Strike by Jennifer Ryder

want to ruin what we have, because it’s going somewhere I can’t turn back from. That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to tell her. I want someone to want me for being Spencer, not Jones. Not the money or the hype. Just me.
    “But riding is who you are, Jones . A big fucking part. I knew there was something you were holding back, but I don’t get the why . If anything, I see how this is more you than anything you’ve told me. I watched Jones rip around that track this morning at practice. Of course I didn’t know it was you. All I saw was a man hell-bent on pushing the limit. You love it like crazy. I can see that.”
    “All I can do is say I’m sorry. What we’re doing,” I motion my hand between us, “it’s all new to me.”
    Her eyes soften, and she huffs her fringe from her face. “I just wished you’d said something.”
    I slide my hands around her waist and wiggle my fingers into the back pockets of her jeans. “Are we okay then?”
    She groans, and pushes her hips towards me. “On one condition. Tell me stuff. And trust in me that you can. If what we’re doing is gonna be anything then talk to me. Be real, Spencer. All I ask is that you be real.”
    She’s right. I need to grow some balls and talk. “I will. Sorry, I’m a dick.”
    “Yeah, you are. But we can’t talk about this now. Let’s do this later.” She looks around, and I know exactly who she’s looking for.
    Mac.
    Now we have a big fucking problem.
    ****
    * APRIL *
    How the fuck do I waltz back in there, deliver everyone’s coffee and pretend that the ground hasn’t just crumbled beneath me? Spencer and I were going somewhere. To a place that I was really looking forward to, and now Papa Bear’s on the scene, it could all turn to shit. History always has a way of repeating itself.
    Daddy has always been overprotective, no matter how many times I’ve told him to back off. I’m a big girl. He can let me run with the fucking bulls of Pamplona, but when it comes to boys and me, he’s a different beast entirely. I know for a fact he would have read these boys the riot act before I got here. Combining his usual overbearing self with what happened with Todd, he’d become a crazed animal on steroids and speed if he knew how close Spencer and I are to Fuck Central.
    Daddy’s talking on the phone, so I decide to chat to Aidan. The only safe option . If I sidle up next to Jones and start talking like we know each other, like I thought I knew him, Daddy would blow a fucking gasket. He wouldn’t approve. I already know that, so there’s no point in coming out and upsetting everyone with this thing Spencer and I have going on, when it’s still growing. Into what, I don’t know.
    “Hey, Aidan. Here’s your coffee,” I say, smiling as I approach.
    “Thanks, April. Did you get some good shots today?”
    “Yeah, I got some of you getting some serious air. I’ll send a couple of them through and you can take a look.”
    “Sweet. Hey, have you got any plans tonight?”
    “No. I don’t actually.” It was going to be a quiet night in because Spencer was busy, although now I just want to abduct him, tie him to my bedposts and torture him until I get the whole story.
    “Eevie and the kids are here, and we’re gonna cook something up in the apartment we’re staying in. I’m sure she’d love to have another girl around. I think sometimes she misses a bit of adult conversation, and once the twins are in bed she can relax.”
    “That’d be perfect. I’ll bring something for dessert.”
    I walk over to Billy to pass him his coffee. His hazel eyes don’t know where to look. I can’t tell if he’s shy or not. “Here you go, Billy,” I say and hand it over.
    “Um, thanks,” he says, his voice wavering. I can’t say he’s not good looking, with his olive skin and baby face; he’s got to be the youngest on the team by a good five years.
    I look over to Daddy and he’s still ranting on the phone, so I walk over to Spencer. With