Page 116 of Down & Dirty

I lifted the lid, tucking my finger under the flap of tissue paper and folding it back to reveal what looked like a silver pocket watch. I smiled up at her, catching a mischievous glint in her eye.

“It’s not what you think.”

I turned back to the box, carefully removing it, the weighty metal cold in my hand. With a push of the clasp, it hinged open.

“A compass,” I breathed, my heart surging at the surprise. The antique face sat behind a flickering needle as it swiveled and spun, the re-tipped point finding north.

“Flip it over,” she whispered, drawing my eyes back up to hers. They were filled with so much emotion, I struggled to look down again. But when I did, I found an inscription carved into the back.

If light is in your heart, you will find your way home. – Rumi

“Skylar. . .”

“You’ve been all over for so long. On the road most of your life. But home isn’t someplace you can lose. It’s with you.”

I shook my head, closing the compass inside my grasp. “No, it’s with you,” I whispered, turning to pull her into my lap. “It’s with you and Micah. You are my home now, baby.” I swallowed, searching her eyes. “I’m in love with you, Skylar. I’m so fucking in love with you.”

My arms shook where I held her, and the water brimming in her eyes spilled over. “I love you too, Cory.” She closed her arms around my neck, squeezing so tight I could hardly breathe. “I’ve never felt like this.”

“Me either, baby,” I said, my lips against her skin, kissing her neck. “But I am so damn grateful I found you.”

She leaned back, her lopsided smile undoing me even more as I wiped away the tears streaking down her cheeks.

“I found you first.”

I huffed out a laugh, loving that she had to argue with me. “How do you figure?”

“Ifoundyouat that bar.”

My gaze rose to the ceiling, memories of that night drifting over me. The sparkle in her eye, the way her hand had fit so small and soft inside mine when we danced, the feel of her in my arms when I carried her to bed. Everything had started that night.

“I guess you’re right,” I admitted, nodding as her smile widened and she bobbed her head arrogantly.

“That’s right. Can I get that on tape? I’m not sure I’ve ever heard you say that before.”

She was laughing hard, really proud of herself for that one. But I was laughing right along with her. Because getting ribbed by my wife was better than money, better than press, better than winning any race. Skylar could mock me forever, and I’d be happy. In fact, that was my plan.

CHAPTER 36

SKYLAR

Iwasn’t sure what had gotten under Cory’s skin, but when we landed back in California, he’d hit the gym like he was twenty-four, not thirty-four. He’d been in rare form at the practice course and a couple of weeks later, when he made his way to the gate for the first race of the season and I gave him a wave, my heart was pounding so hard in the loud arena I could barely breathe.

He winked at me, “See you soon, gorgeous.”

It was a different experience having both Ronnie and Cory to watch. I was rooting for both of them, scared for both of them. I didn’t think I’d ever been so anxious for a race to be done.

When the first qualifying heat kicked off, I was in the box with the rest of the OTM management. All conversations fell quiet as the gate dropped and Ronnie went for the hole shot. He got caught behind a rider from the Maverick Yamaha team, and then his first corner put him back even farther when he got bumped from the route he’d been on. Ronnie made up time in the whoops, speeding over the series of short, tightly stacked mounds. Cory was behind him, battling hard, trying to break into the top five. I was silent as I watched, the deafening roar of the pack of riders moving around us in waves.

The first heat ended with Cory in eighth and Ronnie in sixth. Neither were very happy with their runs, and I hung back as they talked strategy for the main event to come. Cory found my eyes from across the tour bus, a fire in them that felt like a caress. Racing had been in Cory’s life so much longer than I had, but the way he held my gaze, wordlessly making me feel important...It filled me like an updraft on a flat field. All my own emotions kicked up in its wake and I was in a storm of them by the time the main event of the night was finished.

“Not too bad,” Ronnie said to Cory, patting him on the shoulder as they walked toward me. Their faces were red and speckled with dirt, and their hair was sweaty, matted and pressed into the worst kind of helmet hair. But they were both smiling. And I exhaled a long sigh as Cory pulled me in for a kiss.

“Fourth and sixth will do for the first race,” Ronnie finished, beaming at me as he gave me a quick hug.

Waiting for my brother let me go, Cory jerked his head behind him. “I’m going to take a quick shower. Meet you in the hotel lobby?”

I smiled, their energy feeding my own. “Sounds good.”

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