“You really think I’m that big of dick?” he asked. The usual cheeriness gone from his eyes and replaced with defeat. He closed the book and dropped it onto the coffee table with a thud. “And you’re being a complete hypocrite. You planning on giving up racing to live here with Nora? You ready to put your roots down for a girl?”
“I might be,” I replied. I knew that I wasn’t going to lose Nora again, and if that meant giving it up, I would. But, I knew for a fact that Brett Sallinger was not ready to make that sacrifice. He craved the fame and the thrill way more than I ever did. As we stared each other down momentarily, I realized that his glare wasn’t going anywhere. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt his feelings. “Maybe I am being a hypocrite, but Nora and I have a history. It’s different.” I countered. “I just know that relationships have never really been your thing. I don’t think you’d intentionally hurt her.” I said, trying to apologize for making him feel like shit. I was just telling him the truth though. It was hard to hear sometimes, I knew from personal experience. I shouldn’t have said anything.
“Yeah, well it’s going to take a lot more than me reading a book to win her over anyway. She doesn’t seem the least bit interested.” He stood up and dropped the book to the coffee table. “Don’t worry, Reid. She’s safe from me.” he said, walking out the front door and letting it slam behind him before I had a chance to respond. Nothing like having a fantastic day with the girl you love only to come home and royally piss off your best friend. My high became a low real quick.
I know we gave each other a lot of shit, but Brett was my best friend. I shouldn’t have been so hard on him. I was out the front door and ready to apologize again for doubting him, but I heard his bike fire up and knew that I wouldn’t be seeing him for a while. Riding was therapeutic for Brett, just like it was for me. Sometimes we needed the noise of a motor revving to actually be able to think clearly. Brett took off on one of the trails leading into the woods. I knew when he came back, he and I could talk and make things straight again.
“Hey,” Hoyt said, walking out the front door and on to the porch with me where I was leaning up against one of the wooden pillars. “Can I talk to you about something?”
“Sure.” Today was apparently the day everyone wanted to talk. He walked up next to me and rested his hands on the railing.
“Nick Pilsner just called me.” Nick Pilsner was the head of the Throttled Energy’s sponsorship program. The same guy that had hooked Brett and I up with our contracts.
“Don’t tell me he wants us to pack up and go on some arena tour or something. I’m not ready to leave Halstead yet.”
“Not exactly.” Hoyt shook his head. “He wants me to pack up.”
“Why?”
“Did you mention something to him about me coaching riders?”
“I might have.” I smiled. “I know you want more than to just follow my dumb ass around all the time.”
“Well, he took your word. He offered me a position working with some up and comer. Chayse McCade or something like that. Ever heard of him?”
“I haven’t. You’re going to go right? I wasn’t lying when I said you’d be good at coaching. You’ve been coaching me since you were twelve. And let’s face it, I’m pretty well seasoned. I’m a big boy now,” I teased. “I mean,” I hesitated at the risk of sounding like a complete chick, but this was my brother. I could be a little mushy. “I’ll always need you on my team, little brother, but I want to see you do something great.” I smiled.
“You’re right. But, it’s a big step. I’m not sure I’m ready.”
“You need to go, Hoyt. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity.”