“Yeah, sounds good,” I reply, opening the door of the cab I just came out of for Fleur. Riley jumps in the front seat to talk to the driver.
Cole’s motorhome is back at the track. He stays in a motorhome because majority of the hotels on our track schedule don’t allow dogs. So instead, he finds places close to the tracks to hook up the motorhome, and drives between tracks all year round. Not sure how, but he said he loves it.
In Sydney, it’s hard to find a spot near the track, so he was able to arrange to park on track.
Stepping into the motorhome, I am surprised to see Sophia sitting on the lounge. She has Otto’s head on her lap as she chats with Cole, who is on a single chair to her side. She watches Otto jump from her lap towards us and my heart skips as her locks eyes with mine, and smiles.
“Sophia!! What are you doing here, gracing this numb-nuts with your presence?” Riley exclaims loudly, punching Cole’s arm and embracing her as she stands.
“He caught me as I was packing up and invited me to hang,” she replies after giving Fleur a hug, too. I gravitate towards her without even realising it, and wait my turn for a hug, like the needy guy I am. She smiles and chastely puts her arms around me before sitting down quickly. Instantly, I sit next to her and make sure I am pressing my side against her. Need to make room for the others on the lounge, right? Fleur sits next to me and Riley is on the floor, playing with Otto.
Cole throws everyone a beer can and we all get into chatting.
I don’t even listen to what everyone is talking about. I am happy sitting here, mesmerised by Sophia, watching her talk and interact with everyone. I’m probably staring, so I try break away from her, but I am drawn right back.
After an hour or so, she looks at the time and says, “I better head back. Thanks for the hang, it was fun!”
“I’ll text you about the next go kart or motocross day,” Fleur adds as she hugs her goodbye.
“Let me call a cab and walk you out,” I reply to Sophia and get up.
She says goodbye to everyone and we leave together. I am hovering, walking next to her.
“Thanks for walking me to the cab,” she offers, keeping her head down.
“I was going to head back to the hotel, anyway,” I reply.
“No, you should hang out with your friends. Cole mentioned the motocross project has taken up a lot of your time this season. They miss you. Especially Riley,” she adds.
We stand, waiting for the cab on the outside of the track gates. “Riley can deal. I wanted to talk to you about us.” I raise my hand and brush my fingertips along her jaw. Her skin is deliciously soft. She wraps her fingers around my hand and looks up to me, her blue eyes heavy with want.
“I need to think about us,” she replies, and I can see she means it.
Dipping down, my lips meet hers and her fingers grip into my hand as the kiss deepens. Her body leans into mine, ever so slightly.
The beeping of the cab causes us to part, bursting us out of our own bubble.
“You head back. I’ll chat to you later.” She steps back, the sudden absence of her hand wrapped around mine is cold and painful. Not waiting for anything further from me, she jumps in the cab and they speed away. I watch on, unable to do anything as the light drizzle of rain approaches, hitting my face.
28
Sophia
October – Queensland Raceway, QLD
We all arrive at the last track of the season, disbursing from our extensive shuttle bus trip from New South Wales to Queensland.
Heading up to my hotel room after check in, I decide on an early night hibernating in my room. I shower and get into comfortable clothes to decompress from the intense, long trip. I feel like I have a lot to ponder as the season is drawing to an end. I try to concentrate on the laptop sitting in front of me, managing only an hour or so of distracted work until I hear a knock at my door.
I get up and open the door.
It is Javi, his messy, brown hair fluffy from a recent shower, his broad, tattooed arms, poking out of his tight tank. I rest against the door frame, smile, and ask, “Are you lost?”
Javi pretends to be befuddled. “Oh, I was wondering why my hotel key wasn’t working? Did you kick me out of my room?”
“If I did, you probably deserved it,” I tease.
He put his hand over his heart and fakes an upset pout. “If I deserved it, maybe I could come in and make amends?” he asks with a cheeky look on his face, raising two beers.
