Page 126 of Off the Mark
Fury had my jaw clenching. “So they’re terrible.”
She nodded quickly. “They are, and honestly, good riddance. But I’m back to being broke again, and I think that's okay. I can't help my dad but someone else could.” Her eyes darted back and forth between mine. “I know we’re far from Sweetwater, but…do you know of any organizations that could help my dad not lose his house?”
I brought her fingers to my mouth and kissed the tip of every single one. “I would love to look into that for you.”
She dropped her mouth to mine for an actual kiss—long and sweet and then steadily more passionate. When we parted, I whispered, “I’m sorry you had so many nightmares, Charlie.”
“It’s okay. If I have them now, at least I’ll be waking up next to you,” she whispered back. “Oh, and you haven’t even heard the best news. A couple of the women from Archer’s Angels asked if I’d be interested in joining their racing team and I’m going to say yes. I’ll make a little bit less money, but there’s more support. More consistency and a less grueling travel schedule. Meaning I could be home, in one place, more.”
Her lips tipped up into a smile. “I was thinking of trying my hand at teaching dirt bike riding to all these cool kids I met at the South Philly rec center. I met a few tiny daredevils when I was there this morning, and I didn't expect to feel so inspired being around them.”
My eyebrows shot to my hairline. “For real? Charlie, I can already think of a dozen kids who’d do anything to ride bikes with you. You would be an incredible teacher. We’d have a waitlist a mile long.”
Her smile widened. I chucked her under the chin before the full impact of what she'd said hit me. “When you say home…?”
“Dempsey brought up an interesting point with me at our meeting. I won’t be able to race competitively forever, and the sooner I start planning for the next stage in my life, the easier the transition will be. Teaching here could be that first stage.” She cocked her head. “Though I'm not done yet. You and I will have to figure out how to make things work when I'm on the road for half the year.”
“Interesting, interesting. Because I just became the boss at my job and already made a deal with Luciana that I could work from all over if need be. Per my girlfriend's schedule, of course.”
She swallowed, eyes shining bright. “That would be a dream come true.”
“And where’s home for you, Charlie?” I murmured.
“Here, in South Philly. If you’ll have me,” she said.
My throat tightened. “Yes. That’s my dream come true.”
“And on the road, traveling to my races.” She lowered her face to mine, held my hand over her heart. “Wherever we’re together, that’s our home.”
She kissed me, and it felt like a promise. I kissed her back, and it was a declaration.
That I would happily love Charlie Maddox for the rest of my life.
32
CHARLIE
Three days later
Showing up at the championship race with Rowan was the best decision I’d ever made in my life.
He released me as soon as we got there, giving me a passionate kiss and whispering, “Come meet me in the stands for a surprise in a minute. Have fun with your adoring fans, gorgeous.”
I turned to reply, but then those fans descended, and even a few media outlets. A banner hung from the bleachers that readWelcome to theAnnual Women's Moto Championships!
The buzz around me was tangibly thrilling. I signed autographs and took pictures, my nerve endings jittery. Though it was less anxiety and more the lingering euphoria of these past days with Rowan—tangled and sweaty in his bed. Laughing together on his stoop. Drinking beers with the neighbors on kiddie pool nights.
It was the exact opposite from how I’d felt on that first race, when I was hungover and panicked. Sure, I’d been kicked off of Bettencourt, but in a few weeks, I’d be officially signing on with Riley and Quinn’s team of fearless, bloodthirsty women.
And it felt right in a way that Bettencourt never had.
Our bikes were already lined up at the start gates—mine had been tuned up and triple checked by the mechanics, the metal gleaming beneath the summer sun. I signed my last autograph then went to go find Rowan in the stands.
Though it wasn’t Rowan I bumped into first, but Alice. She was clutching a lemonade and a soft pretzel, beaming around at the racetrack like she’d never seen anything so exciting.
“Oh,Charlie, happy race day, dear. You look so lovely with all of your gear on.”
I gave her a surprised hug. “What are you doing here?”
