“Always.”
“Another option, if you’re not keen on staying here; I could always arrange to have side-by-side hotel rooms, if you wanted to hang with me?”
“That’s okay.I’ll still be a few days, but I’ll stay with Mum and a friend of mine and come around and we can hang.Let me see what I come up with.To be honest, it would be nice to be in a house full of family again.”
“Sounds good.Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“Of course, Dad.Let me know if you need anything too?”
“Of course.”
Aria catches me up on a few of the more frustrating supplier meetings she’s had over the last few days.Same conversations I’ve had with them over the last two decades.Supply us with XYZ and negotiations to increase their costs when they haven’t made any innovations in the technology for the last five years.However, Aria didn’t budge on any price increases, and all the suppliers didn’t want to lose our business, so they maintained their current costs and promised to come back to the table with some improved products to warrant the price increases.
Ending the call, the sun has crept up higher in the sky.I check my messages to make sure I didn’t miss a message from Rayna asking for some food, but there is nothing.
Getting out of the pool and wrapping my towel around me, I remove my boardshorts and hang them up in the sun to dry before heading up to my room to shower.Reaching the top step, I look to Rayna’s closed door.I can hear the murmur of the TV or music playing.I wish I could go through her door and see how she's feeling.Make sure she is okay by seeing her physically.Make sure I didn’t freak her out too much.But I retreat into my room to hide in the bathroom.
Blasting the tap and dropping my towel, I step into the cool water and wish I could find the courage to finally admit my feelings to Rayna and not lose her again.
9
Rayna
DidIoverreactalittle when Koby and I were entangled in the ocean?Maybe.
Did I fake getting too much sun and hightail it up to my room as soon as we got home to avoid Koby for the afternoon?Absolutely.
I needed to be on my own.Get under the cold running water and savour the lingering feelings from the ocean.Koby’s hands around me, my hands touching his skin.His mouth inches from mine.Fuck, I wanted him to kiss me.I don’t think I have wanted anything more.
The cold water hits my skin, feeling like I am about to combust.I place my hands on the cool wall and hang my head down, letting the water drip down my spine.Watching his body distracted me so much I was dumped under the wave.My breathing rapid as I think about our embrace on a loop.How sublime it could be to have his lips on mine.His hands clutching my sides as he pulls me into him.Feeling him against me.I turn my back to rest on the wall now.More surface area to feel the cool tiles.The cold water runs down my chest.Doing nothing to slow down my breathing.As my arms cross over my chest, my fingers accidentally graze my nipples.I exhale a shaky breath, now keenly aware of my body’s reaction.It sobers me.The water, now icy on my body.I don’t want my hands on me.I want Koby’s.How to make that happen is something I’m completely unsure how to broach.
After my shower and calming myself down, I settle at my laptop on the desk in my room.Work.Some work will distraction me.I answer some emails, reply to some messages over social media.The team and others from the paddock look like they are all having a wonderful time on their breaks.Louie has posted a lovely photo of Micah and a few crew members sitting around Louie’s garage.In the middle of a conversation, with a stripped back car shell in the middle of them.Caption noting, “Productive day in the office”.
I pick up my phone and type out a message to Louie, hoping things are going well and I’ll chat to him soon.Placing my phone down next to my laptop, I stare out of the window.My window overlooks the back patio, and Koby’s voice rumbles up from the pool.I can hear the bass in his voice but not make out the words with my window closed, however, by the tone in his voice, it sounds like he is talking with Aria.My vantage point shows Koby sitting in the pool.No shirt on, resting his back against the pool’s edge.Wishing I could find the nerve to go down and sit next to him.
Sitting with the crowd in the grandstand is enthralling.I haven’t been sitting at the main grandstand for a couple of years now.Preferring to be sitting at a corner on track.Wherever gets the most overtaking action.But I have been drawn to the stand facing the pits.Mainly one in particular.The dirty blonde rider walks out, standing outside his pit box.Finally.I have been sitting here for hours.I’ve done my research.He’s the same age as me.Been racing for the last year and a half, and the paddock has high hopes for him progressing up through the classes quite swiftly.He laughs and claps the backs of a few riders and other crew members as they walk through pit lane and by his garage.
He waves off the last visitor, running his hand through his hair.He takes a scan across the grandstand in front of him.Turning my head slightly, I’m thankful I’m wearing my big, dark sunglasses to hide where I’m looking.I’m still watching him, but from his point of view, I look like I’m looking up pit straight.The grandstand has a few people sitting in front of me.The die-head fans who live and breathe this sport with unwavering support, and are here every single day they’re allowed in the stands.They notice him looking in this direction and stand to wave at him, calling out his name.
“Woooo, Koby!”
“Yeahhh!”
“Smash it, man!”
His smile is wide as he returns the waves and throws some air-kisses up our way.
A pit crew member approaches him from behind, placing a hand on his shoulder, directing him back into the pit.He throws some more waves in our direction and turns away to head back into the pit to start his session.And I can start breathing again.
Looking back down at him in the pool, I feel like that shy 18-year-old again, unable to catch my breath when I see him.He rises out of the pool.The water falling down his body.I have to stop gawking.It’s not just his body that attracts me.His personality, and the way he cares for everyone.Fuck, he was looking out for me so intently that he was able to grab me as I was dumped by the wave.Hang on!Did he just take his board shorts off under his towel?My attention is back on him as he hangs his shorts in the sun and collects his bag.Not just about his body.I repeat to myself as he exits my view coming into the house.His footsteps ascending the stairs stills me as I hold my breath, turning to watch the back of my closed bedroom door.It sounds like he pauses at the top of the steps for several moments before he carries on to his room, and I hear the water go on.
My phone rings, and I break my stare off with the door.
“Hey, Louie, how are things going?”
“Actually great!Thanks for suggesting to reach out to Micah.She’s helped so much.”
“I’m glad to hear you have made some progress.”
