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As we approach, a sea of riders come into view, but my eyes are immediately drawn to Axel in his red jumpsuit.

He sits casually on his bike to the side of the track, motionless as he watches the riders before him go through their routines.

I’m just as still as he is, but not because I’m calm.

I’m so fucking anxious I feel myself vibrating, though I’m sure my fidgeting would be a distraction so I’m pretending to be a statue instead.

Why am I such a wreck? I should not be so invested in this, but damn if I can tell myself the outcome doesn’t matter. I want Axel to do well. And be safe.

I’m concentrating so hard I don’t even notice the other riders, the roar of the crowd. All I can see is him, bike between his legs, helmet hanging off the handlebar, eyes focused on the arena. Until suddenly they’re on me, and he crooks his finger, beckoning me forward.

“I can feel you freaking out over there,” he says when I reach him.

“Sorry. Should I leave?” I trap my bottom lip with my teeth, feeling uncharacteristically uncertain.

“Hell no. You should come closer and give me a kiss for luck.” His gaze lands on my mouth.

The heat in his eyes has my heart pounding so ferociously it’s hard to breathe. “You said you don’t need luck.”

“I don’t, but I’ll use any excuse to get you to kiss me.” The corner of his lip pulls upward with a sly grin.

“You don’t need an excuse for that. ”

“Then get over here.”

He wraps an arm around my waist and hauls me to him just as his name echoes around us.

Ignoring it, he tilts his head to the side and presses his lips to mine, lingering long enough to assure me I’ve got nothing to fear.

Then he pulls away and shoots me a wink that nearly makes my knees buckle as he dons his helmet.

Dear God, when he looks at me like that it’s no wonder I can’t say no to the man.

Jace comes up beside me and takes my elbow, guiding me to the corner of the arena where I’ll have the best view. When he lets go, I cross my arms in front of my chest, rubbing the sudden chill out of them.

“He really is the best. It’ll be fine,” Jace assures me.

My brain knows that, but my body seems determined to panic. All I can do is give him a weak smile and a nod as I turn my focus to Axel.

He roars down a steep hill and up another, launching dozens of feet into the air. The moment the bike leaves the ground it starts spinning, once, twice, before it slows enough to land safely on the descending part of the hill.

Axel rides to the end of the rink and turns, repeating the process on a different set of jumps. Sometimes he spins the bike, other times he flips it, he even lets go completely and seems to hover over it in the air, something the announcer calls a Superman.

Watching him maneuver the bike in the air I understand why his body looks the way it does; lean enough to be mobile and strong enough to control several hundred pounds of machinery. It’s violent and graceful at the same time. It's mesmerizing.

As the clock winds down on his run, he pauses facing the biggest hill and revs his engine.

Then he takes off, catapulting off the jump with a flip and spin—or is it a twist—so fast my eyes have trouble tracking it.

Then he lands on the other side to an enormous roar, and Jace hugs me to him as he jumps wildly up and down, forcing me to jump with him.

“Did you see that? It’s the first time that trick’s been landed in competition!” he shouts.

Based on the reaction of the crowd this is a big deal. They’re all on their feet, jumping, clapping, and screaming, erupting in another round of applause when Axel’s name appears at the top of the leader board.

When he sees the results, Axel does a victory lap around the arena, riding to the top of the tallest hill where he takes off his helmet and waves at the crowd. The smile he wears is one of pure joy, but it’s absent any cockiness. Humble almost, as if the awe and attention embarrass him.

I don’t know why that surprises me. Maybe because he so confidently pursued me, I assumed he would revel in being admired. The fact he seems genuinely honored by the admiration from the crowd has me once again thinking dangerous thoughts about wanting to witness these competitions beyond today.

“Come on.” Jace grabs my hand and drags me toward the start, where I’m supposed to meet Axel.

My boyfriend comes to a stop and shuts off the bike, head swiveling around as he dismounts. A throng of people surge forward, surrounding him, but before he’s swallowed up, he catches sight of me and pushes through them.

I barely have time to pocket my sunglasses before I’m in his arms, my legs floating behind me as he spins us around and crushes his lips to mine. When he finally sets me down, he presses his forehead to mine and holds still, his heaving chest the only remaining evidence of exertion.

“You were incredible,” I whisper .

“You think so?” He pulls back slightly, a bashful grin on his face. I nod vigorously, unable to find words, and am surprised to see a slight frown wash over his face. “What are the tears for then?” He takes off his glove and wipes his thumb under my eye.

I’m crying? That’s… Shit. “I don’t know. I think I’m just really happy for you.” I chuckle awkwardly and then have to sniff to keep my nose from running. When I’m brave enough to meet his eyes my breath catches at the intensity I see there.

“Thank you for being here.” He leans his forehead against mine again.

“I…” A reporter calls his name, startling us apart since she’d snuck so close without our notice, which makes me oddly grateful.

I have no idea what I would have said without her interruption, though I suspect it would’ve been along the lines of not wanting to be anywhere else.

And in that moment, it would’ve been true.