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“Wow, that’s impressive, but crazy. I can’t believe they risk their lives like that,” Agustin says, but then adds, “Too bad he didn’t land it.”
Ladies and gentlemen, did you hear that sarcasm? If I had to guess, that’s Agustin’s subtle dig at Roan. I glance at him, smile and down that travel size of Fireball I stuck in my purse earlier. Roan motions toward the announcer’s booth and judges with a roll of his gloved wrist indicating he’s going for another round.
Watching closely, I can’t take my eyes off him as he shifts his weight on the bike, shaking out his hands and then leaning forward. The announcer’s voice fills the night. “This Pasadena native is a triple threat these days. Fresh off an Erzberg Rodeo Hare Scramble win, he’s dominating the Night of the JUMPs this year. Let’s see what he can make of this second run.”
Is your heart pounding with anticipation like mine? I can hardly stand it, waiting for him to come off the line, but he’s just sitting there staring at the ramp. When he does take off, he surprises the crowd by doing a surfer take-off where he stands on the seat before he hits the ramp, and then curls into a no-handed front flip. It looks like he’s doing yoga seventy feet in the air.
This time he lands it and the crowd cheers with thunderous applause. I hesitate because if I clap, what does that mean? What will Agustin think?
To my surprise, Agustin claps, seemingly entertained, so I clap too. But if you look closely at Agustin, do you notice how his whole face changes? He looks disappointed, doesn’t he?
Roan rides up to the top of the landing ramp and cranks the throttle to redline the bike in neutral. Again, the crowd goes crazy. He doesn’t look my way again. At least not that I notice.
Shade takes the win by doing a double lazy boy backflip that sends everyone into a panic. If you’ve never seen one, google them. They’re scary looking and dangerous because it’s one of the only tricks where the rider loses sight of the landing for the majority of the trick until they land. You literally have no idea if you’re going to land it, until you do.
Roan takes second and while he’s on the podium with his brother and I’m standing in front of the BAGJUMP tent with Agustin, he turns me to face him. “I have something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Agustin whispers, his words broken and undefined, as if he’s unsure of them, or how I’m going to react to them.
Please don’t ask me if I love you.
I nod, smiling tenderly, unaware of what the next thirty seconds will bring. Suddenly, his smile vanishes and he clears his throat, sliding down to one knee as he presents a black velvet box in front of me.
No way. This isn’t happening. Not here, not in front of him. Why? Why would he choose now? Roan is watching us and I want to throw up. He doesn’t know what’s said between us, but I think a man sliding down on one knee sorta gives it away, doesn’t it?
I fight the urge to turn around and look at his expression. I wonder what it will be. There’s ohh’s and aww’s from the crowd. Cheering, whistling, his sister screeching in delight and people I don’t even know yelling, “Say yes, honey!”
Suddenly, I want to make him happy. I don’t want to hurt him in the ways I’ve been hurt. I don’t want him to feel not good enough.
Brokenly, forcing a fake smile, I whisper, “Yes.”
Shock hits his face. If I had to guess, maybe when he asked the question, he honestly thought my answer would be different. “Are you sure?” he asks, his voice laced with worry, his brows pulled together.
I touch his cheek as he places the ring on my finger. “I am.” But the moment feels nothing like I thought it would. I let out a nervous laugh, my chin resting on his shoulder as he swings me around. And then, as my luck would have it, Roan’s staring at me and it’s like the air has been sucked from my lungs.
Despite the resentment in his eyes, he plays nonchalant in front of the cameras and media surrounding him. With a notable sigh, he runs his hand through his sweaty hair and then steps off the podium, his helmet in hand. I lose sight of him after that.
“I need to help Camila tear this down.” Agustin motions to the tent behind him, holding my hands. “Should we grab a late dinner after this?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” I plaster a smile on my face, winking at him. I step back only to have him pull me back against him, his hands sliding from my wrists to my elbows. “I’ll wait by the car. I’m just gonna say goodbye to my dad if I can find him.”
With one last kiss, he lets go of me, holding me at bay with his hands on his hips. There’s nothing but love in his eyes and a new flush to his cheeks. With his black hair falling into his face, he sweeps it aside. “I can’t believe you said yes.”
Meeting earnest dark eyes, the kindness in them unnerves me. And then it hits me. I said yes to marrying someone. Me. The girl who feels like she has no place in this world, is giving herself to someone else? My heart thuds in my ears, anxiety rushing through my stomach.
From behind, Camila wraps her arms around me. “We’re gonna be sisters!”
Trapped in her embrace, I fight back tears, my throat burning. I want to express my excitement, say something, anything, but no words come out.
She squeezes tighter. “I can’t wait to tell our parents.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“Yeah,” I manage to squeak, twisting to face her.
“Camila!” Agustin yells from the tent. “Let my girl go and help me out.”
Relief washes through me, and with some coaxing by Agustin, I’m able to sneak away from his sister and to the paddock. I know, your heart’s in your throat too because you know exactly what’s about to happen the moment my name is given to the security event staff.
You think he’s going to find me, don’t you?