Chapter 1
Jax
Six months later. Extreme Games, Austin, Texas.
I look at my phone and read the text message from Quinn for what has to be the thousandth time. All I’d asked for was a titty shot for good luck before I took part in the Extreme Games. I’m the reigning gold medallist for all six BMX disciplines; Big Air, Best Trick, Vert, Street, Park, and Dirt—the first time anyone has ever done that, by the way. So it only seems fair I start things off the right way, right? Therefore, I need a nip pic. Ideally I would’ve liked a blowjob, but that’s a bit hard when Quinn’s in Melbourne and I’m here in Austin. Sure, there are plenty of girls around who would be more than willing to suck me off, but I only want one. Judging from her text message, those feelings aren’t reciprocated.
Quinn: You know I’m wishing you luck, even if you don’t need it. But I feel I should tell you that I’m seeing someone. He’s a resident at the hospital I’m doing a placement with. I’m sure there are plenty of other, better-looking girls there who would be more than willing to help you out. Good luck with everything, Quinn.
Yeah, that was a kick to the nuts. I know I don’t have the best reputation when it comes to relationships, but I was serious about wanting one with Quinn. She got me. I see what Reed and Bria, Mav and Aubrey, and Liam and Mase have and I want something like that. A couple of years ago a relationship was the last thing on my mind. Then I saw how Reed changed when Bria came into his life. I saw what I’ve been missing my whole life. Love. Not that my pop, pa, and brothers don’t love me, but it’s man love. You know, the approving grunt or slap on the back when you’ve done something well. What I’m looking for is someone soft and warm to embrace me, to wrap me up and show me how they feel through their touch. It’s something I’ve never had. Our mum died before I turned one. She had ovarian cancer, but they didn’t find it until she had me. By that time, it was too late. So I’ve never had a woman to kiss my boo-boos or to hug me when I fell off my bike. Some of us, not giving away names, *cough* Reed, Park *cough*, believe that was our curse, that any woman who fell in love with us was destined to die young. I get where they’re coming from, with my nan and ma dying young. Plus Park’s girlfriend and mother of my nephew, Christian, also kicked the bucket early, but personally I think it’s bullshit. They were all unlucky. I mean, Reed and Bria have been together for almost four years now. They’ve got one gorgeous kid, my niece, Avery, and another on the way. Sure, they had a rough start, but everything is A-okay now. So no, fear of our “curse” is not what’s keeping me from having a relationship. I just wasn’t ready. Now I am, but the girl I want doesn’t want me. I’m alone, just like I always am.
I stand at the top of the Big Air ramp and know I should feel like I’m on top of the world. At fifteen metres in the air, it looks like I am. But I don’t feel it. I’m the greatest BMX rider there ever was and ever will be, but all I feel is empty and alone. I look to the side where my family are, and see Reed and Bria. His hands are on her stomach, baby number two growing nicely. Next to them are Mav and his girl Aubrey. When he sees me looking at him, he nods, encouraging me. Usually the gesture would send a rush of calmness over me, but not today. No, all it does is remind me that he’s paired up as well now, while I’m all alone. That I always will be because everyone leaves me. I shake my head and try to clear it. I’m Jax Ryan, BMX god, and I’m here to tear up.
I push down the roll-in, pedalling down the steep incline. The wind whips past me, but all I can think of are the tricks I’m about to pull. I hit the first ramp, taking the twenty-one-metre gap, which allows me to pull a perfect double backflip. I land and pedal to get enough momentum to get up the vert end of the ramp. I pull my bike flip and transition into a 540 tailwhip. I’m a little late coming out of it so I know my landing’s going to be dicey, but nothing I can’t handle, at least I think it’s not. I spot my landing and come down sideways, which isn’t good, but again, nothing I can’t handle. The wheels hit and the bike leans to the right before tipping. I try to brace myself, but the curved wall of the vert rushes up to meet me. I don’t even have time to swear before the world goes black.
When I come to, there’s an eerie silence. I try to get up but Mav pushes me back down.
“Don’t move,” he tells me, or I think he does. There’s a ringing in my ears, the bright sun is burning my eyes, and I may be seeing four of my brother.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Shh,” Mav says, “just lie still, the medics need to check you for injuries.”
“I’m fine,” I say and try to get up again. As I do, a shooting pain goes down my arm and the world tilts a weird angle. “Or maybe not,” I say as I lie down again.
“Where does it hurt?” someone asks me.
“Arm and head,” I tell them.
“He definitely dislocated his shoulder,” the voice tells Mav, “and probably broke his collarbone. He’s got a concussion too.”
I’m lifted and placed on a stretcher. From there I’m transferred to a buggy to be taken to the medical centre. I raise my arm, my left, unbroken, still located one, and give the crowd a thumbs-up. When they see me they roar, the noise making my head feel like it’s being split open. I clutch at it.
“Fuck me,” I curse.
I think I hear my brothers and Bria talking nearby, but my head is making it difficult for me to nail anything down. The world is tilting and spinning at all different angles, so I close my eyes, hoping that will help matters. Quinn’s smiling face greets me and makes my chest ache in a way totally unrelated to my crash. I wish she was here. She’d know exactly what was going on and could look after me. The thought of her giving me a sponge bath makes my dick twitch, and I quickly think of something else to prevent a full-on hard-on. No, instead of a Quinn Rhodes sponge bath, my brain chooses to replay my crash, or what I can remember of it. Yeah, ’cause that’s a better alternative.