Once we make it to the parking lot, the noise is finally at a manageable decibel and I notice my best friend is missing.
“Where is Riley?”
Reid looks apologetic. “She’s hanging in her car.”
He doesn’t have to apologize. It makes sense that she went to her car, given the torrential rain. It does sting a twinge, though. Riley hates biking, I get that. Stupidly, I expected her to stay through the whole race rain or shine, like Reid does.
Not everyone is like Reid, though. I take a moment to look back at the mountain we just raced down and the menacing skylooming behind the peaks. Reid pulls me into a side hug and I slip in the mud, but he catches me before I go fall.
He smiles down at me. “I’m so proud of you, Addie.”
My heart swells hearing my name come out of his mouth that way—heavy with affection and pride. I want to hear it again.
The moment is gone just as soon as it started. There’s a swarm of riders piling into the parking lot now that the women’s runs are over too. A group of guys approach Reid and I, obviously a little drunk. One of them slaps Reid on the back. “Hey man! You coming to the party?”
My teammate looks to me for approval, or something like it which I can’t quite name. Before he can reply, another guy comes up. It’s that same guy from the bar. He starts clapping as he gets closer. “Baddie Addiiieeeee.”
I hate the way he draws it out, but it makes me blush anyways. A flash of recognition hits the rest of the guys. “Addieeeee, you crushed today.”
Everyone nods in agreement and that guy with the scary blue eyes says, “You both should come!”
Chloe joins the crowd and hugs me. “Yeah, Ad. You should come! You deserve to celebrate.”
I hate how nice she still is to me. She deserves a far better friend than I can be. I wish she’d realize and spare herself the heartbreak. But if she’s going to keep giving me chances, I’m going to take one—eventually.
My plans for rekindling our friendship are interrupted by another swarm of soaking wet riders. We’re quite literally surrounded by them asking us to come hang out tonight. Reid looks unfazed. This kind of thing happens to him on the regular. But it hasneverhappened to me.
I want to relax in the hotel room but everything in me isscreaming ‘take advantage of this.’ Wyoming Addie is a bit more wild and daring. Maybe I can hold onto her for one more night.
16
After a long shower and a tray full of expensive room service, I feel ready to socialize again. I’m still not sure if I should be going to this party or not. I’ll probably want to leave after twenty minutes, but Riley was ecstatic when we asked her, and I’m sure party boy Reid won’t have any complaints.
Riley insisted I borrow one of her swishing sundresses. Somehow, she also roped me into letting her do my makeup. Per usual, I was going to wear my tinted sunscreen and maybe a little mascara if I was feeling it. My beautiful best friend insisted I let her make me ‘shine’, as she put it.
It looks good, I can’t lie.
My honey brown eyes are rimmed with a thin line of brown gel, and mascara of the same shade coats my lashes. The pink on my cheeks makes me look fresher, more alive.
The storm has passed, but there’s still a chill lingering in the air. Glistening under the street lights, the roads are slick with rain and the smell of petrichor is leaden in the air. Humidity isn’t pissing me off the way it usually does—tonight it feels like awarm blanket. I let it fall over me and take off with Riley down main street.
This house party is at some random Airbnb a bunch of riders rented together. The type A side of me is fighting to take over. Are the owners okay with this shit?
I do my best to turn down the volume on my rationality—the tequila shot Riley handed me is helping a little. Despite myself, my eyes scan the sea of people, looking for a familiar pair of hazel ones. Reid has never been one to miss a party.
Riley knows I want to look for him without me having to ask. She shimmies her way through the crowded hallway and out onto the back patio. Over a pile of damp wood stands Reid—he’s trying and failing to get a fire started.
It’s the perfect opportunity to tease him. “Oh come on, Hastings. You won’t be getting your Boy Scouts patch now.”
He stomps his foot down like an upset toddler and whines, “It’s not my fault the wood is soaked.”
We could keep going, but people are starting to stare. He lets the struggling ember fade and leads me over towards a covered gazebo. Warm lights fill the small ceiling and cast a soft glow between us—it’s romantic. Well, it could be.
Reid sits down on the far left, so I choose the seat on the opposite side. As I get comfortable, I see Riley has already found a guy to nuzzle up next to. I’m seriously envious of her ability to flirt.
“You did so well today, Addie.”
I want to look away, but he comes and sits next to me, forcing me to hear his praise.
