Page 30 of Dash

“Send in Mr. Knight,” I instruct, and he leaves with a nod. I need to speak to him.

Lying back, I let out a long breath as I rub my left arm. It’s sore as fuck. It’s what I landed on before I went rolling onto the grass. Thank God, it was the grass that stopped me.

“Are you feeling okay, son?”

I look up to see Mr. Knight walking into my little curtain room. I nod. “Yeah, just sore.”

“The nurse said that you are refusing treatment.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m fine. I just wanna go home.”

His silver eyebrows that match his silver hair pull together. “Are you sure?” he questions. “I know that you are the only one who knows what your body is feeling, but I’d hate for there to be some serious damage and not know it.”

“Thanks for your concern, sir. But that is not why I wanted to see you.” I’m trying not to get pissed. It wasn’t his fault that I wrecked, but I want out of here and my headache is getting worse.

“I’ll make it happen,” he says after a few quiet seconds. “But first, can you tell me what happened?”

“It was the brakes.”

“The brakes?” he asks as his eyebrows draw together in confusion.

“They were out. I tried to slow down to go into the turn and there was nothing there.”

“You didn’t mention any problem with them after the first run.” He sits down on the end of my bed.

I shake my head. “’Cause there were no problems. The bike was fine before then.”

“Hmm.” He looks up at me. “Our main concern is that you are okay.” He stands. “Take a few days off. Recover. The bike has already been delivered to the shop. I will have it looked over and see if we can find the problem.” He goes to walk out, but I stop him.

“How bad is it?” I didn’t see much of the bike, and I couldn’t hear much with my helmet on, either.

“Well, let’s just say that I’m gonna have another one built for you.”

“I’m sorry,” I say as I hang my head. He gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I have already fucked it up. That’s me.

“Don’t be sorry,” he says kindly. “This stuff happens. I’m just glad that you are okay. Take some time off…”

“I can be back at it tomorrow,” I interrupt him. I’m not gonna back down or take time off.

He chuckles. “Recover, son. When the bike is ready, I will let you know and we can go from there.”

“So, you’re not kicking me off the team?” I ask, letting out a long breath.

“No,” he says without pause. “This is part of the game, Erik. This is what guys like us live for. The adrenaline. The risk. I gave you this offer, and so far, you have kept up your side of the bargain. So, I will keep mine.”

I nod my head in understanding, but I don’t miss the threat. He said that I had kept up my side of the deal.

No drugs.

No alcohol.

No getting in trouble with the law.

What about falling in love with his daughter? Wonder what he would do if he knew that part about me? That I’ve been hiding a secret from him.

I lie back in the bed and let out a long breath as he walks out. I want to speak to Tabatha. But bringing her back here would be a bad idea. I just spoke to her father. He will inform her that I’m okay and that I’m going home. I will call her the second that I’m released and have her come over. Give me a little nurse action. I smile.

“Oh, my God,” Valerie screeches as she comes barging into my room. “Are you okay?” she asks wide-eyed as she comes over to my bed.

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