Page 208 of Twisted Trails
My ears ring so loudly that everybody around me must hear it too. “I… what?”
“Yeah,” the younger one mutters. “That’s exactly how I reacted.”
The older one ignores him. “We’ve had internal discussions. Even if that’s what the whole male field advocates for, we can’t make a one-time exception just for you, so we’ve created a new rule. Any woman who consistently qualifies within the top three men’s elite time range can start with the men.”
Luc reaches up to hold my upper arms. “That’s no one but her.”
The guy shrugs. “Exactly.”
I turn to look at the men behind me, one by one. “Did you do that?”
“I’d love to say yes, but it was all Otis,” Mason says, clearing his throat.
“We just signed the petition when he brought it around and called some of the other riders.” Luc shrugs.
I stare at him as my brain struggles to catch up. Otis did this.Otis.
I’m buying that man a new bike and a year’s supply of trail snacks.
“Yes, thank you for that, Mr. Delacroix,” Mr. Clipboard mutters. “Thanks to your phone calls, the entire top ten is now threatening to boycott and go on a social media rampage.”
Finn chuckles under his breath.
“So…” I cross my arms. “Youneedme, or you don’t have a next season.”
The older rep nods. “We’d like to offer you an official elite men’s start position. You’d still have to qualify to race, but?—”
Luc cuts him off. “We all know she will.”
I lift my chin. “I’m still recovering. I had hip surgery. I’m not at full strength, and I’m not sure if I’d make the required time in the men’s top three this season.”
“Stop sabotaging yourself,” Mason whispers in my ear. “You know you can do it.”
“You proved you’re able to race the times last season,” the UCI guy adds with a nod. “That’s enough to allow you to start this season. The marketing team’s already spinning it. You’ll be the face of reform. Mr. Payne’s been pushing for systemic change, and we’re not pretending we didn’t screw this up.”
“So you’re going to profit off the same trauma you ignored,” Finn mutters.
“Correct,” the rep says flatly. “We all messed this up.” He looks at me. “And now we’re trying to do better, but it would be a much better look if we did thattogether. You’ve said you love this sport. So do we. And the UCI is willing to step up.” He pauses again. “Willyou?”
Finn meets my gaze, and I know he’ll support me no matter what I choose. Mason gives me the faintest nod because he already knows what I’ve decided, and Luc grins like there’s only ever been one answer.
I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the cold air before I nod. “I’ll race.”
“Good to hear.” The official extends a hand, and I shake it. “We’ll set up a statement and send the press release to you first, so you can request edits before it goes live.”
“Good.” Finn nods. “Thanks.”
“Please excuse the interruption. We’ll see you in the summer.” They turn to leave, and Mr. Clipboard is huffing like this isn’t the outcome he was hoping for, but I couldn’t care less.
I can race.
They will let me race.
I can race again.
Luc swings an arm around my shoulders. “My favorite rival is back.” I’m too stunned to even think, but then he kisses me hard, with that perfect, arrogant heat that always makes my knees wobble. Mason wraps his arms around my waist from behind, pulling me flush against him.
“ThoughtIwas your favorite rival,” he murmurs.
