Page 127 of Stuck With You
We laugh.
“He sure is,” Krissy says, climbing to her feet. “You guys still need to come check out my place.”
“And have pizza!” Ollie throws his arms in the air.
“Yes. Definitely pizza.” She grins.
I hug her, and Frankie blows her kisses. I stare across the street, watching her pull out of the driveway. I wave, knowing what I have to do.
There’s no room in my life for cowardice, and if I’m going to be brave, I know the first place to start.
I just have to face the big guy and hope he’s also willing to lay down his fear enough to meet me halfway.
Chapter 32
SLADE
I fit the hose onto the bleeder screw. “You’ll pump the air out first to get the fluid flowing. I’ll do this one, and then you can do the rest.”
Luke nods.
“All right. Hit the brakes,” I holler to Wind, and watch the liquid fill the tube.
We finish the first, and Luke moves to the next. I wipe my hands with a shop rag and climb into the driver’s seat, waiting for the go-ahead.
Trig rests an arm on the open door. “Do you care if I bring my bike in this weekend? I’ve got to make some updates and adjustments. I’m putting together a parts list to get a head start on next season.”
“You’re serious about this?”
He nods. “I need to get the attention of sponsors.”
“Hit the brake,” Luke hollers, and I depress the pedal and hold.
“It’ll take effort just to qualify and gather a team.”
He grins. “Are you volunteering?”
“Again,” Luke yells.
I shake my head. “I’m not watching you get peeled off the pavement.”
He rolls his eyes.
Motorcycle racing in controlled conditions has its risks. But Trig and his buddies ride the streets popping wheelies and doing the kindof stunts that get people killed. Maybe getting serious about racing will help him mature.
I pump the brake again. “No sponsor will put up with your recklessness. It’s business. They won’t invest in someone who takes unnecessary chances on or off the track. It doesn’t matter how good you are.”
I’ve seen him race. The kid has the talent and passion to get him where he wants to go, but he’s got to earn it first.
“I’ve gotta have a bike that performs the way I need it to first.” He smirks.
It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Fine, but any mess you leave comes out of your paycheck.”
“Yes, sir.” He salutes me, and I groan. “I’m breaking for lunch.”
“Where are you going?” Carson asks.
“Somewhere cheap. Wanna go?”
