Page 53 of Shade
He takes his helmet off and smiles briefly, the camera’s catching it, but the smile never once reaches his baby blue eyes I’m captivated by. I bet it’s been a long time since one of his smiles has lit up his entire face. I know because it took me years after Asher to remember feeling like my whole body smiled.
Despite the lack of attention Shade has on the win and the reporter asking him questions, I take notice in the restlessness of his posture, the scowl on his face, no doubt a product of his lifestyle and the loneliness its created for him.
Sure, you’d think by looking at this guy, he’s been working hard. He’s holding onto some degree of professionalism and the intensity needed to be an elite athlete. But then he takes the helmet off and you’re reminded, while his body and ability are still here, his mind isn’t. Beneath the helmet is a chaos very few will understand.
And here’s where the crowd gets a taste of something I already saw coming.
“Shade. . . ” A microphone is shoved in his face. “The media has been going on and on about you being on a downward spiral. There’s been a lot of talk that your performance is being affected by the recent difficulties in your personal life. Looks like you’ve moved on with no problem even after the recent suicide of your childhood friend, Rhya Morgan.”
He’s displayed on the big screen in front of us, though I have a clear view in front of me thanks to my awesome seats. Do you notice his demeanor change the instant her name is mentioned?
“Moved on?” he laughs and slams his helmet into the ground at the reporter’s feet. “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
The camera jerks away before he gets out the “fuck” part, but I hear it, as does everyone else in attendance. Shade stomps away, dodging the grabby hands of the women surrounding him, and disappears into the dark tunnel behind the podium stage, avoiding everyone and anyone who attempts to stop him.
This is essentially what cements my plan to break into his hotel room. Sure, everything he did on the bike was sexy and had me crossing and uncrossing my legs in attempt to shift my clit ring a little bit more for the sake of the thrill it shot through my body, but this, the mess of a man lashing out at a reporter, leave it to me to wantthat guy.
