Page 67 of Red Flag
“You two are already drenched.”
Instead, I watched them walk up pit lane, pushing their bikes all the way.
As soon as they were close enough, I ran out with the camera, snapping shots. I hadn’t looked at any socials, too focused on encouraging them back and stopping any bickering between them.
Lucawas the sunshine. Nix was the rain clouds above.
“Smile!” I called, getting soaked in Abbe’s coat that he’d lent me. Though they were both wearing their helmets, I could tellLucafollowed my instruction, giving a thumbs up.
Nix pulled his off and shook his head of the water that had trickled into his helmet. Fuck, he was a masterpiece.
I snapped another couple of pictures asLucaremoved his, too.
The medics rushed forward as soon as the bikes were handed to the mechanics, ready to check Nix over. He looked absolutely freezing, soaked through.
Lucawas grinning despite looking just as wet, his leathers glistening with water, his blonde hair darker with rain.
That smile died whenCrisroared, “You went back! Why would you go back!”
Lucashrugged, placing his helmet down. “Kept him company. It’s a long walk alone.”
“You could have been disqualified!”
Lucaunzipped his leathers, taking a drink out of the fridge. He cracked it open with an intense stareCris’ way. “Am I?”
“No,” Abbe said, still sat down with his head in his palms. “There’s no legislation on driving the wrong way up the track because no one has beenstupid enoughto do it.”
“First time for everything,”Lucasaid and took a sip of his drink.
I watched the argument, eyesping-pongingbetween the three of them.
Abbe stood. “You do shit like that again and you’ll be out, boy. It’s bad enough having one egotistical piece of—”
“Go on,” Nix said, stepping around the medic who was checking him over. “Say what you’ve got to.”
Criswas the one to speak. “You pushed it too far! Second place was fine, but you were going too fast. You’re an idiot for trying to overtake onthatcorner, inthoseconditions,thatfast!”
Nix shrugged, winced and then tried to cover it up by turning away from him. “It’s done now. Still got the points.”
Crisgroaned, shouting some obscenities in French.
“The rest of the races have been called off for the day,” Abbe said. “I think we all need to calm down and have some time alone.”
“Too right we do,” Nix said. “Before someone says something that really fucks me off.”
The medic muttered, “I really need to check him over.”
I nodded and stood between Nix andCris, who were staring daggers at each other. “Nix, let’s get you checked out and in the warm.”
I guided him out of the pit box into the corridor. He didn’t stop glaring atCrisuntil he was out of the room, the medic following just behind.
In a room off the corridor, she removed his leathers to his grunts and unhelpful manoeuvres. Every now and then, when she touched the top of his left arm, his top lip curled slightly or he flinched.
Topless, shimmering with the rain even across his bare skin, he sat on one of the desks, staring at the blank wall. During the examination, I had gone to get towels to help him dry off but he’d just left them at his side.
“You’re going to need an X-ray,” the medic said. “Your shoulder needs looking at. I don’t think it’s broken, but it needs to be checked out.”
He grunted.
