Page 3 of Ride with Zane

“I hate dressing up,” she stomps her foot before a smile appears on her face. “At least I'll do something you won't.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “Which is?”

“Get laid.” She laughs before drinking the rest of my beer.

“Going home. See you tomorrow.” I wave goodbye as I climb onto my bike. The roar of the engine drowns out my thoughts, and I relax while driving through the roads of my charter.

Chapter One

Ashley

I've planned to take a day off and sleep all day.

Sounds fair, no?

I need it.

My body needs it.

But of course, my brain doesn't get the memo and wakes me up at five a.m. I just want to scream. I have gotten so used to my routine that I can’t force myself to sleep past that hour. It's fucking frustrating!

After taking my bag I choose to hop on my bike. It's faster than my car and I'll be atIcylightin no time. It's my favorite rink where I usually train and the perfect place when I need to hide.

Zipping my jacket, I pick up my full-face helmet and wear it. Dad wasn't happy at all for me to ride a bike, but honestly, you can die even in a car and the bike is sexy and makes me feel free.

Hearing the Busa roar it's like feeling life injected in my veins while its vibration zips over my skin. I can't explain how powerful it is. Driving across the city with barely nobody aroundis fantastic. You can enjoy the sunrise and the city that starts to wake up.

Entering theIcylightmakes me smile. This is where I've grown up and where I feel safe.

I started skating when I was three, it was the best experience ever. Mom and I used to skate together, and I was so excited, I still am each time I wear my ice skates. Each time I step on the ice everything disappears. It's like walking in a magical parallel universe where everything is possible, and you can be whatever you want to be.

“Mommy, what if I fall?”

She approaches a little more and extends her hands. “You’ll get up and try again.” She smiles as I try to move my leg. “That’s one of the lessons you need to keep in mind, cupcake, life will always throw something at you and you should always keep your head up and never let anyone and anything put you down.”

And she was right. I didn’t know what she meant by then but now I’m fully aware of it. Life’s not easy. People either. Don’t get me wrong, there are good people in the world and those are your tribe. Unfortunately we tend to have some shifty ones around us.

I sprint feeling the air caress my face as I turn and move to the rhythm of the imaginary song that plays in my head. After an axel jump, my eyes catch some movement, and I come to a halt. The Devils, our hockey team, is lined up, waiting for me to finish my train.

Skating off to the exit, the Zamboni cleans the ice.

“Hey, gorgeous, happy birthday,” says Luke. I have known him forever. He's like my brother and he was the one who has introduced me to his best friend, Blake a.k.a my ex.

“Thank you, Luke. How's it going?” After hugging him, I bend down to untie my skates.

“Same life, looking forward to celebrating tonight.”

“Don't say it out loud, your coach is here.” I giggle at him. “shouldn’t it be a surprise for me?”

He rolls his eyes, well aware Dad already told me. “Ash,” he sighs. “we haven't talked since… you know, the whole story with Blake happened. I just wanted to say I'm sorry.”

“That's okay, Luke. It wasn't your fault.” I squeeze his arm, eyeing the coach approaching. Luke knew I’m not a one-night person and he vouched for his best friend. Not that it was him to push me toward Blake, but I know he’s always been overprotective since we were in kindergarten and our breakup concerns him.

He leans in. “What happened?”

That's the million-dollar question everyone wants to know but my answer is always the same. “It wasn't meant to be.”

“You sure? I've heard he…”

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