"I know that's his worry, but mine is something else altogether."Mom brushed a hair off my forehead.
"I know, Mom."
"Do you?I guess I don't usually see your crashes, but since this one was all over social media, I couldn't miss it.Wish I had," she said quietly."You came so close to those rocks, Theo.I know you love racing and flying down that mountain and the crazier the trail the better, but this could have been so much worse."
"Can't do that in sports, Mom.You can't do thewhat ifthing or you make yourself crazy.I'm good on a bike, and frankly, I'm not that fucking good at anything else."
"Not true."She smiled at me."You're good at being my kid."She leaned over and kissed my cheek."I want you to be happy and to achieve all those dreamy goals you've been carrying around since you got your first bike.But your health and well-being are important too.You've had a lot of injuries."
"So has Mac, and he doesn't even race."
Mom rolled her eyes."That's because your brother has no common sense, and he has given me too many gray hairs to count.Well, I'm going to walk down to the game and watch.How about you?"
"Think I'll watch from here.Feels good sitting still."
"Jules is frosting some brownies.She'll bring them out soon."
"Another good reason to stay up here."She turned to walk away."Hey, Mom?"
She looked back.
"I'm not sure how much longer I'll race, but it won't be forever.I promise."
She smiled and blew me a kiss.
The screen door slid open, and the fudgy aroma of brownies drifted my way."You better have piled on that frosting, Jules."
She reached the table.I moved aside a bowl of salad, and she set the pan of brownies down.I didn't hesitate to grab one."Just what the doctor ordered."I took a massive bite.
Jules stood nearby, arms crossed, waiting for me to finish it."Well?Enough frosting?"
"It'll do."
Stella reached the table."Oh my god, the fucking testosterone on that court.Too many bitchy competitors for me.I'm out.Plus, I want a brownie."She reached into the pan and lifted one out."Did you tell him?"she asked before taking a bite.
I looked at Jules."Tell me what?"
Jules gave Stella an annoyed brow arch.Stella swallowed the bite, licked her lip and then shrugged."Oops.I just figured you'd tell him."
I looked at Jules again, and whatever it was, she didn't look anxious to spill the beans.
"Don't tell me, the video has passed a million views.I already knew that, but thanks for kicking a guy when he's down and hunched over like a broken old man."
"Ahh, you poor baby."Stella reached forward to pinch my cheek, but I blocked her.
Jules was unusually quiet as she pretended to suddenly be interested in the game across the way.
"So, what's up, Jules?I guess this isn't about the video."
Stella lit the first spark but then just as quickly walked away to avoid the fire.Jules scowled at her as she strolled off.I patted the seat next to me."Sit and spill, cousin."
Jules sat reluctantly."It's not that big a deal.I just thought with your crash and you not feeling great that you wouldn't need to hear?—"
"Jules, stop.Just fucking tell me."
"Lacey is back in Trayton."She blurted it fast, apparently thinking it wouldn't have as much impact, but it had plenty.
"For a visit?"I asked.
