Page 20 of Born to Scar

At the end of the night, it’s the Ducati and me again. Jared and Micky are both at my side, each giving me words of encouragement and a peck on the cheek over my cover, before I pull my helmet back on.

The guy on the Ducati nods as he straps his helmet in place. Where the fuck do I know those hazel eyes from? I can’t think about that right now; I have a race to…probably lose, but fuck, if I won’t give it hell.

The woman stands in front of us and shimmies out of her underwear. I roll my eyes at her little show. Girl, none of these fucks are worth it. I don’t miss the irony that I, too, am fucking a racer.

The thong drops, and he beats me off the start. I slam my gears, pushing harder than I ever have to catch him. There’s no way I’ll win this. He downshifts too far away from the line. It’s enough that I cross with him following me. Cutting the engine, I drop my kickstand.

“What the fuck was that?” I scream at him through my helmet before tearing it off. “What is your fucking problem? Do you think that I need you to let me win?” I’m in his face, staring into this visor. His hazel eyes crinkle even more at the edges. He thinks this is funny.

He cuts his engine and stands, towering over me, removing his helmet and face covering. My eyes narrow on his familiar chiseled face and blond hair; I shake my head. I can’t fucking believe this. My jaw clenches so hard I can hear my teeth grinding.

He offers me his charming smile, pissing me off even more. “Stay mad, Indy. You look fucking beautiful with fire in your eyes,” Cam taunts.

I force my helmet over my head, straddle my bike, and fly back to the line. Jared and Micky are already on the stretch, coming toward me. I cut between them, going the opposite way, sliding to a stop at Bik. “He fucking downshifted at the end. He won.”

Revving twice, I tear out. I need to clear my head. The best place to do that is Snake, a road that all bikers like because of the curves. And I fly through them. My knees almost scrape the asphalt as I take them.

It’s not long until there are two bikes behind me. Micky and Cam, I think. And there are two headlights behind them. I’d lay my life down on that being Jared.

I keep going, faster, losing Jared. Of course, his car can’t take the curves like the bikes can. Micky is falling behind, too. He’s not as confident in curves as I am. I keep pushing.

The only one left is Cam. I didn’t know he rode, and by the way he’s riding, I won’t shake him. I don’t try; he’s too fast and apparently really fucking good.

Stopping at the old train bridge, I park and walk the tracks, sitting with my legs dangling over the edge. He approaches slowly, like I might jump if he isn’t careful.

“I’m not going to fling myself off,” I say in amusement. He stands, staring, hesitating. “It’s not in use anymore. You can sit if you want.”

He sits beside me on the ground side of the bridge, and I chuckle.

“You’re good.” I look over at him. “Fast,” I add before I turn back, looking over the dark abyss below. The silence lingers. I can’t see for sure, but I feel his gaze locked on me. “What are you doing?” I ask, keeping my eyes on the darkness.

My phone pings. Taking it from my pocket, I see it’s Jared and Micky asking where I am in our group chat.

You know. Need a second. Be back soon.

JARED: Come to the Cat.

OK

“I’m losing my mind here, Indy,” Cam finally speaks.

“What?”

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met.”

“Cam, we are so far apart. You don’t even live here.”

I turn my gaze back to the darkness. I can’t let this man get to me. He will break my heart, the part that’s left. He has other obligations that will keep him from me, not that I have much of anything to offer for someone like him anyway.

“You’re wrong.” His words shatter my thoughts.

“I’m not wrong,” I whisper.

“I do live here. That’s why I was in town the night we met. I was made a partner at my father’s firm. Part of that was moving here to expand.”

“That doesn’t change how far apart we are, Cam,” I softly chuckle.

He sighs. “I know. I also know that I can’t let this go. You are going to live life the way you always have. I would never want you to change. That’s what pulls me to you. You’re so free. Free to be who you are. Free to live how you want. Free to explore.”