“It’s pretty unprecedented that you’ve gotten back on a bike so quickly after a full knee replacement,” he said. “Are you worried that you didn’t give your body enough time to heal?”

“If I was worried, I wouldn’t be here,” I said confidently. Riding was more therapeutic than anything else I did. Each time I sat on my bike I felt stronger. I felt more than ready to get my name on the top of the leader board again. “I did everything I was supposed to do to make sure I’d come back stronger than ever.”

“What can we expect from your runs this season?” he asked. “Are you planning on putting any new tricks in?”

“You think I’m going to give away my set list that easily?” I joked. “I’m always down for trying new things,” I told him. “That’s what I love so much about this sport. Hell, I remember a time when everyone thought a back flip was the end all be all, and now people are doing doubles like it’s nothing. I’m just glad that I’m able to be a part of it all.”

“I know I’m excited to see what you bust out this year,” he said, letting his inner fanboy show a little. It was nice to see that people supported me. Lately, I’d been a little discouraged with Georgia’s lack of excitement about me being back. She was short with the awesome’s and great job’s whenever I told her about my progress. I hoped that when she actually was able to come to an event and see me do what I did up close and personal she’d get it. “I know your female fans are equally as excited to see you back on the track.”

“Yeah, they’re great,” I tried to look grateful. Pilsner had suggested, to Reid and I both, that we keep the comments about not being single to ourselves. He didn’t think we should hide it, but bragging about being in love was frowned upon.

“You don’t want to isolate those fans that think they have a chance with you,” he’d said. “We need to do whatever we have to do to sell tickets.” I empathized with boy banders for a split second.

Reid and I both thought that our excellent skills on our bikes were enough. Motocross was about dirt and metal and pushing yourself harder and faster than you thought you could. Pilsner’s focus on image was a little much at times, but he paid the bills so we played along.

“Is it true that they say you’re off the market?” Fanboy asked.

“You asking for you?” I teased, trying to change the subject. His smile faded and he looked a little embarrassed. “I’m just joking around, kid,” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “I’m happy, if that answers your question.”

“Sure,” he said, flipping the recorder off on his phone. “I didn’t want to ask that question,” he told me. “Our editor thought it would go over well with female readers.”

“I get it,” I said with a nod. “No harm, no foul.” My phone rang. Georgia’s name and photo of her making a kissy face flashed on the screen. Fanboy’s eyes fell on it the same as mine did.

“That pretty much answers that,” he said under his breath, tucking his phone and notepad into his bag. “Thanks again. Any chance you can tell me where I can find Chayse McCade?”

“Over there,” I said, pointing toward the shed where she kept her bike. Poor kid thought I was hard on him. Depending on what kind of mood Chayse was in, there was good chance she’d be eating him for lunch. “Good luck,” I said with a chuckle as he wandered off. “Hey baby,” I said, answering my phone. I was anxious to hear her voice. I knew Hoyt sent her a video of my latest trick today and her response was, once again, not very enthusiastic.

“Hey,” she said. “What are you doing?”

“Not much. Just finished up an interview for a magazine. You?”

“Nothing nearly as exciting,” she replied. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“Awww...” I teased. “You miss me.”

“Every day,” she said. Her tone said she wasn’t in a joking mood. The need to hear my voice was evident. I wished I could hug her because that was exactly what it sounded like she needed.

“Everything okay?”

“Sure,” she said, trying to sound upbeat.

“Are you sure?” I knew better. I could tell when she was in her head.

“I had a long day,” she admitted. “I cleaned out my closet,” she hesitated. “Including the box of Jamie’s things.”

“I’m sure that wasn’t easy,” I told her. I loved that she was serious about putting the past behind her. “I would have helped you. You shouldn’t have had to do that alone.”

“It was something I needed to do alone.” When she was trying to be strong and I could still hear the vulnerability in her voice are the times wanted most to be able to comfort her. Even if it meant watching her dredge up memories of her first love. I planned on being her last and I would have helped her through anything. “I’ll be okay. It was just a little tough seeing all of his things again. I’m going to take the clothes to the Goodwill tomorrow and then return some items to his mother.” I heard her voice break a little and my heart ached that I wasn’t able to physically be there for her.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you,” I said. “Please don’t ever think that you can’t talk to me about how you’re feeling. I’m strong enough to hear about him. I don’t want you to ever think that I resent you loving him,” I added.

“I know that, and I love you for being so respectful.”

“Anything for you.” I paused. “Only a couple weeks until you get here. I can’t wait to see you.”

“I know.”

“I love you.”

“I know,” she said again. I heard voices and a rush of sounds in my ear. “Hey, I’ve got to go. A patient just came in.”

“I’ll call you—” The line went dead. “Later.” I most definitely would be calling her later. Something in the pit of my stomach said that we needed to continue our conversation. She wasn’t quite herself and the last thing I wanted was for her to think I was unavailable when she needed me most. I might not have been in the same state as her, but I could still talk to her and calm any fears she might be having about us.

I tried to convince myself that she was just busy and that she’d been a little shaken by her trip down memory lane. Everything would be okay. In the pit of my stomach I had a feeling it wouldn’t.

* * *

Hoyt and I rode into town and grabbed some dinner later that night. I’d missed the vibe of Austin. There was always something to do and the food was the best. Tex Mex, barbeque, southern comfort food, it had it all. I couldn’t wait to bring Georgia out here and show her the town. She’d love the laid back afternoons and wild nights the city offered.

What I thought was a night out with my buddy quickly turned into what felt like me on a date with another couple. Imagine my surprise—and Hoyt’s—when Chayse McCade saddled herself up next to us as we sat at the bar of local pub.

“Care if I join you?” she said, already seated next to us.

“Guess not,” Hoyt said. He’d told me earlier that day that the two of them had butted heads most of the day, as usual. Seeing her all smiles and him annoyed was mildly amusing. She went from hot to cold and back to hot more times than the weather back in Illinois.

“How was your interview?” I asked her when we saw that she was staying for the duration. I figured I might as well at least try to get a civil conversation started between the two of them.

“Oh I’m sure Pilsner will be pissed about it,” she said with a laugh. “The kid shouldn’t have asked me what my favorite thing to do when I wasn’t riding was if he didn’t want to hear the answer.”

“What’s that?” My curiosity got the best of me. The second she flipped her dark hair over her shoulder and let her green eyes narrow, I knew it was a bad idea.

“Having great sex.” Her answer was clear and precise and I nearly had to perform the Heimlich on Hoyt who choked on a french fry. I gave him a sharp pat on the back as I laughed.