Page 32 of Theo (Stone Brothers #6)

TWENTY-SEVEN

THEO

I 'd asked Lacey to come along to the race, something she'd been hinting at all week. Now I wasn't sure it was a good idea. Having her near was always good for my confidence, but what if I choked again? Fuck everyone else. I didn't want to humiliate myself in front of her.

"Another water?" Dad asked and looked pointedly at the empty bottle in my hand.

I shook my head. "I'm good."

He sat down, and I shook my head again. "No analysis."

"Nope. Just sitting here next to the top racer to look important."

"Not feeling on top right now, Dad. Talk to me after the race, and we'll see if this is over for me or not."

"And if it is, big fucking deal. You move on with your life. You've got the woman of your dreams back, and you've got a job. You'll be fine. You can ride for fun. No stress."

"Someone's trying to let himself down easy," I said with a smile.

Dad shrugged. "Not gonna lie. I like this whole racing competition thing. It gets this old man's blood going."

"Great. I know how you can really get it going. Hop on that bike and take the run for me."

Dad put his arm around me. "You've got this, kiddo, and now, I'm going to take off because your dream woman is heading this way, and I know you don't want your old man sticking around."

Dad waved at Lacey and walked toward the tent where they were serving nachos.

I got up and walked over to meet her. She always managed to steal my breath away just by smiling. I kissed her.

"Jules and I were talking about a house that your mom and aunt just listed. It's small and a fixer-upper. It's right at the edge of town, you know, near the turnoff to the point, and well, I was thinking of buying it."

"Shit, yeah, that sounds great. I'm pretty handy. I could help you fix it up."

"I was hoping you'd do more than fix it up. I was hoping you'd move in with me."

"Yeah? You ready for that?"

Her face fell. "Aren't you? Now I feel silly. I just assumed?—"

I pulled her in for another kiss. "You kidding, Ace? Of course I'm ready." We talked about the house for a few more minutes until they called me up to the starting gate. It had taken my mind off the ride, and that seemed to be a good thing.

"Remember, I want a big kiss at the end whether you win or not," she said.

"I've already won, Ace. I'll see you down at the bottom."

I was feeling pretty good by the time I got on the bike.

Seconds later, I took off. The bike was handling well, and I was in tune with it and the trail.

My nemesis, the road jump, came up before I had much time to think about it.

I hit it at top speed, arced through the air and landed solidly.

I took off through the rocks and poured it on in the final stretch.

The crowd was cheering. Dad was standing on the sidelines just before the finish. Best fucking coach in the world.

I reached the end. The yells and cheers let me know I'd won. I'd even beat my old time. I yanked off my helmet. Dad and Cormac ran out to clap me on the back. Dad hugged me. "Knew you had it in you," he said into my ear. He spotted something over my shoulder and let me go.

I turned around. Lacey strolled toward me with her incredible smile. She'd always been in my soul. I couldn't imagine being without her. She threw her arms around my neck, and we kissed. The crowd cheered again.

She lifted her face, still smiling.

"Well, was a kiss in the winner's circle everything you imagined?" I asked.

"And more. I love you, Theo Stone."

"Good thing, Ace, cuz I fucking love you, too."