Chapter eighteen Nix
Chapter eighteen
Nix
January
Supercross race, Anaheim, CA
I walked across the front railing of the restricted area in front of the audience seats.
I had a press access pass and was using it to full potential.
Cole’s heat was lined up and about to take off.
I didn’t have a good view of the start, but I’d be able to catch who got the holeshot as they came around the first turn.
I had my trusty XA15 with a good HD lens on me to capture the best speed shots.
The camera could do it all, and I used it the most. I also had two small square ME200S-SH cameras set up that I could operate remotely, so I could catch different angles from different places on the track at the same time.
I set the MEs and pulled my XA up to look through the viewfinder.
I’d already adjusted for lighting. We’d also stuck a GoPro on the top of Cole’s helmet.
This set up would get us tons of great racing footage.
The motorcycles revved as we waited, making the lovely braap sound they were famous for. The thirty-second-board girl walked off the track.
I held my breath.
The announcer bellowed they’re off as twenty dirt bikes shot out of the gate with the loud buzz-roar of the bike engines.
I hollered loudly as they came around the turn with Cole in the lead. He’d grabbed the holeshot and already started leaving the rest of them behind. Rico was in second, but he wasn’t fast enough.
“Nix. Hey, man.” Jason walked down the cement stairs and stood beside me. “Your man is killing it.”
“He’s so determined.”
“You look like you’re ready to eat him up.”
“I am.”
Jason laughed. “Too much info, dude.” He clapped my shoulder. “I’ve seriously seen a total change in that guy, and it’s not a bad thing. But I’m still worried how it will work out with you two. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I don’t think that will happen. We’ve got a solid foundation.”
Jason leaned against the railing, looking at me instead of the race. “So, you’re serious then?”
“You don’t need to worry. We’re both adults.”
“I know, but he’s never been seen in any relationship in the press, and now he’s with a man. After all that nasty shit with Davey—”
“Hey. Stop. His manager is working with a PR guy. They’ll handle that end. All Cole needs to do is win.” I pointed to the track. “Everything else will take care of itself. Including our relationship.”
“You sound like you believe that.”
“Can you be happy for me, please?”
Jason gave me a curt nod, then he smiled brightly. “Yeah. Of course.”
“Thanks.”
“No thanks needed.” He stood and stretched.
“I’m going to the other side of the track.
I want to be sure to catch some film of the winner.
” He tapped his Nikon, making me laugh. He wasn’t going to get much that was usable from that old camera.
It’d been a great DSLR in its day, but Jason needed a serious upgrade.
“It’s going to be Cole.”
“We’ll see.”
But I was right. Rico couldn’t catch him, and Cole finished first, a good four seconds ahead of Rico.
I was happy for that, but now I was worried. Jason had put doubts in my head.
I checked my equipment and flipped out the screen of my main camera to get a playback, but I wasn’t interested in filming the next heat.
I didn’t need the footage, since we had what we needed of Cole, so I wouldn’t have anything to do until the main event.
I packed the equipment up and headed back to his pit area.
Cole was on a stationary bike, pedaling at a moderate pace, when I got there. “Nix!” He raised an arm in the air.
I walked over and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Good win!”
“Thanks. Gives me a good gate pick. Zeke and Gavin are analyzing data to figure out which spots are best.”
“They can do that kind of thing?”
Cole held his hands up in defeat. “Beats me. I’ll line up where they tell me to. I’m going to win, regardless.”
Brian looked up from his laptop, where he’d been sitting in the corner. “Don’t get too cocky. Positive attitude, yes. Arrogance, no.”
Cole scowled at him. “You’re getting pretty bossy, Bri.”
“Don’t call me that. It’s Brian.” He emphasized the last part of his name.
Cole laughed, and I felt like I’d walked into an on-going joke between them.
Left out. My logical side said there was no way I could be with Cole constantly.
He had his own shit to do. Training. Being coached.
Whatever. But my illogical heart didn’t like their banter one damn bit.
A nasty wave rolled through my stomach, feeling empty.
Cole paid a lot of attention to me after that, and I almost forgot about my fears, worries, and ridiculous jealousy.
Right up until it was time to line up at the gate for the Main Event.
His mechanic, Joe Fischer, rode on the back of Cole’s bike as they left the pit.
As I watched them ride off, that sinking feeling came back in full force.
Fuck Jason for making me worry. I didn’t need this.
I shoved my feelings down and locked the box I’d packed them in. Then I grabbed my equipment. I needed to scope out a good spot. Everyone wanted to win the first race of the season, and I needed to get it on film.
Craige Lee got the holeshot, but Cole was right behind him. They were teammates, so little danger of wrecking each other, but I also knew Cole wouldn’t sit back and let Craige run with it. And he didn’t. On the second lap, he passed on the first turn and quickly put a gap between them.
“Shit!” I was too busy watching the race and not what I was filming. I missed the pass. I had to concentrate, but it was exciting to see Cole show his stuff. It made my heart leap.
He jumped a quad through the rhythm section.
I caught that beauty on film, then glanced at the leader board.
Cole was now a bit over four seconds ahead of Craige.
He was checked out and riding for the glory of it.
It was a thing of beauty. I couldn’t be prouder of him. I was going to enjoy editing this film.
The white flag finally came out, indicating one lap to go. Craige was trying hard to close the gap, but he was still a few seconds down. And Rico was on his tail. The fight for second was compelling, and I caught a little of it right before Craige pulled ahead, shutting Rico’s run down.
Then the checkered.
Cole won.
I cheered with the crowd. That meant BikeMax finished one-two, with Apex’s rider, Rico, in third. That was a great podium to start the season. They did their interviews, thanking sponsors, received awards, and shook up the champagne.
I headed down to the pit after that, hoping Jason had been closer to the post-race action and managed to get something usable from that old camera of his. The crowds of fans were leaving, and I cut through to the back, showing my credentials to get in the area.
Gavin was in the pit with Johnny, hugging each other tightly when I set my equipment on top of one of the big, red toolboxes. “Congratulations, BikeMax!”
“We did it!” Johnny whooped and threw a hand in the air.
Gavin smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. “That we did.” He looked at Johnny with love in his eyes as if it were more important to be sharing it with him than getting the top two spots on the podium. I could relate. I couldn’t wait for Cole to get there.
A few minutes later, the braap of dirt bikes sounded as racers and mechanics were returning to the pits.
The top three would be behind them. I watched and waited.
When I saw the BikeMax colors, green and white with bright yellow details, I cheered, jumping up and down.
The entire crew came out front to greet the two winners.
Jason followed, filming it with his old Nikon.
I hoped like hell that something would be usable from his footage.
Always the professional, I could tell he had a great viewpoint.
Cole pulled the bike in the pit, then handed it to Fisher.
He looked around, nearly frantic, until he spotted me, then he made a beeline straight to me.
I couldn’t help wrapping him up in my arms. I didn’t care that he was dirty.
I brushed his sweaty hair back from his forehead, then kissed him.
I’d meant a quick peck, but Cole wasn’t having it.
He went in for more. Our teeth clicked together as our tongues battled.
I could feel his adrenaline and pleasure where our mouths met.
For a moment, it was only the two of us in a world where everything was ours.
Every goal, every dream, was achieved and no one could damage that.
Then loud hooting and hollering broke us apart.
I glanced around and saw plenty of cameras from the press still around and filming us.
I wasn’t fond of being in front of the lens.
I tucked my face to his shoulder. He gently rubbed my back and leaned close, whispering, “I’ve got you. It’s all right.”
I was more worried about him than me. “You sure?” I asked, lifting my head to look into those crazy eyes. Green and gold swirled together as he stared back.
“I’m sure.” He kissed my nose. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Congrats on the win.”
“I’m only getting started.” His words meant racing, but those eyes meant more. “Let’s get out of here.”
Cole cleaned up and changed in the trailer, while I called an Uber to take us to the hotel.
Then, we walked out to the front of the venue.
By that time, the majority of fans were gone.
Only a few lingering people were around, and security was directing them to leave.
When the car arrived, we piled in and headed to the hotel.
We were nearby, on the fourth floor of a more expensive chain. We crossed the lobby and jumped on the elevator. “Are any of the other guys staying here?”