Page 73 of Send It
“Hi,” he says. “I wanted to check on you. Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” I confirm. “How are you?”
“Better since hearing your voice.”
Butterflies swarm my empty stomach and I swoon over how sweet he talks to me. It’s so out of character for him, but I also love that I’m the only person he talks to like that, other than his Nana.
“Where have you been?” I ask. “I figured you’d come by the house.”
His side of the line goes quiet before he whispers, “I was giving you some space.”
I instantly feel a little defensive, “Did I ask for space?”
“No,” he says, his voice gravelly. “I just?—”
I stop him before he has the chance to self sabotage.
“No,” I snap. “Quit doing that. Stop pushing me away.”
“I’m not,” he defends. “I just don’t know what to do here, Linc.”
I want to yell at him but no words come out.
“I’m just a giant mindfuck for you,” he continues. “I don’t mean to keep doing it, but there’s been a lot happening since the 4thand I just want you to be okay.”
“Stop pushing me away,” I repeat. “I don’t like it when you ghost me for days.”
“He hasn’t tried to reach out to you or anything, has he?” Colson asks, but I can tell by the tone of his voice he didn’t want to bring it up.
“No,” I say. “What’s the plan for Nationals?”
“I think I’m gonna drop. Tell everyone the truth. It was nice seeing my dad show some interest in me for a change but I think it’s for the best. I really don’t want to see you get hurt.”
His words sting. I can’t allow him to drop, he’s worked too hard to get this far. Plus, we’re almost there.
“You can’t drop, dipshit. I’ll be okay to race. I think I did a pretty good job this weekend.”
“You slayed those guys,” he agrees. “But I don’t know how we are gonna get a race bike ready in time.”
I think, trying to figure out what to do, but then it dawns on me. “Take Reiss’ bike apart. See what kind of parts we need to rebuild one of the practice bikes.”
“That’s a good idea,” he adds. “But what if we can’t get the parts in time?”
“Then I’ll ride whatever I can and hope that it impresses enough for good sponsorships and a factory team spot.”
“I better get started,” he says. “Meet me at the shop in an hour?”
“Ok,” I say as the line goes dead with no goodbye.
“Was that my grandson?” Nana asks. I nod yes and she responds, “He’s always pushing people away. He’ll argue until he’s blue in the face that he’s not.”
“He’s a loner. He doesn’t trust easily and he thinks everyone will leave him. His mom and dad did that to him.”
“They’re getting a divorce,” she says and then her eyes widen like she’s let out a big secret. “Brian’s coming home.”
I sit in my own silence and wonder what this is going to do to Colson. How it will affect him. He’s legally an adult but I don’t see this not affecting him in some capacity. It’s bound to stir up everything he’s repressed over the last twenty years of belonging to them. In true Colson fashion, I’m sure it won’t be graceful.
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