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JT
With his arm around Kelsey and the trophy loading on his truck, JT didn't have anything to complain about. Even the bruises had faded enough that he didn’t hurt quite as bad as he thought he would. He'd already signed with his sponsors for the next season and picked up three more, but for after the AMA season. They wanted to get on board with his freestyle career.
His freedom had gotten around with Blake and Mac talking up the fact that Mike wouldn’t be around anymore. He hadn’t been a favorite on the circuit. JT was free to make his own choices with artifice or hiding. Freestyle was exactly the right move for him and his career.
He looked around at his friends who had come in second and third to him that afternoon. That wasn’t usually the case. They often tossed the trophies around like confetti. One time Mac, one time Black, one time JT, and so on.
Smiling, JT lifted his soda and waited for Mac, Blake, and his girl to do the same. “To new beginnings.”
His girl. Just thinking about all the possibilities ahead of them gave him a lightheadedness that he wasn’t prepared for. He gripped Kelsey’s shoulder a little tighter as he waited for it to subside, but the euphoria didn’t fade and he realized he didn’t want it to. He glanced down and noticed her new necklace, a red dirt bike. She wore his bike. His smile grew broader.
Mac grinned and clunked his can against JT’s. “New beginnings? We're just getting started. You're starting a new career. Though, not until the seasons over, I’d like to point out. I have you two slotted for nationals with me.” His grin faded and eyed them both as if they might try to disappear on him. “I’m serious, guys. You’re doing this with me. I don’t want to retire with any other idiots.”
“I’m not the idiot talking about new beginnings.” Blake glanced between Kelsey and JT, disbelief in his arched eyebrow and the scorn dripping from his words. “You're just finishing up a whole load of crap with your dad and Kelsey has school starting up. You guys don’t even know what it’s like to really date yet. You aren’t sure. So how do you know it’s new beginnings? What's new about that?”
The sudden outburst came out of nowhere and JT cocked his head to the side. He understood Blake had a hard time with family and anyone new to their group. Plus, Blake came from a broken home similar to JT’s but with no one around since he was about eight. He’d moved in with Mac when Brian had found out about his circumstances.
There’d always been a red-hot angry man just waiting to come out.
“Why are you so bitter? Lighten up, Blake. It’s not attractive. You’ll always be alone with that permanent scowl.” Mac rolled his eyes and waved at Eva as she sauntered up.
Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she barely offered Blake a glance. “What’s Blake whining about now?” She smiled and it should’ve taken the edge off, but she caught sight of his face and her teasing grin faded. She shot a glance at JT and Mac. “What happened?”
Blake’s face reddened and he turned, tossing one last glance at JT. “Whatever. I’m just saying, you’re not even sure what you’re feeling is real. Why waste time on something that isn’t certain?” He rolled his eyes. “I’m outta here.”
JT shrugged. Sipping his drink, he glanced at Kelsey with his arm across her shoulder. While he answered Blake, he looked down into Kelsey's eyes. “I knew from the moment I woke up from my concussion, Kelsey was the one for me. That's more than I can say about anything else. As far as I’m concerned? That’s a new beginning worth holding onto.”
They ignored the mock puking noises from their friends as they tipped their faces closer together.
Her answering smile warmed inside of him. It didn't matter what happened, or where he went, or what he did. As long as he had Kelsey with him nothing could go wrong.
He’d never have to downshift again.
***
FULL THROTTLE is NEXT in the Downshift series and you won’t want to miss the star-crossed love between Blake and Eva – yep! Blake’s best-friend’s little sister. Things are going to get crazy! Stay tuned!
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Love this book and you want to read more? I’m so happy to oblige! I have all sweet romances some westerns and some contemporary. All FEEL GOOD with BOLD TWISTS
Western Romances
Contemporary Romance
ClickandWed.com series
With This Click, I Thee Wed (book 1)
When a lonely divorcee chooses to become an e – mail-order-bride, she has to learn about the importance of decisions and family or lose her shot at love.
IDo.com (book 2)
DIY Vows (book 3)
eHoneymoon (book 4)
Keyword: I Do (book 5)
Let US-B Wed (book 6)
The Right Click (book 7)
Downshift series
Downshift (book 1)
When a lonely dirt bike champion is injured, it puts him on a crash course with a determined redhead nurse. But she is desperate to deny this daredevil into her heart. Can they help the other escape their lonely lives or are they destined to race from their hearts for all seasons?
Full Throttle (book 2)
Block Pass (book 3)
Captiva Publishing
Bonnie R. Paulson
www.bonnierpaulson.net
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COPYRIGHT © 2016 BONNIE R. Paulson
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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