Rule 29

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Rule 29 (As per usual, not proofread so please ignore any mistakes, I'll correct them in the final edit).

                Ash had put lard on my toast instead of butter. Lard.

                "I could lose you today and this is what you do?" I deadpanned, dropping the toast in the bin. Ash smirked and trapped me between his arms and the counter.

                "Positive thinking, remember, love?" he whispered and pressed a kiss to my forehead. I swatted his chest and he raised his eyebrows.

                "You can stick that up your arse," I mumbled and pushed past him. "Aren't you meant to be seeing your mum again?" I asked.

                Ash leaned on the counter and folded his arms over his chest. Seeing his mother was probably the last thing on his mind, but he'd spent the evening before at her house and had promised to see her again before the race.

                I'd skyped my mum the night before and told her a bit about the race, not that it was illegal or that Ash could crash, but just filled her in on our lives. She seemed happy enough and was thrilled that everything was working out. Apparently, Melinda and my father had been at business meetings all week to try and fix an element of Melinda's research that went wrong. It had taken far too much effort to look solemn about it.

                "I saw her yesterday," he dismissed. I frowned.

                "And? She's your mother," I interjected, knowing that I'd kick myself if something were to happen and he hadn't seen her.

                "Your point?" I just scowled and turned on my heels, not wanting to argue with him a mere three hours before he collected his bike.

                "I'm just saying," I mumbled and tried to scout out Dev.

                "She's only interested in my life when she needs a model, someone to represent her, or when she wants me to do some kind of work, Al," he told me, leaning out of the kitchen.

                "Have you seen your dad?" I asked. Ash's shoulders tensed and he narrowed his eyes.

                "Why are you so certain this crash is going to happen?" he snapped. I flinched at his tone and twisted to face him.

               

                "Because you cracked your ribs before. Nate is serious, they are serious," I repeated. Ash shrugged and grabbed his jacket. I put my arm on the doorframe to prevent him going anywhere. Although we both knew full well that if he wanted to leave, he could leave.

                "This is my problem, not yours. Do me a favour and stop stressing me out," he hissed.

                "If it affects you, it is my problem. It comes with the relationship," I corrected and frowned.

                "I don't get all involved in your family shit. Daniel and all of your family issues are your problems, not mine."

                "Don't be a tosser," I warned and he scoffed, rolling his eyes.

                "Oh, I'm the tosser? You're the one trying to control my morning. Just give me some pissing space," he retorted.

                That time, he did shove past me. I didn't do anything to stop him, I couldn't even look at him.

                When the front door slammed, Dev walked in wearing a grimace.

                "That didn't sound good." I shook my head and wrapped my arms around my middle.

                "It wasn't," I choked. Dev sighed and gently pulled me against him with a sigh. I let one tear slip down my face before I sniffed and buried my face into his shirt.

                "It's not even the fight," I told him, my voice muffled by his shirt. Dev pulled back and sighed, giving me a sad look.

                "I know."

                "It's happening again. I love him, Dev," I whispered and he nodded, gently patting my head.

                "I know," he said again and ran his hand through his hair. "I wish I could do something. I'm not too keen on losing a flat mate either," he said with a sad look. With a small squeeze to the shoulder, I backed into the passage and walked into my room.

                In the end, I left Dev preparing for the race and went to find Sid. She was at the bar, sitting on a bar stool with a scowl.

                "What's the matter?" I asked when I got there and she tapped her fingers on the bar.

                "Ryder disappeared last night, nobody can find him anywhere," she explained. I frowned and moved onto the stool next to her.

                "I thought you hated him?" I pushed. She flung her arms up in the air and groaned.

                "I wouldn't wish this on him. He went out last night and didn't come back. He was meant to sign in with all the others racers this morning," she said and dropped down from the stool.

                "Maybe he's hungover? Don't worry too much," I tried to assure and started to help her with getting the food and the backstreet ready.

                She wasn't herself throughout the duration of preparation, which made me slightly suspicious. Her movements were quick and cautious as she looked around.

                "You're hopping around like your underwear is on fire, what's the matter?" I asked, stretching after setting a table. She froze and gave me a look.

                "Nothing," she said hastily and disappeared through to the bar.

                I stared after her retreating figure and sighed, running my hand through my hair. Ash's mother emerged through the door and her eyes lit up when she saw me.

                "Alexandra, dear," she cooed. I looked up and offered her a small smile.

                "Good morning," I greeted and she nodded towards her office.

                "I got your drafts, I think they're fantastic. I know you're supporting Ash in the race today, but could you see me in my office tomorrow for some touch ups?" she asked. She was then gone before I could answer, obviously assuming that it was OK with me.

                Instead of talking to everyone and trying to prepare the race, I just wanted to hunt Ash down and apologise before beginning him not to get on the damn bike.

                After Ash's mother, came Matt and after Matt came Sid. Dev and Mark, the mechanic came after that and by the time Nate walked in, I just wanted to cry.

                "Have you seen Ash?" I asked Dev when he put a bike stand and a spare helmet down in Ash's space. He shook his head with a grimace.

                "No. I checked the bar, the cafe and the practice track, but he wasn't there," he said, looking over my head.

                The back street was filled with tables, bikers, bikes, girls and crowds, all fighting to talk to the racers. I still hadn't spotted Ryder, or Sid for that matter, but all I cared about was Ash. Everywhere I turned there were people and the smell of exhaust made me feel claustrophobic. I swallowed a panicked lump in my throat and rushed outside to the front of the bar.

                Gulping in some air, I sat on the wall and sighed, running my hands through my hair. Getting into a relationship with Ash was a bad idea, I'd known that when I first agreed to give us a trial. Then, as I did with Daniel, I fell too hard and too fast.      

                I felt a hand on my shoulder, which made me jump. Jackson dropped onto the wall next to me with a black eye and a wince. I widened my eyes in shock and instinctively put my hand to my mouth.

                "What happened?" I hissed and he frowned.

                "What do you think? The arsehole knew that something was off, blamed me," he said, looking around us in a skittish way that was entirely unnerving.

                "He's going to die if he gets on that bike," I breathed out and Jackson shrugged.

                "I don't know, but I'm sticking around you for today," he said. I frowned and looked at him curiously.

                "Why?"

                "Because if they try anything, at least I can be near you to help out," he said. I nodded and looked at the road, hoping that Ash would park up on his newly painted bike.

                It didn't take long for my hopes to become a reality. Ash drove up, the darker reds on his bike tank glinting in the sun. He moved the bike around the side of the bar, not even sparing me a glance.

                "He's such a dick sometimes," I complained and pushed myself up. Jackson followed shortly after, wincing as he moved.

                We meandered through the crowds to where Dev and Ash were waiting. Ash wouldn't even look at me, but Dev's eyes went straight to the guy behind me.

                "Jackson has come to help keep an eye out," I dismissed and flicked Ash's back.

                "Not even a hello, sulky sue?" I asked. He looked at me and then rolled his eyes.

                Someone shoved past us, knocking Ash forwards. He cursed, looking behind with a scowl. A few other bikers came over to compliment the paint work and Sid joined up, sinking into Dev's side. She chewed on her lip and looked around.

                "Anybody seen Ryder?" she asked. I frowned.

                "He's still not here?" I asked. Dev looked down, a confused expression etched into his features.

                "Why do you suddenly care about Ryder?" he accused. Sid shrugged and rested her head on his chest.

                "I don't, I'm just confused as to why he's not here," she dismissed, still clearly scanning the crowd.

                Dev said something else to her, but I couldn't concentrate on them, I was more concerned about Ash, who was pale and looking around with a worried expression.

                Instead of being petty and letting the argument come between us, I moved in front of him and gently took his cheeks in my hands. I pressed a kiss to his mouth and he relaxed slightly. His arms came around me, his thumb gently caressing my skin. A simple touch like that sent electricity cursing through my body and heat through my lips.

                His lips were soft but cool, despite the hot atmosphere and his hands clamped down on my hips, holding me in place. He pulled back, but left his forehead against mine.

                "The bike looks great," he whispered and  I smiled, glancing at the paintwork.

                "Glad you think so," I replied and wound my arms around his waist in a tight hug. He returned it quickly, resting his chin on my head.

                "Rule 29, no dying on me," I teased, but tears were brimming around my eyes. He must've heard the catch in my voice, as he pulled away and looked me in the eye.

                "I'm not going anywhere, remember? Suck it up and cheer as loud as you can, alright?" he asked. I forced a smile and kissed his cheek.

                He was pulled away from me five minutes after to grab his bike and line up. I chewed on my lip, feeling my heart thump in my chest as he took the bike and wheeled it over to the start line.

                Jackson was next to me, leaning on the fence that separated the bikers and the audience. Dev was behind me, his hands on my shoulders. The crowd roared when someone I didn't recognise stepped up on a platform and yelled above the shouts.

                He said something about the first race and how many laps. Dev had repeat the words in my ear as I couldn't understand him over the shouts and whistles of the supporters.

                The engines of the bikes overcame the shouts of people and Ash's eyes disappeared under the visor. My heart was thumping through my head and my blood was rushing through my veins like it was trying to win its own race.

                When the bang signalled the start of the race, my knuckles tightened around the wooden fence, making them white. Dev's hands also tightened on my shoulders and the bikes shot up. My eyes were trained on my boyfriend, his bike winding around the first bend.

                The island in the middle of the sandy track was filled with just a fence, separating the long ring. I couldn't see Ry's bike and nor could I see Nate in the crowd.

                "Go, Ash, go!" I shouted. The people behind me shoved forwards, pushing my gut into the wooden pole.

                The bikes came around for the second lap, the sand blowing up into my face. Although it stung my eyes, I refused to keep my eyes off Ash's bike.

                Because we had Jackson on side, the rods had been removed from the engine and hopefully, the dud bike would have taken any damage. Two of the bikes that were at the back were soon knocked out, one broke down and the other went into the side, causing a collision.

                I winced when the sound of the crash hit my ears and I backed into Dev. He didn't move, he just rubbed my arm in comfort.

                The third lap was almost too much, Ash was still in front with another bike close behind him. I got up on my toes just in time to see the bike behind him go into Ash's wheel and something burst from the front tyre.

                My heart leapt when some smoke emerged from the corner, but Ash drove out in one piece, leaning forward in a streamlined shape over the tank. I relaxed, knowing that there were only two laps of the race left.

                He got around the forth within a few minutes and came out in one piece. He was so far in front, that I highly doubted anything could happen.

                His speed was intense as he shot past the start line and onto the final lap.

                In between watching Ash, I kept my eyes on the crowd for Nate or Ryder. When my check came up clear, relief washed over me. It was short lived, as Ash was still taking the final bend.

                About ten metres away from the finish line, the worst happened. A loud bang came from the front and a biker joined the side from nowhere,  ramming Ash's back wheel.

                 I shot forward in shock, watching as a wave of smoke and a terrifying pop came from the third corner. The race didn't stop, not helping the smoke clear.

                The air was thick with smoke and sand and I could smell burning. I didn't know what I said, my eyes were thick with tears and I pulled against Dev's hold to get to the source of the smoke.

                "Ash!" I shouted. Nothing came back. Eventually, after what seemed like hours, the race was forced to a stop and the bike that had been behind Ash had disappeared. When the bikes stopped, I didn't waste a second in ducking under the wood and sprinting forwards, almost slipping.

                When I got there, I noticed that the fire was out, but Ash wasn't there.

                "Ash!" I shouted. There was no response, only a spot of blood and an empty, smoking bike. Dev and Jackson were behind me in seconds, both looking around, confused.

                The man on the microphone said something, but I didn't catch it, I was frantically moving myself over the fence in the corner and onto the other street.

                "Ash!" I tried again. Tears clogged in my throat and I choked on a sob. Shakily pulling my phone from my pocket, I tried to ring him. I knew he kept his phone in his inside jacket whenever he raced.

                The phone rang weakly, surprisingly not damaged from the impact. A faint ring was coming from the other side of the street. Dev heard it too, dashing ahead.

                We all ran in that direction and I wished I hadn't gone ahead in such haste when I was met with the sight of my boyfriend.

                "Ambulance," Dev demanded. I couldn't move, I was frozen in fear and shock, nausea building inside my stomach.

                Jackson made the phone call while I gagged, the coppery smell of Ash's blood hitting my nose.

                Snapping out of my trance, I knelt down next to Dev and cradled Ash's bloody head in my lap, gently moving his hair out of his face.

                His eyes were tightly shut and his chest was moving, but only weakly. I couldn't help but notice the bloodied rock behind Dev and the clear mark under Ash's hair.

                A tear that I hadn't even felt go down my face, landed on Ash's jump suit.

                "Wake up, you arsehole, you all but won," I whispered, running my hand through his fringe. I stopped short when red leaked onto my hand. The bile rose to my throat again and Jackson had gone pale.

                "Ambulance is on their way," he told us, whipping off his jacket.

                I gratefully took it and folded it up, pressing it to Ash's wound. Dev kept a check on Ash's heartbeat, which like his breathing, was very weak.

                Ash's head lolled when I moved and I panicked, holding him close against me.

                Only one of us could travel with Ash to the hospital and thankfully, Dev let me go inside. I couldn't hear anything the man was telling me, everything went by in the flash. The only thing I could concentrate on was the beeping of Ash's heart rate. 

A/N: Sorry it too so long, I'm really not happy with this so it may change. Anyway, please drop me a vote and a comment, I'd really appreciate it!

Also: I've got a twitter!:D I've been pestered by a few of you and I've now discovered the timewaster that is twitter: @KatieGHart is my username, so if you feel like it, drop me a follow. :) Unlike my failure of a blog, I will be using it regularly and letting you all know about updates and stuff as well as just regular twitter use. It was also be easier to communicate with you all through there, so check it out, thanks!:)

Until next time, Wattpadians!

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