Bad Boys of Romance - a Biker Anthology (50 page)

About the Author

    
Casey Peeler grew up and still lives in North Carolina with her husband and daughter. Her first passion is teaching students with special needs. Over the years, she found her way to relax was in a good book.

    
After reading
Their Eyes Were Watching God
by Zora Neal Hurston her senior year of high school and multiple Nicholas Sparks’ novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.

    
Casey is an avid reader, blogger (Hardcover Therapy,) and author of the Full Circle Series.  Her perfect day consists of water, sand between her toes, a cold beverage, and a great book!

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By Dee Avila

Acknowledgements

Thank you to my readers and new readers who are giving my adventure into New Adult Romance a chance. This book was extremely scary for me to write. I hope you enjoy Cole and Rylan’s story, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

My Betas: Brandi
Schales, CJ Azevedo, Amy Barber, Becky Schmidt without each of you AAO wouldn’t be what it is. Thank you for taking the time to read and give me your suggestions. You all are priceless and I heart you to pieces.

The guy that not only holds my hand through each step of writing and publishing but wants to read it first.
Larry, I am one lucky girl. I love you forever and always.

My kids you all are my world even when you drive me nuts. I know you will NOT be reading this, EVER if I have anything to say about it, but I want everyone to know I love you all four to the moon and back.

Bloggers – YOU ALL ARE SERIOUSLY AMAZING! THANK YOU!! For all you do for the Indie Community. The girls at One-Click Addicts THANK YOU for hosting our cover reveal and release day blitz. You girls kicked ass!

Chapter One

It was a few days before the first race of the season. Daytona Bike Week was an experience Cole would never forget. This yea
r would be his third attempt at the much sought after win in the ARRO (American Road Racing Organization) Pro Championship. He loved his red Honda Sportbike, the power it had behind it had him riding zero to sixty in three seconds, and it helped him place in the front of the pack, time after time. Qualifying started tomorrow and Cole was ready, more than ready, but tonight he was enjoying the kick-off party.

 
Road racing had been a hobby of his since his dad took him to watch his first motorcycle race. Once he turned eighteen, it went from hobby to career when his dad forced his hand and made him choose—either stay home to attend law school, assuming his dad’s role and keeping his girl, or take the financial support and chase his dream, leaving his girl behind without a word. Cole didn’t understand it at the time, and he still didn’t. He always wondered what his dad’s motives were. His dad didn’t do things for no reason. One day Cole hoped to talk to his dad again and find out why he made him choose.

Cole was in his bus pre-party going over the list of riders, sizing up his competition. “There’s a bunch of rookies this year.
Quite a few tough veterans, too. Then there’s you, and we both know you’re not a threat to me.” Cole chuckled. Brant, who was stretched out in the captain’s chair with his ankle propped on his knee and arms bent behind his head, was asleep. Brant and Cole had been friends since they both entered the racing scene. Both guys had money but no family support. Cole and Brant’s families financially supported them coming up as hotshot new racers, but neither family ever made it to a race. Not one race, not even the one an hour from Cole’s hometown. Cole wasn’t sure where Brant was originally from or where his family was. Brant wouldn’t talk about it; all he ever said was that as long as he had their money he didn’t need them around physically. After about six months of a barely- there relationship with his parents, Cole started to think the same thing. It hardened him. The only person he let in was Brant.

They could’ve afforded separate busses and crews, but they didn’t see the purpose in it.
After two years in the local racing scene, they graduated up to the AMA PRO circuit. When they decided to head to the big leagues, they hired an attorney and a financial advisor/manager. Before they could start their own race team, their manager Dominick Marshall lined them up with several big sponsors and spots on Whinebeck Racing Team or WRT. Whinebeck was one of the top three teams.

Cole flipped the page; on the bottom of the third page was the listing of a new race team and rider
: MJL Racing ─ Rylan Goff #23

It can’t be. Can it?
How many Rylan Goff’s can there be?
Cole asked himself, thinking of the girl that stole his heart. The girl whose heart that he was certain he broke the day he left five years ago.

Cole stood up and took the two steps it took to reach his friend, knocking his boot off his knee he yelled, “Brant! You lazy fuck
, get up.”

Brant jumped out of the chair
and knocked his beer over. “What the hell, dude?”

“Have you seen this new rider around or heard of MJL racing?”

“Fuck, Cole, slow down. I was asleep and have no fucking clue what you’re talking about.”

He slammed the paper on the little dining table. “Right, sorry
. You know how I expect you to know what I’m thinking. Anyway, right here.” He pointed to Rylan’s name.

“Rylan Goff?
Never heard of him.”

“Shit, I
gotta go.”

Brant scrubbed his face before grabbing Cole’s shoulder, stopping him from exiting through the door. “Cole, you’re not making any sense. Why do you care about this guy or whatever?”

“I don’t think it’s a guy. I think it’s the girl I grew up with and left behind to fucking race. If it is, I need to go find her.”

“Look, I don’t get it. But if you think you need to go find her, I’m sure she’ll be at the kick off party in an hour. I’ll help you search her out then.” Brant peeked at the clock on the microwave to confirm it was only an hour until the party started.

“Nah, I’m gonna go look for her setup. See if I can catch her before the party. I’ll catch up with you then.”

Brant shook his head and sat down
, resuming his previous position of napping.

Cole took off down the rows of busses and RVs. They all had their number and race team painted either on the rig or on a posted sign. He felt lost and a bit out of control. His mind was running through a thousand different scenarios. None of them left him with high hopes for a happy reunion. He was fucked. Why was he even looking for her? She probably didn’t remember him. Since he changed his name, she
wouldn’t recognize his name, and his outer appearance had changed quite a bit as well. This was stupid. He needed to look from afar, confirm it was even her without approaching her, and then focus on his racing.

“Hey Cole, ready for tomorrow?”
Jason Putnam called from the stairs of his rig.

Maybe if he started asking around
, Cole could find her faster. “Of course, you?”

“Yeah, tough lineup. Did you check it out?” Thinking better of himself, Jason shook his head before saying, “Never mind. That was stupid. I know you did.” He chuckled before coming down the few steps to shake Cole’s hand.

“Actually, that’s why I’m out here. You ever heard of this rookie Rylan Goff?”

Jason’s brow furrowed in thought. “Not until today. I met her a little while ago. She was walking around with her crew boss introducing herself. Sweet as sin and hot as fuck.”

“So it is a girl…” Cole’s brow
raised in acknowledgment that it was more than likely her.

“Uh, yeah.
I guess Rylan could be a dudes name. I’ve never heard it before.”

“Which way was she heading?”

Confusion clouded Jason’s features as he pointed the way Cole was headed. “That way. Everything okay, Cole?”

“Oh, yeah.
Just checking out all the new competitors. I’ll see ya later.” Cole continued on, barely hearing Jason’s reply.

“Yeah, okay. See
ya.”

Getting confirmation that Rylan was a chick set Cole off in a renewed determination.  He pounded down the stretch of pavement between rigs
while keeping an eye out for her.

Cole neared the end of the competitor’s temporary living quarters when he saw a small figure with long waves flowing down her back. The black layers flowed down to bright green tips. It was unique and most likely not her.
Just because she didn’t color her hair when she was young doesn’t mean she wouldn’t now,
Cole reminded himself. As he got closer, he could see through the people surrounding her. He saw that she had tiny shorts and a loose fitting tank, showing off her long, dark, and very toned legs. He knew those legs, the way they felt under his hands and wrapped around his waist. Shaking his head to get rid of his thoughts, he approached the group. He had no clue what to say.

“Cole! Glad you could make it man!” Aidan Ferguson clapped him on the shoulder. “Ready to get this party started?”

Ah, shit!
He had forgotten Aidan invited him down for a little pre-kickoff party. He could play it off. He had to. “Yeah, man. You got a beer around here?”

Before Aidan could point out the cooler full of beer, Kat sauntered up to him with a new bottle in her hands. “Here you go, Sugar.”

He took the beer from Kat, not taking the time to thank her. Kat was a racing groupie. She claimed only to want to
help,
him but he caught her a few times
helping
other riders. Her way of helping was to suck and fuck every guy with the potential to win big. She was after the lifestyle, not love. Cole wasn’t after love either; he had hooked up with her and then left her to find some other sucker to give her the lifestyle she wanted.

When he didn’t respond
, Kat stuck out her bottom lip in a large, pitiful pout and flashed her fake lashes his way. “What’s wrong, baby? Are you nervous?” She leaned up and whispered in his ear, “I can help calm you down. I know how nervous you are before a big race, and it’s been a while since I’ve tasted you.” She trailed her tongue along the outer ridge of his ear and down his neck, softly sucking as she went.

“Not tonight.” Cole stomped away trying to get closer to Rylan
, who had moved further into the crowd. He searched the gathering of people until he spotted the bright green tips of her hair swaying as she walked further away from him. He needed to make his way to her. He didn’t care about anyone else there.

He didn’t get two feet before someone else tried to stop him, offering him a shot. Cole turned to see who had beckoned him and saw a cute redhead that he knew he should know the name of, offering him a shot of something between her tits. Usually he’d be all over that,
but not tonight. Tonight he shrugged her off and sped off in the way of Rylan.

Two hours later, the racers, team owners, crew members, and sponsors were gathered in a huge white tent set up with table and chairs. A buffet of food ran along one side of the tent while a stage was set up on the opposite side. Rylan had slipped away again earlier, before he could catch her and say hi. He looked around for a good thirty minutes before giving up and making his way back to his bus to get Brant.

They had listened to welcome speeches and stood when their names were called. He noticed Rylan sat a few tables over and didn’t even peek his way when they called his name. Now it was time for dinner. They were releasing everyone by table; he waited for Rylan’s table to be called before he headed to the restroom.

“I’m
gonna go take a leak. If by chance we get released…” He trailed off as he watched Rylan walk past his table once again not even glancing.

“Yeah dude, go.” He heard Brant confirm as he walked away.

As he moved toward Rylan, he started having doubts. What the hell was wrong with him? He didn’t chicken out when it came to talking to women. He was confident in his pick up lines and scoring a hook up with any chick. Some even said he was cocky; he could admit to that, and he often had. However, he wasn’t using pick up lines or wanting a hook up. Not with her, not with his Rylan. He wasn’t sure what he wanted, but a quick fuck wasn’t it.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped up to her
with his hand outstretched. “You must be Rylan.”

He saw the confusion cloud her bright green eyes before they cleared and shined with fury. “Wow Cole
, you are as smart as they say. What tipped you off?”

Huh, he didn’t remember her having such a smart mouth on her. Two could play at this game, though. “Obviously,
honey,
it was the sizable rack on your chest.” He shrugged, turning to walk away, and threw over his shoulder, “Or that sweet ass.”

He heard some chuckles and a very feminine grunt before her raspy voice carried over to him, “He’s as egotistical as every female in every race town says.”

“Yeah, and you’re fresh meat. Suck it up
honey
because I’m sure he’ll be back,” someone countered. He was almost certain it was the blonde standing beside her.

She thinks I’m arrogant after that short exchange; she really won’t like the
person I’ve become.

Cole’s feathers were ruffled, and he was pissed. He knew he didn’t leave a respectable reputation in his trail, and he never cared about what the female population was saying about him.
As long as they weren’t saying I sucked ass in bed.

Reaching his bus, he climbed the stairs, throwing the door open before climbing in. He rammed his fingers through his hair before letting out a frustrated sigh. Cole
grabbed a beer from the fridge, twisting off the cap he gulped down several cold mouthfuls before setting it on the table and sliding into the booth.

Dominick entered the bus, gently shutting the door behind him. “What was that all about
, Cole?”

“What?”

“Don’t give me that bullshit! You know exactly what I’m talking about—you confronting Rylan and then being your typical self and smarting off before storming out of there.”

“All I planned to do was introduce
myself to the new rookie. She made some smart ass comment.”

“You’ve never introduced yourself to a rookie before. Usually I have to force you. What gives?” Dominick was pacing the small area between the captain’s chair and the door to the bedroom.

“Look, I thought I knew her. I was wrong.” Cole brought the bottle back to his lips.
I need to get a groupie.
Setting the beer back down, Cole stood. “I need to go let off some steam before I turn in. Tomorrow’s a long day.”

“Yeah, do what you
gotta do. But get your head in the race.”

“It’s already there.” With that, Cole left the bus. He couldn’t stomach thinking about Kat. There was no way he was drunk enough to put up with her. Maybe Heather was around. She was always up for a good time, but
she was a lot less free with it than Kat.