“I know.”
“Shit, Hads,” Toby muttered. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“At first, I thought it was more troll stuff, but it’s not. It’s outright threats now.”
“Have you talked to your brother?” Jinx asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t want to get him involved.”
“Smart,” Toby said. “He’d freak.”
No, he’d go nuclear. Then he’d probably lock me up in one of the jail cells at the sheriff’s station and never let me out.
Calla nibbled on her bottom lip. “That is really scary. Maybe you should take a break from the videos. Give things a chance to calm down.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Toby straightened. “Seriously? You can’t let an asshole like this win. If they know they can affect you, then they’ll just keep doing it.”
I squeezed the bridge of my nose, hoping to relieve the headache gathering there. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, but for now, let’s just pause.”
“I don’t think that’s the right move,” Toby argued.
Jinx slapped him on the shoulder. “It doesn’t matter what you think. It’s Hadley’s face out there, so it’s her choice.”
Toby shrugged him off. “Whatever.”
“I think what we all need right now is a ride. Let’s burn off this negativity and remember why we do what we do,” Jinx suggested.
“Yeah, sure.” Toby headed for his bike, Calla on his heels.
I pulled Jinx into a quick hug. “Thanks, J.”
“Always got your back, girl. You let me know if you want me to stay in your guest room for a bit.”
Tears burned the backs of my eyes. “I think I’m okay, but thank you. You’re the best.”
“Don’t I know it.”
I snorted and gave him a shove. “Go get your wheels.”
He gave me a mock salute and moved to his bike. We all made our way to the start of the trail.
“Why don’t you lead the way?” I suggested to Toby. I wanted to give him something to soften the earlier blow. This wasn’t enough, but it was something. The channel was Toby’s whole world, and if anything screwed with that, he wasn’t a happy camper. I had to hope that if Calla could convince him to start that business with her, things would get better.
“Only if you’re ready to eat my dust.” Toby pushed off and dropped down the incline.
Calla let out a little whoop and took off after him. I followed, and Jinx brought up the rear. We left enough space so we were safe and took switchback after switchback.
We freestyled on jumps and dips in the trail. That familiar taste of freedom lit inside me. I tuned out the world around me and focused only on the sensations. The wind whipping past my face. The sounds of tires crunching on gravel. The jarring of my bones as I landed each jump.
I loved every second of it, but I kept seeing Calder’s face in my mind. The hurt as I pulled out of his grasp. The glow of amber in his dark eyes.
I gave myself a little shake and focused on the trail in front of me. Without warning, Calla slammed on her brakes with a little shriek. There wasn’t time for me to stop, and unless I veered off the trail, I was going to hit her.
I jerked my handlebars to the left, trying to brake and also avoid colliding with any trees. But my tire hit a rock, and it was the perfect angle. I didn’t have time to think. I was suddenly airborne.
I did my best to tuck into a flip to protect my neck but landed with a force that pushed all the air from my lungs.