"Good morning!"
My eyes fluttered open at the cheery voice, squinting quickly as bright light aggressively filled my vision. I groaned lightly. My bed was hard. And weirdly warm.
And was...moving?
I yelped, eyes shooting open and I stumbled upright, then fell to the floor in an unceremonious lump.
Another yelp shot from my mouth as another lump fell on top of me.
I shoved Greyson off of me, scrambling to a seated position, to find Mandy in sweatpants and a "Friends" t-shirt grinning down at us in between sips from her steaming mug of coffee.
"Uh—um, hi, Mrs. McAlli—Mandy."
My face felt like it'd been sitting in an oven for an hour.
I glanced over to see a groggy Greyson sitting up beside me. He rubbed his eyes, his dark brown hair going every which way, and when he retracted his hands, bright green eyes sparkled.
"Good morning, Aunt Mandy." He said it simply, but I could hear the mirth in his tone.
"I've made some extra coffee," Mandy chimed, cocking her head. "You two look like you could use it."
"Uh—"
Before I could stammer something that probably wouldn't make any sense, a smaller figure appeared between Mandy's legs.
"Grey!" Gabbie's hair was in a bedhead that rivaled her cousin's, and she still had a set of purple pajamas on. She hugged her purple teddy bear Purple close to her, and she showed a newly missing tooth when she smiled. "And Miss Cory! Do we have tut'ring this morning? I thought you come after lunch."
Greyson managed to hide a snort, and Mandy bit her lip. "No, she's just visiting, sweetheart."
Gabbie frowned. "It's so early."
Greyson spared me from responding by standing and jogging forward, catching his little cousin up and swinging her around bridal style. Gabbie forgot all her questions as she let out peals of delighted laughter.
"You smell like Reeses Puffs," he commented as she giggled. "Did you eat them all, little Gabster?"
She shrieked her protests as he marched into the house, and they disappeared inside for breakfast.
Mandy's face broke out into another smile. "Want to come grab a cup of coffee?"
"Mandy, we didn't—"
"A little nap never hurt anyone," she cut me off, eyes glinting. "Come get some coffee. I think you two have a practice to get to soon."
— - — @ — - —
Word spreads fast—especially when it was something juicy like a romance between the top-dog at Raven Heights' sister and the top-dog hailing from Omayle.
As Greyson and I had walked down the main road to the Shop to get the schedule for the day, people—fans and racers alike—would cast glances toward me and Greyson, whispering things and nodding. It was probably at our intertwined hands, as Greyson had grabbed mine claiming that he could do that now that we were "official."
I think he was also testing to see if I would pull away as we walked among the crowd. I did feel the urge to yank my hand away, but when I remembered I'd made my decision and it was what I wanted, I stood tall again and cast Greyson a smile.
But, I did have to admit, sitting in the bleachers next to Mandy who was able to come to the practice to watch Greyson, the thousands of eyes weighing on me made my skin itch.
"I'm so glad I was able to come," Mandy said, practically bouncing on the cold stands as she craned her neck to pick Greyson out in the lineup. "I've felt so bad I've only been able to come to a few practices and races. What with Gabby's, uh, condition, the loudness and craziness of the track isn't the best place for her to be and Jim's been so busy so I haven't been able to come, but I hope that Greyson knows—"
"He knows you want to be here, Mandy," I cut her off, giving her a reassuring smile. "He knows you support him. And you should know it means so much to him."
Mandy tried to return the smile. "I know. I know, it's just—with his dad, and their relationship the way it is..."
"Greyson really is so grateful for your family, Mandy. He loves you guys like crazy."
She sighed, looking back toward Greyson. He was a flash of neon in the cloudy sunlight as he readied himself for the practice heat. "I just wish Doug would be here. I wish he'd step up."
I heard the disappointment and frustration in her quiet voice, and out of respect, I didn't push but latched my eyes onto Greyson as well, giving Mandy space to continue if she wanted.
"I've talked to Doug only once this year. It seems like maybe—maybe he's turning around. A little. He got a job, he seems pretty steady in it. It's at the local post office in their town." Mandy's hands restlessly pulled at each other on her lap. "I was trying to get him to come visit, to come watch Greyson. He just kept changing the subject. It seemed like he didn't want to come because of where we are. I don't know what happened, but when he moved it away—it just seemed like something happened here that keeps him away."
I chewed the inside of my cheek. "Do you think if Greyson makes it to the final race, he'll come to that, at least?"
"If?" Mandy cracked a smile. "Shouldn't the supportive girlfriend be saying 'when'?"
My cheeks flushed, and I smiled back at her. "When."
"I don't know—I'll try calling him again to see if he will."
The sounds of engines warming up brought our eyes back to the lineup. I bit back a grin at Mandy's nervous yelps when the gates dropped and Greyson popped into the holeshot, tires and elbows bumping each other. Greyson made it through without a scratch, easily in first, and the grin came fully as Mandy stood up and cheered proudly.
I couldn't help but feel a tug of pride in my gut also as I watched Greyson. He was effortlessly amazing.
And he was mine.
Now the smile broke through, and a burst of adrenaline from the feeling and from the roar of the engines and the sunlight breaking through the crowds had me feeling like I was on cloud nine.
However, I was dragged back down not long after as halfway through the race, a couple of racers climbed up into the stands.
Clay was in his racing gear, even had his boots on as he was in the next practice. Miles and Glenn were at his side, and he was casually joking with them about something on the track. When his gaze flickered up and found mine, the easiness was wiped and a hardness replaced it. I grit my teeth.
He tore his eyes away and walked to the opposite end of the stands, extra pep in his step and blatantly ignoring me.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Wow."
I chuckled humorlessly at Mandy. "My brother. Clay."
"I've heard of him, I know he and Greyson get most of the chatter around town regarding this competition. Are you two not close? That was an icy sibling gaze if I ever saw one."
"It's..." my voice trailed off, and I looked down the rows toward my brother's blond mop of hair. "It's complicated."
When I looked back at Mandy, I could see the question in her narrowed eyes, but her words were cut off as the announcer let everyone know that Greyson had, unsurprisingly, wiped the board.
Ten minutes later, Mandy and I were waiting at Greyson's trailer, matching grins on our faces as he rolled up to us, around the other racers and fans strolling in the parking field.
"Two of my favorite ladies," he said smoothly, grabbing the stand I held out and propping his bike up. He gave Mandy a quick hug, and chuckled at her indignant responses of how he smelled and was sweaty.
Then he approached me, wrapped me up, and then hesitated.
I could feel eyes on us like a thousand pokers.
Shoving down the flighty feelings, I pushed forward, closing the distance between us for a kiss. Greyson leaned it into it enough that I could feel his smile, but then pulled back.
There was a lightness in his smile and green eyes that roamed my face. "Did I ever tell you I'm glad you finally decided to acquiesce to my awesomeness and begin the honor of being my girlfriend?"
I rolled my eyes, punching his arm lightly and stepping back. "That's a big word there, pal. Don't hurt your brain thinking too hard."
"I feel my brain expanding daily. Can't help it. I'm dating a brainiac nerd."
"Charming."
"It's a compliment, sweetheart. I think it's cute."
My eyes went to sky one more time, my smile growing as I heard Mandy laughing at us. She and I sat with Greyson, cracking jokes and playing with Champ as he cleaned up his bike. He had another practice slated for this afternoon, but clouds were already growing and word was the coming rain would cancel that.
Mandy soon had to leave to pick Gabby up, so I sat quietly on a lawn chair next to Greyson. I pulled out my book, but the words quickly started floating off along with the clanking of Greyson as he worked on his bike. My mind was distant, pulling in the sounds of the practice a hundred yards away, the bikes roaring and the cheering of the crowd in the stands.
Clay was in that practice. I don't think I've ever not been in the stands when he was riding if I was at the track. My stomach tightened.
My mind wandered more, feeling nostalgic and regretful. But as it wandered, I thought about this summer—how he's treated me and the fights we'd gotten in and the nights I'd spent in the house feeling an insufferable tension because of him.
I thought about how there was almost no way now he'd be living with me in Northern California—couldn't imagine him seeing that through.
So just as my stomach tightened, my teeth grit as my attitude toward my brother hardened. I glared at the empty words on the book, sighing.
"Geez, last week it was 'Mr. Darcy this' and 'Mr. Darcy that'—now you look like you wish you could crawl into that book and murder this perfect Mr. Darcy yourself."
Greyson's voice cut through my thinking, and I looked up to see he was sitting back on the grass by his bike, one hand holding a wrench and the other scratching a happy Champ. He watched me, amusement in his eyes.
"I'm just thinking."
"Words you never want to hear from a girlfriend."
I rolled my eyes. "And words you never hear from a boyfriend."
"Touché. I will say, I'd be fine if you wiped out Mr. Darcy—I feel like I have to constantly fight him for your attention. I think he may be the source of all my insecurity."
My mouth curved. "You're a goon."
He grinned, and I couldn't help but smile back. His dark hair was a mess, playing with the wind atop his head, and his green eyes sparkled in the sunlight as it shifted from behind the clouds. He still had dust lining his pants and face, and a smudge of grease ran on his upper cheek, making him look like a football player.
We watched each other for a second, dreamy little smiles on our faces, then his died slowly and he cocked his head. "What's on your mind, Cory?"
The noise of the bikes and chatter died out. Right here, sitting by Greyson and Champ, I was content. "Nothing. I'm just glad we figured things out."
The smile returned, and he picked himself onto his feet and walked over to me, leaning down to place both hands on the arms of the chair I was in. My head fell back to meet his eyes as he tilted his down.
"Me, too. Welcome to Team Greyson. It comes with special benefits."
I giggled, rolling my eyes again as he leaned down to plant his lips on mine briefly. The kiss was short-lived as the low rumble of a bike pulling up beside us. My cheeks flushed with heat as I saw my brother and Reid slowly coming to a stop by us. My stomach reverted to tightening itself into little knots.
Greyson had stood upright and crossed his arms. Champ even seemed to sit up straighter next to Greyson. I noticed a few racers around us cast leery glances over, standing up warily.
Clay pulled his helmet off, his tussled dirty blond hair falling into his eyes. Both his and Greyson's faces were blank—weirdly so. I'd almost prefer for their anger to be visible, instead of simmering. The only tell in each boy was Clay's clenched fists around his handlebars, and Greyson's back and shoulders tensing under the tight black shirt.
Reid wasn't even looking over at us, just took an interest in his gloves on his lap. I could see tension riddling him, though.
"What do you want, Clay?" I said, almost resignedly.
He was quiet for a moment, then inhaled, his eyes never leaving Greyson as he said in a curt tone, "Dad was wondering where you were last night. You never came home."
To my surprise and gratitude, Greyson didn't jump at the chance to throw a remark in there at that. He stood silent, eyes locked with my brother.
"I was fine."
"He asked if you're still leaving tomorrow for the university visit."
"I am."
"He wanted to make sure you were still focused on college and getting your responsibilities done."
"I am."
He leaned back, arms crossed as he glanced between me and Greyson. "I guess now I can tell him distracting you isn't on me anymore, you took that burden of my dad's disappointment off my back, Ryvers. Can't say he'll be happy about this new little arrangement."
"Is that all you came over here to say?" I said shortly and dismissively.
Clay inhaled deeply, shaking his head. "Just text them where you were at. They wanted to make sure you were fine."
"I will."
I'd barely said that before Clay revved his bike and pulled away, an angry dust-storm swirling behind him.
My eyes followed him, my chest empty, and in that moment I just felt incredibly tired.
I met Reid's bright blue eyes. He chewed the inside of his cheek, then seemed to decide to say the words on his mind.
"Your dad went off on him this morning. Pretty bad."
I sighed, my eyes shutting for a moment.
Reid continued. "He said he's noticed you slacking off of university preparations, and just—he just snapped and took it all out on Clay."
Reid didn't seem to be mad at me, rather disappointed. I would rather him be mad.
My voice softened as I responded. "I'll talk to my dad. I'll explain. Thank you for telling me."
Reid dipped his head, his gaze switching to land on Greyson for a moment, unreadable emotions swimming in his eyes before he looked forward and took off after my brother.
Greyson's shoulders relaxed and his jaw twitched as he watched Reid drive off.
"Clay's such a—"
"Don't be too hard on him."
My eyebrows shot up as I looked at Greyson. His eyes were distant.
"Don't be, not when it comes to stuff with your dad."
I opened my mouth, then closed it, seeing Greyson had more on his mind.
He was quiet for a moment, mulling over something in his mind, and then all he said was, "You don't fully understand how it feels."
His words weren't harsh or accusatory, but almost gentle. My surprise at his empathy toward my brother was shadowed by my appreciation and sympathy for Greyson. I could hear the frustration in his voice as he dwelled on his own dad, obviously feeling the same thing my brother was.
I reached out, grabbing his hand in my own.
He broke out of his frozen state, and looked down at me. A soft smile wiped away the emotions on his face, and he lowered onto his heels, crouching in front of me.
His other hand found my thigh, running up it gently. "Thank you for coming out here with my Aunt Mandy. It means a lot to me that you're up there."
My thumb brushed the top of his hand. "Of course. Now hurry up and fix your bike or whatever you were doing. I'm hungry and I'm hoping to go on a hot date with my boyfriend."
The smile widened on his face, and he turned to walk back over to his bike, ruffling Champ's ears as he did so.
My thoughts wandered to what he said, to the clear hurt and frustration in his voice as he empathized with my brother.
It hurt me to see them both hurt because of that. I wished for nothing more than my dad and Greyson's dad to be here, cheering them on.
I resolved to talk to my dad again about it all, and I racked my brain for how I could fight for Greyson in this.