“Duuuude, there’s no fucking girl.” Sophia’s awoman, no girl. So, technically not lying.
“He keeps disputing it, but he’s not been this shitty since that one gi—”
“Don’t finish that sentence, asshole,” I warn, pointing a glove at him. I don’t need him bringing up past bullshit that happened because of my rookie year naïveté.
Riley raises both gloves up in surrender. “Easy, cupcake. Lips are zipped.” His glove sweeps his lips, miming zipping them up.
I still glare at him.
“Changing this touchy topic, are you guys heading to the brewery for the MudPit promo this afternoon?” Cole asks, warily.
Riley’s eyes light up. “Oh yeah! I forgot that was this afternoon! We’ll be there!”
“Wewill?” I ask pointedly, surprised he is answering for the two of us.
“Yeah, why not? They always put on good events and maybe it will get you out of this rotten ‘tude you’ve been in the last couple of weeks!” Riley says exasperated, like there is something wrong with me for giving him resistance. He comes out from behind the bag, removing his gloves.Guess we are done on the bag.
“Who’s even invited to it? I haven’t heard many people talking about it this year,” Fleur says. She’s got a point. For a promo event, there hasn’t been much promotion of it.
Cole has his phone out, checking into the details. “Oooh, okay, so it’s just a team owners, directors, and riders’ event.” My ears prick up.Team directors.Sophia should be there.
“Sounds fun!” Riley exclaims excitedly.
“Guess I could drop in,” I add nonchalantly, but on the inside, I am now buzzing. My broody mood lifts at the possibility of seeing Sophia ahead of the next race weekend and outside of the pits.
I also don’t miss the shit grin plastered all over Riley’s face.
“Tell me who,” Riley pushes as we ride down the elevator for the MudPit event.
“Dude, I have nothing to tell you.” I move my back to him in an attempt to hide the massive smile trying to creep across my face at my imminent proximity to Sophia.
“You might be able to pull that sly shit with Cole and Fleur, but Iknowyou. You can’t fool me. If you don’t tell me, I’ll sus it out tonight. My eyes will be on you like a damn hawk.” Riley points two fingers to his eyes and then points them at me. Hewillfollow me around all night—if he stays determined and undistracted.
Chuckling, I reply, “Enjoy following me around and talking to no one.”Denial until the very end, don’t give him an edge.
We exit the hotel lobby and walk a few blocks to a local brewery where the event is being held. MudPit is a company who have created awesome motocross tracks across Australia, and a lot of us train at their tracks during the off-season. They are also a huge sponsor of our racing events and host team-building days on their track—hence the team principals and directors being invited. Riders get invited as perks of being the talent.
The venue is a cool, newly renovated brewery with brick exterior and a huge outdoor beer garden that looks out to ocean. MudPit has gone all out with food set up and drinks floating around. There are high bar tables and stools scattered about for guests. The area is so vast that they could have doubled the tables and it still wouldn’t be cramped. The thirty or so people already here are more than comfortable spread out in the area.
Scanning the beer garden, my breath catches in my throat as I gaze upon Sophia leaning against the bar. Her blonde hair is pulled back slick in a high ponytail, while she’s dressed in a plain black V-neck top, leopard print mini skirt, and white sneakers. A singular tattoo peeks out under her skirt. I had no idea she had one, as she is always in pants, but taking it in now, cheekily peeping out as it wraps around half her thigh, it looks fucking hot.
“Sophia?!”Riley whisper-yells next to me.
“What about her?” I break my stare away from her, but he’s already left my side, waving and making his way towards her. Of course, he is friendly with her. She was on his team last year. I follow him, a little annoyed he will be around us and probably hard to shake.
“Heya, guys!” she warmly greets with equal eye contact between the two of us.
“You hiding out at the bar?” Riley queries.
She laughs. “Only so much nursing a cider a girl can do.” She wiggles the nearly empty glass between her fingers at us, while the bartender behind her places a fresh glass down on the bar. “Thanks,” she directs to the bartender, picking up the full one.
“Could we get two more, please?” Riley asks. The bartender nods and starts pouring.
“You guys busy today?” Sophia asks, her delicate fingers gripping around the schooner glass as she takes a sip.
“Just condition training,” I reply, finally finding my voice. I pick up the cider and nod to the bartender.
“Oh! Riley, how’s Kiara going? I haven’t seen her on track yet?” Sophia asks.
