But Daddy I Love Him ✸ JJ Maybank

Chapter Thirty One

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

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Natalie held in her breath when the bikes took off, all except one. JJ was still at the finish line and he was frantically kicking his bike into gear, the engine sputtering. Finally, after a while, his bike started up and he didn't waste a second to take off.

"Can you see them?!" Sarah frantically asked as she and the rest of them tried spotting JJ and John B.

Natalie shook her head as she nervously bit her bottom lip, not caring if she drew blood. She suddenly felt nauseous and placed a hand on her stomach, convincing herself that JJ or John B was going to win this race.

Truthfully, she didn't even care about the bet anymore. All she was focused on was JJ's safety. And John B's safety.

"It looks like Rafe Cameron is first into the trees. He is gonna be tough to catch in there."

Natalie tried to pretend that the commentator didn't say that.

"We got some serious contact in the bush. Oh, and it sounds like Topper didn't like Maybank crowding him there. Taught him a little lesson."

"What?!" Natalie found herself exclaiming, eyes wide as she looked at Kiara. "Did I just hear that right?"

Kiara nodded and placed a comforting hand on Natalie's shoulder.

"It looks like they're turning around the buoy. We've got Rafe Cameron still in front ahead of the group of riders. Cameron seems to have things well in hand. He's just gotta coast it home. No mistakes, and he should take home the Kildare Enduro."

Natalie exchanged worried glances with her friends.

"There's Maybank bringing up the rear. Tough race for him. Oh, he's down again in the deep sand."

Natalie crouched down and buried her hands stressfully in her hair. She felt like puking just because of how stressed and nervous she was.

She stood back up and her eyes immediately landed on JJ. She expected him to turn left just like everyone else, but instead he went the different direction. It didn't take long for her to realize what he was going to do and her hands were back in her hair.

"No, no, no." She muttered, frantically shaking her head.

"Looks like Maybank he's gonna try to jump the inlet. That's a 50-foot gap!"

"I can't watch this." Natalie said, quickly covering her eyes with her hands.

Natalie stood there with her eyes covered, waiting for them to break the horrible news about JJ getting himself killed, but it never happened. She uncovered her eyes, just when JJ landed on the other side, now in first place.

Natalie smiled and threw her arms up excitedly. "Yes!"

"No regard for personal safety. He has gone worst to first and leapfrogged the entire pack."

"Come on!" Natalie cheered, jumping up and down in excitement. "Let's go, baby!"

"And Rafe Cameron's closing fast. Looks like it's gonna be chippy here."