Page 65 of Race to the Beach

She noticed her aunt's old bike on the side of the house.Her aunt told her to feel free to use it whenever she wanted.Maxi ran back inside and jotted her aunt a quick note.

Buzz.

Immediately, her chest tightened.If it was Owen, she didn’t know whether to answer or not.She didn't see where they had anything to talk about.She didn't need to hear how sorry he was and how much he loved Regan.Just the thought made the coffee in her stomach take a nauseous lurch.

But when she checked the caller ID, she was surprised to see Lily's name.Simultaneously, she felt a wave of disappointment.Perhaps there was still a part of her that was hoping Owen would call her.

She really didn't want to talk to anyone.But it was Lily—her closest friend on the island.Her phone continued to ring as she debated what to do.

Valuing her friendship, she stepped outside and took the call."Hello."

"Maxi, how are you?I've been trying to call you since last night."

"Sorry.I silenced my phone."The prior evening she hadn't been in any shape to speak to anyone.She was barely keeping it together right now.

"No problem.I was just worried about you."

"Thanks.I'm okay."Not really.But what else was she supposed to say?That her heart was torn and tattered?That she was foolish enough to let herself fall for a guy who was still in love with someone else?

"Then you are a better woman than me.If my boyfriend went off on a date with his ex, I would have lost it.Of course, I'd need a boyfriend first.Anyway, that's my way of saying I'm sorry.If there's anything I can do."

Lily didn't mention the kiss; however, from the amount of sympathy oozing from her friend, Maxi was certain Lily had heard about it.If Lily knew about Owen and Regan’s kiss, then Maxi suspected that most of the town knew.She inwardly groaned.It was bad enough that Owen went back to his ex, but for the whole town to know was agonizing.She couldn't get off this island fast enough.

Her gaze strayed back to her aunt's bicycle.It was ever so tempting.She couldn't escape the island on it, but she could avoid her aunt’s sympathetic stares and the curious looks from the town’s residents.She could ride out of town—away from it all.

"Maxi?Maxi, did you hear me?"Lily's voice drew her from her thoughts.

She hadn't heard a word her friend had said, which just confirmed her need to escape.She checked the time.She had a few hours before she had to be at the race.

"Sorry," Maxi said."I'm just a little distracted."

"Do you want to meet for breakfast?We could talk."

"Thanks.I really appreciate the offer, but I don't think I'd be good company."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah.I think I'm just going to go for a bike ride."

"Before the race?"Lily sounded unsure about her decision.

"I won't be gone long.I just think it'll do me good."

"Oh.Okay.If you need me, just give me a phone call."

Once they wrapped up their conversation, Maxi rushed back into the house.It appeared her aunt was still sleeping so she tiptoed around.She grabbed her backpack, tossed in a couple snack bars and a bottle of water.

Buzz.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.It was Owen—the last person she wanted to speak to.She took her phone and placed it on the counter.She wasn't going to take it with her.The point of the ride was to unwind and get her mind on straight for the race.

She went outside, climbed onto the bike and set off with no destination in mind.As she biked south, she was surprised by how many people were out and about that early in the morning.

Some people waved.Others called out their sympathy.And others awkwardly pretended not to see her, as though they weren’t sure what to say.

Maxi pedaled faster.She couldn't get out of town fast enough.

She hoped Owen didn't continue calling her phone, because he was wasting his time.She didn't want to hear whatever he had to tell her.She shouldn't have trusted him in the beginning.She knew better.And now she had an unwanted souvenir to take home with her—a broken heart.

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