Epilogue
Johnny
Off-season - The Ranch
The last time Johnny had visited Davey’s Ranch, he’d been nervous, jealous, and a bit snarky.
He’d invited Gavin, knowing the others weren’t thrilled with him, particularly Davey.
This visit was completely different. Gavin was still with him, but the attitudes, his and Davey’s, had changed. Completely.
Davey was such a good guy. He was always willing to give someone a chance, so when he saw Gavin had backed off from trying to poach Davey’s talent, he relaxed, ready to be friends.
That made it easier because Johnny had fallen completely in love with Gavin.
There was no way he’d be able to go hang out at Davey’s place without him.
Everyone was there, as usual. That included Pilot and his two guys, Uncle Gary, the entire Apex crew, and Davey’s family. Tyler’s best friend also joined them, along with her boyfriend. Everyone played in the pool, drinking and eating.
Gavin was getting along well with Davey. They were even laughing and talking together. Gavin chuckled and clapped Davey on the shoulder. Johnny walked over to see what was going on. “What’s up?”
“Davey invited Craige to train with them during the break.”
“Oh? That could be productive.” Johnny didn’t know why competing racers would train together, but it happened often. He couldn’t think of anyone better for Craige to train with. Davey was a champion.
“I think having someone on his ass a bit more would help Rico too.” Davey nodded toward the pool where Rico cannonballed into the deep end.
“He’s a great guy, but he needs someone pushing him.
And Craige, well, he had a damn good season.
I didn’t realize how good he’d be on the bigger bikes. That was brilliant, man.”
Johnny could see the pride in Gavin’s smile, and he felt pretty damn proud of Gavin too. The BikeMax team was pretty great. “Yeah, man. You’ll find Craige has strange motivators, though,” Gavin added. “I need to get him a good agent, so he can score some more endorsements. That’s what he’s after.”
Davey chuckled and held up his glass. “Here’s to strange motivations.”
Tyler walked up and slid his arms around Davey’s waist. “I saw that commercial he did. It was pretty good.”
“Oh, what commercial?” Davey asked.
“That one for Rocket-fuel energy drinks. It’s a short spot, but he looked great.”
“Great?” Johnny shook his head. “He was covered in mud. You could hardly tell who he was until he took off his helmet.”
“Yeah, but that’s Supercross. It was perfect.
” Tyler seemed happy with the spot, so it must have been good, but it didn’t impress Johnny.
Of course, he looked at Supercross and racing differently than the others.
He shrugged it off as Tyler went on. “Maybe you should have him come to Jax. We’re setting Rico up there next month for a round of high-tech training. Who’s coaching him?”
“Cameron Reagan,” Gavin said.
“Oh!” Davey’s eyes grew wide. “He’s good. Great reputation. I’ve never met him, though.”
“We should have them both come ride with Rico during the off-season. Right, Davey?” Tyler looked up at Davey with wide eyes full of that same pride Johnny had been feeling for Gavin.
“Wait. That’ll all be tricky to schedule.
Don’t we have him racing in that other moto league?
That starts when?” Johnny couldn’t remember all the details, but he’d noted the benefits of it.
If Craige could win a few motos, it’d bring in some extra cash for BikeMax but also more attention for Craige.
Johnny had even worked with Toyota to get an upgraded transmission. Joe had been thrilled.
“Yeah,” Gavin said. “Last week, Johnny.”
The guys laughed, but it was good-natured.
Johnny was amazed at how they both fit with Davey’s crowd this year.
Things had changed for the better since he’d fallen for Gavin.
That simply amazed him—how much he loved Gavin.
His feelings for Pilot had settled back into that sibling love they should have been all along.
He was ecstatic that Gavin got along well with both Davey and Pilot.
He had worried a little about how working on a rival team might change things between him and Pilot, especially since Tate was finally out of his contract with his old team and signed on to Apex, but Davey proved that it would work out fine.
“Remember, The Ranch is always open if you want to send him here.” Davey reached out and shook Gavin’s hand. That’s when Pilot came up behind Johnny and picked him up with a roar.
Seconds later, Johnny splashed down into the center of the pool.
He came up sputtering and splattering water everywhere, only happy he wore his cheap sunglasses with his contacts instead of his expensive frames.
Before he could fully recover, Tate jumped in with a bigger splash, followed quickly by Bryce and then Rico.
When they all popped back up, Johnny kicked water at them.
He loved hanging out with these guys. Even if he felt like the odd man out most of the time, Johnny recognized what a good bunch he had.
Pilot wouldn’t have fallen so hard for both Tate and Bryce if they weren’t quality people.
Johnny was happy he wasn’t wearing the cock cage for once.
They’d agreed he would only wear it when they were apart, which wasn’t nearly as much since they’d moved in together.
Johnny made it mandatory when they did have to spend time away from each other.
It helped him feel secure and connected to Gavin.
He could live without it, but he didn’t have to and didn’t want to.
Still, at the pool party, letting loose around all his friends and family, he was all for going without.
Knowing it waited for him in his suitcase was enough.
After some roughhousing and wrestling in the water, Gavin stood up and whistled loudly, getting everyone’s attention. “Can I have a moment?”
Johnny swam over to the edge of the pool, hair dripping in his face.
He shoved it back. Bryce handed him his lost sunglasses.
Everyone else gathered around. Pilot put an arm around Tate’s shoulders.
His uncle sat with Angel and Stewart. They all paid close attention.
Even Davey’s loud-mouthed cousin quieted down.
When all eyes were on Gavin, he took a step closer to the pool, out of the shade where he’d been hiding out. “First, I want to say thank you to Davey for having us here.”
Davey waved him off when everyone cheered.
“You’ve all welcomed Johnny and me like family.
I can’t tell you what that means to me. Family is important.
My family, my parents, my sister... They aren’t here today, but my extended family is.
Pilot.” He nodded to Pilot, who’d pulled his body up and out of the water.
A serious expression graced his face. “Gary.” He turned to nod to Johnny’s uncle.
“And the Apex crew.” He spread his arms wide, indicating everyone.
Everyone cheered again, but Johnny was still clueless about where the hell Gavin was going with all this.
“So I’m very happy you’re all here. This is about to be a special moment, and I’m glad Johnny has you all here to share it.”
“What?” Johnny whispered.
Gavin stepped closer and knelt at the edge of the pool in front of Johnny. He reached out and pushed the sunglasses to the top of Johnny’s head. “Better. I want to see those dark, blue eyes when I say this.”
Gavin Peri—right there, inches away, at the edge of Davey McAllister’s pool.
He wore a soft yellow tank top and short swim trunks with a wild palm tree pattern.
The sun turned his brownish hair a bit redder.
Gavin nervously ran his fingers through that reddish beard he kept neatly trimmed.
Johnny wanted to do the same, but later.
People were waiting and watching. Johnny cocked his head to the side. “Gavin?”
“Johnny, I love you. More than anything. More than I’d ever thought possible.
You’ve totally changed my life, my priorities.
I love having you with me. In my house, at my company.
BikeMax isn’t the same. It’s changed for the better since you joined.
I want to keep sharing this with you. Forever.
I love you.” He leaned closer, putting his hand on Johnny’s wet cheek. “Will you marry me?”
“What?” Johnny’s mouth dropped open. Marriage? He couldn’t deny he’d been thinking about it. Was it too soon? Apparently not, if Gavin was asking. “Yes. Yes, Gavin.”
Gavin stood up and hollered, and everyone cheered. Johnny pushed up out of the pool. He had to get his lips on Gavin’s. He jumped into his arms and kissed him hard and fierce without caring about anyone watching.
Mistake.
Pilot and Tate pushed them both into the pool. When Johnny surfaced, everyone else jumped in behind them with cheers and hugs. Gavin was right. This was their extended family, or at least most of it, and he was thrilled they surrounded him during that moment.
The sun set low in the distance, sending colored stripes across the sky. Red, orange, pink. It hovered overhead like a warm blanket. Johnny had never felt so loved and accepted.
Pilot swam over and hugged him, whispering in his ear, “I’m so happy for you, brother.”
“Me too.”
No, their relationship would never be the same.
Pilot had his guys’ love, and Johnny now had Gavin’s, but they would always have a relationship.
Their friendship was tough enough for anything.
Johnny pulled back and peered up at Pilot’s happy face.
“I love you, bro. You’re gonna be my best man, right? ”
“Of course.”
Then he picked Johnny up and tossed him back into the pool.
But Gavin swam out to rescue him.
~The End.