Switching Gears Part 28

Yes. Ill talk to her tomorrow. I dont want anything to bring me down from this high Ive had from training every day.

Everything else is perfect right now. Perfect and amazing. And I want it to stay that way.

CHAPTER 31.

Back Country. The one day Ive been training for, for weeks. Its finally here. The day Im going to beat Whitney.

Or maybe beat her.

Hopefully.

As I slide my gloves on, I cant keep the negative voice taking over in my head.

Youre not good enough. You cant do this. Shes so much better than you are.

I tell it to shut up. I have to calm my nerves and figure out what the heck Im supposed to do to win.

b.u.t.terflies occupy the s.p.a.ce of my stomach and I take deep breaths before lining up at the starting line. Its a cross country race. A bunch of downhill and lots of climbing is involved, too. I can do this. Breathe and Ill be okay.

I see Kelsie standing behind the finish line and give her a little wave. She waves back, her phone raised, probably taking a zillion pictures of me. Im so happy shes here. Shes always here when I need her.

The boys race right after us. I glance at Cole, whos over with the guys getting ready. He smiles, his eyes meeting mine, and puts his fingers to his lips.

I do the same back to him and he smiles and turns back around.

Dont even tell me. You and Cole now? Whitneys voice grates on my ears, and I try to tune her out. I dont want her to mess me up. Even before the race.

Keeping my eyes on Cole, I say, Do you have a problem with that?

She laughs. Hes just so much better than you. I dont know why he bothers.

I ignore her, fuming, and focus on putting my gloves on. I flex my fingers, making sure theyre snug. I check my brakes, my gears, everything once again, even though Ive already checked them a dozen times already. It gives me something to do instead of letting my nerves get the best of me.

Riders get ready.

I shake off my nerves and climb on my bike, clip my shoes into the pedals, and get ready. Focus. Breathe. Ive got this. Five miles of hard riding and Ill be done. Keep it together. Remember what Cole taught me.

The gunshot goes off and the race starts.

Whitney shoots to the front of the line, and I keep a good pace in third, behind Whitney and a girl in blue with dark hair. By the way shes riding, she knows what shes doing. Ive got my work cut out for me today.

Dirt from the trail picks up around the riders, and Im thankful I have my sungla.s.ses on. I duck under a low-hanging tree branch and follow the bikers ahead of me down the narrow part of the trail. One side is a bunch of trees and a twenty-foot drop off, the other side is solid rock.

I ignore the small part of me thats afraid of heights and focus on the back of the girl in front of me, keeping calm, even breaths.

The first part of the race is easy"mostly just turns and dirt on a smooth surface.

Then the hills come. Im ready. I shift gears before the first hill and charge on up. The trail widens a tad, but not enough, so I keep my position and wait.

The sun beats down on my white and orange jersey, and I feel the sweat bead on my forehead. If I can keep up with Cole, I can keep up with these girls. I glance ahead and pump my legs harder. Still third and time to move up. I look down at my GPS. Ive ridden about three miles now.

The trail widens as the trees thin and nothing but weeds and sagebrush take up both sides of the trail. I suppress a grin as I pa.s.s the second-place rider and push myself until Im right behind Whitneys pink spandex. Shes fast, but I match her pace, staying far enough away, but close enough. Id pa.s.s her, but the trail has thinned again and I dont want to get pushed into the weeds by moving too early.

Playing it safe, I keep up behind her, silently thanking Cole for helping me get my endurance up.

My b.u.t.t is killing me by the time we make it to the last climb. Switching gears again, I start up the hill, avoiding big rocks that could throw the entire race. The back of my shirt is sticky with sweat, and my legs feel like theyre on fire, but I keep going, noting when Whitney slows just a tad. The trail widens enough for two bikes, and I take a chance, pushing myself as hard as my body will allow. We reach the top, neck and neck, and I look ahead at the last downhill before the finish line.

Its completely covered in rocks.

Cole said risks were okay to take, as long as Im not stupid, so I speed up, shift into sixth gear, and stand, leaning back behind my seat as I navigate over the rocks. Im thankful I have a shock, because my bike would be bouncing out of control if I didnt.

I reach the bottom and have no idea where Whitney is. People are cheering. I push myself harder than Ive ever pushed before in a race, and when I cross the finish line, my eyes fill with tears when I see Whitney is two seconds behind me.

I did it. I won!

Cole reaches me first, ripping me off my bike and squishing me in a huge bear hug. I laugh and cough and cry all at the same time. You did it, Em!

I know! I hug him back as he spins me around, not setting me down until Kelsie races over. She tackles me and, seeing how wobbly my legs are, we both fall into a heap in the dirt. I sit there, tears running down my dirty cheeks, and dont even bother trying to get up.

You were amazing, Emmy!

I laugh and wipe happy tears away. Thank you. I cant believe I did it.

I look up as someone reaches a hand down to help me up. Whitney. Good race, Emmy. See you next month. She gives me a tiny smile and walks away, head held high.

Wow. That was nice, I say, staring after her.

I told you. She may not be as bad as you think, Cole says with a wink.

Kelsie grabs my hand. Lets go claim your prize. I think its like $100 or something. She bounces on her toes. Oh, and by the way, your brothers here.

Gavins here?

She points to him coming out of the crowd as he rushes over to me and wraps me in a hug. You did it, Em! That was seriously crazy.

I didnt even know you were here. I squeeze him back, hard. Hes never come to one of my races before. Im so happy to see him. Is Mom or Dad here, too?

He shakes his head. No. But Mom wanted to come. She even got in the car with me, but Dad made her stay home. She wasnt feeling very well.

Whats wrong with her?

She thinks shes getting the flu. Dad was kind of worried about her so he made her go to bed and told me to tell you theyll make it to your next one.

Oh. My mood dampens and I frown. I didnt realize how much I wanted them to come until this moment. So, how long have you been here? Did you see the whole race?

He nods. I snuck in right before you started. Ive never seen you race before, and I knew this was a big deal for you.

Thanks, Gav. I hug him and pull away, finding Coles hand again. I dont miss the look Gavin gives me, but its not a bad one. Just one that Im sure means h.e.l.l embarra.s.s me later.

Someone calls the boys group to go line up and I give Cole a smile. Youre racing next. Get over there and Ill see you when youre finished.

Yes, maam. He winks and leaves us alone.

CHAPTER 32.

The day pa.s.ses in a blur. Cole has two races, so we spend most of the day at the trail. The high of winning the race is addicting. Im not sure what I want to do when were done here, but I know it will involve Cole.

Kelsie hugs me again. Im so proud of you, Em. You were amazing.

Thanks.

As we watch the end of Coles second race, which of course he wins, we wait for him to get his winners check and medal. After everyone claps and takes pictures, he walks over and brings someone with him.

Its an older guy, maybe in his thirties. Hes grinning as Cole stops in front of us. Emmy, this is Daniel. My sponsor. Hed like to talk to you for a second.

Daniel reaches out his hand to me and squeezes it tight as he shakes it. I saw you race, Emmy. You did awesome. I was wondering if youd like to discuss a possible sponsorship with Edge. Id like to see you race next month, and we could do dinner after, depending on your outcome.

That sounds amazing.

He smiles. Perfect. He hits Coles shoulder and then shakes his hand. See you, bro. Great race today.

Thanks, Daniel.

We watch him walk away and Cole grins at me.

A sponsor? Its all I can say. I never dreamed this would happen. Even if its just dinner next month. A sponsor was actually talking to me. To me. You didnt have to tell him about me.

You earned it. And besides, he saw the race. He saw how good you rode. I had nothing to do with it.

You brought him here, though. I nudge him with my shoulder and he chuckles.

I may have had a little to do with it, but only a little. He pulls me to him, and I put my hands on his chest as he gives me a wicked grin. Im proud of you. He kisses me, and I have to hang on to him to support my legs which are starting to ache from my race.

Seriously? In front of everyone?

I glance at Kelsie. Youre one to talk. She always kisses whoever she was dating in front of people. Didnt matter where they were. The back seat of my car, in front of her locker at school. Sometimes in her locker making out. No exaggeration.

I know. She grins.

Cole slips his hand through mine. You want to get out of here? I havent really eaten all day.

Yes. We can go grab a shake, too. Sound good?

That sounds great. I pull Gavin over. Hey. Want to come get a shake with us?

Sure. I can drive if you want.

Let me lock my bike up on my car. Can you drop me off back here after?

Of course.

After locking up our bikes, we follow Gavin to his car. Shotgun! Kelsie yells.

I happily let her take it since Im looking forward to sharing the back seat with Cole. Not that well do anything; I just feel like being close to him.

We all pile inside and head down the road.

Where are we headed? he asks, glancing back at us.

Wherever. Are you guys hungry for shakes or food, too?

Im starving, Cole says, slipping his arm around my shoulders.

Me too, I admit. How about Wendys?

A collective yes echoes through the car.

Kelsie turns the radio up, and we all jam out to the song blasting through the speakers.

Gavin stops at a four-way stop, tapping his hands on the steering wheel. Cole moves his arm for a second to adjust his seatbelt and everything seems perfect.

I glance out the window at the setting sun. It was a perfect day. The perfect day to win a race.

Gavin pulls forward then, and no one else sees the car zooming through the stop sign until its too late.

Everything is in slow motion.

The sound of screeching metal, shattering gla.s.s, and screams fill the air. I dont know whos screaming, but it pierces my ears and leaves a ringing there until everything goes still.

Pain radiates through my entire body, especially my neck. I try to move, but cant. My eyes cant focus and I cant get a good breath.

Cole? I gasp, trying to take in another breath. My lungs wont cooperate. They feel like fire, burning me from the inside out. I close my eyes from the pain and focus on breathing in and out as tears stream down my cheeks.

Im here, Emmy. Stay with me, okay?

I My voice trails off. It hurts to talk. To breathe. To move. Everything hurts. Cant breathe I try to suck in another breath, and it hurts so bad I think I might pa.s.s out.