[18+]
College student Hadley Bell is eager to return home for the holidays, but there's a problem. Her ex-no. 44 Nick Baker, Professional Snocross Racer and member of the Bell Race Team, still resides under her parent's roof.
Tensions run high, and...
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The front door opened, and I rose off the couch, hoping to see Baker. I didn't care about our fight. I wanted to move past it. To console and congratulate him for trying, but all I found was Johnny and Austin.
Luke and I exchanged glances. "Where's everyone?"
I had a bad feeling after the race ended. The same gut-twisting dread I used to get before Baker went out.
They were quiet, removing their gloves in solemn silence. They were still in their gear. And Emma wasn't with them, meaning they'd brought the sleds back without the truck.
I looked from Johnny to Austin, knowing he'd give me something, but even he seemed hesitant. "The teams out looking for him."
My heart stopped, and Janelle shifted. "For who?"
Baker, they didn't need to say his name. I knew. I knew the second I watched his sled fly across the checkered line. "What did he take?"
Austin's throat bobbed, but it was Johnny who answered. "His sled. Alyssa and Max are checking the cabin."
I had my phone out in an instant, ready to call the bar. "Nate's going there now," Austin said as if he could read my thoughts. "We were hoping he might've come home."
I took a breath—my thumbs flying across the screen.
Hadley: Where are you?
A blue bubble came on the screen but disappeared a second later.
Hadley: Please, Baker. I just need to make sure you're okay.
Nothing.
Tears pricked. I hated it when he did this—hated how past fears crept in like gnarled fingers. It showed in the lips I bit together and the anxious hand I pressed to my hip. "Where's mom and dad?"
"With the sponsors," Johnny answered.
I could hear Luke's voice in the kitchen, calling friends who might have seen him before asking Austin, "Did you check the house?"
Baker's house.
"We'll go now."
The boys pulled their gloves on, and my mind raced, though it quickly came to a halt when Johnny's eyes squinted. "Hadley, what happened to your neck?"
I said nothing. And even Janelle bit her tongue. If Baker found out what happened...
Worry clawed. If Baker went to the bar, someone was bound to tell him about Dallas. And if Dallas was still there...
"We have to go," I told Janelle, demanding the keys from Luke.
I hurried to the door, throwing on my coat—the boys trailing after me.
△
Heavy hands fell on my shoulders as I pulled up to the bar. I knew I shouldn't be here, but the thought of returning home, only to bear the pitying remarks of my team, grated my teeth. I knew they meant well, but I couldn't stand it. The sorry stained in their eyes, the positive affirmations they'd throw, promising me it would get better when I knew for a damn fact it wouldn't. Hunt was right. I lost my edge.
