Page 37 of Send It
Colson
Tearing down Reiss’ bike and putting it together took longer than I thought it would.
In fact, I was there for the better part of all night.
I’m really good at working on these bikes, hell I could rebuild the top end and replace shocks when I was like twelve or thirteen.
But an entire rebuild is new territory. I put Reiss’ bike back together and today I’m calling around to find the parts I need.
“Haven’t been to bed,” I explain. “I took Reiss’ bike apart. I’m trying to find the parts to rebuild one of the practice bikes.”
He stares at me and I think he’s kind of shocked. “You did what?”
“I’ve already made calls. I’m gonna be able to get almost everything here within a couple days.”
“You are gonna rebuild a bike?” He looks wary, like he’s questioning my ability.
“I am,” I say. “I’m gonna make sure that Landon Tate regrets the day he fucked with me, but I’m gonna do it the right way. On the track.”
He opens his mouth and I think he’s going to argue with me, but he doesn’t.
“I’m proud of you,” he says and a sense of pride swells in my chest. Partly because it’s not something I hear very often.
“After hearing about you breaking Jackson’s jaw, I was starting to wonder if the Colson I love so much was still in there. ”
I bite my lip, disappointed in myself, “I know. I should’ve handled it differently but at the time I couldn’t see past being pissed the fuck off. I still am.”
“Lincoln needs to see that you can handle things without resorting to violence,” he says. “Women only think the bad boy thing is sexy for so long and then they want to know that when times get hard, their partner will comfort them instead of fighting.”
Something tells me he’s learned this the hard way.
“I’m trying really hard. The Banes are my family, so I just lost it.”
He nods firmly, “The best way to handle this thing with Landon is on the track. You’re right about that. Now… Do I need to take Reiss’ bike to our mechanic to get it checked out?”
“Nope,” I say. “I ran it this morning. Runs great, maybe even better than before.”
“I’ll take one of the bikes to the shop and have Grant strip it down for you so when the parts come you will just need to put it together. It will give you more time to train. ”
“Thank you,” I say. “I really appreciate your support, Ry.”
He waves me off, “We’re a team, Raines. Now suit up.”
I do as he says and then head back into the shop and straddle the bike. Thankful that Reiss isn’t here for this session. I don’t wanna deal with his constant nagging about how I’m not pushing hard enough.
“Well, we all saw on Saturday at East Bend that when the time comes you will push your body to the limit to win, but I don’t want to do that today.” Ryan says.
I stare at him, confused.
“I just want you to ride, Colson. Slow, fast, balls to the fucking wall or turtle speed, I don’t care. Just ride and do what’s comfortable with no pain.”
Not riding at all I think to myself, but kickstart the bike anyway.
I ride fast but not as fast as I usually do. I absorb my jumps with my entire body sitting back on the bike where I would normally stand and when Ryan motions me off the track, I know he’s going to ask me questions. I can see them written all over his expression.
“I think you need to go back to the doctor. Something isn’t right.”
I wave him off, “I’m just resting it. There will be a break after Nationals and that will be more beneficial than anything.”
I see Lincoln out of the corner of my eye, hosing one of the bikes down with the pressure washer and Ryan notices my distraction.
“I see it,” Ryan says. “And it won’t be long until Reiss wakes up and sees it too. Are you ready for that? ”
“No,” I answer, truthfully. Not denying it. “But I’m ready to face it when the time is right.”
“When is that?”
I sigh, “After nationals. I don’t wanna fuck with his head before the biggest race of his career.”
“That’s fair,” Ryan says. “Unless that blows up in your face. It’s only two weeks, so I would lay low if I were you.”
“That’s the plan,” I say, remembering his reaction when he saw my hands on her a couple days ago. “Things have changed the past couple of months.”
He snorts, “Dynamic between you two has definitely changed. She’s not a little girl anymore.”
“No she isn’t,” I agree.
I watch as Lincoln stands in moto pants and a sports bra, her hair tied up in a messy bun, washing the mud off the bike.
“Are you training with her?” I ask.
“No,” Ryan says. “We’re on pause until after Nationals. I’m trying to focus all my energy on you and Reiss.”
“She’s good,” I say. “She’s better than y’all give her credit for.”
“Down tiger,” he laughs. “Of course she’s good.”
I shake my head, walking away, “Then maybe you should give her some of the same attention you give Reiss. She could be a force in the pro world, especially the way she manipulates the clutch.”
“You’re in love.”
I walk over to Lincoln with my head held high because yeah, you can tease me about it but I am. So totally in love with her it hurts. If Reiss doesn’t accept it then it probably always will.