I laugh, he’s cute . . . chatty “Yeah I do, it's cool. I think we need to find your grandad though buddy, it's not safe here, bikes are going in and out all the time.”
He nods but doesn't really listen. “Do you go super-fast?”
I nod “I do . . . I go over a hundred and twenty miles an hour.”
His eyes widen. “Wow.”
“But you only do that on special bikes like this and in special places, like this track here. Come on buddy lets walk around and see if we can get you to your grandad or your mummy.”
I’ve never seen this kid before, I have no idea where to start, just as I'm about to round the corner to go to the main building Greg Brinley sprints around the corner, looking harassed. He looks relieved when he sees the kid. “There you are. Elijah, you mustn't go running off in a place like this, it's dangerous . . . OK?”
The kid looks guilty, he definitely knew he shouldn't do it, I feel bad for the little dude. “He probably saw my bike and couldn't resist. I was just telling him that bikes are coming in and out of here all the time and he needs to be careful. He won't do it again, will you little dude?”
He shakes his head. “I won't, I promise.”
Something dawns on me, is Greg his grandad? Wait, does that mean he’s here to see Robyn? Does Robyn have a kid? This kid? What the fuck? Why has she never said anything? I don't believe it . . . she’s a mother.
“Yes, well . . . thank you, Jack.” Greg says reluctantly. Why he decided to invest in me I’ll never know, he doesn't seem to like me that much.
“Can I sit on your bike?”
I'm just about to answer when Robyn comes rushing around the corner.
“Elijah, did you run off from grandad?”
“I did, I'm sorry, I’ve told this man I won't do it again. He’s going to let me have a go on his bike.”
She raises an eyebrow and looks at me. “Oh, he is, is he?”
Shit, he’s getting me in trouble here. “I . . . I never said that.”
I look down at his face, he looks so hopeful. I crouch down. “I’ll tell you what, if you promise to not run away from a grown-up again while your here or any time you're here, I will let you sit on my bike and wear my helmet. How’s that?”
Robyn looks at me “You don't have to do that.”
At the same time, the kid jumps up and down. “Yes, I promise, I promise!”
I look up at Robyn “Is that OK?”
She nods and smiles at me. Wow, this is how it feels to have her smile at me. I like it.
I lead the kid over to my bike and lift him to sit him on it, then I make sure he’s holding on while I grab my helmet to place it on his head. “It's heavier than it looks kid, are you strong?”
He nods earnestly “I'm really strong. I'm like Thor.”
“Oh, are you? That’s OK then. Here goes.” I place the helmet on his head and Robyn comes over to the front of the bike with her phone.
She looks at me under her eyelashes. “Can I take a picture?”
I nod “Of course.”
I pose with her little man for the picture and then lift his helmet off. “Can I have a ride?”
I laugh “When you're a bit bigger I’ll take you for a ride when the track is empty, but it's not safe right now while you're so small.”
Robyn looks relieved, I think she thought I was going to say yes.
Harry walks over. “What’s this, a party?” he walks over to Greg “Hey Greg, how are you? To what do we owe this honour?”
Greg points to Robyn and Elijah, “Just bringing my grandson to his mum.”
Harry looks at Robyn surprised. Seems like no one knew she had a kid. “Oh right, OK. I was coming to find you Robyn actually I heard you were still here; I wanted the final numbers for Spain and wanted to confirm you were coming?”
She looks at him confused “Spain? I don't know anything about it.”
Harry looks at me. Don't ask me. I pipe up “I thought Sophie would have mentioned it to you. We’re going to Spain a week after next, it's a great opportunity to give the bike a run-out, see what it's capable off, there’s a really good track there and the weather is always good. Its good practice - but it also gives the team a good chance to bond before the competitions start.”
She shakes her head “Oh I can't, I have Elijah.”
Greg says, “Don't worry about Elijah, he can stay with me and your mum.”
She looks at Harry “How long is it for?”
“We go for four nights.”
Her eyes widen “I can't . . . I can't leave Elijah that long.”
Elijah looks up. “I don't mind mummy; I like my new room at Granddads.”
Robyn's eyes flit to me, she looks like a deer caught in headlights. “Can I let you know? I need to talk to my mum and Elijah?”
Harry nods, “Course you can, I presumed you’d been asked already, can you let me know as soon as possible though so I can sort out your flights and accommodation? Ours have already been booked, but I can try and get you on the same flight.”
She nods, “Of course, I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
I hadn't given thought to her coming to Spain. She’s gonna be watching what we spend, I really can't be arsed answering to her. But on the other hand, maybe I’ll see her in a bikini. Hmmm . . . it might have its pros.
Chapter 8
Robyn
Things are so surreal right now. I can't believe I'm going to leave my son for four nights - up to coming here I’d never left him ever. On top of that, I have to spend a three-hour flight to Spain alone with Jack. Yes, that’s right. Jack and I . . . alone.
I’ve been in my job for two weeks and now I'm going to Spain? This is crazy. I’ve enjoyed my job, but I’ve been through the accounts with a fine-tooth comb, I can't see anything wrong with them, but dad wants me to stay on with them. My role has kind of changed. I’ve been helping out Sophie more and more. I can't believe how much she has to do with the planning side of things so I’ve kind of taken over the accounts. She trusts me and I get on great with her. I look forward to going to work, we have fun with it. But then there’s Jack. I can't forget the kiss. I can't deny that I'm attracted to him. I feel like my body hums every time he comes near. I try to hide all this by being snarky with him and I don't like the side of me that he brings out.
I don't even know how I’ve ended up getting a flight with Jack on my own. He had an interview with a sports channel about his upcoming race and couldn't fly with the rest of them. I added on as a late addition. Harry managed to get me in their hotel, but he couldn't get me on their flight, so he managed to get me on one later that night. At least it meant I had all Sunday with Eli.
Its five pm now. Jack is picking me up from mums and dads where I’ve dropped Eli off. My son seems absolutely fine - he’s excited about spending time with his grandma and grandad. Jesus, it's hard leaving him. The thought of being in a different country as him . . . well, it makes me feel sick with nerves . . . I hate it.
I hear a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it.” Mum says going to the door.
I crouch down so that I'm eye-level with Elijah. “You be good for grandma and grandad, you'll be doing lots of fun things when you get home from school - I'm jealous - and I’ll video call you every day, OK?”
“OK mummy, see you soon.”
“Hi buddy!” Jack walks into the room, towering above my mother.
“Jack!” Eli says running to him throwing his arms around his legs, hugging him tightly. Is he kidding me with this? I don't get that reaction out of him . . . anyone would think he is a god.
I roll my eyes and Jack catches it and laughs.
He bends down to talk to Eli. “You gonna have fun with your grandparents?”
He nods silently.
“Cool, and when your mum and I get back, you can get her to bring you to the track on practice day so that you can watch. Would you like that?”
Elijah nods so fast that I think his head is going to fa
ll off. “Yes, I would love that Jack.”
“I’ll sort it out with your mum, OK?”
He nods and gives him another hug.
I go to grab my suitcase, but Jack gets there before me. “I’ve got this.”
Flustered, I look around for my bag and my jacket. I grab them and bend to give Eli a kiss. “Bye honey, I’ll speak to you tomorrow, OK?” and I look at mum “I’ll message you when I'm at the hotel.”
She nods. “Have a good time honey and relax. I can't believe you haven't had a holiday in six years. I know this is kind of work, but it’s supposed to be fun too and you deserve a bit of that . . . enjoy.”
I kiss mum on the cheek and turn and see Jack watching the exchange.
“Ready?” I say smiling at him.
He gives me a wink and a smile. “Ready?” Wow, I hate that I liked it, but I really liked the wink.
We get in the car and he drives off, it’s a 45-minute drive to the airport - so not too bad. We don't say anything. I can't think of anything but the fact that I'm leaving my son for all this time. I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack. I keep trying to take slow deep breaths in and out, but I don't want Jack to catch me doing it and have to explain.
We get to the airport and he takes control, taking my passport off me, which I’ve had to apply for quickly because I didn't have one, and checks us in. He checks our luggage in too. Some of the team have driven there on a truck with the bike, but the other staff have flown, as it took a couple of days to go by truck and ferry.
“Want a drink?” he says to me raising his eyebrows.
I really do, it might help with my separation anxiety. “Yes please.”
I hope things aren't going to be awkward between us. I hate to admit it but I’m warming to him because I love the way he’s been with Eli, I wouldn't have thought he would have any patience with him - the fact that he’s so good with him makes me think he might have a nice side after all, and Elijah likes him, and kids are smart, he’s a lot better judge of character than I am.
He looks around “Come on, there’s a bar over there.”
We take a seat. “What would you like?”
“Vodka and diet coke please.” He nods and goes to the bar.
When he returns with the drinks, I pick mine up to take a sip but he reaches his hand out and stops me.
“Before you drink, I think we should make a toast.”
“Oh kay . . .” I just want my drink.
“I want to call a truce. I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I have my own issues for disliking people with money, that I won't go into now, but I'm sorry, I shouldn't have judged you before I even met you. I mean, I know I still don't know you, but I know you're a single mother, that you work for a living and work hard, and you seem like a nice person. Sophie likes you, and she’s the nicest person I know so you must be nice. So, let's have this trip to be the fresh start. Can we be friends?”
Can I be friends with him? I have to spend all this time with him I should just do the fresh start thing. But I have a voice niggling me at the back of my mind. I'm attracted to him and he’s exactly the opposite of the type of guy I want to be attracted to - but that’s not a reason to be mean to him. It's not his fault that I find him attractive . . . and hot . . . and sexy and I’ve not been laid in an awfully long time.
I clink my glass with his. “Truce. Let's start over.” I smile at him.
When we board the plane, I'm a lot more relaxed. We have easy conversation, nothing deep, but when I get buckled up in my seat next to him, I start to freak out again. The thought of leaving Eli – I’ll be in another country to him.
He must sense me tense up. “Are you afraid of flying?”
I shake my head “No, not really, although it’s a long time since I’ve been on a plane.”
“Well, what’s the matter then?”
“You'll think it's silly.”
“Try me.”
“I’ve never left Elijah before, it’s been just me and him for . . . well since he was born, and I’ve only ever left him at mums and dads one night a week since I came back, and now I'm going to another country . . . I feel sick . . . I have knots in my stomach at the thought of leaving him.”
“Hey, I’m no judge but when I saw him earlier he looked absolutely fine about you going, and he’ll have a great time with his grandparents - and isn’t he at school anyway this week?”
I nod “Yeah but still, no bedtime story, no fetching and carrying for him at teatime, doing his homework . . .”
“Stop it, you’re trying to torture yourself. You are taking four days out in his life and by the sounds of things, you deserve a little time.” He reaches in his inside pocket and brings out a hip flask. “Here, have a swig of this, it’ll calm you down.”
I gasp “How did you get that through all the checks?”
He laughs “It was empty, I asked them to fill it up at the bar.”
What the hell, I don’t even know what it is, but I grab it and take a swig, scrunching my face up when it hits the back of my throat. “What the hell is that?”
He laughs and takes a swig himself. “Southern comfort. That’ll make you forget all your worries.” He grins at me, and I feel it in parts that I really shouldn’t. It's not the Southern Comfort that’s making me forget all my worries, it's him . . . that smile.
“Thank you for being understanding and nice when I know you probably don’t understand.”
He nods and hands me the flask for another swig just as we’re pulling onto the runway. I’m going to be drunk before we take off at this rate, I'm a bit of a lightweight when it comes to alcohol - especially spirits like this.
“So, you’ve been on your own since you had Elijah? What about his dad?”
I shake my head. “It's a long story.” I don't want him feeling sorry for me.
He motions towards the plane “We have three hours Danish, come on, fill me in - it will be part of our bonding experience.”
I snort. Attractive. “Fair enough, but if I tell you all this personal stuff about me, you have to tell me some personal stuff about you afterwards. It’s all part of the bonding experience.” I smirk.
He nudges my shoulder with his. “Touché . . . you're on - but as soon as the seatbelt light goes off, we’re ordering more drinks.”
Sounds like a plan to me. “So, Eli doesn't have any contact with his dad - he never has had. When I found out I was pregnant, I was barely seeing the guy, he didn't want to know.”
“What an arsehole. So he doesn't even know the little dude?”
I shake my head. “Fuck him, it's his loss.”
He raises his eyebrows. “That’s only the second time I’ve ever heard you swear.”
“Sorry.” It's not like me to swear.
“No, I like it . . . it's hot.”
I slap him on the arm and have another swig of his flask as we swap it back and forth. It does occur to me that we’re essentially swapping spit here, is it weird that I kind of like that?
“Do you even know where his dad is?”
Fear grips me when I think of him. “Unfortunately yes, I hadn’t seen him since I moved away, but he still lives at Badger’s Cove.”
Realisation dawns on his face. “It wasn’t that stupid fucker from last week, was it? When you were kissing my face off?”
“Do you want me to smack you?” I laugh, “You were kissing me.”
“Yeah whatever, so was that him?”
I nod “Yeah, I’m terrified now, he’s never even tried to get in touch with us before, but I’m worried now that seeing me will make him want to get in touch and god, I feel sick of the thought - if he wants to see him I don’t know what I’ll do.”
He grabs hold of my hand and electricity shoots through me at his touch. “Hey, it's OK, he wouldn’t have a leg to stand on anyway, right? He didn’t want anything to do with you when you were pregnant, he abandoned you and his kid, what kind of lowlife does that?”
“Not a very n
ice one.”
He looks at me for a while “You’re so innocent.”
How does he know? He can’t know. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, just that’s how you come across, and four years ago, you would have been as vulnerable as fuck and he left you out in the cold. I feel like I want to smack him and I hardly even know you or Elijah. From what I’ve seen of Elijah, he’s the coolest fucking kid ever.”
I laugh “Well the feeling is mutual. He seems to think you’re some sort of rock star.”
“Yeah?” his face lights up, “He thinks I’m the shit, does he?”
“He got me to print out the photo from last week, he had me frame it and now he carries it around everywhere. So everywhere I go all I see is your grinning face looking at me.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Oh my god, I fucking love that kid - now I just need to try and win his mum over.”
I smile at him; he is so attractive. I look down at his hand that is still wrapped around mine. His thumb is stroking over my skin and it tingles where he touches.
We’re in the air now, I have a nice buzz from all the alcohol, I feel more relaxed. He is a calming influence on me, well, that or the whisky. “So come on, your turn.”
He shrugs “Pretty boring really, my brother, sister and I were fostered when I was eight, he was ten and my sister was six. My real dad was never on the scene and mum drank, so she ended up losing us. We didn't have much from what I remember of them, my brother made sure we ate most days but eventually we got put into care. My mum and dad now, they're awesome, they fostered all three of us so that we didn’t have to split up. Thank god they did. They're the best parents ever. They're my real mum and dad - but we still grew up pretty poor. We got jobs as soon as we were able, obviously mum and dad got money for fostering us, but then they decided to adopt us because they wanted us to feel like we belonged - that it was home - so then they lost out on money. Dad works at a local warehouse, he’s a manager now, but not great money, you know? Growing up mum always felt it was important she was home so that she could keep an eye on us, and between you and me that was definitely the right move, I can't imagine what my brother and I would have got up to, my sister has never been able to get up to anything with two big brothers. So yeah, money was tight, but we've grown up in a happy home, mum and dad think the world of us - they couldn't have kids of their own.”
Rider Forbidden: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Badger's Mount Book 1) Page 5
