Racing Heart, page 18
Gently shoving me up and to the side, I shake my head at him, grinning and roll from the bed, taking my seat in the chair again.
“I just want to do some last observations, and you’ll be ready when the doctor arrives.”
He looks at me with that knicker-melting smile as he lies back, letting the nurse do what she needs to. While I start getting his things together.
By the time the doctor comes in, he’s all packed up and getting impatient to leave.
“So, Finn, you’ve been making good progress, the physio is happy, your recovery is going well. Don’t forget to make sure you rest your leg, and when you do, have it raised. Please don’t do too much walking around because you’ll slow down recovery. On the other hand, you still need to use it in moderation.”
“Right on, Doc.”
“We’ll send an appointment through the post for more physio.”
“I’ll find my own.”
“You’d be better off; it’ll be three months before you get any at all,” I mumble.
Especially knowing what our NHS is like - they don’t rush themselves.
“That’s your decision Finn; if you’d be more comfortable, I can sign off on that.”
“Honestly Finn, no disrespect to you doctor, but I think he’d get an appointment sooner. You know he’s itching to get back on that bike.”
“Well that, Mr Cooper is off limits for at least three months.” The doctor points out.
“I know, I know.” He rolls his eyes. “Hey doc when will I be able to fly again, my work visa will be up soon, and I’ll need to go home.”
The thought of him going home fills me with dread. I don’t want him to go. I know he has to, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Getting out of the conversation between him and his doctor, I try to pretend that my whole world isn’t crumbling. I grab his bag from the small cupboard at the side of his bed and begin shoving his belongings in. I know his eyes are on me, I can feel the burning at the side of my head. I don’t want to be selfish here. I’m not the kind of woman to only think of myself and make it all about me, but maybe just this once, I can. As long as I keep my thoughts to myself.
“Jordan…” Finn calls me, breaking me out of my own head.
As I look up, the doctor is shaking Finn's hand and handing him paperwork. Then he turns to me and holds out his hand.
“Oh, sorry.”
I take his hand and shake it.
“Make sure he gets plenty of rest.”
I nod with a smile for the good doctor.
“I will, I promise.” I realise I missed the rest of the conversation they’d had, and I still don’t know when he’ll be fit to fly.
The doctor leaves us, and Finn pushes himself to the edge of the bed, sitting up and pushing his injured leg out to the side. With his hand clutching my arm, he pulls me between his legs.
“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be pleased? You haven’t got to keep making the journey here every day.”
“I am pleased.” I force a smile on my face, but the narrowing of his eyes tells me he doesn’t believe me.
“You talk shit. What’s up?”
“It’s nothing, it’s silly. I am pleased you’re leaving here…”
“But…”
My eyes roll to the top of my head, it feels like because there’s no getting past this.
“But…”
Oh, come on Jordan, just tell him, pull up your big girl knickers, for fuck's sake.
“I don’t want you to go home.”
“So, I’ll do what we said, and I’ll come to yours and you can be my private nurse.”
Circling my waist with his arms, mine fall comfortably around his neck, holding on to him.
“I’ll even buy you the little outfit and everything, the full package.”
“You’re perverted.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he grins salaciously.
“But only with you, baby.” He pushes his lips against mine in a hard kiss.
“I didn’t mean that, by the way, I meant when you go home, home. You know, back to America.” My head shakes at the situation that only I got myself into, why do I make things hard on myself?
“What are you saying, Jord?”
“I’m saying that I don’t want you to go. What if you forget about me, us? What if you decide you’re not coming back, that being here is too much hassle?”
“Are you fucking kidding me? Why would I leave you here anyway? Jord, when I go back, you’re coming with me.”
“Don’t be crazy, Finn. I have commitments here.”
“Well, I see it as being a means to an end. I don’t want to leave you, and you don’t want me to leave. So that’s the best idea…”
“I tell you what, let's get you home first and take it from there.”
“This conversation isn’t over.”
Smiling I kiss him, his warm lips against mine give me a feeling of contentment, I never ever thought I’d feel that. The way it was going, I didn’t think I’d find anyone to put up with my crazy arse.
“Whatever you say, Superstar.”
I break away from him and go back to packing his bag and making sure everything is in it. I’m surprised he has this much since Braydon was the one who brought everything to him after he was admitted.
“Right…” Braydon charges through the door again, “Everything’s done. Oh, hello slugger, how's your hand?”
“It’s fine, it just stung a little for a few hours.” I grin at his new nickname for me.
“Are you two okay now?” Braydon asks, glancing between us, looking a little nervous to be asking the question.
“Yes, we’re fine,” I answer.
Finn lifts his chin to his brother.
“Everything sorted?”
Braydon glances at me first.
“She knows everything, we’re all good,” Finn answers his silent question.
“Thank fuck for that.”
While Braydon sits on the bed next to Finn filling him in on that bitch, I make sure everything’s packed for him. I can’t wait to get him back to my place now.
Chapter Forty-One
Finn
Two Weeks Later
“Finlay Cooper, you’re a worse patient than I ever could have imagined. At this rate, I’ll be sending you back to your brother; you’re doing my brain in.”
Folding my arms across my chest, I slump into the pillow that’s wedged at my back, as Jordan storms away from me. I can’t help it, I’m fucking bored shitless. I’ve had enough of being sat here, day after day, stuck in a chair, then in a bed. The only exercise I get is going to the shitter. I want to get back on my bike, but they won’t even let me go and watch the final meeting. I mean, I know it would hurt me more to see those guys on the track, but I can handle that. I’ve been back at Jordan’s for two weeks now. I think cabin fever is setting in. Progress is happening, but it’s slow, and anyone who knows me, knows, I. Hate. Fucking. Slow.
“Jordan.” She stops in her tracks at my pleading. “Come back here, babe.”
She turns sharply back to me.
“You’re doing my head in, I can’t take your moaning anymore. I know it’s hard, but it’s not a walk in the park for me either.”
Reaching out my hand towards her, I urge her to take it.
“Please, babe.”
Huffing, she walks back this way, reluctantly taking my hand and sitting down beside me on the couch.
“Has anyone ever told you you’re a grumpy arsehole?”
“Hmm,” I grin. “I love how you say that.”
Jordan raises an eyebrow, obviously not impressed at my compliment.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” I concur.
“Well, it’s just lucky for you that I’m in a compassionate mood.” She shrugs.
Watching her closely, the frown lines etched in her forehead quickly smooth out, I turn her face to mine and capture her lips.
“That’s the reason why I love you, Red.”
“Right now, Superstar, you’re lucky I love you too.” She smirks. “Look, you have two weeks before we go back to the hospital. Please let’s try and get through them without me killing you.”
“I promise. It’s just… well look at it, what am I supposed to do?” I bang the cast that covers my leg from my groin all the way down to my toes with my knuckles. “I’m fucking fed up, Jord.”
Tucking herself into my side, she curls her arm around my middle and rests her head on my chest.
“I know you are, and I know you hate not doing anything but if you don’t rest it, it won’t heal properly. Then guess what - you’ll never ride at championship level again.” She turns her face up to me, “I know you don’t want that, so you’ll just have to do as you’re told. Look, I have to work today, but I’m only doing the lunchtime shift, I’ll be back by five.”
Nodding, I put my forehead to hers.
“Yeah, okay.” I sigh.
“I have to work, I have bills to pay, you know, and with you being here too, it’s costing me a fortune in food.”
“Babe, if you need money, you just have to ask.”
“Shut up. I don’t want your money.” She stands from the couch and leans over kissing me. “Right, I have to go get ready, or I’ll be late.”
An idea springs to mind, I don’t want her to think I don’t appreciate what she’s doing for me. I definitely don’t want her to think I’m just here while I get better… I want to buy her something. Waiting for her to walk out of the room, I take my phone and tap out a text to Braydon.
Hey, if you’re not doing anything, can you come pick me up? I need to go out, but I need you to help me.
The bubbles bounce on the screen…
Jordan isn’t there?
She has to go to work today, but I don’t want her to know what I’m doing. So just get your ass over here as soon as you can.
Ten minutes later, Jordan is ready for work and skips downstairs.
“Are you going to be okay while I’m gone?”
“Yeah, babe. Braydon’s on his way.”
“Oh, right. Please don’t eat me out of house and home.”
Staring at her, I know I must have a blank expression on my face. I mean, the words ‘eat me’ only mean one thing to me, and I’m really in no state to get into any sort of position for that. She looks back at me wide-eyed.
“In other words, Finlay, don’t clean me out of food.” She explains.
“Ahhhh.. I thought you meant eat you...” I wink salaciously. “Brits are weird man, why didn’t you just say that?”
Jordan shakes her head, twisting her lips up.
“No need, you’re a sex maniac.”
I shrug, not having a care in the world. With her hands on my shoulders, she holds me still while she kisses me, enjoying the feel and the taste of her, I can’t get enough of her. Before I realize, it's over, and she’s waving a hand in the air above her head, as she walks out of the door. Not a second later, my brother is walking through.
“Hey, shithead.” He drops down next to me. “How’s it going?”
“Shit. I can’t sit around here anymore I’m going fucking crazy. I want you to take me into the city, I want to get Jordan something, just as a thank you.”
“I don’t know whether you already know this, but I’m not sure if there’s Tiffany’s over here.”
“It’s London, there has to be a Tiffany’s… it’s the largest city in the UK.”
“I’ll do a search on Google and see what I can find.”
Looking down into his phone and concentrating hard, I leave him to it and push myself to the edge of the seat.
“Aha,” slapping my good thigh, he stands, “I found one.”
“Help me up, then dickface. Let’s go.”
Bray slaps my palm as he clutches my hand, wrapping his fingers around mine and pulls me up to my feet with the help of the arm of the couch. Once I’ve got my balance, I make sure I’ve got my wallet and phone and nod at him, indicating I’m ready.
“Time to go shopping.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Jordan
“Oh shit, there must be more to life than this?” I lean my forearms on the bar, dropping my head down on them. It’s dead. I’ve seen more life at a bloody wake than here today. I look down at my watch; it’s only just gone one pm, I suppose there’s still time.
“What are you complaining for? You’ve gone and got yourself your own fucking racing star.”
“Jealousy, my friend, will get you nowhere...” I tap my best friend on the nose playfully.
“I’m not jealous…” Maria rolls her eyes, “I just wish there was someone that would sweep me off my feet.” She sighs helplessly. “So, how is lover boy today?”
“Grumpy, frustrated, nothing but a bloody moaning arse. Haven’t you got something to do today?” I ask my friend.
“Nah, Charley is in nursery, I’m going to sit here and annoy you all day.”
“Oh, fucking great, so I have to entertain the both of you?”
She shrugs, “Well, not really… Finn isn’t here is he, so it’s just me, and I am your best friend, so I get privileges.” She grins. “Tell me, how is the hottie Braydon?”
“He’s good. He’s with Finn right now keeping him company, they can whinge together. If you like him that much, I’ll give you his number, you can call him.”
“Oh god, no. I’d feel like I was pushing him into liking me, there’s not just me remember, there’s Charley too. It has to be a natural connection when I meet the right one, and they have to accept my daughter as well as me.”
Maria’s right; you can’t push someone into a relationship when there’s a child involved, it has to be right - it has to be her choice of when and where.
Going back to my job, I serve the waiting customers and clean some tables down.
One Week Later
“I should be out there. I should be whooping that fucker’s ass. I’d have already won if it wasn’t for this.” Finn complains.
He’s sitting in a chair watching the race. I told him as long as he keeps his arse seated throughout, then I’d make sure he was treated.
“Finn. I thought you’d made up.”
“We called a temporary truce.”
“So basically, you made up?” I roll my eyes at his excuse. “It’s one of those things, babe. You’ll get your chance to do it again.” I rub his back, soothing him, or at least trying. “It could have been worse, that crash could have ended your career. Look on the bright side.”
I think this was a really bad idea coming here today, but this is what Finn wanted. I knew it would hurt him to see everyone else there and not him. On the other hand, though, he needed to see his goals again. His ambition is to win the world championships, but first, he needs to win this one. This is the only way we can get him to see that he can’t give up on that dream.
“He’s fucking reckless. If he doesn’t kill someone on that track, he’ll kill himself one day.”
He’s right, he’s acting like he has something to prove. Finn stands from his chair so that he can see more. I tuck myself into his side, push my hand into the back pocket of his jeans and rest my head against him.
“At least you’re not on there… one accident was enough, thanks.”
Looking around me, I notice Maria sitting with Braydon. Now, after our conversation last week while I was working, that’s very interesting. It’d be nice for her to have someone decent. Nudging my elbow into Finn’s ribs to get his attention, I signal with my head towards them on the steps. Finn looks around, smirking.
“Hmmm, about time the pussy did something.”
“What do you mean?”
“He likes her. He’s just been a major pussy.
“Don’t be nasty; he’s sweet. Just because he’s not as forward as you, doesn’t mean he’s a pussy.”
“Got you, didn’t I?”
Rolling my eyes, I look back to the track. Finn moves behind me and wraps me up in his tight hold, resting his chin on my shoulder. We get back into the race, just as Anderson takes the chequered flag.
“Motherfucker.” He groans, loosening me and stepping back. He sets his hands on his hips and hangs his head shaking it. “I fucking knew he’d win. I’m gonna have to go back and congratulate him now, that’s fucking bullshit.”
Turning my body to his, I guide his head to look at me.
“Be the bigger man, go and congratulate him. You don’t have to be happy about it and go over the top, but you do have to do this.”
“Can’t I slip away quietly?”
“No, I don’t think you can…” I point to the fans behind me that are making their way over to us, with autograph books and pens.
“They might not be for me.”
“Too late…” I whisper in his ear as a young lad comes up to him.
“Excuse me, you’re Finn Cooper. Can I have your autograph please?”
He smiles as he turns around and gets right into the character of the Superstar that I know he is.
“Course you can, bud.”
I step away to let him do his thing as Dave comes to my side.
“He needs this. He needs to know that people haven’t forgotten him.”
“I agree.”
Finn smiles at the kids, and for the first time in a few weeks, it’s a genuine one.
Once his fans have dispersed, he heads into the pits. I follow closely and wait at the side, with a smile on my face. I watch them shake hands and nod. Together, they make their way over to me. Caleb is still in his leathers and Finn leans on his crutches.
“Caleb, congratulations.”
“Thanks, Jordan.” I push up to my tiptoes, kissing his cheek.
“So next season, then dude, your ass is grass.” Finn laughs, only secretly I know he’s not joking. “I’ll be taking that trophy.”
“I look forward to it. No-one makes me work like you do. It’s good to see you here, man.”
