Page 61 of Ace of Spades

“Both. People don’t usually stick around long enough to see what this place really is. And the ones that do stay always seem to be running away from something.”

My chest tightens.

“What if they’re running to something?”

He shrugs.

“Are you?”

“I thought so. But now that I’m here, it feels like I’m trying to prove my worth and none of it is seen.”

“By Levi?” he asks.

“And the crew,” I add. “I’m the outsider here. The one nobody trusts. Just like this sad, little goat,” I point to it and it bleats again, probably in agreement.

Benji exhales, eyes scanning the horizon.

“Levi’s been trying to hold everything together for so long, he doesn’t know how tonotbe the guy with all the answers. He’s stubborn. Pissed off at life. Haunted by a few things he won’t talk about. But he’s not heartless, Sienna. He’s just scared.”

“Of what?”

“Of failing. Of losing the people who count on him. Of needing someone and watching them walk away.”

That hits harder than I expect.

“He’s got a weird way of showing it.”

Benji shrugs.

“He’s a broken guy. Doesn’t mean he’s not worth getting to know.”

I glance back toward the shop, heart still sore but softer now.

“And as for the crew…” He slips a hand into his front shirt pocket and offers me a folded-up piece of paper.”

“What’s this?” I give him my mug to hold as I unfold it.

It’s an announcement for a nationwide custom build competition.

One that I’m very familiar with given that the crew at my last bike shop were preparing for it over the previous year.

I look at Benji for more.

“If anyone can convince Levi that we’ve got what it takes… it’s you,” he says, confidently.

“You want me to get you guys into this competition?”

“If we win–and wecanwin–the grand prize is enough to pay off some debts and keep the lights on here.

I look back down at the paper in my hand. The grand prize is $500,000.

Holy shit.

I look up at Benji, whose eyes are shimmering with hope.

“What makes you think I have any chance of getting him to agree?” I deadpan.

Benji chuckles and hands me back the mug. “You know, he’ll never admit it to anyone. But as much as Levi hates this damn goat. I’ve seen him come out here and bring it food and water when he thought nobody was looking.”

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