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No shit.
“It should be obvious. I don’t care if you hate my guts; I can take it, but your sister can’t. She was miserable last season. Have you ever noticed that? Sarah put your happiness over hers, and I refuse to believe that’s what you want. She loves me, and I love her. If there’s a chance we can be civil, then we need to at least try.”
“Prove it.”
“What?”
“Give me something. Like you said, she’s my sister. So, prove you care and aren’t using her.”
You demonstrate love for another person by showing up every day. That’s how I convinced Sarah that my affectation was absolute. “That’s not possible,” I say, deciding to be honest. “Some parts of a relationship are private and should remain that way. I would expect you to understand that.”
“We were threatening each other’s career not long ago, Jake, making it difficult to believe you now. So, let me share my perspective. We’ve gotten into fucking pissing matches for two years, right up until I find you practically ripping her clothes off behind the hay pile. Sarah tells me it’s a big secret, but serious. She says you will marry her, but there’s no ring or date. Now, let’s try this again. Prove it.”
I didn’t want to share this with anyone until the ceremony. “My dad died when I was sixteen. It was the night I signed my first racing contract, which was a sick coincidence. My parents married very young and against their own parent’s wishes.” I pull the small envelope from my jeans pocket. They’re safer in more permanent storage, but I prefer keeping them close. “They’re simple bands, nothing fancy. The bigger one is his. My mom kept it in her jewelry box until I requested it two weeks ago. The other one came from her. She wore it right until the moment I asked for it.” Boone picks one up to inspect. “Their feelings were genuine, even though no one believed them. They also had sixteen wonderful years together. Enough proof? Need more?”
“We both noticed she’s happier this season. Madelyn wondered if she was seeing someone, while I was just grateful for the difference. It never even occurred to me the difference was you,” Boone says, passing the rings back over.
I tuck them both into the envelope and put it away. “Youbelieve me now.”
“Mostly, yes. I’m still unsure how to feel about you. I don’t like you, Jake; you’re a cocky ass.”
“You aren’t the first to call me that. Is there anyone you do like?” I genuinely want to know. I’ve always thought he doesn’t care for people at all.
“Yes. I love my family, and I worship Madelyn. I tolerate a few more. Other people? No.”
Blunt is an accurate description. Brutally honest is another. “There’s plenty of time to discover my many charms since I’m not going anywhere. Have we arrived at a truce?”
“Not yet,” he says and crosses his arms once more. “You have a folder next to you with papers inside. We’re in a conference room at my headquarters. You had no concern about me taking one of your team members. There also has been no press release about you driving in a new car next season.”
Damn. Is it that obvious? “That’s all true.”
“I’m also negotiating a new charter, which means I’m signing a new driver.”
“It won’t be me, so let’s clear that up now.”
His arms relax, and another dimple appears. They soften his features, even if he still isn’t smiling. Am I one of the few people willing to confront him? “What are you planning, Jake?” He leans back and then pulls forward. “That’s wrong. What are you and Sarah planning?” Something in my expression gives it away because he says, “That’s the other reason you’re here. You two want something.”
“Like I said, she doesn’t know I’m here.”
“Her absence doesn’t make my accusation any less true.”
It would be helpful if he were less observant.
Boone claims he admires bluntness. Why not find out how true that is? “I want your garage.”
“Not happening,” he says, but the shock in his voice is unmistakable.
I keep going. “I also want manufacturing help and access to your car data.”
Boone’s jaw tightens. “I already gave you an answer. There isn’t a need to repeat it.”
So much for blunt.
“Sarah already has a new job. With me.”
“For you,” he says, wanting to correct me.
“No,” I say back. It feels good. “She’ll be working with me. We’re launching a new company. One charter is mine, and we’re going public with an announcement this weekend. Sarah has an ownership stake.”
