She saves me, and she doesn’t even realize it. I know that I was meant to save her.
“I’m not surprised.” She gives me a mock pouty look. She wanted me to act outraged. I have let myself go a little with her. I show her all my sides. She already knows about the darkest one, so why not show her the rest.
“You don’t play fair sometimes.” She playfully slaps me on the chest.
“I know where Iwillplay fairly with you at.” I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder before she can protest.
“Levi James, put me down,” she yells, beating me with her little fist on my back. When that doesn’t slow me down, she starts popping my butt.
“Keep hitting me on the butt, that’s just going to get you more of what you like.” She starts laughing and her butt slaps grow weaker. I walk fast until we get to our room. Tossing her on the bed, I watch as her beautiful black hair fans out around her. She’s giggling, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sweeter sound.
“We’ve got forty-five minutes before Ron comes looking for me. Let’s make it count.” I slowly climb onto the bed on top of her and gently place my lips to hers. She isn’t giggling anymore.
I was right before; these pouty lips are sweet and heavenly.
~
“Day one of training, man. We are here! You ready for this?” Ron is pumped. He couldn’t be happier to be here. I think he may be more excited that I am.
No.
He’s not.
He’s just excited.
“I’m ready, man. This is what we’ve been working for.” I straddle my beloved bike. Dale is a genius. There were a few minor things that were wrong with the bike, and in no time, he had it fixed and ready to go.
I look down and see theClover Racinglogo in front of me and smile.
We’ve made it. I didn’t get here alone. I have had help from the beginning. My journey started out as an escape from evil, but with the parents I chose, with the friends that have had my back as much as I’ve had theirs, and with team mates that love this as much as I do – it has brought me here and it has been worthwhile.
Fred started beating me at an early age. My escape at first was running. When he and Mary would start arguing, I knew I was going to get caught in the cross fire at some point. I would tear out the front door and run to someone else’s house.
Soon, I got a bicycle for free. Some kid a few blocks over got a new one, and without hesitation, I told him I would take his old one. He gladly handed it over. I hid it in the bushes for weeks. If Fred or Mary knew I had it, they would have taken it away and then beat me for having it in the first place.
When I met Ron, he immediately knew something was up with me and it was deep. Not a lot of people knew what was going on at the James’ house. Micah’s parents and Chance’s parents pretty much helped me keep things quiet, so I wouldn’t get taken away by the state. I wouldn’t have survived that. I know I wouldn’t have.
Ron saw me riding my bike, a new bike at this point. He asked me if I had ever ridden one with a motor. I had no idea what he was talking about.
He then introduced me to the dirt bike. After that, I was hooked.
And now, we are here.
Dale comes up beside me and sticks his hand out for a fist bump. I quickly give it to him. His wife is here with him on the island. I don’t know if he has ever taken her on a real vacation. The amount of happiness coming out of that woman is almost intense.
“It’s almost time, Levi. How are you feeling?” Dale walks around the Suzuki and checks everything out while I’m sitting on it. He isn’t anything if he isn’t obsessive about his work.
“I’m good. I’ve never been more grounded, man.”
He nods and steps back. “You’re both ready then.”
I have three practice races this week. This is the first one. This is the first time I will be on the course. I lay down on my bike and center myself with it. This machine will be what is between life and death every time I am on the mountain. While I know there is a chance of not walking off this island, I’m at peace with it.
I chose this life. Speed is my go to. My adrenaline craves this as much as my soul does. I will finish. Then we will go home.
Ron and Dale walk off to get my helmet and gloves. I am suited up in my leather already. I just need the finishing touches. I smell her before she touches me, and I smile. There is just something about the way she smells. it’s uniquely her and I’ve noticed it from the first moment I met her. While it was masked with fear then, it still hit me out of nowhere.
Kathleen runs her finger from my shoulder blade down my arm as she walks by me, then turns and stops. “Hey stud,” she says with that little smile on her face.
