“Hey beautiful.” She has her hair tied back and sunglasses on. AClover Racingshirt is tight across her chest and it’s turning me on. I like my brand on her.
“You’ve got this, you know.” I can tell she’s nervous and that humbles me a little. I’ve always had people worry about me and my safety, but never like this.
“I do.” I wait and watch her for a few more seconds. “Come here.” She steps closer, and I grab her by the hips.
“I have a lot to live for. Do you hear me?”
“Yea,” she says.
I gently put my hands on both sides of her face. “I’m talking about you Kathleen. We are just starting. I’m not about to let it end right now.” She gives me one of her huge smiles, and I know I’ve said the right thing.
Ron and Dale come back with my gear and they ask Kathleen to help me put it on. She immediately jumps in like I knew she would. She loves and knows racing way more than I thought she would. That surprised me in a very good way. I asked her what she thought about certain things; her vision ofClover Racinghas inspired me. We make a really great team. A team that I can see growing.
Isle of Man TT
Kathleen
I feel like I’ve been on a path in my life that led me straight to here.
I was never supposed to like racing. My dad was never a racing fan. Yes, he sponsorsClover Racing, but he’s never watched a race. He gives money to Levi’s team to do what they need, but he could care less what’s going on in that world.
So, my point is, I was never brought up around cars or bikes. I fell into this world by accident. Or was it? Was me meeting Levi inevitable?
We believe that it was. He’s my person. I was always drawn to him for no other reason than my soul being linked to his. And he’s hot. And he can race. But, that isn’t the things that are keeping us connected.
It’s been a fast whirlwind, but I feel it. I know it’s right. Levi has let himself out. He’s let me in. I’m behind those tall walls he has.
Micah and I have talked a lot about how Levi is. After Fred was arrested, the police searched his house and had cause to arrest Mary also. Since then, Levi has had a few minor setbacks, but between Micah, Kelly, and I, we’ve kept him in the light. He seems to cling to me, and I love it. To be completely honest, I love him.
It was easy. He’s an easy man to love. I haven’t told him yet, and I know it’s fast, but… the heart wants what it wants. My heart wants Levi James… forever.
“You ready for this?” Kelly pushes her sunglasses up onto her nose as she watches the people standing near us. We are standing along the course, in a good spot along the mountain, not too far from where we are staying. I’m glad Kelly, Chance, Zant, and Micah came too. I don’t know what kind of mess I would be in without them. They are keeping me sane while I keep Levi sane.
“I am,” I whisper, meaning more than what she’s asking for. I am ready for these races. I am ready for the future. I am ready to see where all of this goes.
“Here they come,” Zant yells down to us. A few seconds later, bikes are flying past us. I don’t know how anyone knows who is driving. They pass us in a blur. I’m looking at every one of them, or I’m trying to. I don’t see a green and orange bike, and I don’t see eighty-two. Where is he?
“He’s already passed, Katie,” Chance says from behind me.
“Really? Where was he?”
Chance is smiling like he’s about to tell a big secret. “He was eleventh.”
“WHAT!?!?!?” I scream and jump up and down. He was eleventh! I know this is just practice, but he will have so much confidence after this. He was just hoping he wasn’t last. This course, this mountain, this race intimidates him, but he’s also on fire for it.
I’m so proud of him. We all are.
We make our way to the finish line to wait for him. I see him as soon as we get there. He’s talking to another racer. His helmet is on top of his head, and he has his right glove off and in his left hand. I watch as he smiles and shakes the guy’s hand. Levi is just a generous guy. To be through everything he has, it amazes me how humble and kind he is. I know it has everything to do with his friends and their parents, but it could have gone another way completely.
I, for one, am glad he is the man that he is. He is quickly turning into my forever.
As soon as we walk up, I watch him scan every face until he lands on mine. I’m standing in the back, letting everyone else congratulate him first. He doesn’t hear a word they are saying as he gets off his bike and walks towards me. I feel the smile that is splitting my face, and I do nothing to stop it.
“Hello beautiful,” he says with a smirk.
“Hey handsome. Nice racing.”
“Really?”
