Racing Heart, page 9
Once he’s done, I step from the podium and make my way back to Braydon. Before I can get very far, though, the girls have attached themselves to me. The brunette on the right links her arm with mine. The bleached blonde on my left holds my elbow with one hand and drapes her hand over my shoulder. As much as I try to get out of their clutches, it’s not going to happen. The photographer runs in front of us, crouching on a knee again and clicks that fucking camera. I swear I’m going to shove it up his ass. I don’t need pictures with these tramps; yeah, they look good, but I’m not single anymore either.
“Okay, girls, thanks for the photos, but I have to get going.”
“We can come and help you get out of those dirty leathers if you want us too?”
“Thanks,” I say to the blonde that’s still holding onto my arm for dear life, “But I have all the help I need.”
Throwing a wink their way, I remove myself from their tight grip and leave them standing on the center green, after walking away from them. Walking back towards the track, I notice Jordan on the other side, her hands on her hips. I know she’s probably just seen those two ho’s hanging off me.
I stop at the edge of the green and take her in; she doesn’t look happy. Her one foot is turned outwards, as she taps it repeatedly on the ground. Her red hair is bunched up in one of those knots on top of her head, and she’s wearing those really short denim shorts again. The ones that showcased her long legs, the very ones that captured my eye in the first place. I realize I’ve been standing here for a minute too long, and without wasting another second, I jog across the track. Swooping her up in my arms, I spin her around, ending it on a hard kiss to her plump and tasty lips. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her lips.
“What did those skanks want?” Jordan asks suspiciously.
“Oh, the usual, you know photos; they have this fucked up idea that I’m interested.”
“You better not be, buster.”
“Hey, do I look like I’m interested in scattered ass?”
She smiles and kisses me, placing both her hands on my face, as she delves her tongue into my mouth. I lap up everything she’s willing to lay on me. I know those skanky bitches are still hanging around. Yes, Jordan is laying her claim, but it’s only like what I did with her, so I can’t say a word.
“Baby, why don’t you go onto the trailer, I need to talk to Braydon, and I need a shower badly…” I drop her down gently to her feet, “I need to get out of these leathers.”
Fisting the leather, she tugs me towards her.
“I could help you get out of those, with pleasure.”
“Baby, pleasure is all you’re gonna get.”
Kissing her two fingers, she places them against my lips, and I can’t resist opening my mouth and sucking the tip of her finger into my mouth. Nibbling lightly until I hear the reaction I was aiming for.
“I won’t be long.”
Watching her walk away is the highlight of my day, not because I want her to walk away from me but because I can see that sweet ass sway. With a quick shake of my head, I turn, walking back across the track to my bike. Wherever my bike is, is where I’ll find Braydon.
Tapping him on the shoulder as he crouches down, I let him know I’m waiting and find a quiet spot to sit. He talks to one of the crew, who nods at Bray, and they take my bike back across the track and into the garages.
“Hey. You okay?” He asks, wiping his hands on a rag.
“Yeah, I’m good….” I think about that answer for a minute, pausing, “No, I’m better than good... listen, I’m going to need a flight back to California.” I’ve thought about this well and hard, and this is definitely what needs to be done.
“Alright. Is this for what I think it is?”
“Yeah... it is.”
“About fucking time too. Do you need me to come?”
“Your call. Just get Dave to order the tickets, I want to leave as soon as I can.”
With a brotherly slap to the top of his arm, I set off for the shower I most definitely need.
Chapter Twenty
Jordan
I’m at a loose end while I wait for Finn to come back and I’m bored. I decide to make a cup of tea while I’m waiting. I hope he and Caleb haven’t knocked heads again. I don’t want to be the cause of tension, but I have to admit, it’s quite nice to have someone fight for me.
Sipping at my cup of tea, I scroll through my phone to see what’s happening in the world of Facebook, but as ever, there’s nothing, nothing worth reading anyway.
The door to the trailer opens, breaking the mind-numbing silence and I look up, but to my disappointment, it’s not Finn, it’s Dave.
“Hey ya.”
“Hello darlin’, Finn not back yet?”
“No, I’m still waiting.”
“Okay. Can you give him a message for me?”
I nod and wait for him to relay it.
“Just tell him his flight is booked for tomorrow at nine am, and I’ll catch up with him later. I’ll go over the details then.”
Dave smiles with a nod and turns around, walking back through the door. I’m left wondering why Finn’s got a flight booked and most important of all, where he’s going?
My phone vibrates in my hand while I’m holding it. Glancing at the screen, I see Maria’s name and a waiting message.
What you doing tomorrow, I need retail therapy. You up for it?
I reply straight back…
Not sure what shift I’m working yet. I’ve just had the whole weekend off, so don’t hold your breath.
Ugh, tell him to get stuffed.
If only I could…
I hear the click of the door again and holding my breath, I look up to see if it’s Finn. When he steps inside, and I see his gorgeous smiling face, it makes me smile too. He strides towards me like a man on a mission. Leaning his hands on the back cushion of the seat, he bends over and kisses me.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey.” I let him take a seat beside me before I pass the message on, I’ve been left. His arm goes around my shoulders, and he pulls me against him.
“You did great today.”
“There was no way in hell I was losing that today.”
“Boys and their toys huh… I have a message for you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, Dave said your flight is booked for nine in the morning, but he said he’ll catch up with you later to give you the rest of the details.”
Finn’s face stays emotionless. I don’t want to seem like I’m being nosy, but if we’re a couple, then maybe he should at least share his plans with me.
“Something you need to tell me…?”
Looking at me from the side, he turns full on until he’s facing me and takes my hands in his.
“I have to fly home; I won’t be gone that long, but I do have some business to attend to.”
“Oh, okay. How long have you known this?”
“I decided today.”
“You say that like going home is an hour flight or something…”
“This really needs sorting. It’s just some stuff that I left go too far, and ends need tying up. I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise. It’s two weeks until the next meeting anyway.”
“Okay.”
I’m not sure how to feel. I'm not mad because, at the end of the day, it’s his home country, but he’s said nothing about having to go back. Tucking my chin into my chest, I focus on Finn’s large, strong hands cupping mine. With the tips of his fingers, he lifts my chin up.
“I’ll be back before you even realise I’ve gone.”
“I doubt that.” Finn sweeps his thumb across my cheekbone. “Is it just you going back?”
“I’m not sure, Braydon offered to come too, but I left the call on him. I assume he will, so he can see mom.”
“No problem.”
I turn my back and lie against him, tucking myself under his arm. He lays his arm across my chest, and I enjoy a cuddle from him. I probably won’t see him for the next two weeks.
“How about I drive you both to the airport in the morning?”
“It’s gonna be early, babe.”
“It’s fine. I’ll pack up tonight, and I can go straight home from the airport.”
“If that’s what you want?”
“It is.”
“That’s great, then.”
Wrapping both his arms around me, he links his fingers and I lie in the comfort of Finn’s arms.
Chapter Twenty-One
Finn
Looking across at the gorgeous woman in the driving seat, her mass of red hair sits piled on top of her head, secured with a hair tie. As she takes us to the airport, it makes me realize just how lucky I really am. I know we’ve moved quickly, and it’s only been a couple of months since I even met Jordan, but she means so much to me already. More important than any other woman ever has been, and that’s huge for me. She’s that special enough to me, to even do what I have to do, back home. Braydon is quiet in the back as we pull onto the lot and finds somewhere where we can unload, close to the entrance of the airport, and grab a ticket from the machine.
He jumps out of the car first, and we stay where we are for a minute.
“Will you message me when you land?”
I nod but don’t answer.
“I don’t care what time it is; I just need to know you’re okay.”
“Of course, I will. I’ll be back before you’ve even realized I’ve gone.”
“You talk shit. How can I think that when you’re so bloody loud.”
Leaning across the center, I take her face into my hands and tug her towards me. Giving in without argument, she leans in, putting her lips against mine. I make my mark on her by leaving with a kiss that’s she going to remember and totally devour her. Jordan gives me everything back in return. Looking directly into her hypnotic pools of green, I smile softly, hoping this last look will keep me going for the next week.
“I have to go, babe. I’ll call when I’ve landed.”
“You better, Superstar.”
“Promise.” I grin. With a quick kiss on her forehead, I pull on the door catch and get out, meeting Braydon at the back with the luggage.
As we step off the plane, I’m exhausted. That was the longest eleven hours of my life. I’m sure it’s because I know what it is I have to do, but I also know the jet lag is going to be a bitch. It’s five o’clock in the afternoon, US time. Once we’ve got our luggage, we jump in a cab and head off to my apartment; I need to check on things. I’ve had enough of hotels, trailers, and whatever other places I've stayed in the last few months. I need home comforts, and that means mom’s house. It’s been a while since I’ve stayed at home, but I know that Bray will be happy.
Heading through the main door of my building, I say hey to Pete, the concierge and he passes my mail over.
“Mr. Cooper. I wasn’t expecting you back yet.”
“Some business to deal with, everything alright?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Good. I’m just gonna nip upstairs, and I’ll be outta here. I won’t be in California long; I’ll be heading back to the UK as soon as my business is over.”
“Yes sir, Mr. Cooper.”
While Braydon sits in the rental we hired at the airport, I run up the two flights of stairs until I reach my apartment. Once the door is open, I pull my phone from my pocket and pull up Jordan’s number. I take a walk around my pad while holding my phone to my ear and listen to it ringing. I’m just about to cut it when I hear her sweet voice.
“Finn.” She answers excitedly.
“Hey, baby. You miss me yet?”
“Sorry I couldn’t answer right away, I was getting out of the bath, and I was all wet… I had to dry my hands before I could answer.”
“Shit. Now you got me thinking about you being wet.”
“Did you have a good flight, Superstar?” I know she’s smiling on the other end of the phone; I can hear it in her voice.
“Meh, it was long and exhausting. So, you haven't answered my question.”
“Nah, it’s quiet.”
“Well, I’m missing you.”
“Aw, so sweet…”
“It’s only a quick call, so I have to go; I just wanted to hear your voice. I’ll see you soon. Night baby.”
Cutting off the phone, I slide it back into my pocket, grab my keys, heading out of the apartment. Saying bye to Pete on the way out, I let the door shut behind me as I jog through and head back to the car.
“Finn. What are you doing here?” Mom’s face lights up as she stands in her doorway. Her arms circle my neck as she hugs me as tight as she can.
“Any chance we can come in?” I laugh.
“Oh lord, of course.” She links my arm and drags me into the sitting room. “So, how come you’re here… I mean not that I’m not pleased to see you, because of course, I am. I don’t understand, you never said on the phone you were coming back.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise. I have some business to attend to, so I thought I’d pop in while I’m here.” I add smiling.
I always love seeing my mom; she’s the best woman in my life, one that will never judge me for my mistakes.
“How about coffee, a real coffee?”
“Oh dear, is the UK not treating you right?”
“It’s treating me really well, but it’s not yours, is it? In fact, it’s shit compared to yours.”
Mom smiles before heading off into the kitchen, leaving me alone in my childhood living room. As I look around, there are photographs everywhere. On the wall, on the fireplace, on the hearth. Photos of mom and dad, ones that captured me and Braydon playing when we were just kids, but the one that really catches my eye, cuts straight to my heart. I walk over to the fireplace taking the frame into my hands. It was the last photo taken of me and dad. Dad has his arm around me after I won the MotoAmerica championship, my first title.
“I remember that.” I swing around to see mom standing at the doorway with my cup in hand. “He was so proud; the smile never left his face for days.”
“I wish he was here now.” I reminisce.
“Oh sweetheart, so do I. If he could see you racing in the UK, he’d be beside himself. So, come on tell me what’s been happening, what have you been up to?”
Handing over my coffee, I take another look at my dad and sit back down.
“Well, other than practicing, not a lot…”
“And, have you met anyone nice…?” Mom tries to drag information from me. I swear she’s trying to get rid of me.
“There’s only one woman that has a place in my life, and that’s you, mom.”
“Oh Finlay, behave. I’m not going to be here forever. I’d love to see you settled before I leave this earth.”
The thought of my mom dying fills me with dread, but I can see what she’s saying, so I give her a little bit.
“I may have met someone…”
The door crashes open, cutting off my confession to my mom and in walks my brother.
“Hey hotshot, I’m not your bellboy.” My bags drop to the floor with a thud, and Braydon pulls our mom to her feet and plasters her against his chest.
“Hello, beautiful.”
Kissing his cheek, she pulls away with a smile.
“My boys, the charmers, you both definitely follow your dad.”
Sitting back down, she taps my knee.
“So, come on, what’s she like?” It doesn’t take her long to get back on the track of our conversation.
As I picture Jordan in my mind, a satisfied sigh leaves my lips.
“Her name’s Jordan, she’s a redhead, she’s beautiful, sassy and gives me shit.”
“I like her already.”
“Yeah, she doesn’t take his shit either, so that makes her top of the scale.” Braydon, the fucker, adds.
Behind my mom’s back, as she sits between us, I give Bray the bird and go back to my conversation.
“You know what I like most… she didn’t even know who I was, even though the British Superbike is big, she hadn’t got a clue.”
“So, when will I meet her? It’s not like you're down the block, is it?”
“I promise you’ll meet her, maybe once the season is over.”
Drinking the last of my coffee, I put down the cup.
“Any chance we can crash here? It’ll only be a couple of nights at the most.”
Getting tearful, she wipes the moisture from her eyes and hugged me again.
“Of course, I’d love for you both to stay here.”
I place a kiss on the top of her head.
“Thanks, mom.”
“Your rooms are made up anyway.”
“Have I ever told you that you’re the best mom ever?”
“Hmmm, maybe a couple of times when you were growing up, and you needed to get around me.”
With another quick kiss to the top of her head, she smiles, and I walk towards the door.
“Oh, bellboy… when you’re ready.” Snapping my fingers at him in jest, his head snaps around - I should probably run after the look he’s just given me, but nah.
A laugh bursts from me as Braydon rushes towards the door.
“I see the UK didn’t help you boys to grow up then?”
Racing up the stairs, I get to my bedroom, slamming the door before he can reach me. Being back at home brings out the child in me, obviously.
Once I’ve been back downstairs and grabbed my bag, I lie it on the bed and pull out my clothes for the next few days, hanging them up. Upon entering my en-suite bathroom, I start the shower and grab one of the sweet-smelling, fluffy towels from the closet. I step into the steaming downpour of water and it instantly relaxes me, washing away the sweat from travelling. I don’t have time to enjoy it too much, I have shit to do and the sooner it gets done, the better.
