“Hey, Josh,” I caress the tombstone lovingly. “I was at Jake’s yesterday.” Every week I visit him, I tell him everything that happened to me that week, that way I feel closer to him. I already told him everything about Jake, and how I’m beginning to like him, about Sophie and Matt’s upcoming wedding, about his parents, my parents. Everything. “Each day I spend with him, I’m getting to know him better. I see why you were such a big fan of his. He’s a great man, and I’m sure you’d love him if you got the chance to meet him.” Despite the sunny weather, it’s cold. The strong wind is blowing, so I wrap my scarf and my coat tighter around me. I remember I have gloves in my bag so I put them on. “I miss you,” I whisper. “I really don’t want you to think I forgot all about you because of Jake, that is never going to happen. I’ll carry you in my heart forever.” Three years ago today, we decided to move in together, and it didn’t take us long to find a dream house. “I thought the pain would lessen with time, but it still feels like I lost you yesterday. I really wish you were here with me.” I take one last look at his tombstone and fix the bouquet. “I love you,” I tell him before I leave and drive off to my parents’ house.
Jake
“Hey, man!” I’m excited to see Mike again. We shake hands, and pat each other on the back. “How are you?” Mike started training intensively again two weeks ago in Australia, and now that the season is starting again, we’ll train together.
“Hey, mate, you look good,” he raises an eyebrow at me. “Is it true what I’ve been seeing in the newspapers lately? Is the famous Jake finally off the market? I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”
Shaking my head, I chuckle as we are walking toward the locker room with big gym bags on our shoulders.
“Her name is Ella. She’s so different from all the girls I usually go for. She’s so real and down to earth. I can tell you she’s not playing a game to catch me.” I’m putting on my leathers, as I remember Valencia. “Actually, you’ve already met her,” I say, causing Mike to frown. I have a feeling about what he’s going to say so I stop him. “Stop looking at me like that. It’s not one of the groupies. You know those days are way behind me. Remember Valencia?” He nods as he zips up his leathers. “Well, you met her there. She and her friend Sophie won the VIP tickets for the race.” He’s still looking at me like I ate his canary for lunch. I wave my hand impatiently. “Ah, you’ll remember when you meet her. Come on, let’s go try out our new beasts again,” I say, and put on my boot. Helmets under our arms, we head to the tracks where two polished bikes are waiting for us with the mechanic. A few radio and TV reporters are already gathered around us. I put on my helmet and sit on the motorcycle. It feels like home. Damn, I love the smell of tires and motor oil. They push my bike onto the track, and as I start the engine, it roars to life. I enter a tight left corner, then the right one, and I accelerate even more. I’m surprised how well the bike responds. I enter another technically challenging corner, then a short right corner, and left again to the main straight. Adrenaline floods my body, my heart is beating fast, and I get goose bumps. I ride a few laps. I can’t wait to start the new season to show what I am capable of. I ride to the finish line at full speed, and stop my bike in the pit-box, where Mike is already waiting for his turn. I remove the helmet as I get off the bike.
“Whew!” I whistle, excited. “I missed this!” While Mike is trying out his new bike, I go over some details with my coach, and soon I’m surrounded by reporters.
“Jake, are you looking forward to the new season? What do you think about your new bike?” one of the reporters is yelling his questions at me. First, I greet them, and then I answer.
“Yes, definitely. I can’t wait for the season to begin. And the new bike, wow, I must say I’m really happy with it. It’s been a while since I first rode it.” Yes, the bike is new, but I already tested it back in Valencia last year. “As soon as I sat on it for the first time, I knew it was going to be perfect. It roars like a champion. I have the speed, and the bike goes well into the turns. I’m sure it’s going to do great in the upcoming races.”
“What can we expect from you in the next racing season? Are you confident in your abilities? Will you dominate the winning podium again?” I hear another reporter ask, and I turn to him.
“To tell you the truth, I have no idea what to expect. I’m training hard, my team and I are prepared, and I hope the results will reflect that.”