Page 49 of Rider Forbidden
“That’s fine, shall we say seven?”
“Can you make six?” I put Elijah to bed at eight - I want to be there for bedtime.
“Sure, that’s fine, see you then Robbie.”
Ugh, he called me Robbie, he always called me Robbie - I hated it, he said it was funny because Bobby and Robbie rhymed.
OK, better get to work. I take a deep breath - push all that to the back of my mind and stand up. I make my way inside and as soon as I get into the corridor an arm grabs me. Its Jack.
“You OK?” he asks
“Yeah, I'm OK Jack.”
“You don't look it, is something going on?”
I shake my head. “Nothing you need to know about, don't worry about it.”
He grunts then runs his fingers through his hair. “If there’s something wrong, something I can help with, I want to know. I know we said Spain was a one-off but that doesn't mean that I can’t still care when somethings wrong, does it?”
I smile, he’s being sweet - but I can't get into this with him.
“It's OK, nothing I can't handle - but thank you.”
I leave to walk to my office. He walks towards the dressing room - presumably to suit up for a test drive. I want to watch but I know it will just get me wanting him again. Seeing him ride is like watching all my fantasies come true all wrapped in leather.
“Danish!” he says, and I turn around.
“Yeah?”
He steps closer to me. “What would you say if I said that maybe I didn't want Spain to be a one-off? That maybe I want to carry on whatever the fuck this is we were doing.”
I'm taken aback, I never thought he would say that. From everything I’ve heard about him, he’s most definitely not the going back for seconds type of guy.
I like him I do, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm a mother, and I have to put Eli first in everything I do. This man isn't good for me. He would only let me down. Christ, it looks like it's killing him saying the words. That’s not even to mention what my dad would do if he found out.
“I think that I would say that it's not a good idea. I think deep down you know that too.” I give him a sad smile and walk away, knowing he’s stood there in silence, watching me.
Chapter16
Jack
I walk along the main street towards the pub. I need a fucking drink and I need some female attention to take my mind off her. What is it with her that I can't get her out of my mind? She’s under my skin. I try to think about all the bad points she has. Flaws. The problem is she doesn't fucking have any. The way she looks is just divine, the way she acts, her smile - everything about her is just perfect - I’ve never been one to sell myself short, I know I'm good looking, Christ why not be honest about it, I didn't get a say in it I was born this way. I can generally get anyone I want, but I want her. She’s simply amazing.
I glance at the Costa across the road and then double take. It can’t be. I look harder and yes, she’s there, Robyn - at the counter, buying a drink. My spirits lift straight away - even though I know they shouldn't. My night is looking up, I can go and join her for a coffee. I go to cross the road and stop in my tracks. What the fuck? She’s with someone . . . a guy. You have got to be fucking kidding me, a couple of days ago she was all over me like a rash - couldn't get enough - acting like I was the only guy on the planet that had a dick, now she’s moved on already and what, got a date or something? No, just no - that is not OK. I feel gutted. Why do I care? But I do. It's dark in there, I try and make out the guy, but I can't. How has she even had time to meet someone else? But then I dismiss that stupid thought, look at her - I hit on her in the supermarket so she probably gets guys hitting on her everywhere she goes.
Well, fuck this. If that’s how we're going to play it, I need to go and get laid. Get her out of my system like she seems to easily have done.
*****
I walk into the track cafe and go to buy Robyn and me a coffee, then I remember. The fucking date. No way, she can buy her own coffee today - she can afford it. I get mine and then go and see Denny for our morning chat. He’ll be in by now. It's just gone nine, Robyn will be appearing soon, and I can't be arsed seeing her.
I find him in the pit going over some paperwork. The feeling of the pit never fails to get to me. The excitement makes me just want to get on a bike and go for it. It's quiet now, it's early.
“Dude.” I get Denny's attention.
“Hey man, how you doing?”
I shrug. “OK. What time did you leave the pub last night?”
