Ares comes close, taking me into his arms when Lev releases me. “No one should have died that day, princess. All this time, I’ve been racking my brain with one crazy theory after another. I thought that finding JJ Smith was the key to understandingwhat happened to Atlas. But knowing what we know now, there’s only one possibility. We’ve talked about it before when you said that you couldn’t think of anyone who would want to hurt you aside from your ex.”
Chance agrees. “I think Ares is right. It’s no coincidence that this mysterious bike appeared the day after you broke things off with him.”
“He couldn’t get you to do what he wanted,” Ares continues. “And when you ditched him for us, he decided to make you pay. It’s the only thing that makes sense. And hiring someone else to do his dirty work is typical of cowards like Fox.”
I shake my head. “But that bike went for my dad’s old Aprilia. Cal didn’t know I was JJ Smith, so that doesn’t make sense.”
“The real question is, didn’t he know, really?” Ares muses. “You were staying with him in his trailer. Remember, you said that when we found him trying to force himself on you, you had just changed out of your racing suit after the qualifier. He could have seen you. Or he could have seen what was inside your bag even before. I think it’s no coincidence that the second Fox reappeared on the scene, that bike came back.”
Maybe they’re right. But there are still some things I’m having trouble figuring out. “Maybe. But technically, this time it wasn’t the same bike that tried to hit me in Bridgeport.”
“Yeah, but this time Fox didn’t have his whole team behind him. He had just his old Beamer and a few older bikes. At least until Morelli got involved with his money. That old dirt bike might be all he had on hand to use this time.” Chance suggests.
“Yeah, it’s the only thing that makes sense.” I sigh. “But how do we prove it?”
Lev has been listening to our theories this entire time. “I don’t know. Ever since I chased the dirt bike earlier, something has been bothering me. It’s as if I’m missing something really obvious and important, but I can’t figure out what it is.”
“Whatever it is, we won’t figure it out tonight.” Ares gives him a brotherly slap on the shoulder. “Lev, what’s wrong?” he asks when Lev flinches at his touch.
“Nothing. I’m fine. I’m just tired.” He composes himself quickly, but we’ve all seen the pain that contorted his face for a split second. It’s hard to miss the strain in his voice even though he’s doing his best to sound normal.
Chance is by his best friend’s side in the blink of an eye. “That didn’t sound like nothing.”
“I told you I’m fine, Mom.” Lev tries to joke, but it falls flat.
“You should ice that shoulder.” I interject. “You might have sprained or pulled something when you fell in the grass while chasing the dirt bike.”
Lev sighs. “I’ll be ok. Seriously.”
“Maybe.” Chance’s face is a mask of concern. “Zara is right that you should ice it. But if in the morning you’re still in pain, you need to tell Coach.”
“I’d rather cut my own balls off now than have Coach Harrison do that. He’s gonna kill me.”
Chance nods. “He’s not gonna be happy. But he doesn’t know how you got hurt. You were slammed against the boards a few times during yesterday’s game. You can tell him that you felt fine straight after the game, but it got worse overnight.”
“I guess.” Lev sounds resigned. “Maybe he won’t kill me.”
“Do you need me to come and speak to your coach?” Ares offers with a playful smile on his face.
Lev rolls his eyes. “No, thanks. You and Chance can stop mothering me now. I can handle it. I’ve been signing my own permission slips and shit since freshman year of high school. My parents were too busy to care.”
Ares’s expression returns serious. “Your parents care in their own way. Isn’t it crazy that you wish your parents had been more involved in your life when you were younger and we wished Dadwasn’t such a helicopter parent? Regardless of our parents, Lev, we’re each other’s family. We take care of each other. So go to bed, and we’ll find you an ice pack.”
Lev doesn’t need much convincing; he looks like he’s in real pain. “Ok. See you in a bit.”
“What are the sleeping arrangements tonight?” Ares asks once Lev disappears into one of the suit’s two bedrooms. “Am I bunking with Lev, sleeping alone, or taking the couch? I don’t mind staying with Lev if you want to be with Chance.” He says to me.
I don’t have an answer to his question. I’m worried about Chance after what happened tonight, but Lev is injured. “Hm, maybe Chance and I could stay in Lev’s room?”
To my surprise, Chance doesn’t take me up on that offer. “That would be fine on any other night, baby. But if his shoulder is hurting, sharing a bed with two more people might not be the best idea. He might need a little more space to find a comfortable sleeping position.”
“Then maybe Ares and I can bring him the ice pack and I can make sure he’s ok, and then come stay with you?” I don’t want to leave him alone, but I also want to make sure Lev knows that I love him and care about him.
Chance must see my conflicted feelings written all over my face.
“Go to him, baby. Stay with him tonight; he needs you.” He whispers, pulling me into his arms.
“What about you? You really scared me out there tonight, babe.”
