Page 64 of Twisted Trails (Rogue Riders Duet #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Finn

Even though the windows are cracked, the van Alaina’s dad rented for us still smells of mud, chain grease, and too much adrenaline.

We’ve been driving in silence for at least ten minutes.

Not awkward silence, but the kind that comes after qualifying, when your brain is still catching up with your body and you’re trying to figure out whether the run felt good because it was good or you’re just lying to yourself to keep from spiraling.

Even though I didn’t race today, I still know that feeling.

Luc props his boots on the dash like he owns the place and breaks the quiet first by shit-talking Mason.

“You’re awfully smug for someone who was only three-tenths ahead of me.”

I grip the steering wheel and glance over to spy Mason and Luc, who are squished together on the passenger bench thanks to the bikes stuffed in the back.

“Three-tenths is ahead,” Mason says dryly, not even looking away from his protein bar.

“Barely. That’s like a long blink. ”

“Still in front.”

“You know qualifying doesn’t mean shit, right? Tomorrow is what counts.”

Mason grins at Luc. “Or I just have the better lines, and you should have paid attention on the track walk.”

Luc groans like he’s in pain. “Did you just hit me with the grandpa logic? That’s Greer’s job . ”

“Shut it,” I mutter. My voice comes out a little flatter than I mean it to, but neither of them comments on it.

Otis stayed behind with Jim to grab food after qualifying, but the rest of us just wanted to go home. Not even to rest.

To see her.

Even though I know she’s fine, Dane and Piper are there. She’s safe. But my chest has been tight since we left this morning, like something is off. I should’ve insisted she come with us, even though we all agreed she shouldn’t.

Even if I was the one who helped talk her out of it.

She wanted to come. Said she didn’t care what the crowds or the UCI threw at her, that she’d already bled for this place, so what’s a few glares and headlines?

But it wasn’t true, not all the way. I know what the pressure does to her.

How she pretends it doesn’t get in while it eats her alive under the skin. I’ve seen it.

The only thing that got through— really got through—was Dane. He gently laid it out for her, saying that if she showed up today, she’d pull all the spotlight from what Mason and Luc are trying to build.

So, she stayed home, and I told myself that was enough, that she’d be okay, that she had people with her, but fuck if my head wasn’t still stuck on her the entire day.

Alaina and the Raines. Alaina and the UCI. Alaina and everything.

I’m so ready for this season to be over .

I need a break, a real one where I can sleep in and wake up next to her without wondering what media outlet is about to drag her name through the dirt.

Where I can breathe again, plan, and figure out what’s next for us.

Because no matter what the future looks like, I’m not leaving her side ever again.

We pull into the gravel driveway, and I notice immediately that Dane’s car is gone, but light spills out of the kitchen window, and I catch a shadow moving behind the curtain. Probably Piper chasing Toulouse off the counter again.

I kill the engine, but no one moves right away.

“You think you’ll be faster tomorrow?” Mason says, probably only to fill the silence.

Luc grins. “I know I’ll be faster.”

Mason nods solemnly. “Just make sure you don’t yeet yourself off the course.”

Luc flashes his teeth. “Better than finishing with no flair, Payne. ”

I shake my head and pop the door open, boots crunching on the gravel. Their banter fades behind me as I head for the porch, my heart kicking up a notch the closer I get.

She’s in there.

She’s waiting.

And dammit, I don’t even care who wins this race tomorrow.

Tonight, I want to kiss my baby girl.

We step inside, and the second the door shuts behind us, I forget how to breathe.

She’s standing in the hallway in a robe that only makes it halfway down those strong, muscular thighs, the ones I can never not look at, and she’s holding my helmet in one hand, waiting. Her hair is damp, skin flushed like maybe she just got out of the shower , and Jesus Christ, I’m in trouble.

“How was qualifying?” she asks, voice casual, like she’s not standing there looking like a damn fantasy.

“Good,” I manage, though my brain is already somewhere else entirely. “Looks like I’m winning some money tomorrow.”

Luc snorts. “Pfft. To finish first, you have to finish first .”

“Still qualified ahead of you,” Mason mutters.

“I was conserving energy,” Luc counters. “Pacing myself. You ever heard of strategy, Pretty Boy?”

“That’s rich coming from you.” Mason smirks.

Alaina chuckles, her eyes warm when they meet mine. “I’ve got good news for you.”

“Oh?” I glance around for Dane or Piper, half-expecting them to pop out from behind the couch. “Where is everyone?”

“We’re home alone,” she says, stepping closer. “Dane and Piper left earlier this afternoon. They went to DC to meet with our dad. Talking team details.”

My brows pull. “Team details?”

Alaina nods, then shifts, placing my helmet on the counter. “Remember when Dane asked for your pitch? Your training plans, sponsor deck, budget, and stuff?”

“Yeah, but that was just…” A strange feeling bubbles up in my chest, a mix of unease and hope. “You’re saying they’re what? Showing that to your dad?”

“It was Dane’s idea. He wanted to wait to tell you about it until we were sure it would work out.” She hesitates, then lifts her gaze to mine. “But we are sure now.”

Something inside me cracks open. “Wait, Al, what are you talking about?”

“Your junior team,” she says softly. “Except it’s not just juniors anymore. It’s a full-blown team. We already signed Luc and Mason. And Otis. We’re hoping you’ll bring in Kevin and Rachel.”

My heart stutters as I whip around to the guys standing behind me, both of them grinning like idiots.

Luc chuckles. “Told my team manager I won’t be renewing my contract next year.”

Mason shrugs. “Didn’t have any contract to step back from, but I’m looking forward to being part of your team. You’re an amazing manager, Greer.”

My team.

I turn back to Alaina, stunned. “How?”

“We’re still our dad’s guilt projects,” she says wryly.

“So, full funding for the first season. After that, maybe we’ll hook enough sponsors, thanks to those two big names with big egos.

” She nudges her chin toward Luc, which makes Mason huff a laugh.

“You and Dane would manage the team. Piper’s handling physio. Jim’s the mechanic.”

I stare at her, and I swear I must be dreaming.

“This is way more than I asked for.”

“I know.” She nods. “You didn’t plan for those idiots and all.” Her eyes flick to the guys again before landing back on me. “But you’re getting your junior team. Just bigger. I hope it’s still what you want.”

My chest hollows, then fills so fast it almost hurts. “What about you?”

Her smile softens. “They won’t let me race anymore, but they can’t stop me from working behind the tape. I thought about helping Jim. Second mechanic. Or maybe working with the juniors, doing line scouting pre-rides. If you’ll have me?”

I take a slow step forward, my hands following muscle memory to find her waist. “You’d be the heart of it,” I whisper. “Whether you’re racing or not, that team would be yours. ”

She swallows hard, lashes lowering for a beat before she looks back up at me. “It’s gonna be ours. All of ours, and we’re gonna do it the way we want to do it, all of us together.”

Is this what it feels like when dreams come true?

A team and a future with her in it?

“I—” My voice breaks, and I shake my head. “I have to call Kevin. And Rachel. They’re gonna lose their minds.”

I’m already digging for my phone, but she plucks it from my hand and sets it down on the counter. “You can call them after.”

I stare at her, caught on the soft drag of her voice. “After what?”

Alaina lifts my helmet in both hands, eyes locked on mine as she slides it slowly over her head. The moment the goggles click into place, she reaches for the knot at her waist, unties it with a flick, and lets the robe fall to the floor.

And she’s naked.

Completely bare.

Holy. Shit.

I curse under my breath, Mason does the same, and Luc just lets out a series of strangled noises that might’ve been French at some point.

“We’re still sweaty from qualifying, Bambi.” Mason is the first to find words.

Alaina tilts her head beneath the helmet. “Oh, you don’t get to play,” she purrs. “You only get to watch the way you made him watch. But bring the helmets.”

She reaches out and laces her fingers through mine, tugging gently as she leads me toward the bedroom. I follow without question, and then glance over my shoulder, my grin smug as hell.

Lucky motherfucker doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Luc snorts like he’s seen the thought written across my face, but Mason just mutters something that sounds a lot like “fuck’s sake.”

When we reach the bed, Alaina lets go of my hand. She puts one knee on the bed and then the other, kneeling on top of it, the helmet still in place, her spine straight, her skin flushed with something that looks a lot like the want I’m feeling.

The guys stop at the foot of the bed next to me, both still in jerseys and riding pants, dirt streaked across their arms and sweat clinging to their collars.

I move to step forward, but Alaina lifts a hand. “Uh-uh. First, you all just watch, no touching. I’m the only one allowed to touch me.”

My heart slams against my ribs as she spreads her knees, leans back on her heels, and shows us everything.

The helmet she used to shield herself from the world for so long might as well be a crown now for how beautifully she wears it.