4. Meadow
Meadow
I nstead of stepping inside her room, after I told her she should keep an eye out, she did the exact opposite and went on a ride with a bunch of strangers.
I watched her through my window so obviously when they were getting ready to go for a ride, at night, I had to tag along.
My conscience wouldn’t let me otherwise.
And the girls like her, so now I have to keep an eye on her. Besides, she is Jim’s daughter, I saw her with my Dad today and quickly put the pieces together.
Didn’t he teach her a lesson about not going with strangers?
I bet she didn’t pay attention or didn’t listen on purpose.
I nod my head sideways.
That damn girl knows how to wheelie.
She doesn’t seem to fear anything.
I parted ways with her to give her some space yet she is somewhere behind me, surrounded by men—men, she doesn’t know.
Who the fuck does that?
Especially as a rider, rule number one, you have to know who you’re dealing with because if there is one problematic rider, you need to know and stay away.
Maybe she has her reasons, and she’s super sharp, and kind of a badass—which is pretty annoying. I didn’t come here for this. I came to clear my head. Focus on the championship while I go back and forth and teach some stunts while I’m here.
I have a race I need to win and I have to stay sharp. The beginning of the season was great, I’m in a good place mentally and physically when it comes to my job and I plan to stay in that state.
No distractions.
Damn, Jim, now I get why you never brought her here. She had to look like a fairy fucking Tinkerbell with green hair and look super sexy with that permanent pout she has and flash those big, brown doe eyes. Have a feisty attitude. Be a great rider.
I’m only a man.
Two brief interactions with her were enough for me to know what I needed to know, she’s a little spitfire. I’m going to have so much fun driving her crazy.
Just wait till I get warmed up.
I grab onto one handle and punch the air with my free hand.
I had to watch over her.
Darkness encases me as I ride with my ghosts through memory lane. The frequent sound of the exhaust concentrates me as thoughts swarm my head.
Michael always stood beside me, cheering and warning me about my ex constantly. He told me she didn’t care for me, and that she was with me only for the lifestyle my job provided. I never wanted the money. I didn’t do it for the fame either. I did it because I loved it, and I still do.
I am a good rider.
Bikes were always my Achilles heel, I couldn’t breathe without them.
Life in the fast lane has its bittersweet moments though. The good outweighs the bad, always. But those faces are always there, riding with me everywhere I go. Their faces are etched into my heart and dust the wind as each mile passes me by.
Loss is such a sickening experience. My head has been in a constant fog and the only thing that pulls me out of it is racing.
The faster I ride, the harder it is to remember when my mind goes blank. The bike and I merge for a minute. Electricity runs through my veins, charging me with adrenaline unlike anything else. When everything blurs around me, I feel so in control. So empowered. Invincible. Until it’s gone again and blackness filters in instead.
It comes in waves and there is no way to stop it.
How was I so lucky and they weren’t?
I know it’s the wrong thing to say. I need to celebrate the fact I’m here despite all those almost horrific accidents I had in the past.
I just can’t.
“Where are you going?” Mom questions as I enter the store to grab some candies.
I shove my hand into a container and grab a handful before I toss it in a bag. “For a ride with the boys.”
“At this hour?”
I round the counter to plant a kiss on her forehead, “We’ll be fine, I need to practice.”
“Who’s going?” I know she won’t drop it until I tell her all the details in case of an emergency.
“Rio, Jay, Kevin, and Michael,” My lips tug upward because she knows they are the only ones I ride with at night.
“Be careful.” She grips my hand and squeezes it once.
I give her another kiss and turn to go but she stops me once more as I face the door.
“Meadow, keep an eye out.”
I grin to myself, staring at our reflection through the glass doors. “Always.”
The road sharpens again as I pull myself out of my train of thought. Every time that I’m on the road could be my last, the same goes for everything else yet it doesn’t paralyze me, it fuels me to see through another day.
After all, I was born in the wrong place but I was meant to be a part of this family along with all the pain that comes with it.
I miss you, brothers.