouth too closely.
Stede had suggested a group bike ride as a crew bonding trip. He had been practically vibrating with excitement as he laid out his plan: they would all meet up at the nearest trailhead, ride for a few hours on the paved trail, stop for lunch at an overlook area along the river, and then ride back. Most of the group had liked the idea and had joined in on planning the finer details of the trip. Stede just hadn’t considered the possibility that not everyone owned a bike.
Oluwande had been thinking through how best to broach the subject with Stede because it would likely go one of two ways: either Stede would be utterly dense about it, and Oluwande would have to figure out where to find a couple of bikes for him and Jim; or Stede would be overly apologetic and try to buy bikes for the two of them because Stede didn’t do half-measures and was generous to a fault. Neither outcome was optimal in Oluwande’s mind.
He’d been mulling things over when Frenchie had sidled up to him and said that he knew where to find some good quality used bicycles, and he’d be happy to get a couple for Oluwande and Jim while he was picking out one for himself.
That’s how he found himself at the designated trailhead, far too early on a Saturday, with a “not technically stolen” bike. They had planned for an early departure, but hit a small snag when Buttons arrived on a motorized Razor scooter. Stede said he and Ed had a spare bike in the car, but Buttons would not be swayed. And so the group of bicyclists (plus one scooter enthusiast) set off along the trail toward their lunchtime destination.
Oluwande had been hanging toward the back of the group, chatting with Wee John, as they approached the overlook where they were stopping for lunch. He had had to practically drag Jim out of the house this morning - they didn’t do kicking and screaming, but they were exceptionally good at going boneless when they wanted - and he had worried that they would spend the entire trip grumbling and sulking. It turned out his concern was unfounded because as soon as they were on the trail, their competitive nature kicked in. Jim and Ed had issued silly challenges to one another the entire ride: who could reach a certain spot on the trail first, who could do a better wheelie, who could go the longest without touching the handlebars.
Jim was leaning against a tree, looking out over the river, as Oluwande got off his bike and walked over to them.
“Mi amor,” he slipped his hand into theirs, “te estás divirtiendo?”
“Supongo. I’m kicking Ed’s ass.” They smiled up at him.
“Are you happy that I convinced you to do this today?”
“Por supuesto, mi amor. You make everything fun. Now let’s grab some lunch. I wanna challenge Ed to see who can fit the most grapes in their mouth.”