Page 60 of Rogue Riders Duet

“That’s my cue.” Dad nods toward the van. “You coming?”

I should, but maybe Dad is right and Mini Crews isn’t playing some long game, maybe he’s just decent. Or I just haven’t spotted his angle yet.

Only one way to find out.

“In a minute.”

Dad smirks before he turns away. “Night.”

“Night.”

I wait until I hear the van door slide shut and the soft sounds of him settling inside fade into stillness before making my move. I stand, set my glass down, wipe my palms on my thighs, once. Twice. And head toward Mini Crews. He doesn’t seem to notice me until I lean my weight against the bus beside him, making him startle.

“How’s your hip?” I ask quietly.

He blinks at me, wearing a deer-in-the-headlights look, apparently stunned that I’m talking to him.

Right, this is a first for us.

“I’ll surv…” he starts, sounding squeaky before clearing his throat and dropping his voice an octave. “I’ll survive.”

I stifle a laugh.

Not just because of the voice, which, let’s be honest, is kind of hilarious, but because of the words. I’ll survive. That’s been my mantra all year.

Whispered between races when people talked about me as if I couldn’t hear them, into my pillow on sleepless nights, scraped into my bones like a goddamn brand.

I’ll survive this.

I nod toward the bike. “You done with that?”

He glances down. “Yeah. For an hour or so.”

Okaaay.

Mini Crews grabs the handlebars and rolls it quietly to the back of the bus. He pops open the back door, lifts the bike in like it’s made of glass, and locks everything up tight before turning back to me.

I gesture with my chin. “Come on.”

He blinks. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere no one can see us.” I start walking away from the vans. “Don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea and kick us off the circuit.”

He frowns, but doesn’t argue or even ask. He just follows.

Huh.

Either he really doesn’t believe the rumors, or he’s stupid enough to follow a guy accused of assault into the dark without blinking.

Ballsy or daft.

When we’re close to the side entrance of the hotel, he glances at me. “You want to go inside?”

“We’re going to the gym.”

“The gym?” He narrows his eyes. “Is that even allowed?”

I shrug. “Yeah. Why shouldn’t it be?”