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  “What the—” I started to say.

  Jessie lifted her chin towards the jump. “They call that a heel clicker.”

  Just then the rider slid off the bike and held onto only the back fender as he stretched his body out flat in the air. I was shocked at the moves this guy was pulling.

  “And that is what we call a Superman.” She added without ever taking her eyes off the guy.

  He finished his run with a few more impressive tricks and pulled off the track. As he was riding away I saw the back of his jersey. It read ‘STEELE’.

  Jessie squealed and gave my arm a quick squeeze. “Ooh here comes Josh!”

  Josh was riding a flat black bike and wearing grey and black gear. He gave the stands a nod of his helmet as he pulled out onto the dirt, and the crowd, especially the women, went wild. I’m pretty sure I even heard a few girls yelling ‘Marry me!’ as he rode past. I was amused by their reactions and laughed to myself. The back of his jersey said ‘COMMANDER’. I turned to Jessie to ask if that was his last name, but she was fully occupied admiring Josh. I swear I saw her eyes fill with hearts, just like they always do in cartoons when the characters are love-struck, as she watched him.

  Josh hit the first ramp super fast and pulled a backflip, the guy clearly knew how to play a crowd. The audience went completely nuts and a large majority of people, including my best friend, stood on their feet to watch the rest of his run. He continued with a whole set of insane maneuvers, finishing the last jump with some move that required him to latch his feet under the handlebars while straightening his body into the air. Essentially, he was dangling the motorcycle from his feet.

  A big voice boomed over the loud speaker. “Another great run from the Commander. What perfect execution on that final cliffhanger.”

  Jessie placed her hand dramatically over her chest and looked to me. “Isn’t he amazing?”

  “He definitely isn’t a novice.” I teased.

  After the rest of the riders completed their runs, the judges deliberated for a few minutes before selecting a winner.

  The announcer returned to his microphone. “In first place we have Josh ‘The Commander’ Lawrence.” Everyone cheered and clapped their hands together as he rode out to the podium in the center of the arena. “Second place goes to Cory Steele.” The crowd cheered again as he pulled up next to Josh. “And in third place we have Grant Anderson.” The applause and cheering continued until all three men were next to each other. They each removed their helmets and hung them on their handlebars.

  Jessie had been right. “Damn those are some hot ass guys!” I exclaimed. Josh was pretty sexy. He had a nearly shaved head and dark eyes. His huge collection of tattoos was evident as ink poked out the top of his jersey and covered the skin all the way up his neck. The third place victor definitely wasn’t too hard on the eyes either. But the one who had really caught my attention was the runner up. Steele, as his jersey had named him, had a face that could make you forget the existence of the rest of the world. The side of his mouth lifted into a smile as he nodded to the fans. He scanned his eyes across the audience, and as they passed our section he paused for a moment. I’m sure I was probably just imagining it, but it felt like his piercing green gaze had landed directly on me. I pulled in a sharp breath and felt my stomach do an instant flip-flop as my eyes met his stare. The energy I felt from our eye contact shattered as he turned back to face the trophy girl.

  The girl who was presenting the awards was a tall, perfectly tanned, beautiful blonde. Her giant breasts nearly spilled from her top as she bent down from the podium, in her leather halter and matching short shorts, and placed a medal around each of their necks.

  Jessie stood and grabbed my hand. “Let’s head back out there. An awesome band is going to be playing in a few minutes.”

  Chapter 5

  Sam

  “Hey, Rex, how’s it going? This is my friend Sam.” Jessie introduced me as we walked up to the Nitro Energy trailer. Rex was a nice looking guy. He appeared to be somewhere in his mid thirties and had spiked brown hair and wore a pair of sleek black sunglasses.

  He extended his right hand to me and I met it with my own. “Nice to meet you, Sam.”

  “Nice to meet you too.” I replied.

  “Glad you made it out today, Jess.” He looked back over at me and blatantly scanned me up and down, temporarily tipping his glasses down onto his nose. “How come you’ve never brought your friend around before? She’d be a great addition to the group.”

  Jessie laughed. “Trust me, I’ve tried.” She looked at me with playful accusation. “She only agreed to come today as a late birthday present to me.”

  Rex turned his attention back my way. “Well if you’re ever looking for a job, be sure to give me a call.”

  I was sincerely flattered by his offer. “Thank you. I definitely will.”

  Jessie glanced back over her shoulder, as if she was looking for something, and then flashed Rex her bright white smile. “We’re going to go catch that next band. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Rex nodded his head toward the stage. “Should be a great one. Redeye always puts on a good show. Have fun ladies. Great meeting you, Sam.”

  I smiled and waved at Rex before I spun around and Jessie began pulling me away down the long row of vendors. We passed trailers that were selling everything from nachos and beer to tires and clothing.

  Jessie stood on her tippy toes and looked across the way. “They should be coming through any minute.”

  I began to ask, “Who—” just as the sound of revving motorcycle engines came up on us. A trail of freestyle motocross riders had exited the stadium and were now making their way back through the crowd. Most of them had their helmets off as they coasted across the busy pavement. “Holy crap.” I muttered. “It’s like a sexy dude parade.”

  Jessie grinned at my enjoyment. “I told you when the real show would start.” Suddenly she averted her eyes from me and bit down on her bottom lip as Josh pulled up next to her.

  He reached his right hand out and flirtatiously grabbed the side of her waist. His deep, low voice rolled out. “I expect to see you tonight at the after party.”

  Jessie was practically squirming under his touch. “Of course we’ll be there.”

  Josh raised his head toward me. “We huh?” He looked me over. “I like the sound of that.” He pulled away from us and showed off by doing a quick wheelie down the asphalt.

  My best friend seemed to be in awe of the guy. Her eyes followed him as far as they could before she spun around to me. With her head tilted to the side she gave me her most innocent pleading look. “So I did tell you about the after party, right?”

  I smiled at her and shook my head slightly. “I’m pretty sure you left that detail out.”

  “Well now that you’ve seen what we’re up against, what do ya say?”

  I heard another motorcycle rolling up behind me. It slowed as it passed us, and the man riding it slowly and deliberately looked me up and down before flashing me an incredibly sexy smirk. He had dirty blonde hair that was all mussed up from having been under a helmet and a striking green gaze. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from him even as he rode off into the distance. STEELE was printed in thick black letters across the back of his jersey.

  Jessie was watching me with amusement. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  I snapped back to reality and blushed as I turned my attention back to her. I tried to hide a grin. “Yeah, I guess it could be fun.”

  “I can guarantee it. Now come on, the show is about to start.” Jessie looped her arm through my elbow and we headed off toward the main stage area.

  ***

  The stage was a temporary structure that had been set up in the center of a small grassy field. A drum set, mic and some guitars were waiting, and a few guys
were bent down adjusting the various amps on the platform. Although the band wasn’t in sight yet, the crowd was packed in tight all around the field. Bodies upon bodies were standing in the heat. And, from the looks of it, the fans were anything but mellow. I slowed down off to the side of the throng of people to take my place and wait for the show. Jessie however, had other ideas.

  She reached back for my hand and turned to me. “No way, we’re going up to the front!” She practically had to shout it for me to hear as the large crowd began cheering. I looked up at the stage and saw the band had just arrived and were walking to their instruments. Before I could protest, Jessie was dragging me through the pulsating crowd. She was a tiny girl, but Jessie managed to pave a path through the bodies.

  As we finally reached the front, there was a metal barrier gate that created about a six foot gap between the fans and the stage. Jessie squeezed herself into a tiny spot along the fence and then somehow squished me in next to her. The lead singer picked up the mic and the entire band went straight into a hardcore song. To say the fans went completely nuts would definitely be an understatement. Within a matter of seconds we were being violently pushed forward and backward by the wave of people. Each time we went forward my stomach was painfully slammed against the fence. I looked at Jessie and she seemed to be moving with the flow of the crowd, not at all bothered by the constant press of bodies. I however, began to panic.

  Through the first three songs I tried my best to push back against the crowd, but all of my strength proved practically irrelevant against the large bodies behind me. Although I really liked the song the band was playing, I couldn’t do anything but focus on my impending doom. I was sure that at any second I was going to be flattened into a pulp against that barrier. Claustrophobia set in and I had to get out.

  Suddenly, a large man with a shaved head and tattoo covered arms stumbled forward and elbowed another big guy in the face. I doubted it was intentional, but the second guy definitely took it personally. He swung around and threw a fist into the side of the other guy’s skull. All of the people directly surrounding the men joined in, and an all out brawl began. I looked over to find Jessie and I only saw the back of her head as she was swept away in the crowd. “Jess!” I screamed at her. As soon as my voice came out I realized I could barely hear it myself over the blaringly loud music and wild fans. I began pushing my way toward the back of the crowd and by that point had lost any visual of my friend. Breaking my way out of the mob proved much more difficult than the way in had been.

  A huge man’s body came toward me over the mass of people. This guy seriously thinks he can crowd surf? I thought to myself. Everyone who passed his body along was obviously struggling under his weight, and before I knew it he was being passed directly over my head. His arm swung down and nailed me in the face. I’d had it. I reached back and then swung my fist up as hard as I could. I felt pretty proud as I heard him grunt out when my fist slammed into his back. I was relieved as he was passed to the side and away from me. I turned to continue my mission just as a huge shoe kicked me in the back of the head. Apparently, it was like a crowd surfing train, and I was stuck right in the middle of the track. I reached up and ripped the giant shoe right off the foot before throwing it across the crowd as far as I could.

  “Hey! What the fuck!” I heard the guy yelling behind me as I muscled my way through the rest of the people. My strength fueled entirely by anger. After what felt like a lifetime, but was probably only a minute or two, I stumbled out of the crowd, nearly falling on my face as I was pushed free.

  A loud, deep voice came from in front of me. “Damn, I definitely wouldn’t want to get in your way.” As I straightened I saw a pair of black motocross boots followed by black and red riding leathers and an incredible set of abs. His muscular chest and arms were covered in ink, and as my eyes reached his face I realized it was the guy from earlier, Steele. He grinned down at me and I realized I must have been staring. I quickly looked away.

  “See something you like?” He teased.

  I felt my face instantly flush as I made eye contact with him and quickly looked away again.

  He was clearly entertained. “You came flying through that crowd like a bat outta hell. The band isn’t that bad.” A deep laugh rolled up from his throat.

  I regained my composure and looked him in the eye. “No. But those people are. For a minute,” I glanced back over my shoulder. “I really thought I wasn’t going to make it out.”

  “Well from here it looked like you had the situation pretty well under control.” He lifted his chin toward the crowd. “Especially when you sent that guy’s shoe flying.”

  I couldn’t believe he’d seen that. I shied at the thought that he’d been watching me. I smiled up at him and laughed. “I don’t think he was too thrilled, but it did get me out.”

  My eyes were drawn to his strong jaw as he let out a chuckle. “I’ll have to remember that move.”

  “Sam!” I heard Jessie’s voice in the distance. I spun around and saw my friend frantically scanning the sea of faces. I quickly turned back to the man as I was leaving.

  He glanced toward Jess then brought his green gaze back onto me. “See you around, Sam.”

  The sound of my name rolling out of his mouth paired with the intensity of his gaze had set butterflies loose in my stomach. My nerves were on full alert as I pulled myself away from his stare and jogged toward Jess.

  Jessie spun around just as I was approaching her. The stress in her face instantly fell away when she saw me. “Oh thank God!” She threw her arms around me in a big hug. “I was so worried that I’d lost you in there. I know how crowds can freak you out sometimes.”

  I smiled to assure her I was fine. “Well you did lose me in there.” I teased. “Good thing I had all these muscles,” I said as I jokingly flexed my arm, “to bust my way out.”

  She laughed, clearly relieved by my humor at the situation. “Good thing! I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to get that crazy in there.”

  “It’s all right.” I reassured her. “But next time, we’re standing where I want to stand.”

  Jess flashed me her bright smile and nodded. “Deal.”

  Chapter 6

  Sam

  The parking lot was completely packed as we pulled up outside Torco Grill. The official event after party was due to start in just a few minutes, and it seemed that everyone was already there. I’d never seen so many big, lifted trucks in my life, and Jessie’s fit right in. We both scoured the lot for any open spaces.

  “There!” we both said in unison and pointed to a spot in the back corner where a small white sedan was pulling out. Jessie sped toward the opening and parked her monster of a truck with ease in the ‘compact’ spot.

  There was a long line leading up to the entrance, and as we approached it Rex came out a side door and waved us over. “Hey, girls, I’ve got your wristbands.” He reached into his back pocket and retrieved two red plastic bracelets.

  Jessie smiled at him as she extended her right arm. He wrapped the band carefully around her wrist and snapped it closed. “Cool. Thanks, Rex.”

  He nodded and then turned to me. I stretched my hand out for him to secure my band as well. “Thank you.”

  Rex looked at the line that was growing in length by the minute. “Looks like there’s a really good turn out tonight.” He spun around toward the front doors and motioned for us to follow. Rex pointed back at us as he approached the large man at the entrance. “They’re with me, boss.” The security guard glanced down at us and gave us each a quick once over with his eyes before grinning and stepping aside to let us in.

  The DJ had just started his set and the music inside the building was already booming. There was a large bar along the back wall, and another bar in the center of the room. One side of the place had been cleared out and turned into a dance floor. The DJ booth was set u
p at the front of the dance floor, and crowds of people were already moving around to the beat. The other side had a bunch of high top tables with stools all around, and the walls were lined with big screen T.V.s that were showing motocross and FMX highlights.

  Rex gave us each a squeeze on the shoulder as he leaned in for us to hear him. “Have fun, girls.” We both gave him a smile and he headed off toward the back of the room where Jessie’s coworkers were all standing in a group taking photos.

  “Let’s go get some drinks.” Jessie suggested and began toward the bar.

  We each pulled out a black, vinyl topped stool from the counter and sat down. A very attractive bartender with dark hair, and smoldering dark eyes approached us and leaned his elbows on the bar as he twisted a white towel in his hands. “What can I get for you, ladies?” he asked with a mischievous grin on his face.

  I spoke up first. “I’ll take a margarita, on the rocks.”

  “Same for me.” Jess added.

  “Comin’ right up.” He replied as he spun around away from the counter.

  ***

  After she’d finished two margaritas, and a double shot, Jessie dragged me out to the dance floor. She was on an entirely different level than I was, and her dance moves made that obvious. She swayed her hips seductively to the rhythm of the music. Meanwhile I, lacking the liquid confidence, shifted back and forth on my feet uncomfortably and avoided drawing any attention to myself.

  Jess reached out and grabbed my hands. “Come on, Sam, loosen up!”

  “You know I don’t like dancing,” I pleaded with her.

  Just then, Josh walked up behind her and slid his hands around her waist while nuzzling his face into the crook of her shoulder. “Looks like you’re in need of a dance partner, babe.”