Page 66 of Send It
“He’ll live. He deserved it.”
I look away, “I think Reiss is upset with me.”
“Why on earth would he be upset with you?” she asks.
“I feel like he thinks I led him on, it’s his friend. I don’t know, I feel like I made things weird for everyone.”
“Colson told Reiss he could hear you screaming from the kitchen. I don’t think Reiss is on anyone’s side but yours babe.”
“Are people talking about what happened?” I worry.
She sighs, “They are talking about Colson and you.”
“Ughhhh,” I growled. “Did you bring ice cream?”
“Bitch you know I did.”
We sit there on the couch and watch shitty reality tv until my mom comes home and I have to tell her the entire story all over again. My dad is pissed but he doesn’t stick around the house to hear much more of the story. If I had to bet, I’d say he’s getting it from Colson or Reiss. A much more graphic story than the one I told Mom I’m sure.
They both want to drive me to the police station but I don’t want to go. I don’t want to answer their questions and explain what happened when he would just deny it anyway. It’s my word against his.
I take another shower and have Stas drop me at the track on her way home. We haven’t been using the practice track at the house because this one is more challenging.And I need to be challenged, especially if I’m gonna make everyone believe I’m Colson.
We pull into the gravel lot and Colson limps over from the enclosed trailer to open my door.
“Thanks,” I say. “You really need to use your crutches.”
“Don’t worry about me,” he says. “Come on.”
He leads the way over to the trailer and opens a box with new boots. “Here. Try these on.”
“You bought me new boots?” I ask, confused.
“Yes, Reiss will notice if you wear yours. Put them on and make sure they fit.”
I feel a little nervous about Reiss finding out but do as he says and put the boots on. They fit like a glove.
“They’re perfect.”
“Good,” he sighs, relieved that he picked the right size. “Here is my jersey.”
He hands me a green and black long sleeve jersey with his last name across the back. The Bane Racing logo is on the front.
I pull it down over my chest protector and Colson’s eyes fixate on me.
“Seeing my last name on you does things to me, baby Bane.”
I push my dark hair behind my ear because when he says things like that, it makes me feel all fuzzy inside.
“For someone that’s usually so cold, that wasn’t very chill.”
He shakes his head and passes me his helmet. “I have zero chill when it comes to you, Linc. I may be cold to everyone else, but I can’t be like that with you. I tried it foryears, hiding how I really feel, giving you the cold shoulder, treating you like shit, and I’m so fucking sorry.”
He looks so tortured and I stare at him, overthinking his apology.
“I just feel like shit for how things have been over the past few weeks. I should have told you exactly how I felt instead of jerking you around and confusing you. Then maybe you never would have been hanging out with Jackson. I feel like what happened is my fault.”
I look away, fighting back tears, “It’s not your fault.”
