Page 78 of Head Over Wheels

‘And she’shappy.’

‘She’s not,’ I insisted. ‘She thinks that getting injured and performing below her potential is failing all ofyou.’

‘I know that, but do you think she’ll let us take the pressure off her? She only letsyoudo that! And then she comes back happy.’

Any response I might have had died in my throat. I made herhappy? What miracle caused that? But I also split her focus, when racing was her protection from a chaotic world. She might want me to stay, but for both our sakes I had to go. I didn’t have a better solution.

30 April 6:52

Folklore: How’s the mountain air?

LoonieDunes: Thin.

Folklore: Ha ha. Did I say anything embarrassing while I was drunk last week?

LoonieDunes: Wouldn’t you like to know.

Folklore: I mainly remember trying to work out a way that we could fuck.

LoonieDunes: That was about the extent of it.

7 May 19:48

LoonieDunes: Instagram told me I might want to post something.

Folklore: So post something. Or don’t.

LoonieDunes: That photo you posted of us from Liège is nice.

Folklore: …

LoonieDunes: Especially considering that beer knocked you out.

Folklore: I can still tell Dad about the waffles.

LoonieDunes: I knew you were kind of immature, but ‘telling on me to Dad’? How old are you?

Folklore: Nine years younger than you.

LoonieDunes: Actually, you’re only eight years and nine months younger than me. You obviously haven’t googled my birthday.

Folklore: Don’t take it personally.

LoonieDunes: …

Folklore: I know you didn’t text me just to ask me about Instagram.

LoonieDunes: I’ve been watching your races. You’re so hot on a bike.

Folklore: Yeah, a supersexy fifteenth overall.

LoonieDunes: You finished. And Friday’s stage was amazing.

Folklore: Yeah, until I punctured.

LoonieDunes: I was just glad you had a solo attack so the camera stayed on you a lot. I’ve watched it a few times.

Folklore: …

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