by Paige Steele
Ansley
KENNA, MADDIE AND I are all on the same flight home. I settle in my seat, buckle up and put in my ear buds; I just want to listen to music and relax. The girls are sitting behind me together. Tapping the screen on my iPhone, I looked for my country playlist that is my go to music when I am just looking to chill. The first song that comes on is Homegrown Honey by Darius Rucker; I love the song and it’s so fitting for me. I feel I’m a small town girl in a big city world, trying to find myself. Turning my head, I start to look out the window.
As Kenna, Maddie and I drive home, they drill me as to when I’m going to talk to Cooper. I explain to them both that now isn’t the right time, he has to focus on racing and I get that. I assure them that it’ll happen at some point. We get home and order dinner in; none of us are in the mood to cook or go out. I pulled the sides of my hair back in a headband and threw on sweats and a tank, so I can lounge for the rest of the night.
The next day, all three of us go to work out at the gym for the first time in over a week. I’ll be paying for it tomorrow and the next day. My ass needs to get in better shape, literally. After close to two hours of Maddie working out and flirting, in her little yellow Spandex shorts and black sports bra, while Kenna and I really try to put forth effort to get a good workout in, we walk out the door.
“Did you give out your number in there, Mad?”
“Shut up, Kenna, and yes I did.” I laugh and give her a little shove.
“Hey, I was just asking.” She holds up her hands.
“Yeah, yeah!” Maddie really doesn’t care what people thought of her; she’s pretty carefree.
She starts giggling as we get in the car. “You guys should really try wearing what I do, instead of your long yoga pants and t-shirts; you actually might get dates.”
“Don’t worry about us, we’re doing just fine.” Kenna sounds annoyed. I don’t know what is going on with her, but whenever anything is brought up about guys, she snaps at us lately.
“Geez, take a chill, Ken, you crab ass.”
“Suck it, Mad.”
“Whip it out, girl,” she says with a wink at Kenna, which makes her laugh as well.
It’s Wednesday night; Kenna and I have a promotional appearance to make at a local bike shop. They sell both superbikes and dirt bikes. Ryan is going to be there for the Factory Honda Supercross team, and then there is also a guy coming from the Honda Superbike team, too.
Just so you know, there is no such thing as slipping into leather pants; I don’t care what people say. I think I rolled around on my bed for ten minutes straight, until these bad boys were up! Pulling my bright yellow tank top over my head, with Hyped Energy written across the front in black, it fits snug and stops above my belly button and with my pants sitting low on my hips, I have quite a bit of skin showing. Slipping on my boots, I walk out in the living room and there sits Ryan.
“What are you doing here, Ry?”
“I knew we were going to the same event, so I thought we’d all ride together. You’re going too, right, Kenna?”
“I am, but you guys can go. I can ride separately.”
“Why? That’s stupid.” I give her a look like, ‘what the hell is going on?’ Normally, she would get in the car without even a thought.
“Sure, let’s go,” she says, starting toward the door.
I walk out with her, as Ryan follows behind us. He whistles and says, “Holy Shit!”
We both turn back around and say, “What?” at the same time.
“I don’t know if it’s the boots, the leather pants, or just you two, but damn, ladies, your asses are fine as hell.”
We both laugh and keep walking. That seems to lighten up Kenna a little. Once at the event, we all get along great and we start having some fun. I even see Ryan getting a bit jealous of the other guy flirting with Kenna. I am shocked, I haven’t noticed that before with him. She seems to enjoy pissing him off, so every chance she gets, she flirts just a tad more.
The rest of the night goes along rather quickly. Kenna is in a much better mood when we leave there. I’m walking on one side of Ryan and Kenna is on the other. Her phone rings, and it’s Maddie asking if we are going to meet up at the bar. While she is talking to her, I take the time to let Ryan know I saw what he is doing.
“So, you like her?”
“Who?”
“Don’t play stupid with me, Ryan.”
“I’m not playing anything, Peanut.”
“Ok, be like that, but remember . . . I know you.”
“Oh, how can I forget?” He throws his arm around my shoulder and drags me the rest of the way to the truck. Once there, he opens the door and I let Kenna jump up first, then I follow.
We pull up in front of our apartment; we are going to grab Maddie and walk to the bar around the corner. She immediately came out before I even hit the first step.
“Let’s go bitches.” Oh, she’s ready.
“Can I change my boots?”
“Nope, let’s go.”
“Maddie, what the hell?”
“Jesus, Ansley we are only going around the corner, then you can sit your hot ass on stool for the rest of the night.”
“Fine, you’re a brat Maddie.”
“And you love me.”
“If you say so,” I say smiling.
“I do!” she yells over her should at me as she keeps walking.
Once inside, we all walk over to the bar, order a drink and sit. Just as I am ready to turn to look around, a hand appears on each side of me, trapping me at the bar. Then I hear a voice that I can never forget.
“Hello, Beautiful.”
“Hey to you, too.”
“What are you drinking tonight?”
“Malibu and Cranberry. You want a beer?”
“I do, but I can order one.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Ryan said you guys were going to come here for a drink or two, so Jesse and I thought we’d come hang with you guys for a while. Is that ok?”
“Umm, yes.”
He kisses my cheek, and it’s the first lips to skin contact we’ve had since the night we said goodbye before college. I close my eyes and suck in a little breath; I’m hoping he doesn’t notice. As he orders with the bartender, he drops his arms, and turns me to face him. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he knows he’s affected me with his tender lips. On my way to looking down at the drink in my hand, I scan his body with my eyes. He looks good too, like really good, for starters, his black hat is on backwards, and I love that. He’s wearing black jeans and his shirt from CrushMX that says ‘They Hate Us Cuz They Ain’t Us.’ He’s smirking at me when I look back into his eyes. I smirk back and quickly look away again. I see Jesse and Maddie, playing pool while Kenna and Ryan are sitting watching us from across the room.
We walk over to them, and I pull Kenna up to go play music at the digital jukebox. After, we walk over to the bar with Maddie, order three shots, and down them, we order three more. I think Maddie called them, ‘slippery nipples.’ They’re like candy and after a couple more; the numbness on my bottom lip starts to take effect. We talk while we stand there about how we really haven’t all gotten crazy together, and it’s about time we did. The guys have been playing darts and hanging out over there the entire time, while we girls are getting hammered.
Just then my favorite song comes on, and the alcohol in my system makes me believe I can sing just as good as the one who recorded it. I starts to sing and act out every word to Love Me Like You Mean It by Kelsea Ballerini. Not only am I making a complete fool of myself, but thank goodness for alcohol, cuz it gives me incredible courage to sing directly to Cooper. Oh, and remind me to thank my best friends too, as Maddie and Kenna stand right behind me and let me do it.
“Oh, hey boy, with your hat back, Mmm, I kinda like that, if ya wanna walk my way. I’mma shoot ya straight up, show me what you’re made of, I don’t have time to waste on the boys that are playin’ the games and leavin’
the girls cryin’ out in the rain. So, tell me baby, do you got what it takes?”
I point, I use my hand as a gun, shooting it straight in the air. I imitate a girl crying tears, I walk around in a circle, I pretty much do it all. Yep, making a complete ass out of myself in front of all our friends and the entire bar.
At the end of the song, Cooper stands, grabs my hand and starts walking me towards the back, into a private party room here. Once inside the room by ourselves, he drops my hand and shuts the door.
Turning back to me, he begins to talk and walk me backwards, until my back is against the wall. I swallow hard and my eyes go wide at his words.
“Ansley, I know we said we were going to talk about everything that has or hasn’t gone on between us, but tonight I’m seeing a different side of you. You’re sexy as hell in that outfit. If you weren’t drunk, I’d fuck the shit out of you, right here and now. But our first time will not be in a bar or while you have this much alcohol in your system. You’ll want to be completely sober for that night. But one of the lines you sang; asked me if I had what it takes. I do and I will when the time is right. Trust me, I don’t disappoint, never have, never will.”
“I . . . I . . . I . . . umm.”
“What’s the matter, Ans, can’t think of anything to say?”
I shake my head no and keep my eyes on his. He looks down at my mouth and I suck in a tiny breath, before he comes really close to my lips and speaks again.
“You want this, Ansley, like really, really want this?”
I just nod back at him.
“Because I want nothing more than to kiss you right now, but I need to know you understand that this will change things between us, and we haven’t had a chance to talk yet.”
“Ok.” I can’t complete a sentence, even if I want to, with him so close. My breathing becoming heavy and we haven’t even done anything yet.
When Cooper starts to kiss me, my mind goes completely blank, yet my mouth responds to him, like we’ve been doing this for years. There is no fight to open up to him, my mouth does it all on its own. He leans down, picking me up by my ass. I immediately wrap my legs around his waist and lock my fingers together around the back of his neck. My back is against the wall, as his body is holding me there. His hands slide to my waist, under my shirt. It’s the first time his hands have touched the skin on my body, causing goose bumps everywhere. His fingers grip into me, making me lose my mind just a bit more. We stay this way for I have no idea how long until a knock comes on the door. Slowly he sets my feet back on the ground, pulling away. It’s as if I’m missing something or someone as he moves toward the door.
Ryan stands there smiling as I stay with my back against the wall. He lets us know that they are all ready to head back to the apartment. Walking back toward me, Cooper laces his fingers with mine and we walk out together. Jesse is going to driving both he and Cooper home tonight, so I walk him to Jesse’s truck. This is that awkward moment, when I don’t know what to say or do.
“I’m going to kiss you goodnight, Beautiful. Ok?”
“Umm, yes.”
He does just that. It’s a soft kiss this time, one that I feel even in my state of drunkenness, means something more than the kiss in the bar. I feel his heart in this one. The slow steady pace he takes with me, shows me that he cares.
Once we walk in the door, all three of us have had enough to drink that all we want to do is pass out in our beds. I lay in my bed, while my mind, as well as the room, spins, around and around, and around. My phone on the nightstand lights up, leaning over, I pick it up.
Cooper—Goodnight, Beautiful.
Me—You too, Coop.
Cooper
MY MIND IS STILL replaying everything that went on the other night at the bar with Ansley. We’ve texted a few times yesterday and this morning, as we both get ready to board different planes to the same destination. I stand as they call first class, along with Jesse; we will be racing tomorrow at Chase Field in Arizona. The press conference is later tonight, so we decide that we don’t need to go any earlier than today.
Once we land, it’s the same thing as before; we are picked up and brought to the hotel, but this time, we meet with the team massage therapist in our rooms. He brings his table and works out any kinks we might have. Staying relaxed during a race is incredibly important, as tensing up while riding is not good at all.
Press Day goes well again this week; I plug my sponsors when I get the chance to, and I hit my pillow shortly after the dinner we all have at the hotel’s Italian restaurant. Having a clear mind when I wake in the morning is going to help keep me focused on the job I have to do for Team Yamaha.
My phone beeps before I even get out of bed this morning. Rolling over, I grab it off the stand to look at it.
Ansley—Hey you, good luck today.
Me—Thanks, it means a lot.
Ansley—Of Course!
Me—Stop by the tent if you get a minute before the craziness starts.
Ansley—I will.
I can’t sleep now, even if I want to; my mind starts running all on its own. I throw back the covers, walk into the bathroom, brush my teeth and decide I am heading downstairs to use the hotel gym. After about two hours of running on the treadmill, riding the exercise bike, and lifting, it’s time to head back up to my room to take a shower. I am meeting Jesse and our mechanics in the lobby to go at nine.
The trucks got into the pits sometime yesterday and set up, so they are ready to go as soon as we get there. Fans can pay additional money to get a pit pass, allowing them into the pit party to see the riders they love up close, get pictures taken with them, and autographs, too. There is a ton of other entertainment there, as well. Usually there is a drift car, a BMX bike show, a couple monster trucks on display, and all the different booths for the sponsors of the teams. It truly is a whole lot of fun for the fans to hang out there, but the real entertainment comes once the racing begins.
I step off the elevator to see Ryan walking out with his team. Walking over to the chairs in the lobby, I see Jesse. We talk for a few minutes before we are ready to head out.
Arriving at the track, I head straight to the truck. I am informed we have a couple of our big sponsors visiting for this race. As I enter under the tent, I see a few familiar faces and others I don’t recognize. Jesse and I head inside the truck to start getting ready, as we only have about forty-five minutes to dress, have our meeting, and say hello to our visitors.
We both walk out pretty much at the same time, but he is fully dressed and I have my pants undone, carrying my jersey in one hand, and my helmet in the other. I don’t really pay attention to who is staring and who isn’t. Walking over, I start talking to my mechanic, as he’s giving the bike a once over again. He is known for double and triple checking things, and I’m completely okay with it, too.
As I turn, I see a TV announcer standing there doing an interview with our team manager, and as he finishes, she puts the microphone down and walks over to me.
“Can I get an interview, Cooper Brewis, or should I call you ‘The Bomber,’ like I hear your team shout out at you?”
“Haha, you can and I will be happy to do one with you, but I have a practice that I need to be going to at this very moment,” I say, pulling my jersey over my head, right in front of her.
“No, I mean after that or in between the heats and the main?”
“Sure, come by, either time works for me.” I pull my helmet over my head, I don’t want to be rude, but I have to get my ass to the track.
“I will.”
She walks away. I hear my bike start up, and turning toward it, I see my mechanic is smirking at me. I shrug my shoulders and throw my leg over my bike seat and he follows right behind me, jumping on the back. Then, we are off to the first practice of the day. I need to get a good lap time in, so I can get a decent gate pick.
After both practices, I am able to pull the third fastest out in the 250 lites. Ryan is again leading the whole class; h
e was a whole three seconds faster than me, and over five seconds ahead of most of the other guys. Every second in racing can mean the difference between being the one leading the pack or watching the first few riders go by.
I am sitting on the couch upstairs in the truck, with just my Calvin’s on. Taking a shower after the second practice seems to help me relax for a bit, before I’m back on the line, ready to go in the heat race. Laying my head back, closing my eyes and stretching my legs out in front of me, I hear the door leading to the stairs open and close. I figured it’s our team manager, my mechanic, or Jesse coming to discuss the first heat race. I drew out for the second one, so it gives me a little more time to regroup.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was told just to come up.”
It’s not the voice I expect, and as I open one eye, I see a set of legs that aren’t attached to any of the people I work with.
“Hey, it’s fine, there is no need for you to leave. I’ll throw on a pair of shorts if that makes you more comfortable.”
“No, I mean, I’m kinda used to it in this line of work. I would like to know if you want to do that interview now, but if you need to be alone before your race, I get it. I can come back later if you prefer.”
“If you are used to this,” I say pointing directly at my boxer briefs, “then I’ll stay right here in them.” I want to see what she will do.
“You can, as long as you are okay with coming outside in just those to do it. You’ll be on camera in front of the world to see. This is a TV interview.” She is giggling a little, when talking to me.
“I certainly don’t mind, sweetheart, but I’m thinking my manager will be pissed and you’ll never get the interview done, with the way you are staring,” I say back, as I pass by her closely, on my way to grab a pair of shorts. The hallway is pretty small, so unless you are turning sideways, there is no way that two people will fit. I hear her breath hitch, just a little. I love knowing I have that power over a lady.
I decide in the end, if I am going to be on TV doing this interview, then I need my gear on. Throwing on my socks, then my pants, we both go downstairs. I slip on my boots but keep my jersey off. We walk out and over to my bike, as she wants it in the background.