“What am I supposed to do about that?” I set my hands on my hips.
"If things have really run their course, nothing. But from where I’m sitting, you guys still have some shit to figure out.”
“If that’s what Axel wants, he knows where to find me.”
“Everyone knows where to find you, Lennon. Maybe that’s the problem.” He gives me a sad smile.
“What are you saying?” I pull my brows together.
“I’m saying there’s a big world outside this restaurant, and he seems like a good guy to have in it.”
I let my eyes drift back to the TV as Blake walks away, just in time to see a clip of Axel and I standing together after the first race. There are people hovering around us, looking for an opening to talk to him, but his eyes are focused on me, same as mine are on him, leaving no doubt how we feel about each other. What I walked away from.
Will I ever have that again?
A month ago, the answer wouldn’t have mattered. Then again, a month ago I didn’t think I was capable of falling in love.
I think back to what Ryder said as he was leaving.Time doesn’t wait. Does that mean I’ve already missed my chance, or do I still have time to admit maybe I was wrong?
Chapter twenty-four
Axel
Jace follows me into my trailer, watching me fall onto the couch. His arms are crossed as he leans against the kitchenette counter.
“Don’t say it,” I warn.
“Say what? That you’re riding like shit? That I’m worried about you? Both are a hundred percent true. So, which should I not say?”
“Either of them. It’ll pass.” I flick my wrist to wave off his concern and bend over to unstrap my boots.
“What will pass? Your shit riding? Your ‘fuck everything’ attitude? What?”
I toss my boots in the corner and lie down, rubbing a hand over my face. “Calm down. It’s two bad events.”
“Two events that were this close to landing you in the hospital.” He pinches the air between his thumb and forefinger.
“It wasn’t that bad. Both times I ditched the bike with plenty of time to spare.” I’m actually pretty proud of that. On the first fall, I hopped off the back of the bike on the uphill, and it launched offthe jump without me. The second, I managed to land the trick, albeit wobbly, and got off before the bike fell sideways and pinned me underneath it. I don’t care what Jace thinks, those moves were impressive.
“It hasn’t been badyet,” his voice brings me back to the trailer. “That doesn’t mean it won’t be. I hate to say it, man, but you’re in no condition to ride.”
He doesn’t sound like he hates to say it.“It’s early season yet, I can still come back in the points total.”
“I didn’t say you were in no condition to win it all, I said you’re in no condition to ride. Period. You need to get your head on straight before you get back on a bike.”
Deep down I know what he’s trying to say, and I don’t like it. “If I’m not on a bike I won’t get my head on straight. You of all people know what riding means to me. How it keeps me sane.” I look upward so I’m staring at the ceiling instead of his concerned face.
“I do, which is why I know things are different now. The bike doesn’t keep you sane anymore, Ax. He does. You need to go get him.”
“You think I need him to what—get my mojo back?” I can’t stop the humorless chuckle from passing over my lips. “I’ve never needed a man to compete before, and a few bad events doesn’t change that.”
“You’ve never been in love or had your heart broken before,” he says quietly.
I twist my head so I can see him. “And you have? Are you giving me advice from experience?” It’s a low blow, but his know-it-all attitude is grating on me.
“No, man.” He shakes his head slowly back and forth. “I haven’t experienced either of those things, but that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize what’s happening to you.”
“Enlighten me,” I scoff.
