Chapter 119
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I didn’t care how he was going to get home in his condition. I didn’t care if he was sober now or still drunk. I didn’t care about Tristan at all anymore.
What he’d done was so much worse than rejection. This was being invisible even when someone was looking directly at me. This was being a substitute for
the woman he really wanted, the woman he would always want.
It was humiliating, but I finally understood something important: I deserved better. These past few weeks on my own had taught me that.
I walked back to my bedroom, gathered up my clothes, and threw them directly to the trash. I wasn’t keeping anything that reminded me of tonight.
I wasn’t going to break down or cry anymore. We were way past that now.
The next morning, I put on a fitted dress and went to work like nothing had happened. I felt perfectly fine, controlled, professional.
Work moved slowly, but I kept busy with reports and meetings. When I inevitably ran into Tristan in the hallway, I was relieved to see that he d gotten my message loud and clear. He stayed far away from me, didn’t try to catch my eye or start any conversations.
Good. That’s exactly how I wanted it.
After work, I met Derek for another practice session. He kept asking if I was okay because he said my energy felt different today.
“I’m fine,” I told him, because I was fine. Better than fine, actually.
The next few days fell into a comfortable rhythm. I had my own space, my independence, my growing skills on the motorcycle. I visited Orion when I had time, and everything felt balanced and healthy.
It had been a month since I’d started practicing with Derek, and after much pleading on my part, he’d finally agreed to let me race today.
“But not with the absolute beginners,” he’d warned me. “These riders have been training for a year. They’re experienced.”
“I can handle it,” I’d insisted.
‘If you can win ten consecutive races against this group, I’ll move you up to the next level,” he’d said finally.
Now, getting ready for my first real race, I felt a mixture of excitement and nerves that was almost overwhelming.
I’d taken a long bath and put on my black leather pants, a fitted crop top, and my jacket. I didn’t forget the black face covering that would hide everything
except my eyes.
I couldn’t risk anyone recognizing me, especially if word somehow got back to Orion.
I checked the time – one hour and thirty minutes until race time. I hadn’t eaten lunch, and my stomach was growling, but I had no appetite. Food felt completely unappealing when adrenaline was already flooding my system.
Instead, I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.
The racing center was busier than I’d ever seen it. The stands were packed with spectators, and there was an electric energy in the air that made my skin
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Chapter 119
tingle,
This wasn’t just a casual practice session, this was a real competition.
Derek met me in the garage where Claire was waiting. She looked perfect under bright lights, her pink and purple paint job gleaming.
You ready for this? Derek asked, but he was studying my
Ive been ready for weeks,‘ I said, pulling on my helmet.
face with concern.
“Athena, listen to me. These riders are good. Some of them have been racing competitively for years. Don’t try to win on your first race – just focus on finishing, on learning the track, on staying safe.”
I nodded, but inside I was thinking something completely different. I didn’t want to just finish. I wanted to win. I needed to win.
I needed to prove that I was capable of more than just being someone’s backup plan or consolation prize.
32%
As I walked Claire out to the starting line, I could see the other riders sizing me up. Fifteen total, all of them clearly more experienced than me. Their bikes were sleek and professional–looking, and their gear was worn from frequent use.
I should have been intimidated, but instead I felt something fierce and determined rising up
in my chest.
I straddled Claire and adjusted my position, getting comfortable with the weight and feel of her beneath me.
Around me, the other riders were doing their own pre–race rituals – revving engines, adjusting mirrors, rolling their shoulders to loosen up.
The starting line stretched out in front of us, leading to a track that twisted and turned through a series of challenging curves and straightaways. I’d practiced on parts of this course, but never the whole thing, and never at race speeds.
My hands were shaking slightly as I gripped the handlebars, a combination of anticipation and nerves making my whole body vibrate with energy.
I felt my vision blur for just a moment – probably from not eating – but I blinked hard and forced myself to focus. This could not happen now. I couldn’t fail when I was just getting started.
The flag official raised his hand, and the crowd noise faded to a dull roar.
Everything narrowed down to this moment, this bike, this track.
PUUUUURRRR.
The starting signal echoed across the facility, and I twisted the throttle.
Claire shot forward like a rocket, and suddenly I was flying.
The world became a blur of speed and sound and pure adrenaline. The other riders were around me, beside me, behind me, but all I could focus on was the track ahead and the incredible sensation of moving faster than I’d ever moved in my life.
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The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate
