Page 203 of Bend

“I don’t want to do this.”

Sayshen exhales through his nose. “Neither do I.”

Reign rubs both hands over his face. “Its feels so fucking wrong without him.”

Revel looks across the paddock toward Wolfe’s family. “They came all this way.”

Andre turns toward him. “And I already told you all, that does not mean you owe them a race.”

“I know.” Revel’s voice stays low. “That’s not what I mean.”

I understand what he does mean.

None of us believes Wolfe’s family expects anything from them. His mother would probably rather every one of them get on a plane and never touch a motorcycle again.

But they’re standing here because this race mattered to Wolfe.

The TT is about to say his name over the speakers in front of thousands of people because he came here to race, and somehow leaving before that happens feels like giving the course the final word.

Thorne is the next one to speak.

“I’m riding for him.”

Andre’s eyes settle on him, and Thorne looks toward Wolfe’s empty bay, jaw tight.

“This was supposed to be ours. All of us. So if we’re doing it without him, then I want it to mean something.”

Talon’s expression shifts.

“A tribute.”

“Yeah.” Thorne swallows hard. “A final ride for our mate.”

Draygon pushes away from the transporter first. “I’m in.”

Reign glances toward Lena, then gives a slow nod. Sayshen reaches for his helmet, his face set, while Revel gets to his feet beside him.

Talon looks around at all of them before turning back to Andre.

“Then we finish it for Wolfe.”

Andre’s jaw tightens, emotion flashing across his face before he gives one firm nod.

“Then we do it right.”

My stomach twists as I listen to them agree, one by one, and before I can overthink it, the words are out.

“I want to race too.”

That gets everyone’s attention.

Talon’s expression hardens first, while Draygon straightens beside the transporter and Thorne looks at me like I’ve just announced I’m planning to ride straight into the sea. Sayshen’s brows pull together, and Andre stays quiet, watching me in that way he does when he’s trying to work out whether I’m serious or just running headfirst into my own grief.

Talon shakes his head.

“Not a fucking chance. We just lost Wolfe on that course, and you’ve spent the last two days barely sleeping. I’m not pretending I’m okay with putting you out there too.”

Draygon’s jaw tightens in agreement.