Going Full Throttle

Chapter 50 - Tyler's POV

I strode into the dressing room with a shit-eating grin stretched across my face. The guys all mulled around on couches, but they looked up when I walked in. I probably looked pretty strange, especially with how sullen I'd been over the last few months. Now, I was shirtless and walking on air.

"Did you get lucky in the five minutes you stood out there with her?" Dane asked as he took in my satisfied smile.

"That's about as long as Westwood takes, isn't it?" Fitz chuckled.

I reached into a bag and pulled out another jersey to put on. It was stiffer than my other one. Sponsors sent us a million of them to wear on tour but I tended to stick to one. I liked the feeling of a worn jersey when I rode. The thinning nylon from all my falls during practice somehow made me feel better in shows.

Thinking about Pia wearing my jersey though, with my last name on her back... it was worth the stiff new jersey.

I forgot that the guys had even spoken as I sunk back in a chair and let my mind wander back to that kiss. Fuck. Never in a million years could I have imagined that would happen.

That was a lie. I thought about it a bunch. I spent many late-night hours in the last two weeks dreaming about seeing Pia again and somehow managing to reconnect. A kiss, a touch, I would have taken anything. But it had been a dream. A fantasy. I hadn't thought Pia would ever actually act on it.

Now, I just had to get this show over so I could go to my girl and pick up where we left off.

"Jesus Christ," Rohan said as he walked over. "What's gotten into him?"

"Pia," Dane said knowingly.

"Or he got into her... we haven't gotten a straight answer yet," Fitz cheeked.

"Hey, Fitz?" I said with a calm smile.

"Yeah, buddy?"

"Don't let this smile fool you. I'm about five seconds from beating your ass."

Fitz rolled his eyes but kept his mouth shut. Rohan looked at me curiously as he sat down. There was an undercurrent of concern and I knew he was worried that I was getting my hopes up too high.

Too late though.

From the second I saw Pia today, my hopes were up. Not that I believed she would want me back, but that didn't stop me. Seeing her hold that baby was like looking at a future I never realized I wanted. Pia was so damn perfect. Everything she did was just so natural. I was terrified to hold Emma because she looked so breakable. Even though her sweet little face cocooned in that blanket did something to my heart. But Pia never even blinked an eye when she fussed.

I could imagine her with our babies, helping me learn how to not break them. My big rough hands didn't seem meant for gentle touches, but I knew Pia would set me at ease. Even Finn looked great in the big brother role. We would literally have it all. In a few years though. I needed some nights alone with Pia to make up for the months we'd lost.

I tried to manage my expectations and remind myself that we'd only kissed. Pia hadn't said anything yet. She wasn't cruel though. I couldn't imagine Pia doing that if she was just going to leave and let me go again. She had said we'd talk after the show, and the light in her eyes let me know that it would be a good conversation.

In a few hours, I'd be whole again.

"How's the crowd looking?" I asked Dane.

Dane turned to the monitors in the corner of the room. "Looks like it's filling up quickly. I hope Scotty's getting good shots of the crowd. This one seems fun it'll make for good footage."