Page 76 of Send It
“Thank you,” I say. “I really appreciate your support, Ry.”
He waves me off, “We’re a team, Raines. Now suit up.”
I do as he says and then head back into the shop and straddle the bike. Thankful that Reiss isn’t here for this session. I don’t wanna deal with his constant nagging about how I’m not pushing hard enough.
“Well, we all saw on Saturday at East Bend that when the time comes you will push your body to the limit to win, but I don’t want to do that today.” Ryan says.
I stare at him, confused.
“I just want you to ride, Colson. Slow, fast, balls to the fucking wall or turtle speed, I don’t care. Just ride and do what’s comfortable with no pain.”
Not riding at allI think to myself, but kickstart the bike anyway.
I ride fast but not as fast as I usually do. I absorb my jumps with my entire body sitting back on the bike where I would normally stand and when Ryan motions me off the track, I know he’s going to ask me questions. I can see them written all over his expression.
“I think you need to go back to the doctor. Something isn’t right.”
I wave him off, “I’m just resting it. There will be a break after Nationals and that will be more beneficial than anything.”
I see Lincoln out of the corner of my eye, hosing one of the bikes down with the pressure washer and Ryan notices my distraction.
“I see it,” Ryan says. “And it won’t be long until Reiss wakes up and sees it too. Are you ready for that?”
“No,” I answer, truthfully. Not denying it. “But I’m ready to face it when the time is right.”
“When is that?”
I sigh, “After nationals. I don’t wanna fuck with his head before the biggest race of his career.”
“That’s fair,” Ryan says. “Unless that blows up in your face. It’s only two weeks, so I would lay low if I were you.”
“That’s the plan,” I say, remembering his reaction when he saw my hands on her a couple days ago. “Things have changed the past couple of months.”
He snorts, “Dynamic between you two has definitely changed. She’s not a little girl anymore.”
“No she isn’t,” I agree.
I watch as Lincoln stands in moto pants and a sports bra, her hair tied up in a messy bun, washing the mud off the bike.
“Are you training with her?” I ask.
“No,” Ryan says. “We’re on pause until after Nationals. I’m trying to focus all my energy on you and Reiss.”
“She’s good,” I say. “She’s better than y’all give her credit for.”
“Down tiger,” he laughs. “Of course she’s good.”
I shake my head, walking away, “Then maybe you should give her some of the same attention you give Reiss. She could be a force in the pro world, especially the way she manipulates the clutch.”
“You’re in love.”
I walk over to Lincoln with my head held high because yeah, you can tease me about it but I am. So totally in love with her it hurts. If Reiss doesn’t accept it then it probably always will.
38
Colson
“What are you doing here?” I ask my dad as he stands in the middle of the garage door opening with a giant box.
