34. Javi
34
Javi
Sophia’s eyes break away from mine and she drops her head.
Oh, fuck. What have I done?
“After last night’s mindfuck from Perry, I knew I needed to think about what is going on and where my head is at. The last few months have been amazing and unexpected. I wasn’t planning on getting along with anyone during this year.” She looks back at me, tears threatening to spill again. Tears because she is going to reject me? “But you were there for me, through the thick of everything. I was able to handle this year and not come apart so easily, because you were standing beside me in everything I tried to tackle.” She lifts her hand to the side of my face. “I will be honest with you. I don’t think I can do this in the openness of the paddock right now, but I want to continue how we have been and see where this goes.”
My chest feels like it could explode at her words. She bends down and kisses me, and I have never been so grateful to feel her lips on mine. My hands go up into her hair and the kiss deepens.
I feel a presence behind me and they clear their throat. We break away and look to see the waitstaff with her notepad, ready to take our order. I glance at Sophia and smile, while I get off the floor in front of her.
“Sorry, are you ready to put your drink orders in?” she asks, cautiously.
I look at Sophia and ask, “Beer?”
She nods and agrees, “Beer.”
“Two beers please and we are still deciding on food. Thanks,” I direct to the waitstaff. I can see her catch herself before she rolls her eyes too far and leaves for the beers.
“Mood killer.” Sophia smirks and brings the menu up to cover half her face.
“Might have been a good thing. Any longer and I would have suggested ditching this place,” I reply, winking. “In all seriousness, though, sounds like you have had an emotional day. Did you want to skip dinner?”
“What? Go back to the hotel for some emotional release, mutual gratification?” She smirks again, bordering on devious. And fuck my dick cannot take the hint we are out in public.
“Fuck, you can’t say shit like that here,” I half-joke, trying to subtly rearrange myself in my jeans.
“Do I need to change the topic?” she questions.
“Yes, please.” I plead. “What did you do today?”
She places the menu down and ponders, “Holed up in my hotel room and did some motocross project stuff.”
“Without me?” I feign shock with a hand over my chest, ending by smiling back at her.
“Without you. Then I rode down to the beach and sat for a few hours,” she replies.
“Didn’t meet up with Perry?” I ask, curious how that went down, if he was a dick and I had to go pummel him for upsetting her.
“Nope. I showed him the same respect he showed me, and texted him my answer that ‘ us isn’t what I want anymore.’” She shrugs.
“That is a fucking boss power move,” I beam. She shyly smiles in response.
The waitstaff returns with our beers, asking if we wanted to order.
Sophia starts, “It’s been a day. I’ll have a pepperoni pizza and another beer. I’m not sharing.” She aims the last part at me while handing the menu to the waitstaff.
I laugh and order an olive and anchovy pizza with a second beer, handing over my menu.
Sophia’s phone vibrates on the table, and she looks at it surprised, like she forgot it was on the table. Picking it up, she shakes her head and places it in her skirt’s pocket. “Sorry about that. Forgot to put it away.”
“Nikki inundating you with questions?” I laugh at the memory of Nikki’s excitement and guidance. She really loves Sophia and wants her happy.
“No. Perry.” She rolls her eyes. “Didn’t appreciate the tit for tat text rejection.”
“Do I need to go pay him a visit?” I ask. While I said it in a playful way, I am dead serious.
She looks at me like she noticed something new. “Nah. He isn’t worth it. I don’t want you to break your hand on his face and not be able to ride.”
“Pfft, people only break hands because they don’t punch properly, and I said nothing of the sort. I was just going to pay him a polite visit .” I smile sweetly at her.
She takes a long sip of her beer, taking me in. A sparkle in her eye.
“I am surprised Nikki hasn’t been blowing up my phone or made her way here to sit at a table to keep an eye on us.” She looks around the restaurant. No Nikki. “I’ll meet up with her tomorrow. Oh! So, Nikki already knew about us. Last time we were out with her and Dave, she figured it out.”
“That explains why she wasn’t so surprised when I told her,” I add. “Oh, and Riley knows.”
“Right. Anyone else?” she teases.
“My parents, but they and Riley helped get me to realise I should tell you how I feel. But no one else.” Feels like the audience numbers escalated a little.
“Glad you had a support team to talk some sense into you.” She smirks.