Текст книги "Surge "

Автор книги: Sloan Storm

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I staggered back, banging into a cocktail table a few feet behind me. Momentum wasn’t on my side, and before I realized it, he’d pinned me beneath him and started to throw punches left and right.

I shielded my face from the strikes for a few seconds until I saw an opening. Taking it, I landed a single punch right to his jaw, sending him off of me and into a heap on the floor. I scrambled to my feet. Looking around, I noticed everyone crowded around us.

“Get up, let’s go,” I said, glaring down at him.

Gunter lunged for me again. But this time, I sidestepped him and dropped an elbow into the back of his neck. He yelled and hit the floor, sliding to a stop where he remained motionless. A couple of his boys went to try and help him, while the rest of them surrounded Marco and me.

I pointed at Gunter’s boys. “Back off mother fuckers! This is between us!”

Almost before I finished speaking, all eight of them jumped Marco and me. We did our best to hold them off, but it wasn’t long before I blacked out after a flurry of punches.

AVA

About an hour after I talked to Anastasia and Svetlana, I pulled up in front of the bar. After heading inside a couple of minutes later, I looked around and didn’t see any sign of Dyson.

Frustrated, I walked out through a side entrance to clear my head. Somehow I had to find Dyson and make him understand how close he was to being dismissed from the team. At the same time, I began to wonder if my own future with the team hinged on being able to pull that off.

As I exited, I exhaled and dropped my head.

Think, Ava think. There has to be a way. You know this is something you can handle.

And then, in the midst of that thought, something caught my attention out of my peripheral vision. I turned, and covered my mouth at the sight. On the ground, dirty and bloodied, Marco and Dyson lay side-by-side, unconscious.

“Oh my God!” I gasped, rushing towards them.

Within seconds, I knelt between the racers, looking from one to the other to try and figure out what happened. Without any clear evidence, I assumed they’d been in a fight. But with whom? Each other? Some random people in the bar?

Right away, I realized it didn’t really matter, because if it was discovered Dyson had been in a situation like this, I had no doubt he’d be off the team.

Over the next few minutes I did my best to try and wake them up. Eventually, they both stirred to awareness. When they did, I leaned away, covering my nose.

Both of them reeked of alcohol.

“Ohhh… Oh no,” I muttered.

The two men managed to get into semi-seated positions.

“Dyson,” I began, clapping my hands together to get his attention. “Dyson! What happened?”

He waved me off, wincing and holding his head in his hand. I turned my attention to Marco and asked him the same question. While I spoke, Marco attempted to stand.

“Marco,” I began, reaching out to try and support him. “Wait, don’t, that’s not a good idea.”

Before I could help him, Marco’s legs wobbled, and he tumbled backwards, falling into a row of trash cans. The impact made a terrific noise. He groaned and cussed, struggling to free himself of the mountain of garbage he’d fallen into. I scrambled to my feet, rushing towards him. Reaching for Marco’s forearm, I grabbed hold of it and leaned in the other direction.

“Can you get up?” I asked.

I was far too small and light to pull Marco up on my own. After two failed attempts, I sensed Dyson’s presence behind me. Turning my head towards him, I looked up. He moved me aside and reached a hand for his teammate, at last pulling him out of the debris. Still trying to wrap my head around what happened, I looked at both of them.

“Why are you out here? Whose blood is that? Yours? Someone else’s?”

Neither one of them managed a word. With Marco’s arm draped over his shoulder, Dyson waved me off. “Let’s just… We’ve got to get out of here.”

Realizing what was at stake, I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, yes we do. Let’s go. My car is parked right around the front.”

The three of us began to make our way around the side of the building when a sudden impediment blocked our path. Frozen in place, we looked straight ahead. Gunter, his entourage, Darren, and Dieter all stood in front of us.

Dieter spoke first. “Dyson, what’s the meaning of this?”

Dyson, still half-delirious, chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about? Marco and I had a little bit too much to drink, and we fell into the trash cans behind the bar. Ava found us.”

Gunter stepped between us and them, pointing at Dyson.

“He started a fight in the bar, Dieter. I’ve got witnesses—proof.”

Dyson spit in Gunter’s direction. “You don’t have jack shit. Gunter, why don’t you go fuck yourself?”

Gunter snapped his head towards Dyson. “I’m telling you right now…”

“Enough!” Dieter yelled. He pointed at Dyson. “As of this minute you’re suspended from the team. Not only for fighting with Gunter, but also for putting Marco in the middle of everything.”

Before Dyson could say a word, Dieter turned to Darren and said, “Take Marco, and get out of here.”

“Yes sir, right away.”

Almost before I realized it, Darren disappeared with Marco, walking around the corner and vanishing from sight. Afterward, I turned my attention to Dieter. He stepped a bit closer to us.

“Dyson, you know I’ve treated you like a son. Whatever is going on with you, you need to get help. This is the only chance I’m going to give you. Take this suspension, and make something of it.”

Dyson struggled to stay upright.

Dieter turned and looked at me. “Ava, take him back to his motor coach. Put him to bed.”

I nodded and steadied Dyson, helping him to begin walking. After a drive across town, we arrived back at his bus. It had just begun to get dark outside.

I parked my car and walked around to Dyson’s side, glancing in the direction of the motor coach. There were lights on inside. I swallowed, readying myself for the inevitable confrontation I’d have with Anastasia and Svetlana. Opening the car door, I reached inside to help Dyson, but he swatted my hand away.

“I got it,” he grumbled.

A few moments later, he unlocked the door to the bus and walked inside. Following behind, I entered immediately afterward. I glanced around, expecting to see the girls, but no one was there. Dyson seemed completely unsurprised.

He walked towards the refrigerator and grabbed another beer.

“I think you’ve had enough to drink for one night, Dyson. Don’t you?”

Dyson scoffed, opened the bottle and tossed the cap aside. It bounced across the counter, making a series of clinking noises before falling to the ground and rattling to a stop. I turned my attention towards him. By the time I did, he’d already taken several large gulps.

I shook my head at him. “Why are you acting like this?”

He didn’t answer, but instead lifted the bottle to his lips and drank again.

“You’re suspended, Dyson. You can’t drive. When do you stop acting like this? What are you trying to prove, anyway?”

Dyson cleared his throat and placed the bottle down on the counter.

“You’re free to go.”

“No, I’m not going anywhere. If this was just about you, Dyson, believe me, I would have no problem walking out that door. But my job is on the line as well.”

Dyson frowned and turned away from me, walking back towards the bedroom. Biting my lip, I followed right behind him. A few seconds later, he collapsed on top of the bed, closing his eyes.

With any luck, he would pass out and not be able to do any more damage. As much as I wanted to scream and slap some sense into him, I thought better of it. However, there was one more question I needed answered before he blacked out.

“Dyson,” I began, crossing my arms at my chest. “Dyson, look at me.”

He glanced up in my direction.

“I just need you to be honest with me. Before I found you and Marco at the bar, I stopped by here. Anastasia and Svetlana were hanging around. I’ll just be direct with you. Are you still sleeping with them?”

He closed his eyes, shaking his head.

“No,” he muttered.

“Do you mind me asking what they were doing here?”

I looked down at him and noticed his breathing had changed. It was deep and rhythmic.

“Dyson,” I said again. “Can you hear me? Dyson?”

He’d passed out. I exhaled and shook my head. Turning to leave, I switched off the light in his bedroom and closed the door. A few minutes later, I’d left and was in my car on my way back to my hotel room.

For now I’d done all I could to help Dyson.

As far as Anastasia and Svetlana were concerned, I had no choice but to believe him when he said he wasn’t having sex with them. Even so, I had to put all that out of my mind. I had a final meeting with Simon’s school administration scheduled. It was the last chance I’d have to keep him there and nothing mattered more to me.

How I’d pull it off, I still had no idea.

AVA

A couple of days later, I’d returned home and was once again at Simon’s school. Of course, I was no closer to adopting Simon than the last time Mrs. Marberry and I spoke. I had no plan, other than to just see if there was some way I could appeal to her kindness.

After she invited me into her office, I took a seat in the same antique chair I had a couple of weeks before. With clammy hands and damp armpits to match, I did my best to mask my state of mind and smiled at Mrs. Marberry before I spoke.

“Thank you for taking time to see me again, Mrs. Marberry. I really appreciate it.”

A polite smile spread across her face.

Nodding, she replied, “Of course, Ms. Walters. I take it you have some news for me?”

There was no sense in pretending. I looked away from her for a moment, shaking my head.

“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”

I turned back in her direction. She raised her eyebrows and leaned back in her chair a bit.

“Ms. Walters, I believe I made the school’s position clear on this issue. This has nothing to do with Simon. It’s just a matter of policy.”

“Yes, Mrs. Marberry. I understand your position. All I’m asking for is that the school at least consider accepting him. I can pay.”

Mrs. Marberry shook her head. “Ms. Walters, I don’t mean to be rude but there is a long waiting list of people who are more than capable of paying. We want the very best students. This is not an issue of money.”

I sat forward in the chair, interlocking my fingers and placing them in my lap. “But you told me yourself Simon is one of your best students. If what you’re telling me is true, I don’t understand why you won’t allow him to attend?”

Mrs. Marberry thinned her lips. Frustration began to show in her expression as I looked at her. It wasn’t the outcome I wanted but at this point, I almost didn’t care.

“Ms. Walters. I believe we have reached an impasse on this issue. I’ve explained to you that if you are able to show proof you have adopted Simon, we will gladly accept him. But short of that, there’s nothing I can do for you.”

I exhaled and lowered my head but didn’t speak.

“Now unless there’s something else you need to tell me, I’m afraid that I’ve got to end our discussion at this point. I hope that you…”

While she was in the midst of her sentence, my cell phone began to ring and vibrate in my purse.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry about that.” I began, reaching in my purse for it.

I glanced up at her. She didn’t respond but instead forced a polite smile.

Pulling the phone out, I looked at the screen to see Dieter’s name flashing. I had no idea why he would be calling me, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Still, I had no choice but to take it.

“Do you mind?” I asked, glancing at her.

Mrs. Marberry shook her head and gestured towards her office door. “Please take it in the lobby.”

I got up from the chair as fast as I could, nodded at her and headed towards the door. Swiping the phone on, I answered. “Dieter? Is everything okay?”

“Yes Ava, good to speak with you.”

By now, I’d reached the lobby outside of Mrs. Marberry’s office. “Thank you. Is something wrong? Did something happen with Dyson?”

“Dyson? No, this phone call is not about Dyson.”

I stopped in place, and tugged a strand of hair behind my ear, focusing on his words. “Um, okay. Well, what’s this about?”

“It’s about Dr. Luca.”

I frowned. “Dr. Luca? What about him?”

Over the next minute or so, Dieter explained to me Dr. Luca’s passport issues were resolved ahead of schedule. In fact, he was going to be able to rejoin the team for the final race in New York.

“So,” Dieter began. “Obviously with the return of Dr. Luca, your services will no longer be needed by the team. Of course, you will be paid for your time until now.”

I stood there in shock.

Of course, I hadn’t expected to work for the team for much longer, but if I’d been able to finish out the remaining race, I would have almost had enough to cover two years of Simon’s tuition.

Not that it mattered.

Dieter took notice of my pause. “Do you understand, Ava?”

“Yes, Dieter, I do.”

“I hope this news is not too difficult for you. We’ve enjoyed having you travel with the team. You’re exceptional at what you do, and I know you’ve got a bright future ahead of you.”

And even though it was upsetting, I felt gratitude towards him for giving me the job in the first place, not to mention the kind words.

“Thank you, Dieter. I’ll be fine.”

Dieter remained silent for a moment. “Very well. I’ll see to it that the last of your payment is sent to you right away.”

I thanked him again, and a few moments later we hung up. I glanced back towards Mrs. Marberry’s office. She sat at her desk, by the looks of it, doing paperwork.

Was it even worth going back in there and talking to her?

I slipped my phone back inside of my purse. After repositioning the strap over my shoulder, I chewed my lip, trying to decide what to do next. Just then, another thought occurred to me.

Now that I was off the team, would I ever hear from Dyson again? The way we left things, I doubted it. And besides, after the way he’d been acting I wasn’t sure I even wanted that anymore. Maybe he was better off with the Anastasias and Svetlanas of the world.

I wasn’t a Grid Girl, and I never would be.

AVA

I turned in the direction of Mrs. Marberry’s office and began to walk towards it. Even though it looked like Simon wouldn’t be attending the school anymore, I didn’t see any reason to leave things in a bad way between us.

I knocked on the door.

Mrs. Marberry stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. “Ms. Walters… I hope everything is okay?”

“What?” I replied, confused by what she meant.

“Your phone call. I trust it was nothing urgent.”

I shook my head. “Oh that. Yes, everything is fine. I apologize for the interruption, but I had to take it.”

Mrs. Marberry smiled at me. “No need to apologize.”

I stood there in the doorway.

“Was there something else you wanted to discuss with me, Ms. Walters?”

“No. I just want to be absolutely sure that there’s nothing that can be done for Simon. I’m willing to do anything.”

Shaking her head, Mrs. Marberry replied, “I wish there were, I really do. But, as I’ve explained, I’m afraid there isn’t. As much as we enjoy having Simon as a student, this simply comes down to a matter of policy. And unfortunately, my hands are tied.”

Exhaling, I approached Mrs. Marberry’s desk, extending my hand in her direction.

“I want to thank you again for taking time to talk to me today. I know you’re very busy.”

Mrs. Marberry stood from her chair and took my hand in hers. “You’re more than welcome, Ms. Walters. Of course, I’m hopeful you’ll be able to work with the state and finalize the adoption of Simon. You’ve still got a bit of time before the enrollment deadline.”

“Yes, I know,” I said, releasing my hand from her grasp. “But I’m not optimistic about it.”

Mrs. Marberry smiled and came around the desk. A few moments later we said our goodbyes, and I left her office. Making my way back to my car, I couldn’t believe how badly things turned out. I had no choice now but to give Simon the bad news. How would I break it to him?

There was no doubt in my mind he’d be devastated. Crossing the parking lot towards my car, sadness crept to the back of my throat.

Poor Simon.

All I’d ever wanted was the best for him and I’d failed. I covered my mouth, trying my best to not begin bawling outside the school. Yet, the pressure had built so much in the past few weeks, I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer. Reaching my car, I felt my face wrinkle with ugliness.

Heated rivulets streaked down my cheeks and fell into my purse as I fumbled for my keys. A few seconds later, I managed to get inside my car, and at that point, sadness gripped me. With my head in my hand, I sat and wept, the disappointment sinking in and overwhelming me.

I had no idea how long I sat there. Five minutes, ten…

Eventually however, I dried my eyes with some tissues I’d pulled from my purse and pulled out of the school parking lot for the last time. For the time being, I’d spent all the emotion I could on Simon. When I would have to tell him later, more would surely follow.

Driving away from the school, my worries shifted from Simon to the others I still faced. There was the matter of returning to Dr. Wilcox’s office. I hoped he was sincere about giving me my old position back. I had a little bit of a financial cushion, but not much of one.

And now that the team let me go, my mind drifted back to thoughts of Dyson. I didn’t want to just give up on seeing where things went, even though it did seem one-sided between us at the moment.

Maybe I’d been too hard on him. Maybe not. Hell, I didn’t know.

After all, racing was all he’d ever known, and in the span of a week, it had all been ripped away from him. Even though I know I did the right thing to protect his health, the more I tried to look at it from his perspective, the more I began to understand why he’d been acting out.

If I could just talk to him for a few minutes, I could try and explain things from my point of view one last time. Sniffling the last bit of sadness away, I reached for my phone, pulling it out of my purse. Seconds later, I dialed his number. After the fourth ring, a woman answered.

The voice was familiar. It was Dyson’s mom.

“Mary?” I began. “Why are you answering Dyson’s phone? Is he okay?”

“Hello, Ava,” she replied, her voice sounded stilted, like she forced herself to be polite.

Confused by her tone of voice, I continued, “What’s the matter? Where are you?”

Dyson’s mother exhaled into the receiver. “I’m at my house, in Pomona.”

“Is Dyson there with you?”

Mary cleared her throat. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea if I talk to you about my son, considering everything that’s happened.”

I had no idea what she was talking about. “What do you mean, Mary? Are you talking about his suspension?”

“Yes… and no,” she began. “Listen, Ava, I really liked you when we met. But this is business, and Dyson got suspended from the team you work for.”

Liked me? As in past tense?

“Mary, I don’t know what Dyson told you, but I had nothing to do with his suspension. It was my recommendation for him to come out of the race when he was suffering from dizziness. But the reason he got kicked off the team was…”

Mary interrupted me. “Dyson is my son, Ava. I know he’s not perfect but I love him and he’s hurting right now. All he’s ever wanted to do is drive. Without that, he’s lost.”

I swallowed hard, wondering if she’d hear me out much longer. “I understand, Mary. I want to help if I can, but I need to talk to him.”

“No, no, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Mary, please.”

Dyson’s mother fell silent for several seconds. Cars passing me on either side on the freeway were the only sounds I was aware of while I waited for her to say something, anything.

She exhaled. “Why do you care so much, Ava? Other than Marco, you’re the only person from the team that’s phoned. All of his so-called friends… When everything turned against him, where did everyone go? He’s angry and hurting. Can’t you understand that?”

As soon as she uttered those words, I realized I’d been ignoring the truth for a long time now. It may have been foolish, emotional, and above all else, a really bad idea, but I had deep feelings for Dyson.

It tore me apart to think of him in so much pain. The thought of everyone turning their backs on him angered me. But, at the same time, I didn’t feel comfortable telling Mary something I hadn’t even told Dyson.

“Mary, I don’t know what you want me to say,” I paused, searching for any words that might help to convince her, but none came.

“Okay, Ava,” she said. “I’m going to go.”

“No, Mary! Please wait…”

I heard the sound of her breathing on the other end of the line. She hadn’t hung up. I swallowed hard, not believing what I was about to say.

“I’m,” I began, clearing my throat. “In love with him. I love your son, Mary.”

Once again, she exhaled deeply into the receiver. “Ava, I already knew that. I knew that from the moment I met you. I need to know if it’s strong enough to get Dyson through this. Are you strong enough?”

Her revelation shocked me. If it was that obvious to her, it must have been to everyone else, Dyson included.

I shook my head.

“Honestly, Mary, I don’t know if I’m strong enough for anyone, anymore. But I do know I’m telling you the truth.”

“Okay,” she said, pausing for a moment. “If that’s true, you need to come here – to Pomona. If Dyson finds out that I’ve been talking to you, he’ll take off. This is the only way. Can you come?”

“I can try.” I began, hurrying to explain. “It’s just that my nephew, his school, my job, everything is terrible right now and…”

“No, Ava. That’s not good enough. I need to know. Can you come?”

After a deep exhale, I stared into the distance, into the deep orange glow of the setting sun, towards the West.

Towards Dyson.

“Yes,” I said, at last. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

AVA

Even though I hated having to put off my conversation with Simon, I knew how upset he would be. The last thing I wanted to do was leave home right after telling him. Instead, I decided to wait until I returned from Pomona. I didn’t like keeping secrets from people, least of all him, but I felt as if I had no choice.

Late the next afternoon, I arrived in California, and after picking up a rental car, I drove to Dyson’s childhood home. His mother asked me to park down the street and walk up to the house, in case Dyson happened to see.

Walking along a sidewalk that led to their home, I noticed the front door open. Mary and Dyson’s brother, Chance, exited and walked towards me. We met about halfway up the walk to their house. We hugged and exchanged greetings briefly before Mary began to speak.

“I’m so glad you could come, Ava. I know that I was short with you on the phone. I didn’t mean to be.”

I shook my head. “It’s fine. I understand. I’m not upset at all, and I’m happy to be here.”

Chance stood there with his arms crossed. “I don’t know if I’d go saying that just yet. He’s in a pretty foul mood.”

I looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

Mary also glanced in her son’s direction for turning back towards me. “You’ll see soon enough.”

I nodded and looked towards the driveway. It appeared to circle around the back of the house.

“Where’s Dyson now?”

Chance nodded and gestured with his thumb behind him. “He’s in the garage, working on one of our motorcycles.”

“Okay,” I began, smoothing out the lines of my clothes for a moment. “Can I… Should I go back there now?”

Mary and Chance looked at one another.

“Well, that’s why you’re here, right?” Chance said, winking at me, looking every bit like Dyson in that instant.

Straightening my posture, I nodded, “Yes. Well… wish me luck.”

The two of them stepped aside, and I began to walk away.

“Hey, Ava.” Chance called out.

I did half-turn over my shoulder and looked at him. “Yeah?”

“If you need me, I’ll be right inside the house.”

I frowned. “I’m not so sure I like the sound of that.”

He waved me off. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. It’s just that he can be a hothead sometimes. That’s all.”

Before I turned to walk away, I replied, “Yes I’m well aware of that. Thanks Chance.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Less than a minute later, I made my way around the back of the house. Their home sat at the end of a cul-de-sac and backed up to a large open area. Standing there, I imagined brothers Dyson and Chance riding motorcycles and getting into who knows what kind of trouble out in those wide spaces. Suddenly, a banging noise from inside the garage brought me back into awareness.

I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to prepare myself for whatever might happen. My steps came slowly at first, but I reminded myself of what had to be done. Before long, I began to march in the direction of the garage.

As I circled around the rear of it, the inside came into view. Everywhere I looked, there were parts to bikes, motorcycles, cars. Almost anything that you could ride or drive looked to be there. In the background, loud music thumped. And then, right in the middle of all of it, I saw Dyson. I entered, staring at him.

Wearing only a pair of beat up old jeans, Dyson hovered over a motorcycle chassis. Tugging at the end of a long wrench, he flexed his bicep with each crank. His muscles glimmered with a sheen of grease, sweat and effort. While I watched him, I remembered the feel of his powerful hands on my body. Amid all the craziness, I’d buried the need he’d awoken within me. I felt the most inopportune sensation between my thighs.

Focus, Ava. Focus.

Just then, Dyson lifted his head and looked right at me. Reaching around his backside, he produced a rag and swiped it across his forehead. I stood there, looking at him, without saying a word.

He began to walk in my direction, wiping his hands with the same rag. Just before he reached me, Dyson picked up the remote control to the stereo and turned it down.

“What are you doing here, Ava?”

Every cell in my body yearned to reach out and consume him. Overcome with lust, I barely managed a response.

“I, um, I came here because…” I began, trying to keep my mind clear.

Dyson sensed my discomfort. He took the opportunity to lean against the doorway of the garage. “Because…?”

I summoned the last bit of determination I had. “I came here for you. I came here because I believe in you, and I want you to race again. I want you back out there doing what you love.”

He nodded and tucked the rag in the front pocket of his jeans.

“Okay,” he began, crossing his arms at his chest. “That sounds good. Now how about you tell me why you’re really here? If someone from the team sent you, I’m not interested.”

Whatever attraction I felt dissipated after his comment. In its place, the frustration I’d experienced with him in recent days returned.

“Why do you say things like that to me? I’m being honest with you. No one sent me.”

Dyson looked at me for a second and nodded.

“You’re right, Ava. I shouldn’t have said that.”

After he finished speaking, Dyson shoved himself away from the wall and turned his back on me, walking in the direction of his motorcycle. For a second or two, I watched him before speaking.

“So what? So that’s it? You’re just going to quit? Just like that?”

Without turning to face me, he replied, “Yep. Just like that.”

When he finished speaking, he reached for his wrench and resumed work on the motorcycle. Biting my lip, I marched towards him, moving as quickly as my legs would carry me. I walked around the other side of the motorcycle and stopped, snapping my hands to my hips and scowling down at him.

Sensing my presence, Dyson stopped mid-twist and looked up at me.

“What?”

“What do you mean ‘what’?” I began, glaring at him. “You are second in the points race behind Gunter. You have a chance to become the Formula One champion. Doesn’t that mean anything? What the hell has happened to you? Why are you… ”

Dyson slammed the wrench on the ground. It sparked on impact. “Just shut up, Ava! Shut the hell up right now! Don’t talk to me about what’s at stake! Fuck!”

I recoiled from him. I happened to glance up for a fraction of a second and see Chance standing in the entrance of the garage. Dyson hadn’t noticed. I shook my head, and he stepped out of view. Eventually, Dyson’s rage began to dissipate. Leaning against the chassis, he looked at me.

“It’s not what you think it is, Ava. All I ever wanted to do, my entire life, was to be the fastest man out there.”

He paused, looking away from me. Shaking his head, Dyson reached down and grabbed hold of the throttle on the motorcycle before he continued.

“I love the cars. I love being part of the team. I love winning. But, the sport isn’t about speed. It’s about weak men controlling what men with ability can do.”

He glanced at me. I returned his stare but didn’t speak, content to listen instead.

“They’re all too petrified of the consequences that come with pushing the envelope. They don’t care about racing, they care about the next race, the sponsors, and the money. It’s just not my world anymore, Ava. I’m done, and you’re wasting your time.”

AVA

I stood there listening to him, trying to understand.

But he was someone who had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I didn’t. I never had. All he had to do was get out there and do what he did best. At least he didn’t have to rely on anyone else. In spite of everything I tried, I’d failed.

Glaring at him, I decided I’d had enough of his self-pity.

I closed the distance between us right around the time he picked up the wrench again. He turned, I’m sure to begin working on the motorcycle once more. But before he could take a single step, I snatched the wrench from his grasp and threw it aside.

“You’re going to listen to what I have to say, Dyson.”

He scoffed. “Or what?”

Without thinking, the response came to my lips, somewhere from deep inside. “Or you’ll never see me again! Okay? You asshole!”

Dyson nodded and leaned against the motorcycle chassis.

Taking that as my cue, I began, “You’ve been sabotaging yourself.”

He frowned and looked at me like I was insane.

“You know how I know? Once you were close enough in the points race to beat Gunter, you started redlining it in practice and qualifying. Didn’t you? If they kick you off the team, then you have a built-in excuse for why you keep losing to him.”