“Five minutes!” our crew chief yells into the locker room. I stand and fasten my pants tighter around my hips and tuck my t-shirt in. I throw my racing jersey on next, before tucking my gloves in my back pocket and grabbing my lid and goggles.
At the last minute, I pull my AirPods out and shove them in my bag, bouncing on my feet to get the blood flowing. I feel the adrenaline spike in my veins and flex my hands, preparing them to be wrapped around the handles. Racing isn’t just in my blood, it’s a part of who I am. The sport has saved me in a way and given me a reason to fight.
“Girls just got here,” Sam says, almost to himself, checking his phone one last time.
My head turns to him. “Girls?”
“Yeah, Ayda, Evi, and Scarlet just go here. She just texted me. They say thanks for the upgraded passes.” Sam nods at me, before slipping his phone into the cubby.
The room stills while my brain filters everything he said. Scarlet is here. She wanted to come. Suddenly everything speeds up around me and a new wave of energy pumps through my body. I’m ready to get out there. Our crew chief pounds on the door, and we all fist bump each other on our way out.
Jumping on my bike, I rev it up and we ride out onto the track. The crowd roars while Eminem’s “Survival” blasts from the speakers, and we lap around, getting the feel of the track for the day. I drive around the dirt, take notice of the chunder, where it feels weaker, and the hardpack where it may be slippery if the dirt is loose. I see the new flag positions and gauge the double jump and the other side of the track where the tabletop is. In my mind, I preplan the tricks I can pull before heading over to the pits. Everything on my bike feels dialed in. I pull my goggles up and scan the area above us, until my gaze lands on the girl I can’t stop thinking about.
In less than twenty-four hours, Scarlet is consuming my thoughts. I spot her, standing with Ayda and Evie. Her destroyed jean shorts are cut short, exposing every inch of her tan legs, looking miles long despite her shorter stature, which I didn’t even notice until we walked in last night. With my six three height, her head barely grazes my chest. My lips twitch just thinking about it. Her long dark hair is swept up in a ponytail and black sunglasses rest on her head. I think the part that gets me the most is her cropped black t-shirt, with a red rose on it that reads Seek No Approval. I glance up and my gaze collides with her coffee-brown eyes. She smiles and waves her hand at her side. My eyes eat up the slight flush on her cheeks and the way her full bottom lip dips under her teeth. Damn, this girl.
It’s almost painful to take my eyes off her, but I need my head in the race. So many things are riding on how well I do and where I place. I need to get to Cali in order to advance to Colorado. We may be thinking too far ahead, but I know Dean already booked us a house outside of San Diego. If anything, that should be my motivation. I take all the feelings Scarlet is stirring inside me and channel them to fuel my adrenaline.
We make our way to the start gate and get ready to race. Everything in my blood hums along with the bike’s engine; I let my mind zone out and focus on the line, the path I want to ride. Like a bull in the ring, my gaze catches on the black and white checkered flag. I take off, riding fast, listening to the beautiful sound of my two-stroke engine. Braap! “We Own It” by 2 Chains and Wiz Khalifa plays in the background while I soar over the double jump and land a Can-Can. The crowd eats it up, and before long, I’m leading. My body is light and every movement I make feels effortless. I can picture the win in my mind and push myself to keep going.
“That was so cool!” Evi says again, her cheeks flushed, while Scarlet smirks at her. The girls had a few drinks over the day, and I shake my head. They weren’t even carded and wearing our green pit pass, nobody even thought twice about it. Scarlet’s cheeks are sort of pink, but her eyes are clear. Elias, Dean, Sam and Ayda laugh with her, and keep talking about the races. After the whole day of racing, AfterHours is sitting in position to advance to California. I took first in overall. A few of the other racers were grumbling about our win. Guess it sucks to suck. All I can picture in my mind is the prize money for more bike parts and a title win for our sponsors.
I side-glance at Scarlet, who’s standing next to me, her arms folded loosely in front of her. Thinking of being on the road the next month is starting to feel lonely. Part of me wants to see where this thing between us could go, while another part of me screams that I’m crazy. I just met this girl. And while I feel an insane connection to her, she’s planning for college and I’m planning a career that keeps me busy most of the year. We could have an amazing summer though…
“What did you think?” I ask her, bending down, keeping our conversation between us.
She glances at me, and I don’t miss the way her eyes widen, the coffee color turning molten. “I’m in awe. It’s exhilarating to watch. I can’t image how it must feel to ride.”
“It’s intense,” I answer, holding her gaze. “I can take you around the track sometime if you want.”
She inhales. “Okay.”
My eyes drop down to her lips then back to her eyes, catching when her chin tilts up, almost like a challenge. Before I can second guess what I’m about to say, the words spill out of my mouth. “What are you doing this week? Why don’t you come to California with us? Check out the area. If you’re thinking of going to USC, it isn’t too far away.”
Her gaze drops down, her head turns to the side. I see her teeth bite the inside of her cheek, contemplating. I want to keep talking, persuading her, wanting her to feel the same way I do, so I know I’m not insane. I just met her but leaving right now feels like a mistake if she isn’t with me. Maybe things would fizzle out in a few weeks, I don’t know. Something deep in my soul though is screaming not to let this girl go. Her gaze snaps up and lands on her cousin next.
“Why don’t all of you girls come with us this week to California,” I announce loud enough for everyone to hear. The conversation drops, and I feel everyone’s eye slide over to us. I have their attention, and I smirk. “Scarlet can check out the campus she’s looking at. Ayd, I know you’ve been dying to go to the zoo there. Could be a fun vacation.”
“The house is big enough.” Dean shrugs, his eyes flicking to me and Sam, whose face is getting a little paler, but I chalk it up to the fact he’d have to spend more time with Ayda and he’s being a chickenshit.
“My mom and Theo aren’t getting back until next week anyways,” Ayda says, a huge smile pulling her lips. I knew she’d be a sucker for seeing a college and the zoo. It’s her senior year of high school this fall.
Evi looks hesitant, her eyes moving from Elias to Scarlet. “What do you think, Cousin?”
Scarlet’s head snaps up in Evi’s direction, something passing between them and for a second, my heart stops, thinking she’s going to reject the idea. “We have a whole summer, right? Why not take some time to check out Cali?”
The tension in my shoulders eases and I sling an arm around Scarlet, pulling her into my body until I can smell the coconut scent of her hair. Even with our height difference, her curves mold perfectly into my side. “Beach tonight? Then hit the road early tomorrow so we can have a couple days there before the next series?”