Racing Heart, page 24
“Jordan… open your eyes, baby.”
He takes my hand again. Letting my eyes open, I look to where he was sitting, but he’s not there. I find him on one knee before me. He can’t be doing what I think he’s doing.
“I’m so thankful for you, babe. You’ve changed me, you’ve changed my life. I didn’t think anyone could ever take precedence over my racing, but I had no choice in the matter with you. I love you with every beat of my heart. I wish my dad were here to meet you because I know he’d love you like we do.”
“Oh my god, Finn.”
“Please Don’t stop me,” he holds up a hand. “Will you marry me? Share my life, my achievements….”
Placing my finger over his lips, I stop him talking.
“Shhhh, you talk too much.”
I throw back at him what he said to me a few weeks ago when we were in the heat of the moment. Of course, he gets the reference and smirks.
“Yes. Yes, I’ll be your wife. Yes, I want to share your achievements, because you’re my biggest achievement. I love you so much, Finlay Cooper.”
Dropping to my knees with him on the floor, I frame his face with my hands.
“Yes, Superstar, I’ll definitely marry you.”
He tugs me towards him, his hands cupping my shoulders and kisses me. A kiss that’s way too inappropriate in front of his mother. Blushing, I pull away from him, hiding my face in his neck. I lift my head to see him holding a ring out in front of me. The diamond sparkles as it catches the light, I’m not a materialistic person, but fuck me, it’s gorgeous.
“Finn.”
Covering my open mouth with my hands, droplets of water hit the tips of my fingers.
“It’s beautiful.”
It has to be a full carat on a platinum, or white gold band. I’m not sure of the difference, but right now, it could be tin for all I care. As I look up, Finn’s mum is crying, Maria is also wiping her eyes, while Braydon is smiling wide.
“Come on, you two, there’s food to be eaten, and it’s going cold.” Karen sniffs back her tears and gets up to share out the plates and puts turkey on them. “Help yourselves to veggies and whatever else you want; I don’t want anyone leaving here hungry.”
“I don’t think that will happen.” I joke.
We all put veg on our plates, while there’s sweet potato, green beans, potato salad… you name it, it’s there. There’s an assortment of desserts too. I’ve never seen so much food on one table.
Once we’ve eaten, one by one, they all come around to congratulate us. Karen pours everyone a glass of wine, apart from me. She pours some orange juice into my glass and stands.
“To Finlay and Jordan. I’m so happy you’ll be joining our family, Jordan. Here’s to the future.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
Finn
I never expected to propose on Thanksgiving, even though I had the ring and I carried it around with me, that means nothing. When Jordan told me about the baby, I knew there was no-one else in this world that could make me happy, like she does. Losing a baby does put things into perspective, and all the pettiness dwindles away into the background.
Jordan had to go back to the UK after Thanksgiving for another blood test and await the results before she could come back to America. After making the bold statement about her never being in another country without me, I headed back with her. I held her hand while she had the test and I sat next to her in the doctor’s room when they delivered the result.
The methotrexate injection she had, had left no lasting problems with her liver, which was amazing news. After asking about more kids, we even had the news that there shouldn’t be any problem with her getting pregnant again. Although she did reiterate that we need to let the professionals know if we wanted to start a family. I do remember Jordan saying something along those lines, but to be honest, all I heard was that she was pregnant and lost it all at the same time.
If I’m totally honest, it upset me a lot. After everything else I’ve gone through, it just felt like an almighty fucking kick to the dick. First losing my dad, then the crash, then that. They say bad luck comes in threes, I’m sure this is more than just bad luck. I don’t think there’s many that can say they’ve had my luck.
We can now put all that behind us, we’re happy, and we’re going to look to the future. I know we can handle anything life throws at us now.
Five months later
Walking out of the pits, it’s a bit different than a year ago. I inhale the cool, spring, damp air and do some last-minute exercises with my leg. I’d say it’s ninety-eight percent healed and right now, that will do. It doesn’t hurt anymore, and it was fine with pre-season races. I have no intention, but to do this.
Jordan’s small hands come around me, as she hugs me from behind.
“Are you ready for this?”
“More than ready, baby.”
Shifting my arm, she slips beneath it and hugs me from the side, wrapping both arms around my waist. Kissing the top of her head, I reluctantly let her go, take her hand, and walk back into the pit garage. As I’m heading towards my bike, I come toe to toe with Caleb Anderson.
“Cooper.” He nods.
“Anderson…”
“You’re not gonna go all pussy on me, are you mate? I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“Not a chance, bud. We may have called a truce, but any cheating and I’m gonna beat your ass.”
Holding out his hand to me, he nods with a smirk on his face. I mirror his grin and shake his outstretched hand.
“Let’s do this.”
Cocking a leg over my seat, I get comfy. Jordan joins me at my side.
“Good luck, Superstar.” Tugging me towards her, she puts her lips to mine. “Go get em.”
Winking, I take my helmet from my brother, slipping it over my head and start the engine, taking it down to the track.
I’m filled with mixed emotions and not sure what to focus on first. When I first had the crash, the doctors weren’t sure I’d even be back this season, but I was determined to prove them wrong. With Jordan at my side, I’ve proved anything is possible.
Caleb and I, eye one another for a split second, before putting our focus and concentration back to the track ahead of us.
The gun sounds.
I power forward…
This season is mine.
Epilogue
Finn
Six months later
There’s something retrospective about fulfilling your dreams. It means that everything that’s happened over the last twelve months hasn’t been for nothing. Maybe me crashing, was my dad’s way of saying, slow down; breathe; one day at a time, son.
Maybe he knew I needed to get my head right where Jordan was concerned. Maybe he knew I couldn’t deal with everything at once. Then, of course, maybe he was the one that led me to Jordan that night.
All I know is that everything happens for a reason... FATE.
Dad always believed that love for a good woman could lead you to anything. The world is your oyster and as long as you had someone at your side, you could accomplish anything.
I believe him. I know that with Jordan by my side, I can accomplish anything, and I will.
Clearing my head and the random thoughts I’m having, I take the last bend, slowing down just a touch, so I don’t lose control. I know Anderson is close behind me, and I refuse to let him win. This is mine.
I can see the finish line in sight. The line hand has the checkered flag raised above his head, just waiting to drop it and name someone champion. That someone is going to be me.
Powering forward, I push my bike to depths it’s probably never reached, mainly because I was a bit worried to push myself. I won’t be ashamed to say that crash scared me a little, but that’s behind me now.
Pulling back on the choke, I open her up, I’m seconds from claiming victory. Glancing to my side, I notice that Anderson is about a quarter of a second away from me. Smiling to myself, I zoom over the finish line and go on to do my lap of honor. I zone back into the crowd, cheers and whistles deafen me, even from under my helmet.
Lifting a hand up in the air, I take the victory I’ve been longing for all my life and pull onto the center green. I take off my helmet and drop to the ground. Lying on the damp grass, I take it all in, throwing my arms above my head until a squealing sound catches my attention.
Jordan barrels towards me and throws herself at me, as I try to sit up, she pushes me back to the ground and kisses all over my face.
“You did it.” She squeals.
Getting up and lifting her from the ground, I swing my girl around in my arms, kissing her back. The media are here waiting to talk to me, and Braydon smiles, as he comes towards us. I put Jordan down as Braydon reaches me and clapping our hands together in a handshake, he pulls me in for a hug. Patting my shoulder with grunts of congratulations. When he pulls away, I see the tears in his eyes.
“I wish dad had been here to see this.”
“He is, brother; believe me. He’s been here all the time.”
He nods, pulling my head towards him and kisses me.
“I’m so proud of you.”
To hear those words from my brother makes me the proudest rider the Superbike championships have ever met.
Once I’ve taken my trophy and been named champion, I spray the champagne everywhere. Mainly over Anderson because he took second place, and later it’ll be celebrations all around when we deliver the news to everyone.
I’ve achieved mine and my dad’s dream of becoming a champion in the UK, now to take on the world.
Somehow, he found a way of letting me know that I could. I found my strength. Then I found Jordan.
Holding the trophy up in the air, I pray to the heavens and thank my dad for guiding me.
Twelve months later
Kissing the top of my son’s head, I walk to the window and show him the stars in the sky.
“See Hayden, there’s grandad, say night, night.”
I lift his tiny hand and wave it gently at the brightest star that’s hanging in the sky. His lips softly pout as he sighs and snuggles into the crook of my arm.
“Hey, Superstar.” Jordan stands at my side, putting her arm around my waist and moving the blanket away from Hayden’s face. She leans around me, softly kissing his forehead.
“My boys.”
Even though I wanted the world championship title, we decided we’d put it off for a couple of years. We couldn’t go travelling the world when she was pregnant. I mean, I drove her mad as it was. I wanted to wrap her in cotton wool and not let her pick up a thing, but she almost killed me and threatened to rip off my balls. I’m quite attached to those babies; we don’t need that. She also didn’t want to travel with a baby and there was no way I was going to do it all by myself. Jordan and I just don’t work that way.
Instead, I’ll wait until we’re both ready and for now we’re commuting between seasons, between the UK and California. My son has the best of both worlds and I couldn’t be more thankful.
My life is amazing.
Who would have guessed that the redhead with a bit of sass, would steal my heart? With every day that passes, I love her more and more.
My life is complete. I have two championships under my belt. A gorgeous wife and a beautiful son; life couldn’t be better.
THE END
PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/user/sienna-grant/playlist/4FgTPvngii8XYY4sZga20o?si=txEU02jlTgy-jxe1lSIOoQ
The boys are back in town - Thin Lizzy
Hearts on Fire - John cafferty
Shotgun - George Ezra
Hustle - Pink
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
You’re all That matters to me - Curtis Stigers
Power - Little Mix feat Stormzy
Wherever you will go - The Calling
November Rain - Guns N’ Roses
Apologise - One Republic & Timberland
River - Ed Sheeran & Eminem
You’re the best - Joe ‘bean’ Episoto
Mighty Wings - Cheap Trick
BOOKS SO FAR...
Contemporary
Broken Series
1 - Picking Up the Pieces - Book 1
2 – Mending the pieces (Novella coming soon)
Soulmates Series (available now)
1 - Soulmates - Chris & Taylor
2 - Infinity - Adam & Darcy
Soulmates 2.5 - A Christmas Novella
3 – Kismet – Todd & Kaden
4 – Forever - Aidan & Zoey
The Hearts Series
1 - Heart & Soul
2 - Love & Hope
3 – Aaron
4 - TBC
Mafia
1 - A Dangerous Game - Book 1
(coming soon)
2 - Dangerous Liaisons - Book 2
3 - Taming Angelo - Book 3
Standalones
Teen Fiction.
Why Me?
Meant to Be
Suspense
The Fight of My Life
Starting Over
Fractured Heart
Co-Authored Books
One Special Love With Abby Gale
The Forever Plan With Jennah Thornhill
AUTHOR BIO
Sienna Grant is a 42-year-old married mother of three children from the UK. She loves reading, but her secret passion was to one day write her own book, so when she had to give up work, she decided to put pen to paper and jot down some ideas. After friends had pushed her to go for it, she took their advice and opened her up to a whole new world.
Picking up the Pieces was her debut novel and is book 1 of the Broken Series.
Social Links
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/156
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Sienna Grant, Racing Heart
