Bottomed Out

by Brooke May

  But he’s trying.

  “It’s next weekend. It’s coming together really well.” I can’t help the grin. Truth be told, it is the thought of Len coming into my vision that makes me smile like a lovesick puppy. My phone burns in my pocket with hope scorching that I’ll have a text message waiting for me after I get out of here.

  Please let her have found my number on the card I gave Paige.

  “Maybe I’ll come down and check it out with a couple of my friends. Josie is having a mommy-daughter day.”

  “You’re more than welcome to come down and hang out. Let me know, and I’ll make sure to have VIP passes for you and your friends.”

  “That would be great. Thank you, Jax.”

  “Don’t mention it. You’re family.” Slapping his forearm, I coast forward in the line to get my coffee before I go for the donuts rather than the cakes. I’ve worked myself harder than normal this past week in the hopes of seeing Len come back, so I can have a donut or two.

  And speaking of family, getting to the door, I find my dad standing there greeting everyone with a firm handshake and a smile. That is, until he looks down at me.

  “Jax.”

  I don’t take the look on his face as anything bad. My dad has always been great to me. When Axle couldn’t take me to appointments, my dad went along and was there to hold me up when I was tested to see if my legs would work again, and I would fall.

  He has always been one of my biggest supporters even with the difficulty that is my mother. But he keeps his distance because of her issues, and he has to live with her.

  “Hi, Dad.” Keeping my smile, I see his own come to his face to greet me. Twin smiles, only age separates them. But that’s about as far as our conversation goes because it is kind of awkward, and just before we move on, my mom’s smile greets me.

  It’s forced.

  “Good morning.” Her smile falls as she drawls out the greeting. “Jaxson.”

  “Mom.” With a tight nod, I wish she would lean down and give me a hug like the one she just gave to Nolan.

  “How–”

  “All right, let’s get our coffee on.” My chair is catapulted forward as Josie swoops in to rescue me from this. “Hi, Mom. Dad.” Waving at them, she continues to push me into the dining area before she bends down to whisper to me. “You would think that almost losing you would make her more supportive.”

  Right?

  “We’ve been over this so many times that it is as flat as a pancake.”

  “We’ll find a way to get through to her.” Standing upright, she greets one of the many supportive members of our church.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Unknown Number: Can you assure us that there will be no alcohol near Parker before his runs?

  Scratching my chin, I frown down at my phone. My personal one that no one work related is supposed to have outside of Mr. Landon and Michelle.

  An hour ago, my phone chimed from my desk drawer while I was on the office one with the local newspaper in Beaver. Thinking it was Axle, Levi, or possibly my sister to ask me something or invite me somewhere after work, I pulled it out and nearly dropped it when I saw it was a number I didn’t recognize.

  That rarely happens.

  I had blanked out the screen so I could focus on my call. I barely had time to put my office phone back into the cradle when Michelle buzzed in with another call from a motor sports broadcaster who ate up more of my Thursday afternoon.

  My entire week has felt like this. It’s usually a rush leading up to an event, something I normally thrive in—but that isn’t happening for me this week. I don’t know if it has anything to do with my inability to get to the gym since I’ve come home late every night that I’m unable to see the mysterious Lennox Austin who could possibly be going back to the gym with her brother.

  Or maybe it has to do with the next event I am planning. The bonfire in a few weeks is an even bigger event in Beaver. Well, somewhat of a larger event. There won’t be any bikes at this next one; it is more of a sponsor party for every rider who wears the Double X logo on their suits or decorates their ride to let loose and have some fun.

  I’m kind of wondering if I’ll be able to let loose as well.

  My screen goes blank due to the timer. I bring it back to life and continue to stare at the message.

  Who could have gotten my number?

  And then it hits me like a freight train.

  It’s Lennox.

  Holy shit, she is finally sending me something. I mean, it isn’t what kind of message I would have liked to get from her, but it’s still something.

  Tapping on the screen, I bring up my keyboard. My fingers hover over it while I debate on what to write back.

  Me: I’m glad to hear from you, two-tone.

  No, that isn’t going to fly. Deleting it, I start again and settle on answering what she really wants to know.

  Me: None of the riders will be allowed near the alcohol before any of their events.

  Hitting send and saving her number, I lightly drop my phone to the desk and fall back in my seat. That was more stressful than the past three and a half days combined.

  I know I’m not going to make it to the gym again this evening. I still have to finalize the VIP list. Nolan confirmed that two of his friends would be coming down with him, but they would be driving themselves. I have a feeling they may leave early and find their way to a golf course.

  I’m keeping two VIP passes with me. I still need to convince Levi and Axle to come along for the fun. I know it will be a breeze to wrangle Levi into going; it’s Axle who is going to be the massive pain in the ass.

  Len: Good to know, Parker is a loose cannon 99% of the time. It’s best to keep him from the liquor and the women until he is done.

  Grinning, I can only picture what a wild man Parker can be and imagine him and Levi teaming up. That might be a bad combination.

  Me: What about Paige?

  I barely get a moment to set my phone down when a chime comes in.

  Len: Just keep anyone away from her who could easily piss her off.

  Me: And they might be?

  Len: Anyone and everyone.

  Laughing, I want to keep this up. Now that I have her talking, I don’t want it to stop, but once more, my office phone rings, and I’m forced to turn back to my job.

  It is seven by the time I’m emerging from the parking garage, and I’m itching to send Len another message, but I will never put my safety and that of others in danger just to send a text.

  The plus side to heading home at this time of night is I don’t have to worry about being stuck in traffic. Most people are either at home enjoying their evenings already or out for dinner, drinks, and dates.

  Either way, it takes me almost no time at all to get to the apartment where I find both of my friends waiting for me. They aren’t outside with a pipe and slippers to greet me to come in and even thinking of that image disturbs me. No, the pair of them are inside doing God knows what.

  I’m not even all the way up to the door yet when I hear their loud bantering back and forth over some video game, no doubt.

  Rolling in, I’m not greeted like I was the last time they were waiting for me to come home, and I’m okay with that. Gifting me a few minutes to change and heat something for dinner, I land myself in the living room where the pair of them are playing Call of Duty.

  “Evening.”

  Twin grunts acknowledge me.

  “Is this what your evening plans are going to be?” Axle and Levi are notorious for playing video games all night no matter when in the week it occurs. I ended up having to sleep with music going in my room just so I can relax enough. Sometimes I wonder why our upstairs neighbors never complain about the noise.

  “Well, that’s great,” I say to no one since neither are listening to me. “I have your VIP passes for Saturday.”

  “Shit.” Axle’s character dies, bringing him back to the real world. “What are you going on about?”

 
; “The event in Beaver? The one I told you about a while ago, and you said you wouldn’t go?” I explain to his stupefied expression.

  “I’m not going.”

  “Funny thing is—” I lean forward in my chair—“you are going to go because I was a nice friend and got you a kick-ass pass.”

  “The fuck I am.” He snarls.

  “Booze and women, Ax.” Thankfully, Levi chimes in. “Think about the number of tits we’ll be swimming in.”

  The mystified look on Levi’s well-groomed face may be annoying but it could secure Axle to go.

  “How many times do I have to tell you both I want nothing to do with that life anymore?”

  “At least once more.”

  “Shut it, Buttercup.”

  “That was Westley.” I ignore him. “As much fun as it is to hear the two of you lovingly address one another, the reason stands, Axle, you have a ticket and nothing better to do Saturday except get your pole waxed by Megan. Since she hasn’t been around, I’m thinking you two are on the outs.”

  We don’t talk much about it. There is an unspoken rule about Megan, and that is to never really speak of her.

  “Again?” Levi stares with wide eyes at Axle. “Shit, you two are starting to sound like a married couple.”

  “Don’t say another fucking word. Marriage, me, and Megan do not belong in a fucking sentence.”

  “But VIP passes, trophy girls, motocross, and booze do,” I quip. “It would do you good to be around it again. You’re not going to cause an accident by just being a spectator, Ax.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” His attention turns back to the TV.

  “Apparently, it does. Why does it have to be all or nothing with you? You don’t want to race anyone, and that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean you can’t support others and fucking watch. You used to like that just as much.”

  Forget hanging around while they play their fucking game. I’m tired from this week, and I’m not in the mood for Axle’s shit excuses. As angrily as I can, I wheel myself out of the living room and don’t stop until I’m in my room.

  Once in bed, I reach over and pick up my phone where I put it on the charger when I came in to change. I know it is a long shot, but why the hell not? Either her reply will lift my mood or keep me in this current state.

  Me: Will you be attending?

  Her reply is instant.

  Len: Yes.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Race day.

  Those two amazing words laced with apprehension and thrill used to shoot right through me every time it came for me to get onto the back of my bike and unleash myself on the track.

  Getting up early to have my bike ready and on the track before doing a walk around it and then the riders’ meeting was so engrained in my system that the first few times I’ve done an event, it felt odd not to be out there.

  Now they mean something entirely different to me as I stare out at the vast field now packed with people, bikes, a track, a couple of ramps, and several food trucks and brewery wagons. The day is slowly drawing closer to sunset, and just as many people are milling about as there were this morning when Levi, Axle, and I arrived.

  Yes, you heard me correctly. Axle decided to come along late last night after I got back into town. As exhausted as I was, I was thrilled when he told me—almost reluctantly—that he would be going with us.

  It was pretty awesome getting to see the glee behind his usually brooding glare as we watched the races and then some of the freestyle rounds. His cheering and excitement didn’t go unnoticed by neither Levi nor myself throughout the day. That is what I was hoping for when I asked him to come with me.

  Too many years have been spent away from the life he loved just as much as I do.

  But if he loved it so much, why did he give it all up?

  Shaking the thought from my head, I pick up my water bottle and chug half of it before slamming it back down onto the table we settled ourselves around. Something is different about Axle today, and I don’t think I can take the credit for it either. He has been far more relaxed than I thought he would be, especially when the first of the bikes began to rev to life.

  No, something out there keeps pulling his attention away from our group and the women who keep striding by. I’m not going to lie, something—or someone—keeps pulling my attention away from our surroundings as well.

  When I got Len’s text confirming she would be here, I was excited at the prospect of seeing her. As the day went on, I checked and double-checked to make sure everything was going along smoothly, and we weren’t having any major issues. During all of that, I kept an eye out for Len but never once did I see her.

  Even when Paige was racing, I didn’t see her where I thought she might be with the rest of the crews. I was starting to wonder if she backed out at the last second, and then I mused that if she wasn’t with Paige, she probably brought Owen along.

  I wasn’t counting on the fact that she may have brought her brother when I was thinking of seeing her. Not that I would object. If it is something he is into, then he has every right to be here like the rest of us. But I’m not going to lie and say I have been disappointed when I should be basking in Michelle’s and my hard work.

  “I don’t know what I want to go for tonight.” Levi’s eyes track yet another group of women, his beer bottle suspended in air in his usual gaping way. “What about you two?” Once they pass, lingering long enough to blow a kiss or two in his direction, he turns back to us. “See any prospects for the night?”

  “No.” Axle’s answer shoots across the table even before Levi finishes his question. This is a cause for concern. Axle, like Levi, is always up for some fun when we are out. I’m the one who ends up going home alone.

  “Oh, really?” Levi leans forward.

  Whatever he says next to our Aussie friend falls away as someone comes up from behind me. Turning in my seat, I see her. Striding directly to me, Len looks amazing in ripped jeans and a black and pink tank top.

  Her two-toned gaze ignites my body. Electricity can’t even touch the power flowing between us. Heat from the center of a blazing inferno doesn’t even compare to the intensity within me.

  I need more.

  I want more than just being around her.

  There is no one around us. Sounds from the tracks and ramps are drowned out by the mad thumping of my heart, leading to the blood rushing in my ears. I barely know this woman, and she has completely consumed me.

  An impish grin flashes across her face just as she comes to a stop in front of me.

  “Are you stalking me, Mr. Hunt?”

  “Me? A stalker?” I blow out a breath. “No, I’m just incredibly lucky to be in the right place at the right time to see you,” I tease. “Remember, you told me you were going to be here.” Winking, I turn my chair to take full advantage of seeing her before me once more. It feels like it’s been an eternity since I last got to see or hear her.

  “That’s cute.”

  “Oh, I’m anything but cute.” To my complete and utter astonishment, Len gets even closer and then slides onto my lap. Thrill shoots up into my skull as an arm ropes around, and her fingers begin to play with the longer hair at the base of my head.

  God, I hope Owen isn’t here.

  The light tickling of her fingers on my neck has my body buzzing with delight. I want more of her touch, but not in this public of a place. The setting sun casts a mystifying shadow across her face while illuminating her unique eyes.

  I am captivated.

  “You like me, don’t you, Mr. Hunt?”

  “Fuck, yes.” I want to express to this gorgeous woman makes me feel like, but I’m dumbfounded to blunt answers. Her grin turns even more flirtatious as I begin to flounder.

  How do I tell her exactly how she makes me feel without sounding like a creep?

  Just say it and apologize if she freaks out.

  “I’m captivated by you, Lennox.” Once the first statement is out of my mouth, I can’t stop myse
lf. “It isn’t just your appearance, though absolutely stunning to me, that captures my attention. During the brief period we spent discussing the deal between our two companies, I saw a light in you that has drawn me in. I would love to get to know you better.”

  “Wow.” She gapes at me, her teasing vanished.

  Shit.

  I knew I would sound too strong if I let it all out.

  Jax, you are the biggest dumbass in existence.

  Playing it cool isn’t something I’ve ever been good at, especially when it comes to liking a woman.

  “Sorry, I know that sounded a little—”

  A warm finger silences me, pressing her heat against my slightly chilled lips. The scent of exhaust fumes linger on that single digit. “You don’t need to apologize.”

  “I-I don’t?”

  “I would love to get to know you better as well, Jax.” There isn’t a single drop of teasing in her tone.

  “What about your brother?”

  Glancing away, I don’t miss the flash of frustration at the mention of Owen. “Owen is a little too overprotective of me.”

  “And why is that?”

  For a moment, I don’t think she is going to answer me, but since we both admitted we want to get to know one another, she does. “I had my teenage heart broken, so now Owen is convinced that every man out there will do the same. He goes too far most of the time, but I don’t know how to approach the subject with him.”

  “Is that why he is always angry?” And I thought Axle was bad.

  “Owen is pissed off at the world for his accident.”

  “I heard he was in one …” Trailing off, I don’t know how to ask.

  She reads my intent, though. “Owen was well on his way to playing Major League baseball, and one stupid mistake changed it all. He was out drinking with friends, and they all thought it would be okay to drive. Owen was in the passenger seat, hanging out the window, shouting as his friend drove far too fast. They swerved in and out of various lanes until they slammed into a tractor trailer. Owen’s friend was killed instantly, but Owen was left scarred and unable to ever play baseball again. Or at least he tells me.”