Page 16 of Worthy

“We’ve lived through new owners before. Some have money but no experience and let things go to shit, others throw a bunch of money toward the wrong improvements. You never know what you’re gonna get,” I say as I pass him a sandwich.

“No more work talk,” Ally says in her mom tone. She isn’t one, but she keeps us in line like she is. “Ideas for Pedal—go!”

The guys shout ideas as Maddox leans closer than I’d prefer so only I can hear his question.

“What’s Pedal?” His husky almost-whisper has the hairs on my neck perking up the way they do when sensual fingers travel along my body, and it’s everything I can do not to shiver.

That’s inconvenient.

“Every year there’s a bike race to benefit a local charity.” I prop my arms on my raised knees to keep them from brushing against his and bringing on the goosebumps.

“But they’re talking about costumes. Don’t racers have to wear a uniform, or a bib?” He frowns.

“If it were an actual race yeah, but this is one of those things where people pledge amounts based on distance. If you do five laps, you’ll generate less than if you do ten laps, that sort of thing. You do as many laps as you can during the timeframe. And you can do it in teams. We usually all form a team, and since Ally has a boutique in town she likes to dress us all up to fit the theme we’re going with.”

Fun fact about Katah Vista, everything is done in costume. Parades, charity events, races, you name it, it’s an excuse to wear something ridiculous. I’m not sure where the tradition comes from, but it’s been around longer than I have and I was born here, so it’s like part of thetown's DNA.

“You do this race?” Maddox raises a thick brow in disbelief.

“The whole town does the race. Why do you think I wouldn’t?”

“I can’t picture you on a road bike.” He frowns, a soft breeze sending a wayward strand of hair across his face, and I grasp my wrist in my hand to keep from reaching for it.

“You got me there.” The grin I’m desperately trying to hold back makes a brief appearance—he’s got me pegged already. “But this isn’t a road race. Well, not entirely.”

“Where do you race then, if not on the road?”

“All over.” I gesture to the town around us. “Some of it’s on paved road, some on gravel. And it’s not a winner take all race, remember, so no one rides anything for speed. You ride for comfort. My bike has a nice comfy banana seat.”

That makes him snort.

“What’s so funny over there?” Dex’s booming voice interrupts.

“I was just describing my bike to Maddox.” I sip my beer.

“You tell him you need an extra-large seat so it can fit your giant cock?” Ryder snorts.

Madd’s face starts to turn pink as my friends take turns shoving Ryder and telling him not to be a dick, although truth be told, I’m surprised it took this long for someone to make it weird. At least Ryder’s version of seeking confirmation I’m into a dude was posed as a typical bro insult rather than an outright inquisition.

“Is that any kind of way to talk to our new neighbor?” I pluck a blade of grass and roll it between my fingers, effectively dismissing the comment so Maddox doesn’t overthink it. I get the feeling that big brain of his would get stuck on it otherwise.

Ryder has the decency to look ashamed. “Sorry,” he mumbles.

For good measure—and a somewhat lame attempt to spare Maddox further embarrassment by painting my friends as idiots—I tellRyder, “It’s all good. Last time you poked fun at my seat you said I was overcompensating, so at least now we’re moving in the right direction.”

“If we’re done talking about your dick,” Ally starts, “we should add Maddox to our team this year. I was thinking of aTed Lassotheme. You’d make a perfect Trent Crimm, if your hair were darker. Would you color it?” she holds her breath, waiting for Madd to respond.

“Who are you going to be then?” I ask to save him from Ally’s attention.

“Rebecca.” She holds out a lock of her reddish hair as if to say ‘duh.’

“Rebecca’s blonde”

“I’ll wear a wig.” Ally shrugs as I feel a slight tap on my arm. I turn to look at Maddox, trying not to notice he’s close enough that I can make out a few tiny freckles on his nose.

“What isTed Lasso?”

Thank God I register the hint of wariness in his eyes before the laugh escapes my throat, because I’m pretty sure he’s embarrassed by the fact he doesn’t know what we’re talking about. I cover my near miss with a little cough.

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