by Paige Steele
“You better be right.”
I follow Cooper out of my trailer, as the reporter should be here soon for the interview that Kenna and I have to do. I have my jersey over my shoulder, when my hot girlfriend and a guy holding a camera and a notebook walk toward me. He looks a little chummy with her and I don’t like it. Before he can even introduce himself to me, I show him that she’s mine. Pulling her to me, I bend down, wrap my arms tightly around her, and plant a long kiss to her lips, staking my claim. Before I can say anything, she looks at me with her eyebrows creased together, and then smiles at me, shaking her head.
Standing on her tiptoes, she whispers in my ear, “Relax, caveman, I don’t think I’m his type,” then taps a couple times with her hand on my chest.
I squeeze her ass with my hand, giving it a slap before I shake the reporter’s hand. Then I notice him checking me out instead, so I guess she might be right. I laugh under my breath because I must have just looked like an ass.
Kenna and I sit on one side of the table while he pulls out the chair across from us. The questions start with how I think the season’s going, and then move on to how my wrist is, before he starts asking us all about our relationship. I let her answer the questions as she sees fit, letting him know as much or as little about what went on, and how we are now. She’s classy as she speaks of our relationship and love for each other. Then the interview turns in a direction that I didn’t see coming, and I’m pissed. His next question is about my mother. He wants to know how she is and if her treatment is working. At first I say nothing, then pushing my chair back, I stand, lean over the table and I look directly in his eyes as I speak.
“I will only say this once and you can quote me too. My mother is completely off limits, there will never be a question I will answer about her, but I will say this…it’s a private matter. I would request that you honor my privacy, as well as my family’s, regarding the situation. And now this interview is over.”
I walk away as I hear Kenna say, “You shouldn’t have gone there,” as she scoots up to me and places her hand in mine.
Taking her comfort, we walk in my trailer together. Sliding the doors shut, I pull her in my arms once again.
“I’m sorry, Ry,” she says, while her arms go around my head and she places a small, tender kiss to my neck.
“No need to apologize. I just didn’t want it out there for the whole world to know, but now it’s clear they already do. Fuck, it’s hard to be in the public eye sometimes.”
“I know, babe. Well, let’s focus on something else, my parents will be here in ten.” She smiles up at me.
“I’m not thinking that helps.” I smile back at her.
“Haha, are you nervous?”
“Maybe.”
“Don’t be, I already told you, they’ll love you like I do. I know it.”
“You better be right.”
We stay in here for just a few minutes, when the doors open and we’re told we have visitors.
Walking out holding hands calms my nerves somewhat. After she hugs both sets of parents, she introduces me, and I shake hands with her dad first, then her stepfather. Both moms lean in for a hug, which doesn’t surprise me; moms are normally more affectionate when it comes to introductions. I welcome everyone and thank them for taking the time to stop by. Sitting down, we eat together as her dad asks me questions about racing and how I got started in it all. Her mom sits next to Kenna, so they can chat. I love seeing the smile on her face, as she’s able to visit with her. As we are sitting there a couple kids come over, and I excuse myself to go take pictures with them and sign their shirts. I remember when I was little coming to races and what it was like when I saw the pros, so I will never turn anyone away if they stop by.
When I come back to the table, Kenna’s dad holds out his hand to me. As he shows me a firm grip, he tells me I’m an honorable man, and I’m welcome at his house anytime. Before they all head out, I get them all a team shirt, and thank them so much for coming. Both her mom and stepmother ask me to sign theirs. I oblige their request, and then we all take a couple pictures with her mom’s phone, as well as Kenna’s. Just as they are walking away after telling both of us good luck, Josie comes running over.
“Damn, thanks for the invite.” She stands with a fake pout on her face.
“Oh, come on, let’s get one more pic,” Kenna says, pulling her until she’s standing in between us.
Her dad says he’s not sure if he likes her strutting around in that outfit, but she’s reminds him that Kenna’s done it for a couple years now, and still does it sometimes. He states he doesn’t care, she’s his baby, and he thinks she needs more clothes on. Laughing at him, she kisses his cheek, then hugs everyone else goodbye, She starts skipping away, making her skirt flip back and forth. He shakes his head while saying, “She’s going to be the death of me.” The next round of hugs start as both sets of parents say their ‘good lucks’ to both Kenna and myself, just before they take off towards the stadium to find their seats before all the races begin.
I see Kenna out of the corner of my eye, as she is discussing things with her team. She looks up and smiles, and I nod my head acknowledging her before I fly through the pits heading to the starting line. It’s hard not to worry about her, but I know she wants me to concentrate on myself, so that’s what I do. To get in the right frame of mind, I throw my earbuds in, music blaring; masking my thoughts as I stare straight ahead at the track.
After my heat, I’m off to my interview with FOX Sports for winning tonight. Kenna goes after me in first heat for the lites class. Waiting around, I find out she has to go to the LCQ again, which to be honest doesn’t surprise me with the lineup that was in her heat. Once I’m back at my trailer, I head in to check the footage from the tape. I finish with my tape and continue watching as Kenna’s comes up on the screen. Immediately following, I seek her out; I want to let her know a couple things I saw, like taking the inside line more in the corners is where she’ll gain more time and be able to stay in front of the riders behind her. After she tells me good race, I start to tell her what I saw.
“I love you for looking out for me, but, Ry, you need to watch your races, not mine.”
“I was, but I can’t help myself, your ass speaks to me.” I smile at her.
“And what does it say exactly?”
“Watch me, so I do.” I shrug my shoulders as I smirk at her.
She kisses me and tells me to get back under my tent and stop distracting her. I laugh as I kiss her back, then walk away.
I’m told that Cooper and Jesse took one, and two, with Cooper winning it. After the 450 semis, my eyes are glued on Kenna’s next race, making sure my girl gets in. This won’t be an easy race by any means either, I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen so many good riders in one class together. The top fifteen guys are fast, solid riders, which make it hard to qualify for the main. She does it though, cleanly with grace and class, never making a shitty pass or a dirty one. Crossing the line in second means she’ll be on the starting line.
Now we have just over two hours to decompress and gather our thoughts before we’ll be bar to bar, once again. I have an autograph session to do with Cooper, Jesse, and a couple of other riders under the tent for 100% Goggles. They sponsor all of us, and many of the other teams, giving us several different pairs to wear during the races. So, when they ask us to show some support back by sitting for fans, we do. Not only will we be under there, so will Trey, Cole, and Adam, Cooper’s college roommates. Both Trey and Cole are here with the professional freestyle team, and Adam is traveling with the pro BMX group. All three of them have been asked to come, meet their fans, and put on a show of what they can do. While Adam demonstrates his skills in the pits on a short track they’ve made for him, the freestyle team will take to our track under the lights, to show some of the tricks they perform. It’s pretty impressive to watch all of them in action. I could never do what they do.
The ga
tes drop for the main, and I’m just about to make it out without getting pinched when I’m sent high in the corner instead. As I go over the triple jump, I’m setting in fifth, which is better than I thought. I set my sights on one of my teammates, who’s just ahead of me. Going into the whoops, I refuse to let them beat me; I skip over them hitting the throttle where I need to. Taking the line, I’ve seen many other racers taking, helps me come out of the next turn hard and fast, clearing the second set of doubles before the huge tunnel jump, giving me the advantage and ability to pass with ease. Now my eyes are set on the color green; there are two of them and both are fast fuckers. They clearly have forgotten the rest of the class is behind them as they start racing each other hard. It’s just a matter of time before they take each other out. I wait patiently to take advantage of their stupidity. It only takes half a lap before the brake check one of them does to the other, in a corner, causes them both to lean too much and down they both go. And now for the leader, he’s gained several seconds over the entire field of riders with a clear track. I slowly start to cut at his lead, as I too have no riders in my way. As we both start to hit the traffic of riders in the back of the pack, also called lappers, it can either cause havoc with our race or if they move to the side…it can be a smooth ride pass by them. The lappers usually stay out of the main line as soon as they see the blue flag being waved in front of them, notifying them that the leaders are coming. But every once in a while, you’ll see that one rider, who doesn’t pay any attention, and stays in the direct path of us.
I am able to capitalize on the cross rut that the KTM rider gets caught in; he’s just about thrown him off the bike. Even though he holds on for dear life and saves it, I’m still able to pass and secure the checkered flag in first. After stepping off the podium, I’m taken to do other interviews. It’s killing me not to watch Cooper, Jesse, and most of all Kenna, race. After I’m finished, their race is just about over with, and I’m instantly looking to see where she is. I don’t see her anywhere and my heart starts to sink; looking around I still can’t find her. Just then my manager comes up behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder. We talk for a brief minute before I fly from where I’m standing to go find a certain rider. One of the Kawasaki riders is about to see stars. The fucker took her out hard as they hit the second corner, she was able to get up and off the track, but she’s banged up, I guess. He’s the same piece of shit that was talking smack to her at the first press conference we were at together.
Just as I’m ready to throw a punch, my mechanic grabs a hold of my arm and states, “Don’t Ryan, you’ll fuck up your points. Go to Kenna, give her your attention…don’t waste it on him.”
He may be right, but before I walk away, I can’t help but give him a warning that he should take very seriously. I talk directly into his eyes and close to his face as I deliver my message.
“Watch it, fucker, don’t forget who else is on that track with you. Others won’t be so nice as to just pass by, if you’re going to play dirty, you better be prepared to get it back.”
Then he has the audacity to reply to me; his best bet is just shut up and listen but no, the fucker speaks. “Not my fault that pretty little thing thinks she can ride with the big boys. You know what they say ‘if you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen.’ Well in her case, it should be if you can’t handle the roost, don’t follow.”
“Payback’s a bitch, asshole. And I advise you to stay away from her,” I say as I point my finger at his chest.
“Keep her off the track then, asshole.”
“Really…what, you scared she might beat you? Oh, wait she already has, and that’s why you had to take her out.” I chuckle at him as my mechanic makes another statement.
“The AMA officials are looking at what happened and if it was intentional or not. They’ll get to the bottom of it. Don’t waste anymore of your time on him.”
We start to walk away as Cooper comes up, wanting to know what the hell happened. I explain as I walk back to the podium where my bike is, not slowing down at all; I need to get to Kenna. He lets me know that her mom and dad are with her, while everyone else is standing outside the Asterisk Mobile Medical trailer. Talking quickly, I share with him the conversation that just took place between me and the fucker that took her out. He starts to head in the same direction I just came from, until I pull him back. He’s just as pissed about it as I am, but I agree, we’ll both be in trouble if either one of us hits him. Not to mention Kenna will probably kick my ass for it.
I grab my bike and start it up with one kick. Wanting to make sure she’s okay, and not truly hurt, makes me go through the crowd a bit faster than I probably should. Once there, I jump off as my mechanic catches my bike.
“Where is she?” I ask anyone who is listening. Ansley immediately steps up to me.
“They’re looking at her now.”
I start to move toward the door as she tells me to wait.
“The hell I am. I don’t care.” I throw open the door and walk in. “Where is she?”
“Calm down, Ryan, or we’ll ask you to leave,” I am informed from one of the medics.
“Fine, but where is she?” I state, trying to get my heart rate under control. It’s been beating out of my chest since I found out.
“She’s back here.” He points to the back with his hand covered with a white rubber glove.
I rush back there, pulling open the curtain that separates the front to the back. I’m not really prepared to see her lying there in just her sports bra, spandex shorts, and a pair of the knee high racing socks we all wear. They have oxygen on her and her eyes are shut, which causes me to shut mine for a second. I need to collect my thoughts; there is both anger and fear settling in me, I take a deep breath before I speak again.
“How is she?” I ask her parents and the doctor that is looking at her.
Her lids flicker open as her hand rises to me. I rush to her side, taking it immediately; I kiss the back of it as I sit on the edge of the bed where she’s lying down. My vision is obstructed by her side, I can’t focus on anything else but the large welt and bruise that is forming. I see a couple more small marks on her arm as I sit, waiting for an answer.
Lifting her other hand, she pulls the mask from her face, “I’m okay, Ryan. Don’t worry,” she says softly.
“You keep that on your face, Princess.” I make sure the mask is back in place before turning my face toward the doctor. “You want to tell me how she really is?”
“She’s doing okay. She got the wind knocked out of her that’s for sure, but right now I am concerned with her ribs; I want her to go the hospital for x-rays. I have a feeling they’re just bruised, but just to be safe, I want her looked at.”
I’m seeing red the more he talks; I want to knock the fucker out that did this. Hopefully the AMA has something to say about it. Watching her closely, I notice she’s not arguing, so I now know she is somewhat concerned, as well.
“The ambulance is on its way over to pick her up and take her,” her dad says to me.
“Are you riding with her?” I ask her mother.
“Yes, I would like to.”
“I’ll go change, jump in a truck, and meet you there.”
I bend down and kiss her cheek, softly telling her I’ll see her at the hospital. Standing up, I start to walk out as her dad meets me on the other side of the curtain. He explains what he saw from where he was seated, and how truly pissed he is at that rider. I assure him he’ll get what is coming to him. As I walk out the door, everyone is next to me in seconds. They all want to know what’s going on with her and what exactly happened.
“Walk with me as I head to the truck. I need to change and get to the hospital.” I promptly turn and start walking, either they follow or stay, I don’t care. My focus is Kenna, plain and simple.
I talk while I make my way through the crowd of people that has gathered there. As I enter my tent, there are little kids standing all aroun
d screaming my name. Up until this point, I would have stopped everything I was doing to take pictures with them and sign some autographs, but not tonight. I apologize quickly as I slide open the doors and step in. I hear Ansley and Maddie behind me as they start talking to everyone.
By the time I return, Cooper, Ansley, Maddie, and Jesse are all standing with their bags in hand, ready to go. We all pile in two trucks and head in the direction of the hospital. Once we arrive, I seek out her parents and step-sister. Josie comes up and hugs me. It’s the first interaction we’ve really had, other than one other time, but it only seems fitting that we support each other.
“Hey, hey no crying. She’s going to be okay.” I pull back to see her wiping her tears.
“I know but it scared the crap out of me when she didn’t get up. Ryan, she was just lying there on the track.”
“I can only imagine, but honestly I saw her in the medic trailer, and she looked good, a little banged up but good.”
“Thanks.”
“Where is she now?”
“Over there, across from the nurses’ station, but they won’t let anyone in but my parents.”
“Let’s see them try and stop me.” I smile at her, raising my eyebrows.
She smiles back as I walk away. Everyone else gathers in the waiting area but I’m not going to be anywhere but next to her bedside. I don’t even ask for permission, I just walk through the doorway. Her dad stands and shakes my hand, and I give her mom a hug, then I take a chair and scoot it up next to her bed. She’s sleeping and I don’t want to wake her, but I also need to touch her. Gliding the palm of my hand over hers, I hold her carefully. Her eyes try and rise, they don’t make it far before they shut again but not before she squeezes my hand, letting me know she saw me. I gently squeeze back then lift it to my chest. I hold it over my heart until a nurse comes in to check on her. Her mom tells me they gave her something for the pain on the way here, because the ride was a bit bumpy and she was crying out, holding her ribs. That explains why she seems pretty out of it.
