Page 69 of X My Heart

Sky

I watch the heat from beginning to end. Jay kept explaining the intricate details of the race and the backstory of the riders, their stats, and how Hunter should be riding. I listen to everything he has to tell me. Hunter looks amazing, waiting up there with his fellow seven competitors. He raises his hand when the commentator introduces him as one of the best in the world.

As the race progresses, Jay and Drew exchange worried looks with every hill Hunter takes.

“He’s taking too long,” Jay yells in Drew’s ear. Drew nods, crossing his arms.

“Too long for what?” I don’t know what they’re talking about.

“He needs to pedal harder.” Jay points to Hunter. “He’s losing. Shit!” Jay slams his hands on the railing.

Shielding my eyes against the sun, I follow Hunter making his way down the track. “But, Jay, he’s in front.”

Jay shakes his head. “There,” he tells me, pointing to another rider in blue behind Hunter. “He has more speed.”

And sure enough, the guy passes Hunter with two-tenths of a second to spare. Hunter slams his hands on the handlebar when he comes in second.

“I can’t believe it,” Drew mumbles.

Jay rakes his hands through his hair. “This is going to cost us big time.” He spits out the word, “Fuck!”

I follow them backstage. Drew walks up to Hunter and they start arguing about something.

The race is still flashing before my eyes when the winner walks up to me.

“Hey.” He shakes my hand, introducing himself as Ryan. “You new here?”

I nod. “I’m Jay’s daughter.”

“Oh, Jay’s daughter,” he drawls with a smile too bright for my taste. But then he seems to register my body language.

“And you’re with Hunter?” he asks, a curious undertone in his voice like he can’t believe it.

I shake my head. “No, we’re friends.”

“Yeah, I also look at my friends the way he checked you out before the race. Dude never looked at me like that when we were friends.” His smile is kind, like he’s remembering something from his past.

“You were friends?” I ask.

He tousles his blond hair. “We were, before the gold became too important for both of us.”

“What happened?” I ask.

He grimaces and places his hand on my shoulder. “Frankly, I don’t know. He…”

Someone pushes me out of the way.

“Get your hands off her,” Hunter bellows.

Before I know it, Ryan punches Hunter in his chest. “Fuck you,” Ryan shouts.

“Right back at ya,” Hunter roars. In the blink of an eye, they start wrestling and rolling around in the sand.

“Fucking teenagers,” I yell, trying to get their attention, but of course, beating the living shit out of each other is much more interesting than listening to me.

“Dad!” I scream, looking around for help.

Jay and another man come running, and after several tries, and dodging a couple blows, they get the boys off each other.

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