Page 13 of High Velocity

It wasn’t long after that he went into the Army and his life was consumed with training and missions.Sure, he’d still thought about Charli over the years, but as life went on, he had other matters to fill his brain.

With Charli’s attention occupied by Bradley and his dad, Roark had to bide his time.Wait for the opportunity to talk with her.He hoped it’d be tonight, otherwise, he wasn’t sure he’d sleep a wink for thinking about her.Fantasizing about her.

When the race ended, and the riders headed back to the pits, the spectators emptied the stands.Charli walked with Bradley, chatting the entire way about the twins’ performances.One would think he was their proud papa.And when Konstance was waiting back at the trailer, saying she’d just arrived and was sorry to have missed their races, Bradley filled her in on all the details.

“We haven’t met yet,” Konstance said to Charli.“I’m Konstance, the twins’ mom.”

“Hi, I’m Charli.Those two are excellent riders.”

“Thank you.A lot in part to Bradley.”

Roark noticed the blush creep across his brother’s face, but he waved away the accolade.“They’re great kiddos.Charli used to spend summers here,” Bradley added.“Now she’s back.Charli, Konstance owns K’s Book Boutique in Eden.You’ll have to check it out.”

“I’d like that,” Charli said.

“Charli’s a terrific mechanic,” Bradley continued.“She’ll be working at Harvey’s shop.”

“Oh, cool,” Konstance said.“Between the shop and Bradley, they keep me in working order.”The woman then blushed.“I mean, my vehicle, my vehicle in working order.”

Charli simply smiled and nodded.

“I love your ink,” Konstance said, eyeing Charli’s tattoos.“I’ve always wanted to be brave enough to get one.And here you have an entire side done.”She chuckled.

“It’s like therapy for me,” Charli said.“I actually fell asleep during a few sessions.”

“Seriously?While getting repeatedly stabbed with a needle?”

Charli laughed.“Well, it wasn’t all pleasant, but mostly.You might be surprised at your tolerance.”

“Maybe,” the young mother answered.

“Want a drink, Konstance?”Bradley asked.“Can you hang out for a bit?”

“Yeah, I can.Thanks.”She smiled brightly.

“Excuse me a moment,” Charli said.“I’m going to go to the bathroom.”

“You can use ours in the trailer,” Roark offered.

“Oh, okay, thanks.”

Roark nodded and held the door for her.When she passed, he caught a whiff of coconut and something else he couldn’t place.But it sure smelled heavenly.

He let the door shut behind her and grabbed another pop.With all the caffeine he was consuming, he’d have a helluva time trying to sleep tonight.

But hey, at least his headache was gone.