CHAPTER 3 #3
“These bikes are just for training,” said Catarina, almost like she’d read Anna’s mind, or perhaps she was skilled at guessing from Anna’s facial expressions.
Some people had exceptional social skills, unlike her.
“These are 250cc dirt bikes, just for home. The guys race on paved tracks with 1000cc bikes that carry speeds of over three hundred and fifty kilometers an hour on the straights.” Catarina sounded excited to share her knowledge.
Anna’s jaw dropped. 1000cc meant nothing to her, but the amount of speed sounded daunting. These bikes must be toys compared to the powerful racing bikes. Watching the homemade track below, 250cc seemed plenty fast.
As they approached, one of the riders skidded around a corner, flatter than seemed possible, carving a rut in the hard dirt which sprayed upward in a wave of pale sand and gravel.
Anna didn’t know which brother it was, and she didn’t understand how the bike defied gravity, moving at that insane angle.
He must be out of control and about to crash.
She hoped that whoever it was didn’t get hurt.
The rider made it around the corner to her surprise, knee and elbow scraping the ground, the rear end of the bike skidding.
Somehow, the rider recovered, and he pushed the bike upright as he flew toward the next corner, soaring through the air over the crest of the hill, and was gone, fresh dust hovering over the track in a cloud while the sound faded to a more muted level.
“Vince.” Catarina’s eyes shone as she yelled to be heard over the noise of the approaching second bike. “Don’t tell him I said so, but nobody saves his ride the way he can. Anyone else would have been on the floor with that move.”
Anna knew nothing about racing or motorcycles, but Vince’s move with his knee and elbow had been impressive. “He must have incredible core strength.” She hadn’t realized she’d spoken aloud until Catarina replied.
“Exactly. Nobody rides like Vince Vasquez, even if they all try.” Her voice hushed as she spoke into Anna’s ear. “He’s totally ripped. They both are. You should see their training regimen. We’ll have to go with them to a hotel pool or to the beach in Portugal.”
Anna’s cheeks flamed, imagining Isaac in far more detail. Immediately, she was wracked with guilt before remembering that she was single.
Catarina nudged her with her shoulder, “Don’t feel bad. There’s nothing wrong with admiring from a distance. We all do.”
Anna wasn’t sure if it was better or worse to be one of many admirers.
Catarina leaned over the barrier built of old tires around the track.
The second rider slowed up nearby and stopped with a wave.
Isaac pulled off his dirty black-and-white checkered helmet and grinned.
Anna’s stomach lurched. Covered from neck to toe in orange dust, with his hair disheveled and flushed from exercise, he was oh so sexy.
Anna’s heart hammered as she tried not to visualize his hard, defined muscles.
Stop it, she told herself. Her cheeks flooded with heat.
Who was she to think someone famous might be interested in her?
Nobody. She must have imagined his interest earlier.
Besides, she couldn’t afford that kind of distraction or to be disappointed.
She’d practically asked him out. What had she been thinking?
“What brings you two out here this evening?” Isaac’s voice sounded pleased at the surprise.
He directed his question to Catarina in English, but his eyes flicked to Anna while he spoke.
She appreciated that once again, he used English to make sure she understood, and she smiled.
His eyes lingered on her. Maybe her interest in him wasn’t one-sided.
At the very least, she could use another friend.
“I asked Vince for a favor, and he said to come by after six to discuss it,” said Catarina, checking the time on her phone with a quirked eyebrow. “He’s running late. Did you know that I’m coming on the road with you two this season?”
“I did,” said Isaac with another quick glance at Anna. “Vince mentioned it earlier.” He hesitated. “I see you two are hitting it off.” His smile was gentle this time. “I thought you might.” Isaac locked his dirt bike in a shed trackside and joined them on the sloped pathway.
“What do you think his chances are this season?” said Catarina.
They walked toward the house and Anna looked back as Vince skidded around a distant corner of the track below, once more making dust fly.
Isaac turned, his eyes following his brother on the track. “He’s in the best shape of his life and, barring injury, I don’t think anyone can touch him.”
Injury? Anna hadn’t considered how dangerous motorcycle racing might be and added that to her list to research. Knowing a few facts and figures wouldn’t hurt. She hated the idea of anyone getting hurt.
“Last year’s rookies will be better this year, plus there’s a special rookie this year.
They’re wild cards, since last season wasn’t really indicative of their potential.
The one this year, Luka Catala, could be the real deal,” said Catarina as she slipped her arm through Anna’s, including her in the talk, even though she knew nothing about this sport yet.
She added another name to her mental list. Luka Catala.
She might be up half the night reading about MotoGP and its riders, but she planned to be prepared.
“I know. Plus, Yamaha improved their bikes in the off-season and Suzuki is back after a seven-year hiatus,” said Isaac, his brown eyes flashing as his words tumbled faster and faster. He ran his hands through his messy hair in an attempt to fix it.
Racing seemed to be a passion for both of her new acquaintances. That Isaac would be passionate about his chosen sport was a given. In Catarina, it was intriguing.
Anna refocused on Isaac as he continued.
“They’re always a few things that make the championship hard to predict.
Like a hot rookie or a rider who had bad luck the last few years, but everything comes together the following season.
Other than the couple of years he lost to that arm injury, in my opinion, Vince is still the best.”
His opinion about his brother would be biased. But Anna remembered the intensity in Vince’s expression earlier. Someone with that passion could be driven to succeed at almost any cost.
“The Honda is one of the top bikes again,” said Catarina. “And Vince knows it better than anyone, even if it is a new model with all the latest upgrades and technological additions. He’ll make it soar.”
“It’ll be good to have you with us,” said Isaac with a smile, sliding briefly into Spanish, which Anna couldn’t follow as well. Something about keeping his brother dancing? Then to Anna, he said, “Catarina knows racing. Sorry if we got too excited and talked about it too much.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind. I enjoy learning new things.” Talking like this seemed easier, side by side, instead of face to face. Not so overwhelming.
“I admit, I follow you two every year. You’re our hometown guys. We’re proud of both of you. This season could be the most fun in years.” Catarina’s broad smile included Anna and warmth filled her chest.
Isaac opened a white door on the side of the house, and they walked through the corner of a large open kitchen to a courtyard patio on the far side of the house, away from the track.
Anna looked around, wishing she could see more of their beautiful home.
It resembled something from a designer catalog with navy, soft brown, and sea blue accents. It had a restful feel.
“Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be right back. I just want to wash up. Vince has ten more minutes or a perfect lap before he quits. Then he’ll join us.”
Anna and Cat sat and enjoyed the peace of the villa. Within minutes, Isaac returned with a glass pitcher filled with what looked like lemonade and ice, carrying a stack of blue plastic cups in the other hand. He’d changed his clothes and washed his neck and hands.
“Lemonade?” He placed everything on the low table in front of the seats. “I’d offer you something stronger, but we don’t keep anything alcoholic around when we’re training.”
At Anna’s nod, he filled her glass, and three more.
He handed one to Catarina, took a third, and left one-half full for his brother.
Isaac sat down next to Anna. She couldn’t help but be aware of him wherever he moved.
She hadn’t been this interested in someone for a long time.
She and Adam may have just broken up, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d found him attractive.
Maybe staying with him was another thing she’d done to play it safe. Why had they stayed together? Habit?
In the distance, the sounds of the remaining dirt bike ceased, and the evening became peaceful. In the west, the rosy glow of sunset spread across the sky while they visited.
“See,” said Isaac. “Vince is going to harass me for quitting early. No surprise that he drives himself the hardest of all.” The three of them chatted about inconsequential things, like movies and siblings, until Vince joined them fifteen minutes later.
He must have had a quick shower because his dark brown curls were damp, and he’d changed.
Vince carried his phone in one hand and held it up as he said to Catarina, “Your wish is granted. She’s got the job.” He sat down on Anna’s other side, giving her a long calculating look.
“Thank you for finding me a job.” Her tongue became tied in knots. She didn’t know how to interpret his look. Was this where he’d flirt or ask for something in return?