“It’s down this street,” I say, and Keno makes the turn.
The entire ride home tonight, I’ve been flying high on qualifying in the top five at the trials today, but Keno wants me to take him to Derek and Remy’s garage, and he’s been very clear that he didn’t want me to warn them we’re coming.
So, here I sit in the passenger seat of his truck, my stomach in knots and my bike on the trailer behind us, about to confront them. So many things could blow up in my face, not the least of which is their anger that I went up to the trials today. There’s another round tomorrow, and I saw their names posted in two of the slots.
I’ve had my fingers crossed that we’ve missed them and they’ve already left for Denver, but as we make the turn, I see them loading their bikes onto a trailer right now.
Glancing at Keno, I see him dip his head to take in the garage. It’s a white-painted brick building with two bays. It looks like it was built back in the 1930s. There’s a glass office off to the rightwith a covered roof extension that must have once housed the gas pumps, but they’re long gone.
Keno swings the truck in, parking under the overhang.
My brothers pause what they’re doing and look over.
“You ready?” Keno asks, but he’s shouldering his door open.
“Yes,” I say, and exit my side.
We meet in front of the hood, and he reaches for my hand. “Keep your chin up, Six.”
I drag in a breath, press close to his side, and do as he says. It’s hard not to dip my head, which is my natural inclination around them.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Remy says, spitting on the concrete.
Derek walks toward us, but glances back. “Remy, shut up.” Then he turns and smiles at Keno and gives him a backslapping hug. “Long time no see, Sully.”
“Thought it was time I came by.”
Derek’s eyes shift to me. “Maggie told us you were in town. We weren’t aware.”
Keno shrugs. “No reason you should.”
I notice his careful choice of words.
Keno’s eyes shift to the bikes on the trailer. “Headed to Rock Creek?”
“Yeah,” Derek replies, his eyes shifting to me and back to Keno. “How’d you know?”
Keno nods to my bike on the trailer behind us. “We just came from there. Six qualified in the top five today. She’s got a real shot.”
Remy flings the tie-down strap he’s holding and stalks toward us. “What the hell do you meanwejust came from there?”
“Me and Six. Did I stutter?”
Remy’s jaw works and he glares at me. “What the hell are you doing with him? Thought I told you to keep your distance.”
Keno takes a step toward Remy. “You and me gonna have a problem, Remy? We can fucking settle that right now.”
Remy shoves Keno. “Yeah, asshole.”
Derek jumps between them, trying to push Remy back, but he’s not quick enough to stop the swift right hook Keno delivers, laying Remy out on the blacktop.
“What the hell, Sully?” Derek says. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
Keno towers over Remy. “If you’re fucking smart, you’ll stay down, asshole. You ever lay a hand on me or on your sister, I’ll fucking put you in the ground.”
“Come on, bro,” Derek says, his palms raised. “Chill out.”
Keno takes a step toward him, and Derek backs up.
