Chapter 9 Rayna
Rayna
Did I overreact a little when Koby and I were entangled in the ocean? Maybe.
Did I fake getting too much sun and hightail it up to my room as soon as we got home to avoid Koby for the afternoon? Absolutely.
I needed to be on my own. Get under the cold running water and savour the lingering feelings from the ocean. Koby’s hands around me, my hands touching his skin. His mouth inches from mine. Fuck, I wanted him to kiss me. I don’t think I have wanted anything more.
The cold water hits my skin, feeling like I am about to combust. I place my hands on the cool wall and hang my head down, letting the water drip down my spine.
Watching his body distracted me so much I was dumped under the wave.
My breathing rapid as I think about our embrace on a loop.
How sublime it could be to have his lips on mine.
His hands clutching my sides as he pulls me into him.
Feeling him against me. I turn my back to rest on the wall now.
More surface area to feel the cool tiles.
The cold water runs down my chest. Doing nothing to slow down my breathing.
As my arms cross over my chest, my fingers accidentally graze my nipples.
I exhale a shaky breath, now keenly aware of my body’s reaction.
It sobers me. The water, now icy on my body.
I don’t want my hands on me. I want Koby’s.
How to make that happen is something I’m completely unsure how to broach.
After my shower and calming myself down, I settle at my laptop on the desk in my room.
Work. Some work will distraction me. I answer some emails, reply to some messages over social media.
The team and others from the paddock look like they are all having a wonderful time on their breaks.
Louie has posted a lovely photo of Micah and a few crew members sitting around Louie’s garage.
In the middle of a conversation, with a stripped back car shell in the middle of them.
Caption noting, “Productive day in the office”.
I pick up my phone and type out a message to Louie, hoping things are going well and I’ll chat to him soon.
Placing my phone down next to my laptop, I stare out of the window.
My window overlooks the back patio, and Koby’s voice rumbles up from the pool.
I can hear the bass in his voice but not make out the words with my window closed, however, by the tone in his voice, it sounds like he is talking with Aria.
My vantage point shows Koby sitting in the pool.
No shirt on, resting his back against the pool’s edge.
Wishing I could find the nerve to go down and sit next to him.
Sitting with the crowd in the grandstand is enthralling.
I haven’t been sitting at the main grandstand for a couple of years now.
Preferring to be sitting at a corner on track.
Wherever gets the most overtaking action.
But I have been drawn to the stand facing the pits.
Mainly one in particular. The dirty blonde rider walks out, standing outside his pit box.
Finally. I have been sitting here for hours.
I’ve done my research. He’s the same age as me.
Been racing for the last year and a half, and the paddock has high hopes for him progressing up through the classes quite swiftly.
He laughs and claps the backs of a few riders and other crew members as they walk through pit lane and by his garage.
He waves off the last visitor, running his hand through his hair.
He takes a scan across the grandstand in front of him.
Turning my head slightly, I’m thankful I’m wearing my big, dark sunglasses to hide where I’m looking.
I’m still watching him, but from his point of view, I look like I’m looking up pit straight.
The grandstand has a few people sitting in front of me.
The die-head fans who live and breathe this sport with unwavering support, and are here every single day they’re allowed in the stands.
They notice him looking in this direction and stand to wave at him, calling out his name.
“Woooo, Koby!”
“Yeahhh!”
“Smash it, man!”
His smile is wide as he returns the waves and throws some air-kisses up our way.
A pit crew member approaches him from behind, placing a hand on his shoulder, directing him back into the pit. He throws some more waves in our direction and turns away to head back into the pit to start his session. And I can start breathing again.
Looking back down at him in the pool, I feel like that shy 18-year-old again, unable to catch my breath when I see him.
He rises out of the pool. The water falling down his body.
I have to stop gawking. It’s not just his body that attracts me.
His personality, and the way he cares for everyone.
Fuck, he was looking out for me so intently that he was able to grab me as I was dumped by the wave.
Hang on! Did he just take his board shorts off under his towel?
My attention is back on him as he hangs his shorts in the sun and collects his bag.
Not just about his body. I repeat to myself as he exits my view coming into the house.
His footsteps ascending the stairs stills me as I hold my breath, turning to watch the back of my closed bedroom door.
It sounds like he pauses at the top of the steps for several moments before he carries on to his room, and I hear the water go on.
My phone rings, and I break my stare off with the door.
“Hey, Louie, how are things going?”
“Actually great! Thanks for suggesting to reach out to Micah. She’s helped so much.”
“I’m glad to hear you have made some progress.”
“Probably will be on track to get back the week before Christmas though, if that’s all good?”
“Of course. Please don’t stress.”
“What have you been up to these holidays?”
I fill him in on Koby’s current situation and that he’ll be here over Christmas and most likely Aria, too.
“I can stay elsewhere if you need the room?” He offers.
“No, don’t be silly. I want you in the house.”
“Did you want my room for Aunty Jill and Uncle Teddy then?”
“It’s fine. Teddy will stay in the spare room with Dec, and Jill will be with me. Marla and Aria can share a room. She was going to stay at Koby’s over Christmas, but she might stay with Courtney.”
“Well, I can always stay with friends who live close and owe me a favour if you need another bed in the house for anyone.”
“Thank you, honey. I appreciate the offer.”
“So you and Koby hanging out must be like old times?”
“Yeah. Just like old times.” I grimace. Like old times, when I was a horny teenager and could not stop lusting after him.
“I’m glad to hear. I liked hearing you both were reconnecting more through the last few years. This will just help you guys get back to where you used to be.”
“We’ve always been friends, though. Life just gets in between things.”
“Of course.” He pauses. “Oh! Brax will let you know when he comes to see you, but both Jack and Adrian will be taking parental leave next year.”
“Aww, that’s wonderful to hear. I remember they have been trying for a while. How are their wives going? Are they both around the same time?”
“Yeah, they are due May or June.”
“Anyone ready to step up into those roles, or will we need to figure out some recruitment?”
“There could be one person ready for the responsibility, if they want to take it. But we definitely will need to recruit for Adrian’s role. Might be a good opportunity to get a different perspective on the team.”
“That’s a great point. I’ll have a think about who on my team might be ready for a challenge before Brax gets here. I could also ask Koby if he has anyone from enduro or our racing side he thinks would make a good fix.”
“Yeah. That’ll be great. Thanks.”
“I’m sure he’ll update me when he is here, but how is his mum doing?”
“It doesn’t sound good, to be honest. I’m sure he will discuss everything with you, but she is getting worse quicker than they predicted. He's still been on the ball this season, but…” He pauses, unable to find the right words.
“He doesn’t need work stress adding to his problems,” I finish for him. It’s what I have been worried about for him too.
“Exactly.”
“I’ll work on some options for when he gets here. Thanks for the heads up.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to duck off now. Just arrived at the hotel, and I need to get in and have a shower.”
“Okay, have a lovely night. Chat soon, honey.”
“Thanks, Mum. Chat soon.”
Pulling up my note-taking app, I start writing up some names, ready for when Brax arrives.
He has had a trying year himself. He’s had to take time off over the season to organise care for his mum, whose dementia has been getting worse rapidly.
Being an only child and his dad not in the picture anymore, he has been the only person to organise her going into care.
I worry about what news he will meet me with in three days.
My phone buzzes with a message that Koby has made lunch, if I am feeling better. Or he can bring it up to me.
Setting the phone down on the flat surface, I rise to push the solid wingback chair back away from the desk to leave the refuge of my room.
Descending the steps, Koby comes further into my view.
Filling the kitchen with his broad shoulders.
His large hands gripping the elongated neck of the glass water bottle that lives in the fridge, transporting it gently to the dining table, where he has set up a salad and some leftover quiche for us both.
He sees me hit the bottom step. “Hey, feeling a little better?”
“Yeah, I am, thanks. I think not enough water and too much sun.”
“Need anything in particular?” He flourishes his hands around the kitchen.
“This will do.” I wave him off as I approach the table. He pulls out my chair and steps out of the way, so I can tuck myself into the table.