off Caden’s helmet and the shiny bike as he roared along the track. I could only imagine what a setback it had been for him to be told he wouldn’t race again.
Greg pulled his focus from the track to join the conversation. “I don’t know, watching him right now, like he was born on that new, unfamiliar bike, I think those doctors made an awfully hasty decision. With the right training and if he can get a few of those sticky cobwebs, the ones that still hold memories of the crash, out of his head, I think he could gain back that edge he had. We all saw his potential, like he was put on this earth to race superbikes.”
The topic was one that made my heart soar for Caden, while, at the same time, filling it with fear. And not just because of the inherent danger in racing motorcycles. The pro racers spent most of their lives out on the road, traveling through cool places like Italy and France. And, more importantly, they were surrounded by gorgeous, rich people, like bathing suit models and women who sent pictures of their expensive boob jobs. There would be no room in Caden’s life for a hometown, nerdy girl like me. That thought made my shoulders sink. Suddenly, the bright, sunny day seemed a little gloomier.
I wanted more than anything for Caden to be happy, like he was right now, flying at frightening speeds around a race track. But I saw no space in his happiness for someone like me. He was meant for much bigger, more exotic things.
We watched Caden finish the practice run and then I plopped back onto my chair, feeling much less light on my feet, and sucked my water bottle dry as the men talked in motorcycle Greek again. And all the while, I watched Caden. He was a different person. His white smile flashed bright enough to light up the shade under the easy-up. I’d never seen him so excited. The determined set of his jaw, the sparkle in his incredible eyes and the way he carried himself, as if he was ready to burst out of his own skin at the thought of racing again, made it clear that he wanted this. We already had so many things against us, against a permanent relationship. This would be one more barrier to cross. We were both heading in such different directions, it was hard to see how we could ever come together in the middle.
I forced a smile as Caden walked toward me. His long hair was smoothed back with sweat. The smile hadn’t left his face.
He leaned down and kissed me. “I’m so fucking pumped right now, Trinket.”
“I see that. It’s fun seeing you this happy.”
He turned back to continue the conversation with his friends. I took a deep, steadying breath trying my hardest not to show my heartbreak.
Chapter 21
Caden
I stopped my mouth to look over at a very quiet Kenna. “Holy shit, I’ve been rambling on like an excited kid who just found a dinosaur bone in his backyard. You should have told me to shut up, Trinket.”
She laughed at my analogy. “Why would I do that when you look so darn cute in your state of giddiness? Although, I have to say, giddy is not a word I ever expected to use to describe you. I love that you’re so excited about your ride, Cade. And I especially love that you are acting like a kid who just found a dinosaur bone in his yard. I’m glad you came out here today.”
“I am too. Thanks for talking me into it.” I drummed a quick beat on my steering wheel to release some excited energy. “What do you think? Does it sound fucking crazy for me to get back into it? I was told I wouldn’t be competitive again because of my leg.” I patted my right thigh. “Hurts a little. But I think with a good trainer to help me build it back up so that it’s as strong as my left—” I laughed. “Shit, I’m doing it again. Change of topics. I’m starved.”
Kenna sighed. “Thank goodness. I’m ready to take off my sandal and start gnawing on it like jerky.”
“There’s a great burger stand just a few miles from here. And they’ve got chocolate shakes.”
“Perfect.”
I’d left the track with my head in the clouds and my feet ten inches off the ground, imagining myself back on a bike and racing. But