Page 7 of Fighting For Light
“I think we can work something out,” Reece says, holding out his hand to Mom, and she takes it. “He will need quite a bit of gear, though, unless you’ve already done that.”
I smile. I can’t wait to pick out a bike.
“Well, we were hoping you could help us with finding the right bike for him,” Mom says. “I’ll make sure he has the proper uniform.”
“Great. I have some ideas I can email to you.”
Mom nods and looks at the racing bikes.
“This is a dangerous sport, no question about it, but your son seems up to the challenge.” Reece holds out his hand to me, and I startle for a second before taking it, shaking it as firmly as a fifteen-year-old can.
“We will start as soon as your bike comes in. I’ll get you a schedule, Esmarie, and then we can work things out from there.”
“Great, thank you, Reece.” He nods, and I glance at Cordelia one more time before Mom leads me away. My heart thumps in my chest, and my lungs squeeze. I don’t really know what that means, but maybe I found my first friend.
***
Later that night, after a shower and dinner, I grab two beers before leaving the trailer to look for Cordi to hang out for a little bit. The weather has finally cooled off, and there is a nice breeze. Cracking a cold one with my friend sounds pretty nice.
I expected Cordi to be outside, but I don’t see her. Then I hear laughter across the campground road and turn, spotting the guys with Cordi gathered around a table next to Deacon’s trailer. I saunter over, and they all raise their can in greeting.
“Hey, what are you guys up to,” I ask.
“Hey, Kai. We were talking about the race tomorrow,” Casey says.
Nodding, I pop the top of the beer off on the wooden picnic table and hand it to Cordi. She takes it silently, and I take a swig of mine. “The track looks like it will be a bit gnarly on a couple of those rollers. I know you just love those Deacon.” I grin and lift my bottle to him.
He rolls his eyes and flips me off. “Screw you, Coldwell. I’m going to tear through them tomorrow.”
“Yeah, or you’ll choke like you always do,” Rafe says.
I laugh, and Cordi smiles. “How do you think we’re going to do, Cordi?” I ask her.
She grins. “I think it’s going to be quite the race, and I’m going to keep my opinions to myself. I don’t want to jinx it.”
“Thank you,” Deacon grumbles.
“I told you, bitch! You didn’t listen!” A man yells across the campground.
We all look in the direction of the yelling, and I spot a tall man, almost my height, pushing around a petite woman.
“I don’t need to listen to you, you sonna bitch! I should have never agreed to any of this!” she spits.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” Cordi says quietly. We all watch as they keep yelling, and every muscle in my body gets more and more tense because I know what’s about to happen. I can see it coming from a mile away.
I take off running towards them, and he punches her in the face before I have the chance to shield her. I help her off the ground, trying to also keep her back.
“Who the hell are you? Stay outta my business!” he yells, and I notice the slight slur in his voice.
“You made it my business the moment you put your hands on her. Walk it off.”
He chuckles and fists his hands. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you should piss off. Me and my bitch have some words to exchange.”
“Fine, I’ll call the police,” I say, keeping my eyes trained on him.
“No, you won’t,” he grits out.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I will unless you walk away now.”
