by Paige Steele
The doctor comes in to let us know they are taking her for an x-ray now. They are also going to do a CAT scan of her chest, just to make sure nothing else is going on. As they wheel her bed out, I go to where everyone is sitting together and explain what we’ve been told. Her manager, mechanic, and a few others from her team have arrived, as well as Cooper’s friends that we were supposed to meet up with tonight. I know they got to know her last year, so it’s only natural they want to make sure that she’s going to be okay.
As I see her coming back down the hallway after about an hour, I walk back over. This time, I’m stopped by a nurse letting me know that only family can go in. I say nothing as I keep heading towards her room. When she tries to stop me again, I get a bit frustrated and bark back at her.
“I’m not going anywhere but in here. If you don’t like it, I suggest you get security because I’m not leaving.” I sit back in the same seat I was in before she left, the one I’ll be in until she opens those beautiful eyes of hers.
Mr. Brooks lets her know it’s fine for me to be in here, and finally the nurse leaves but not before she huffs and puffs in anger. I thank him as I take her hand back in mine. Another hour or so passes when she begins to stir in bed. Looking over at her, she smiles at me, and my heart starts to speed up again. The effect she has on me is undeniable, and I can’t help but to want to climb in that bed with her and hold her, but I know it’s out of the question. I restrain myself and remain in the chair as the doctor walks back in.
“Things look good; she took a pretty good hit to the ribs, there is a good amount of bruising but luckily there’s no fractures seen,” he tells us. “She might be in and out of it for the next twenty-four hours, just because of the meds we gave her, so we’d like to keep her until the morning but then she can go home.”
“What restrictions is she going to have?” I ask.
“There will be no riding for the next two weeks, then she can slowly get back at it. But honestly, she won’t feel like it anyway, she’s going to be pretty sore. Right now she’s just going to need rest.”
“I’ll make sure she does just that. Trust me, I’ll repay her for all the grief she gave me when I was hurt.” I chuckle and so do her parents then I hear her voice.
“Oh, will you now?” She’s still groggy and partially out of it as she slurs her words.
“With pleasure,” I say, smiling at her.
She lifts her hand from mine and places it on my cheek, as she speaks again slowly, “Ryan, I love you.”
“I love you too, Princess.” I don’t look around the room, even though we just declared our love in front of her parents for the first time.
Kenna
I’ve been home for two days now, and Ryan pretty much has been at my beck and call. It started while we were still at the hospital, when he tried to sweet talk the nurse into letting him carry me to the car, until the doctor walked in and told him no. I think I saw him actually pout a little too.
He leaves tomorrow to head to his parents’ house, even though he keeps telling me he’ll stay if I want him to. To me, his mother comes first. I know deep down he feels the same; he’s just being sweet. Besides he’s still racing, so from his parents’ he’ll fly out to the next track, and hopefully bring home another win. Trying to assure him I’ll be fine has been a challenge. He made me promise to get some rest, so I’ll be able to travel with him next week. Both Maddie and Josie will be staying home while he’s gone, and he gave them both quite the lecture of what I can and can’t do. Maddie guaranteed him that I’ll follow the directions the doctor gave me, or I’ll have her to deal with. Lucky me, I have two babysitters, well three if you count Josie.
It’s been four weeks and I’m feeling much better. In fact, I was given a complete checkup almost two weeks ago and was cleared to resume all physical activities, which made Ryan smile brightly when he heard. The hardest part has been my breathing. I couldn’t take deep breaths for at least a week, but that too has seemed to resolve itself completely. I wasn’t so sure the bruising was ever going to fade away; purple and green really aren’t my colors, but they covered a good portion of my body. I think Ryan must have traced his fingers over each of them and tenderly kissed my bruised skin daily. He’s shown me more compassion than I’ve ever felt, and it’s only made me fall deeper in love with him.
He also insisted on riding with me when I hit the track for the first time again, so about a week ago, we rode the track behind his house and it felt great. After I finished riding a few laps, I set my bike on the stand and watched him go around a few times by himself. His talent on the track is undeniable. Off the track he’s just as incredible, which was clearly demonstrated, as he pressed me against his bike, locking his lips with mine; causing such heat and passion that he left me wanting more.
Here we are now at the airport, once again. It’s been the same routine for the last several weeks but this week we are here on a Sunday. We flew from the race directly to see his parents. His mom finished her treatments last week and will be seeing her doctor tomorrow morning. He wants to be there when they find out if what she’s been going through has all been worth it.
“Mom? Dad?” Ryan calls out as we enter through the front door.
“We’re in here,” his dad answers.
We make our way to the kitchen after dropping our bags at the door. The look on Ryan’s face is priceless when he sees his mom at the table. She looks good too, a bit of color is reappearing in her face and she doesn’t look so drained.
“Mom, you look great,” he says, as he bends down and kisses her cheek.
“Thanks, dear. I feel good.”
“We’ve watched the races on T.V., we couldn’t be any prouder of you.” Mr. Evans beams with pride when he talks of Ryan and racing.
“Thanks, I’m behind in the points by just a few, so hopefully this weekend I’ll kick ass, putting me at the top.”
“And, Kenna dear, you’re amazing out there, as well. How are you feeling by the way?”
“I’m doing great, everything has healed up and I’m back riding again. Thank you for asking.”
“Speaking of injuries, Son, how’s the wrist doing?” his dad asks, with concern in his voice.
“Pretty good, only bothers me now and then.”
All of sudden, his parents glance at each other. “We should probably tell him,” his mom states.
“Tell me what?”
“Son, try not to get upset when we tell you.”
“I’m not promising anything, now what’s going on now?”
“We went to the doctor yesterday…” Before his dad can finish, Ryan’s eyebrows are creasing together in anger.
“Honey, relax.” I grab his arm, sliding my hand down to his, locking our fingers together.
“Okay, why wasn’t I told? I could have been here.”
“It was my choice, dear. I told your father that I wanted us to go and just find out, so I made another appointment.”
“Fine, so what did you find out then?” He has some concern in his voice but seems to somewhat understand.
“Well.” His parents smile at each other before she begins again, “My blood work came back showing no signs of any cancer cells. Both my CT, as well as, my PET scan are free of any tumors, but for a precautionary action only, they are going to put me on a maintenance dose of a chemotherapy drug for three weeks. I’ll have to continue with regular doctor’s appointments until I’m finished with that, but I’ll only have to go to the doctor every six months for a repeat of my tests.”
“Oh my God, Mom, that’s awesome.” Ryan immediately goes to her, squatting down he embraces her tightly.
“It is, Son, it is.” His dad stands and pats Ryan’s back, while his arms are still around his mother.
“Though I wish you would have let me be here for the appointment.”
“I know you do, but it was my decision. I don’t want to hear any more about it.”
“Haha, I see Mom’s regained her voice.” Ryan smiles down at her.
“I have, so watch out.” She laughs for the first time in weeks.
I take in the sight of the three of them and my heart swells. They have an incredible bond as a family; it’s impressive really. We order in, and as we sit down together to eat, Ryan talks about the finals in Vegas next weekend. It looks like it’s going to come down to that race as to who locks in the number one plate in the 450 class. Cooper looks like he should get the plate for the West Coast, so now it will just come down to who comes out on top for both classes at the last race in Vegas. Last year didn’t go so well for him or Cooper, though this year he said he’s going for it all, the title, the money and the truck they give away.
“Just don’t do anything stupid out there. We don’t need you leaving on a stretcher again,” Mr. Evans talks sternly at him.
“I won’t, I promise. There are a couple of riders that I wouldn’t mind teaching a lesson or two though. So if the opportunity arises then, I’ll be taking it.”
“Clean but enough to get your point across.” Now his dad is joining in and I shake my head as they fist bump each other.
“You two are trouble together,” I say with a laugh.
“They are honey, get used to it.” His mom lets out a laugh as well.
We spend the next twenty-four hours just visiting, relaxing, and enjoy each other’s company. With Ryan’s mom feeling better, she is able to join in on the conversations and finally sit with us for dinner too.
Other than a run this morning, we haven’t touched any other exercise equipment, but today it all changes. We’re heading back to the real world, to training, and getting ready to go for next weekend. It’s time to put the work in and play in the dirt again.
Sitting in first class surrounded by friends, plus having Ryan right next to me, is the only way to travel. After landing in Vegas, we all pick up our keys to the vehicles that have been rented for us. The girls decide we are jumping in together, even though when I look over at Ryan, he’s kind of pouting, I still go with Maddie, Ansley, and Josie. I blow him a kiss, turn and walk away, swaying my hips a bit more than before. Cooper, Jesse, and Ryan jump in a truck together when we all make our way outside.
“Beat ya there!” Maddie yells over to the guys.
“Doubt it,” Jesse hollers back.
“Why aren’t you dating him, exactly?” I ask.
“I don’t know, cause we’re friends.”
“Oh, yeah that’s right, that can’t work.” Ansley, Josie, and I start laughing.
“Oh shit, you know what I mean, besides I’m with Justin,” she giggles.
“Yeah. How can we forget?” I roll my eyes at her.
“Stop, he’s great. Just because he had one incident with Jesse on the track doesn’t make him a bad guy.”
“Besides the fact he’s an ass half the time when we’re all together, or that he flirts with other girls when you’re not around, I can’t think of anything else,” I say shaking my head.
“He sounds like a peach. I can’t wait to spend more time with him while we’re out here.”
“You’ll like him, Josie, I know it.”
“Is he going out with us after the race?” Ansley questions.
“He is, and I want you three to be nice.”
“Of course,” I answer back.
As we pull in, the guys are parked and sitting on the tailgate. All three of them are smiling ear to ear at us, when we step out of the silver SUV. “Jackasses,” is muttered under Ansley’s breath and I start laughing. We don’t stop to say hello. All four of us grab our bags out of the back and after the back hatch is closed, we walk right on by. I want nothing more than to stop and plant a huge kiss on Ryan’s lips, but Maddie links arms with me and forces me to keep walking. It isn’t two seconds later that they are on our heels as we walk through the automatic doors at the front of the hotel.
Since we got here early today, and it’s only Thursday, we have a day to relax. We all agree to meet down at the pool in an hour. Ryan and I make our way up to the suite Honda rented for us. While Ansley and Cooper are just down the hall from us, Maddie, Josie, and Jesse are all three floors down.
“Someone’s been a bit of a tease today,” Ryan says, coming up right behind me as soon as the door is shut.
“Who, me?”
“Yes, you. Teasing isn’t nice, Princess. It can come back to bite ya.”
“Maybe, I’m hoping,” I giggle, glancing over my shoulder at him before I scoot off to the bathroom.
“Watch what you wish for,” he yells back, as I shut the door behind me.
I decide to fight fire with fire as I put on my bikini, and not just any bikini, but the tiniest black one I own. I’m thinking this should give him a reminder of what I’m working with when I’m teasing. I throw my hair up in a messy bun on my head, grab a towel, and slip my freshly painted toes in my wedge flip flops, as I walk out.
“You coming?” I ask.
“Still teasing I see.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say, raising my eyebrows at him as I slide my sunglasses on the top of my head.
“I think you do know,” he says, as he starts stalking toward me.
I back up slightly, until the back of my knees hit the bed. He leans into me, and I’m about ready to fall on the bed, when his arm flies around my waist and catches me. He lowers me slowly until my back is resting on the bed. He pulls his shirt off from the back to the front, tossing it to the side, kneels over me, brushing his lips against mine as he speaks.
“We will continue this tonight because I know everyone is downstairs waiting on us.”
“I’m willing to give up the pool, to stay here.”
“What has gotten into you, Princess?”
“Just trying to make up for the two weeks that we had to behave,” I say, sticking my bottom lip out, pouting a little.
“We’ll have tonight, then you’ll need to save your energy for what I have planned for Saturday night after the race. Your ass is all mine.”
“I’ll try to control myself, but all bets are off if you walk around with no shirt on for the next two days.”
“And if you walk around in just this, then I can’t be held accountable for my actions either.”
His eyes rake over my entire body before they rise again; staring directly at me, he drops his lips to mine. Our tongues tangle for a moment before he breaks away. Standing, he pulls me against him, while taking my ass in his hand.
“Now what do you say I change, so we can get down to that pool?” He plants one more kiss on my lips before he breaks away.
The four of us ladies are laying out by the pool, enjoying our downtime, while the boys are all sitting in the cabana behind us. The day is spent basking in the glory of the sun and some great conversation. Ansley asks Josie to join on full time, and she’s is ecstatic about the offer. When both Maddie and I suggest she move in with us permanently, I think she is about ready to lose it completely.
We all wander back to our rooms to change for dinner. As Ryan slips the keycard in, he glances over his shoulder at me, giving me a smirk. Once in, he walks directly to the shower, turns it on then walks back out of the bathroom naked, smiling at me. Walking over, he takes my hand and guides me to where the steam is starting to rise. Turning me around, so my back is to his front, he places a tender kiss to my bare shoulder as he starts undressing me slowly. Both hands swipe across my shoulders, taking the straps to my bikini top with them as they move down my arms. After my top is completely removed, he hooks his thumbs to the sides of my bikini bottoms; squatting down, he shimmies them down until I am able to step out. Making his way back up my body, he slides his hands back up my thighs, grazing my ass with just his thumbs, then over my hips, until they land just below my ribcage. I’m then spun around to face him.
“Ready to take a shower?” With lust in his eyes, he opens the shower
door and steps aside, allowing me to enter first.
The love he shows me every time we join, as one, is simply unbelievable. Making sure I’m right there with him, from start to finish, is something I’ve never experienced before, and today is no different. He brings us to a blissful state of satisfaction and continues holding me close to his body until I’m able to stand on my own again.
Ryan
I’m watching the fucker from the Kawasaki team laughing with a teammate as they stare in the direction of Kenna. My blood is starting to boil over with anger.
“Dude, he’s not worth it, let me kick his ass on the track. Ya know, put him in his place a couple times, maybe let him visit the tough blocks,” Cooper says, as he makes his way under my tent.
“Oh, he’ll get what’s coming to him, one way or another. I’ll find his ass after the race if I have to. And I’ll make sure it hurts him more than the lousy five thousand dollar fine he got. ”
“Trust me, both Jesse and I feel the same way. But remember what’s at stake here, don’t fuck it up for some asshole.”
Cooper changes the subject and flips the conversation to our parents.
“So Dad said when he picked up your parents, your mom looked good.”
“He’s right, she does. She’s feeling much better these days.”
“They should be here soon. When I talked to them this morning, he said once they land they’ll come right here from the airport.”
“I need to thank your dad, it was so nice of him to send the jet after them yesterday and to fly them to here today, too.”
“I’m just glad it worked out for them to come.”
“I know, me too. So, it’s your last lites race before you move up to the big bikes next year, you ready for that?”
“I am. I can’t wait to be able to kick your ass again.”
“Haha, good luck with that.”
“Well, I’m going to give my hot fiancé a kiss, then I’m going to get suited up for my heat.”