Against All Odds

By Dee Avila

 Cole West left his life behind and headed east to race street bikes professionally. Cutting all ties from his former life, he forms a wall around his heart.
As he races, he finds drinking and screwing his way through each city is the only option to move on. He is still in love with his high school sweetheart.
Rylan Goff, the girl his dad made him choose
racing over. The girl his father made him leave behind.
Now she’s here, on the race track of the first race of the season, Daytona Beach Bike Week. As soon as Cole sees her, he knows it’s Rylan. At first, she has no clue who he is. Once the
truth comes out and all past secrets are revealed can they reconnect?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dee Avila
• Release date: Sep 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502270610

Book preview

Dedication

To my husband. I love you more today than the day we married. You are my forever and always.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to my readers and new readers who are giving my adventure into New Adult Romance a chance. This book was extremely scary for me to write. I hope you enjoy Cole and Rylan’s story, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

This story was first published in an anthology. My first anthology! It was a wonderful experience and I owe that to the wonderful authors who contributed to Bad Boys Of Romance: A Biker Anthology. Kasey Millstead, Morgan Jane, Rebecca Brooke, Casey Peeler, Nina Levine, Vicki Green Abigial Lee and Shantel Tessier. Thank you ladies for helping me through this experience, love you all!

My Betas: Brandi Schales, CJ Azevedo, Amy Barber, Becky Schmidt without each of you AAO wouldn’t be what it is. Thank you for taking the time to read and give me your suggestions. You all are priceless and I heart you to pieces.

Lisa N. Paul – Author thank you for always giving me an honest opinion when it comes to my covers. For being there when I am having a melt down and for being a great friend. And thank you for Kyle Marx!!! ;)

The guy that not only holds my hand through each step of writing and publishing but wants to read it first. Larry, I am one lucky girl. I love you forever and always.

My kids you all are my world even when you drive me nuts. I know you will NOT be reading this, EVER if I have anything to say about it, but I want everyone to know I love you all four to the moon and back.

Bloggers – YOU ALL ARE SERIOUSLY AMAZING! THANK YOU!! For all you do for the Indie Community.

Chapter One

It was a few days before the first race of the season. Daytona Bike Week was an experience Cole would never forget. This year would be his third attempt at the much sought after win in the ARRO (American Road Racing Organization) Pro Championship. He loved his red Honda Sportbike, the power it had behind it had him riding zero to sixty in three seconds, and it helped him place in the front of the pack, time after time. Qualifying started tomorrow and Cole was ready, more than ready, but tonight he was enjoying the kick-off party.

Road racing had been a hobby of his since his dad took him to watch his first motorcycle race. Once he turned eighteen, it went from hobby to career when his dad forced his hand and made him choose—either stay home to attend law school, assuming his dad’s role and keeping his girl, or take the financial support and chase his dream, leaving his girl behind without a word. Cole didn’t understand it at the time, and he still didn’t. He always wondered what his dad’s motives were. His dad didn’t do things for no reason. One day Cole hoped to talk to his dad again and find out why he made him choose. Cole was in his bus pre-party going over the list of riders, sizing up his competition.There’s a bunch of rookies this year. Quite a few tough veterans, too. Then there’s you, and we both know you’re not a threat to me. Cole chuckled. Brant, who was stretched out in the captain’s chair with his ankle propped on his knee and arms bent behind his head, was asleep. Brant and Cole had been friends since they both entered the racing scene. Both guys had money but no family support. Cole and Brant’s families financially supported them coming up as hotshot new racers, but neither family ever made it to a race. Not one race, not even the one an hour from Cole’s hometown. Cole wasn’t sure where Brant was originally from or where his family was. Brant wouldn’t talk about it; all he ever said was that as long as he had their money he didn’t need them around physically. After about six months of a barely-there relationship with his parents, Cole started to think the same thing. It hardened him. The only person he let in was Brant.

They could’ve afforded separate busses and crews, but they didn’t see the purpose in it. After two years in the local racing scene, they graduated up to the ARRO PRO circuit. When they decided to head to the big leagues, they hired an attorney and a financial advisor/manager. Before they could start their own race team, their manager Dominick Marshall lined them up with several big sponsors and spots on Whinebeck Racing Team or WRT. Whinebeck was one of the top three teams.

Cole flipped the page; on the bottom of the third page was the listing of a new race team and rider: MJL Racing ─ Rylan Goff #23

It can’t be. Can it? How many Rylan Goff’s can there be? Cole asked himself, thinking of the girl that stole his heart. The girl whose heart that he was certain he broke the day he left five years ago.

Cole stood up and took the two steps it took to reach his friend, knocking his boot off his knee he yelled, Brant! You lazy fuck, get up.

Brant jumped out of the chair and knocked his beer over. What the hell, dude?

Have you seen this new rider around or heard of MJL racing?

Fuck, Cole, slow down. I was asleep and have no fucking clue what you’re talking about.

He slammed the paper on the little dining table. Right, sorry. You know how I expect you to know what I’m thinking. Anyway, right here. He pointed to Rylan’s name.

Rylan Goff? Never heard of him.

Shit, I gotta go.

Brant scrubbed his face before grabbing Cole’s shoulder, stopping him from exiting through the door. Cole, you’re not making any sense. Why do you care about this guy or whatever?

I don’t think it’s a guy. I think it’s the girl I grew up with and left behind to fucking race. If it is, I need to go find her.

Look, I don’t get it. But if you think you need to go find her, I’m sure she’ll be at the kick off party in an hour. I’ll help you search her out then. Brant peeked at the clock on the microwave to confirm it was only an hour until the party started.

Nah, I’m gonna go look for her setup. See if I can catch her before the party. I’ll catch up with you then.

Brant shook his head and sat down, resuming his previous position of napping.

Cole took off down the rows of busses and RVs. They all had their number and race team painted either on the rig or on a posted sign. He felt lost and a bit out of control. His mind was running through a thousand different scenarios. None of them left him with high hopes for a happy reunion. He was fucked. Why was he even looking for her? She probably didn’t remember him. Since he changed his name, she wouldn’t recognize his name, and his outer appearance had changed quite a bit as well. This was stupid. He needed to look from afar, confirm it was even her without approaching her, and then focus on his racing.

Hey Cole, ready for tomorrow? Jason Putnam called from the stairs of his rig.

Maybe if he started asking around, Cole could find her faster. Of course, you?

Yeah, tough lineup. Did you check it out? Thinking better of himself, Jason shook his head before saying, Never mind. That was stupid. I know you did. He chuckled before coming down the few steps to shake Cole’s hand.

Actually, that’s why I’m out here. You ever heard of this rookie Rylan Goff?

Jason’s brow furrowed in thought. Not until today. I met her a little while ago. She was walking around with her crew boss introducing herself. Sweet as sin and hot as fuck.

So it is a girl... Cole’s brow raised in acknowledgment that it was more than likely her.

Uh, yeah. I guess Rylan could be a dudes name. I’ve never heard it before.

Which way was she heading?

Confusion clouded Jason’s features as he pointed the way Cole was headed. That way. Everything okay, Cole?

Oh, yeah. Just checking out all the new competitors. I’ll see ya later. Cole continued on, barely hearing Jason’s reply.

Yeah, okay. See ya.

Getting confirmation that Rylan was a chick set Cole off in a renewed determination.  He pounded down the stretch of pavement between rigs while keeping an eye out for her.

Cole neared the end of the competitor’s temporary living