Isle of Man TT
Kathleen
I feel like I’ve been on a path in my life that led me straight to here.
I was never supposed to like racing. My dad was never a racing fan. Yes, he sponsors Clover Racing, but he’s never watched a race. He gives money to Levi’s team to do what they need, but he could care less what’s going on in that world.
So, my point is, I was never brought up around cars or bikes. I fell into this world by accident. Or was it? Was me meeting Levi inevitable?
We believe that it was. He’s my person. I was always drawn to him for no other reason than my soul being linked to his. And he’s hot. And he can race. But, that isn’t the things that are keeping us connected.
It’s been a fast whirlwind, but I feel it. I know it’s right. Levi has let himself out. He’s let me in. I’m behind those tall walls he has.
Micah and I have talked a lot about how Levi is. After Fred was arrested, the police searched his house and had cause to arrest Mary also. Since then, Levi has had a few minor setbacks, but between Micah, Kelly, and I, we’ve kept him in the light. He seems to cling to me, and I love it. To be completely honest, I love him.
It was easy. He’s an easy man to love. I haven’t told him yet, and I know it’s fast, but… the heart wants what it wants. My heart wants Levi James… forever.
“You ready for this?” Kelly pushes her sunglasses up onto her nose as she watches the people standing near us. We are standing along the course, in a good spot along the mountain, not too far from where we are staying. I’m glad Kelly, Chance, Zant, and Micah came too. I don’t know what kind of mess I would be in without them. They are keeping me sane while I keep Levi sane.
“I am,” I whisper, meaning more than what she’s asking for. I am ready for these races. I am ready for the future. I am ready to see where all of this goes.
“Here they come,” Zant yells down to us. A few seconds later, bikes are flying past us. I don’t know how anyone knows who is driving. They pass us in a blur. I’m looking at every one of them, or I’m trying to. I don’t see a green and orange bike, and I don’t see eighty-two. Where is he?
“He’s already passed, Katie,” Chance says from behind me.
“Really? Where was he?”
Chance is smiling like he’s about to tell a big secret. “He was eleventh.”
“WHAT!?!?!?” I scream and jump up and down. He was eleventh! I know this is just practice, but he will have so much confidence after this. He was just hoping he wasn’t last. This course, this mountain, this race intimidates him, but he’s also on fire for it.
I’m so proud of him. We all are.
We make our way to the finish line to wait for him. I see him as soon as we get there. He’s talking to another racer. His helmet is on top of his head, and he has his right glove off and in his left hand. I watch as he smiles and shakes the guy’s hand. Levi is just a generous guy. To be through everything he has, it amazes me how humble and kind he is. I know it has everything to do with his friends and their parents, but it could have gone another way completely.
I, for one, am glad he is the man that he is. He is quickly turning into my forever.
As soon as we walk up, I watch him scan every face until he lands on mine. I’m standing in the back, letting everyone else congratulate him first. He doesn’t hear a word they are saying as he gets off his bike and walks towards me. I feel the smile that is splitting my face, and I do nothing to stop it.
“Hello beautiful,” he says with a smirk.
“Hey handsome. Nice racing.”
“Really?”
I chuckle. He knows he ran well. He just wants me to boost his ego. “I’m not inflating that head of yours, Levi James.”
He slowly takes his helmet off and gives it to Dale, along with his gloves. He then turns back to me and puts his hands on my hips. “Really now, Ms. Roberts? I think I can change that.” Faster than I thought possible, I’m in the hair and going over his shoulder. I yell at him and everyone else, all while laughing so hard I can’t breathe.
“Say I ran good, Kathleen.” Pop. He slaps my butt.
“No,” I laugh out.
“Say it or I’m going to hold you like this all night.”
“You can’t.” Can he? God, I hope not. I’ll pass out.
“Wanna bet, love?” I don’t answer him. This is the first time he’s called me anything other than Kathleen. I’m speechless. I’ve watched him for two weeks. He doesn’t call people a term of endearment unless they mean a lot to them.
He slowly puts me down. I slide down his body and feel the leather on my exposed places. I look into his eyes and see that cocky little look when he’s being playful with me. I know he feels something for me; he just isn’t ready to tell me yet. And that is ok.
“You’re right. I can’t. There are plenty other things I want to do to you.” With that, he takes my mouth and I moan as he takes the kiss deeper.
“Gross, you two. Take it somewhere else,” Ron says from behind Levi. We smile as we pull apart. I know there is a lot more where that came from, and he will give it to me later.
~
Levi has done really well here at the TT. He raced in three separate races and placed in all three. We are all glad that he never got a DNF (did not finish). He didn’t wreck either. During the second race, there was a racer that hit the wall. His bike exploded, and he died from complications from his injuries. It put a damper on everything for a little bit, but the racers, the fans, and the community all gathered together and rallied everyone back up. It was an amazing experience. The racers family were even telling everyone to cheer and celebrate; not to mourn the man that died doing what he loved the most. Their faith is what inspired me the most.
Today is the last day we are here. Levi isn’t racing, and we are all watching the sidecar races. I don’t know if I could sit in that little car, go that fast, and trust the person that is driving. I couldn’t do it. I would be terrified. But these guys… they live for it. They have a bond that only other people like them can understand. It’s been awesome to watch.
“I am so ready to see Bone,” Kelly says. It has amazed me how the others could be away from their kids for so long. Micah’s parents watched the twins, and Chance’s parents kept Bone. No one but the crew can keep them all together. Bone and Axel together is like a tornado that doesn’t die down. Nova tries to mother them and that makes them even more hyper. I get exhausted just watching them. Levi doesn’t get that way though. He can keep all three of them just by himself. They love him. It’s so cute. He’s going to be a good daddy.
I stop myself right there and smile. Levi is going to be a good dad one day, and I’m praying that I’m the one that will give him that.
“I’m ready to see the twins,” Micah says. “We needed this vacation, but now I’m over it. I’m ready to get back to our lives.” I can understand where they are coming from. I long to have what they have.
I never thought I would have what I seem to be getting now. It’s surreal.