“Yeah well, I’ll let you get back to work then,” Sierra said, defeat evident in her tone. “Can I come see you at the end of the day? I’d like to talk to you about some things.”
Those golden eyes blazed with hope and Kara couldn’t bring herself to deny the woman her request. “Of course.”
“Okay. Great. See you soon.” Pressing her lips into a thin smile, Sierra dropped her head and walked away.
“Shit,” Kara mumbled.
The part of her reserved for hiding in work had reared its head, threatening to send her back into hibernation. She didn’t want drama. She didn’t want to worry that Sierra would run to her ex every time they had a disagreement. She wanted to return to the comfort of a routine and the safety of knowing what came next.
Or did she?
The other part of her was screaming to take a chance, to remember how she felt that day with Sierra. The war within had begun again and she was running out of time to figure it out.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“That sucked. What the hell? I swear I’m going to kick Camryn’s ass,” Sierra seethed as she marched back to the finish line. She had no idea what the woman had said to Kara, but there had been a distinct shift in mood from when they had last spoken and she was determined to get to the bottom of it all.
Camryn had no sooner cleared the finish area than Sierra was in her face growling, “What did you say?”
“Just the truth.” She shrugged and brushed past.
“What truth was that?”
“Oh, you know the one where you fucked your ex, because you were mad at Kara.”
“What the fuck, Cam!” Sierra roared, her hands flailing in anger. “I thought you were trying to help me. You wanted my head in the game.”
With her usual cocky smirk, she replied, “I did help you. You raced. Now it’s all fair game. If you thought she’d never hear about it, you were kidding yourself. Think of it as my gift to you.”
“Your gift? Your gift to me?” Sierra huffed as she paced back and forth attempting to curb her burgeoning outrage.
“Yeah, my gift. If she still wants to date your sorry ass, then she gets what she deserves. Gotta say though, if she decides she’s not interested, I may make a play for her myself.”
Though Camryn had only been seen dating men did nothing to thwart the jealous rage from permeating Sierra’s mind. As she lunged forward, she was stopped in her tracks by Ronni darting between them. With a hand on either shoulder, her lanky body gave her the much needed leverage against a very stubborn, very determined Sierra as Ronni pushed her back to a safe distance.
“You don’t want to do that, Wiley. She’s just pushing your buttons. Don’t do anything that will cost you next year.”
“Yeah Sierra, listen to your friend. I can’t believe you’re allowed to walk free with a temper like that. You’re an unstable woman.”
“Can it, bitch,” Ronni bit back. “You still didn’t beat her.” She pointed to the board that had them tied at second.
Camryn snarled as she walked away, leaving Ronni with her hands full. Blake rushed over to help, adding his two cents. They were both in Sierra’s corner, but desperate to make her understand the severity of losing her shit at an event.
They were right. She had let Camryn get under her skin in the worst possible way and her hot head had won out. That same mentality had cost her races in the past. It was one lesson she seemed doomed to never learn, but there was still time. She would try harder. She would do better. She would make it her life’s work to achieve her goals so she could revel in Camryn’s bitterness as she walked off with the trophy and the girl.
Yes, she would have it all.
Her will renewed, Sierra resigned herself to the fact that the best way to get back at her rival was to kick her ass on the course. She took a deep breath as she continued pacing back and forth, her steps growing slower until she came to a full stop and looked up at Ronni and Blake.
In a comforting tone, Ronni said, “Kara will be fine, Sierra. Talk to her. Tell her you’re a dumbass, but you’ll do better. Remember, you guys are going to start over. No secrets, right?”
“Right. Right. You’re right. No secrets. I’m going to get cleaned up and then go back over. I’ll explain myself, apologize, and then ask her on a proper date, if she’ll still have me.” Sierra relaxed. Her anger had passed and she reached deep to find the strength to grovel.
“She will, Sierra. She will. No one can resist your charms,” Ronni wrapped her into a bear hug.
“Ron’s right, Sierra. You got this,” Blake confirmed with a nod and a pat on the back.
“Thanks guys.” Sierra exhaled hard, expunging the last of her vengeful thoughts. “I am a dumbass, aren’t I?” She laughed.
“Yes, but you’re my best dumbass,” Ronni teased, but then fell serious. “Sierra, you’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known. No one tries harder to do right, even though you get a little mixed up sometimes. You’ve got a heart the size of Alaska, the stubbornness of a mountain goat, and the loyalty of a puppy. I don’t know if she’s your ‘one’ or not, but whoever ends up being your match, will be the luckiest woman on the planet.”
Tears pricked at the corners of Sierra’s eyes. She and Ronni were like family—better than family—but hearing such kind words struck her deep. She wasn’t prepared for such a profound compliment. No one besides her dad had ever said such wonderful things to her before.
“Don’t get soft on me now, Wiley,” Ronni choked out as her own tears threatened to fall.
“Thank you. You’re the best, Ron.” Sierra pulled her friend into a fierce embrace. “I’d be lost without you.”
“I know.”
They shared a laugh before parting. Ronni gave her a slap on the ass and cheered her on, “You got this, Wiley.”
“Yeah, you do,” Blake added with equal enthusiasm.
Capturing Kara’s heart was her goal and if there was one thing Sierra Cody did well, it was achieving her goals.
***
As the last rider crossed the finish line, Sierra celebrated her second-place finish, even if she did end up sharing the honor with Camryn. The mood on the podium was tense, but being the professionals they were, each had plastered on smiles as they shook hands and performed the required photos for fans and sponsors.
Finished with all the pomp and circumstance, Sierra once again traversed the path to the med center, but with far less enthusiasm than her last trip. She was steeled with determination to do whatever it took to get Kara to give her one date. To say her nerves were on edge was being kind. It had been ages since she had asked someone out. Flirting to hook up was an entirely different game. And to make matters even more agonizing, she really, really liked Kara. She had searched her memory for anyone who had ever made her stomach flutter the way people described in love stories and she had come up with only one name—Dr. Kara Davies.
Her experiences so far proved that Kara could run hot or cold with her, despite admitting to feeling the spark between them. Would her lapse in judgement send Kara back into the frozen tundra or would she get to enjoy a spring thaw, allowing them to see if their relationship could grow?
Time to find out.
It wouldn’t be the end of the world if she turned me down, would it?
No, it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but good lord, it sure felt as if the days would mean nothing without Kara by her side. She barely knew the woman, yet Kara had already managed to burrow into her heart. Insanity was the most likely explanation, but she was no stranger to that label. A person had to be some kind of crazy to throw themselves down a mountain on two wheels.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and scanned the room. It was empty. Her breath hitched as her heart hit the floor. Had Kara bailed without even giving her the chance to explain? The thought pissed her off. She didn’t seem like the kind who’d go back on her word.
Swallowing hard, she croaked out, “Kara,” and said a silent praye
r to receive a reply.
“Sierra, hello. I’m in the back.”
Sweet relief! The universe had smiled upon her this day. It was a good sign and all the dread that had filled her seconds ago, fell away. A smile that none could rival made a home upon her face as she strode to the back of the building where she found Kara alone packing supplies.
“Anything I can help with?”
Kara met her eyes and then drifted off. A long moment passed in comfortable silence before Kara abruptly burst out in a boisterous laugh. Immediately, she hid her face behind her hands and blushed redder than a fire engine. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. What’s so funny?”
Shaking her head, Kara replied, “Nothing really…”
Sierra tilted her head, questioning the unprompted outburst. “Come on, Kara,” she said with a pout.
Unable to stop grinning, Kara rolled her eyes and explained, “I just caught myself geeking out during my own internal monologue.” A muffled chuckle escaped. “I’m such a dork.” Both hands covered her face once again as she struggled to hide her mortification at admitting the truth.
In that moment, Sierra fell a little more for the woman. Socially awkward and unknowingly beautiful—a combination unlike anyone else Sierra had ever met. She couldn’t wait to learn more about her. “I’m glad you’re so chipper this evening.”
Snorting the last of her laughter, Kara said, “It’s been a long, weird day.”
Another comfortable pause filled the air until Kara turned and resumed packing. Sierra helped by handing over items, which Kara fit in a precise order into the boxes. She was meticulous and possibly a touch obsessive compulsive over the way the items were arranged, but to Sierra, it only made her even more endearing.
After sharing a few smiles and packing the last of the supplies, Sierra cleared her throat, deciding to jump in head first. “Um…I know Camryn told you some things that—”
Kara waved her off and shook her head, continuing to fiddle around inside the box. “It doesn’t matter, Sierra. You don’t owe me an explanation of anything that happened. We aren’t together.” Her eyes cast down, turning her focus to sealing the box shut.
Unsure of what to think about the comment, Sierra stood in quiet contemplation. On the one hand, she wanted to have everything out in the open. On the other, what was the point? She had no good reason and Camryn had already said all that needed to be said.
“In that case, I’d really…” Sierra hesitated, wanting Kara’s full attention when she made her request. She didn’t want there to be any questions or misunderstandings regarding her intentions. “Kara, could you please stop and look at me for a second?”
Kara paused. A hesitant breath passed before she placed the packing tape down with care and looked up into Sierra’s soulful eyes. “Yes, Sierra, you were saying?”
A hint of nervousness tinged Kara’s voice, kicking Sierra into action before any doubts could arise. She skirted around the table and captured Kara’s hands in her own. Warm green eyes that made her soul float on a cloud followed her every move.
Sierra smiled like every bit the smitten fool she was as she said, “I know we’ve not had the most auspicious start, and this may sound like a line, but it’s the truth—no one has ever made me feel the way I feel when I’m with you. Like anything and everything is possible.” She swallowed hard and dug deep for the strength to continue, despite the apprehension etched on Kara’s face. “I—I would love to take you out, you know…on a real date. What do you say?” Her eyes glistened with emotion as she waited for a response.
Holding her gaze, Kara’s expression took a turn toward serious as she said, “Sierra, I think you know I like you.”
Sierra’s heart stilled, barely beating enough to stay conscious. She knew what was next, the dreaded “but,” and she couldn’t bear to hear the word. The single syllable that could hold pleasure or pain, in her case, would be a dagger through the chest. Her knees wobbled and she steadied herself with a hand on the edge of the table.
“I want you to know I’m only interested in a committed relationship and I need to know that you’re ready for something more than sex, because as much as I want to be with you, I don’t think I could stand it if you were only looking for a fling.”
Long seconds ticked by. Sierra quietly analyzed Kara’s response before she registered that there had been no "but" in the reply. Kara had not turned her down. Quite the opposite. She had asked for a chance at something real and lasting. For the first time since her freshman year in high school, Sierra dreamed of that happily-ever-after romance. She longed for better than the one night stands and brief relationships of the last few years.
The long silence set Kara on edge and she began to recoil. Sensing the change in mood, Sierra lunged forward and swept her into her arms, her voice cracking as she said, “I do want more, Kara. With you, I do.”
The hurt that had been emanating from Kara melted away in Sierra’s embrace. Her smile returned, wide and bright and lethal enough to stop Sierra’s heart on the spot. With all the trauma the fragile organ had been dealt over the last few days, Sierra wondered how she had managed to survive. She also realized that even though she had been overwhelmed by Kara’s words, there had been no direct answer to her question. She had to hear the word “yes.”
“So, will you go out with me?” Sierra didn’t loosen her hold.
Kara tried to rein in her laugh, but failed as she nodded and replied, “Yes, Sierra. Yes, I will.”
Giving Kara a peck on the cheek, Sierra confirmed, “Tuesday night, then?”
“It’s a date.”
With her heart aflutter, Sierra skipped out of the med clinic, excitement coursing through her veins at the possibilities Tuesday held. Her pace picked up until it was nearly a full sprint. She couldn’t wait to tell Ronni.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The wonderful aroma of bacon wafted into her room and woke Ronni from her slumber. “I’ve got to be dreaming,” she mumbled, rubbing the haze from her eyes. “Nobody ever cooks around here.” Dragging herself from bed, she stumbled into the kitchen and her blue eyes widened in surprise. “Who are you and what did you do with my best friend?” Ronni shouted at the dark-haired woman in baggy shorts and a tank top who looked suspiciously like Sierra.
Sierra turned and laughed. “Easy there, Ron, it’s just me.” Seeing the stunned look on her friend’s face, she shrugged. “What? I can’t make us some breakfast?”
“Umm…No, because you can’t cook. Duh,” Ronni stated as if it were the most obvious answer ever. She perched upon the bar stool at the island and dragged her hands down her face.
“Come on now. It can’t be that bad. It’s only eggs and bacon.” Sierra’s good spirits went undeterred.
“Oh, trust me, it can,” Ronni groaned. She propped her head up on her hands as she leaned on the counter top and assessed the situation. “So, uh…what’s with the presto change-o?”
“What? I feel like I need to make some changes. Be more responsible, um…”
“Grow up?” Ron butted in, arching an eyebrow in challenge.
Sierra frowned as she put the finishing touches on their meal. “Okay, sure. It’s just that I have that meeting later this week for my contract and a date with Kara Tuesday. I finally feel like I have some direction, something to strive for, ya know? Well, besides riding like hell and trying to become a World Cup champ. But there’s more to life than that, right?”
“Yes, there is. Although, that’s pretty awesome in itself.”
They both agreed with a high five and a laugh.
“That’s great, Sierra. I only want the best for you.”
“I know.” Sierra smiled and set a neatly organized plate of scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, bacon, and wheat toast in front of her friend.
Ronni examined the contents of the plate. The expression on her face said she was impressed with the display, but not sold on the taste as she pushed the eggs around with a fork. “I’m not sur
e how I feel about the Doc, but so far, she’s been good for you. She better not screw you over again though,” Ronni stated casually as she lifted a forkful to her nose. After taking a sniff, she placed the eggs into her mouth with caution.
“Don’t worry about it, we’ll be fine, but thanks for looking out for me.” Sierra looked on in amusement as Ronni’s eyebrows rose and her lips turned up into a grin that approved of her culinary talent.
“Wow! This actually tastes like food. Like yummy food. Why have you never cooked liked this before? Last time was an abomination to food everywhere. Can you make pancakes?”
“Gee thanks.” Sierra chuckled. “And I can. I think. It’s been years since I tried and the last time I was seriously hung over.” She took a bite and hummed. She even impressed herself.
Devouring her food, Ronni glanced up between bites and asked, “So, where are you taking little Doc McHottie on your big date?”
The thought of starting her journey with Kara brought a giant smile to Sierra’s face. “I don’t know yet, but she mentioned she enjoyed the outdoors, so maybe that and then dinner.”
Straight faced, Ronni quipped, “Somewhere you won’t get caught having sex?”
“Ronni!” Sierra was appalled at the comment, yet excited about the prospect. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t thought about how sex with Kara would feel—because she had, a thousand times since first laying eyes on the woman—but she was determined to take things slow this time.
“What? Am I wrong?” With hands on her hips, Ronni dared Sierra to challenge her.
“Why do you always think I’m going to have sex right away?” She was half-offended, but knew damn well it was a reasonable assumption. That had always been her M.O.
“Ummm, because I’ve known you since high school. Ever since jackass Jen broke your heart freshman year, sex has been your go to. And even if you did kind of try with Harley, you were never in it to win it with her.”
“Yeah well, not anymore.” Sierra cleared the plates from the island. “Yes, I want her…badly, but I want more than a quick roll in the hay this time. I feel different when I’m around her. I want to be a better person.” She paused at the sink as her thoughts drifted.
Switchback Page 13