We arrive and Randy backs the truck up to unload the bike. Ryder and I get out, and he starts to release the straps and chains around his bike’s tires while I lean against the side of the truck people-watching. Mitch has to park down the dirt road a bit because it’s already packed tonight. Kids from our school and Highland are here, along with two county deputies, one being Elijah’s dad.
Speaking of Elijah, I spot him across the ditch walking his bike onto the track. He looks over at me as he passes by.
“Hey, Elizabeth!”
He waves at me. Ryder turns his head in Elijah’s direction and is about to say something when his dad jumps into the truck bed to help with the bike.
“Son, give me a hand with this.”
I wave back. Ryder and his dad are busy trying to get the bike out, so I head off toward Elijah. “Be back in a sec.”
I’ve gotten to know Elijah better over the past year after he started coming to the Fields. He’s a really nice guy. Funny too. I think the guys are wrong about Elijah. He hasn't shown any blatant interest in me other than friendly conversation. And you never can have too many friends.
“Hi, Elijah! How are you? How’s your summer going?”
I’m glad I'm wearing tennis shoes tonight because I think I just stepped in cow shit. I wonder if Mr. Jacoby’s cows got out again. Several months ago, the cows from an adjoining field got loose and decided it would be a good idea to saunter across the track during one of the car races. It made for a memorable night.
“Shit!” Literally.
I grimace across at Elijah. He kicks his bike stand down and makes his way over to me as I hop on one foot acting like I've stepped in lava instead of cow dung.
“You ok?”
“Yeah. Yuck.”
I kick my leg back so I can take a closer look at the bottom of my shoe, and in doing so, lose my balance and begin to topple over. Elijah reaches me just in time, and is able to grab my forearms and pull me against him before I hit the ground. We start laughing, me looking up at him, him looking down at me. That’s when the hairs on the back of my neck go up as if sensing an electrifying presence behind me. Suddenly, a strong arm reaches around my middle and pulls me backward.
“What the fuck, man.”Jayson.
Elijah throws his hands up and takes a step back. Jayson pulls me tighter against him.
Without taking his angry gaze off Elijah, Jayson drops his head, pressing his mouth close to my ear. “You good?”
I’m going to die. Just drop dead right here where I stand and die. Jayson’s breath next to my ear is sending me into spontaneous combustion.Get a grip Elizabeth!
“I stepped in something and lost my balance. Elijah caught me before I could really embarrass myself.”
Elijah mouths “thank you” knowing I just saved him from a very awkward confrontation, especially since Julien and Ryder have both joined me and Jayson. Thankfully, Julien helps calm what has now turned into an abrupt and tense standoff between Jayson and Elijah. Julien breaks from our group to go to Elijah, offering a fist bump in greeting and asks him about his summer. Jayson remains holding me against him, and sometime in the last thirty seconds without me noticing, has splayed his hand across my stomach, rubbing small circles with his thumb. My stomach muscles clench at the sensation.
“Jayson,” I turn my head slightly which brings our mouths scant inches apart.
The electricity that sparks between us snaps Jayson out of his stony stare with Elijah because his hand jerks away from my stomach as if it’s been electrocuted.
Ryder puts a hand on Jayson’s shoulder and squeezes. “Come on. Help me get the bike down.”
Jayson slowly releases his hold on me and steps away.I’m left alone standing there like a deer in headlights, rapid, shallow breaths, in and out, in and out. My skin tingles on all the places Jayson touched me. Thank God for Maria.
“Yo, chica! Your girl squeeze has arrived!”
I rub my foot across the grass hoping this will get whatever I stepped in off the bottom of my shoe. Maria reaches me and puts her arm through mine as we walk to the side of the track to watch Ryder race.
“Holy male meat sticks, girl! There are so many cute guys here tonight. No wonder you like to come so often.” Her eyes bug out as she realizes her double entendre and starts to snicker.
“You’re so juvenile, Mar.”
This girl is a jumble of crazy. The good kind. The kind you want in a best friend.
Julien and Jayson find us. It doesn't escape my notice that Jayson stands several feet away from me. Randy hands Ryder his racing helmet and murmurs low to him, more than likely giving him pointers on how to handle the track tonight. We watch as Ryder, Elijah, and several others line their bikes up at the start line.
