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“I heard that,” Shepard called out. “He’s not even close to being at my level... Dude, what’s wrong with your face? Why does it look like that?”
I gritted my teeth. “Why does everyone care about my face? Is it that ugly? I cried myself to sleep last night, okay? Is that the answer you needed to hear? Fuck off!” I turned to stomp off toward the garage.
“Holt.”
I glanced up to find Hutch Kelly standing in front of me. “You, too?” I snarled.
“Let’s talk.” He motioned for me to follow him. “That was not a suggestion,” he added.
I sighed, dropped my head, and did as he requested. We walked across the track, and when he sat down on one of the walls, I did the same. He turned to look at me as if he was waiting for me to say something, but when I didn’t, he let out a low sigh.
“I’m assuming this has something to do with Watts?”
“You assume correctly.”
Hutch nudged my shoulder with his. “You’re together.”
“Not anymore.” I felt my heart break again. “He... you know... Shit.” I swiped at my eyes. “You know he forgot a lot of things after his accident? The doctors said he might remember on his own, but if he wanted to try some other approach, he could. But Watson was having dreams... about us. And the night of Shepard’s party, he told me. We hooked up or whatever, and we got back together. Although he didn’t remember us. That we were officially together after Jones hit me with his car.”
Hutch made a clucking noise with his tongue. “What did he find?”
“How did you—?”
“Everyone thinks I’m stupid because I’m quiet. I just keep to myself because I don’t like big crowds. Funny that I picked this job, huh?”
I blushed. “I don’t think you’re stupid, Hutch.” I didn’t either.
“Didn’t say it was you, kid.” He smiled. “So, what did he find that upset him?”
I bit my lip. “Pictures on his phone. Of us. And, uh, the ring he gave me.”
“He gave you a ring?” His eyes went wide.
I nodded. “His Xfinity Championship ring. I sometimes wear it on a necklace around my neck because we hadn’t told anyone yet. He wanted to get it resized for my finger. Oh, Christ.” I tried to hold back the tears. “He took it. He ripped it right off and told me I didn’t deserve it. I don’t think... He was so upset with me.” I buried my face in my hands.
“You need to talk to him, Holt.” Hutch wrapped an arm around me and tugged me closer. “Watts needs you now more than ever. If his career is over, he’s going to need your love to get through this.”
I tried to calm myself down. “I-I know... But he won’t answer my texts. His phone goes right to voicemail. He’s so mad at me. You should have seen him. Watson and I never fight. Like ever.” I sat up to look at Hutch. “Even as teenagers. We got along from day one. I was so worried he was going to hate me. Think I was some weirdo. He was just the coolest guy.”
“What would make him happy? Other than racing? What would make him smile? You need to think about that.”
“God, you’re good at this,” I told him.
Hutch shrugged. “Lots of therapy, and a fucking good wife who loves me.” Just mentioning his wife made him go all dreamy in the face as he stood up. “Think about what I said. Don’t push him too hard or he’ll shut down completely.”
I watched as Hutch went back to the garage before I followed after him. Driving was all I knew that made Watson happy, but if he couldn’t do it, what else was there?
When I walked back to the track, I found Mason first. “Sorry, uh, about before.” I felt my cheeks burn.
“What happened?” He tilted his head. “Obviously, you and Watts had a fight. He’s not here, and he’s not returning my calls or texts.”
I shook my head. “I can’t talk about this now.” Fresh tears began to fall. “Maybe I should have taken the weekend off.”
“You need me to kick his ass?” Shepard grinned. “Man, you look like shit. I remember that look. I started fights with everyone. It wasn’t fun. You don’t look like the fighting type, though. No offense.” He hooked an arm around my shoulders. “You want to stay at our place after the race? Hang out with the kids, me, and the wife?”
I was pretty sure my eyes might have popped out of my head. “What? Why are you being so nice to me?” I whispered.
He gasped, holding his free hand to his chest. “Uh, because I am nice. No, dude, it’s because you’re hurting. I’ve been there before.” Shepard pulled me away from Mason. “I mean it, Holt. If you need to talk or whatever, I’m here for you. I know I seem like an asshole at times, but that’s not who I am.”
