AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maddie watches the next lap in silence.
Julian fell back to sixth. Boone runs even with the 22 car.
“I’ve noticed,” she says. “There’s hardly been any contact between them this season. That’s probably all you’re doing,bringing me back to my last point. Make sure it’s serious between you two. If it’s casual, then consider going back to your earlier plan. I don’t want you to be hurt again if he’s not committed or something else happens. The longer it continues, the more heartbreak in your future.”
This year has been nothing but heartbreak. I’m sick of it.
“You knew last year, too?” I ask.
“I suspected after catching him staring several times.”
I nod slowly as my throat closes up. Jake promised not to break my heart, and he’s trusting me with his business plans. I might be one of the very few he’s opened up with over his father’s death.
Doubting is easy; it keeps you from any risk. I’ve done it with Jake since our first time over a year ago. Even when he speaks about the long-term, he always does it with his cocky smile. I’ve even felt he was laughing at my expense a few times. It’s like he knows my secret dreams and enjoys exploiting them.
Is that cynicism borne from experience, or is my subconscious begging me to see the obvious? I don’t trust myself to know the difference.
All I have is his repeated promise and last night’s earnest expression. If there was any deceit, I couldn’t find any.
Race car drivers enjoy their risks; why shouldn’t I?
“He’s committed,” I finally say. “We both are.”
“If it helps, Boone loves you more than he hates Jake Knowles. Like this much.” Maddie stretches her arms wide.
I give a subdued smile as an answer.
There’s also Jake’s growth plans, which I haven’t shared with anyone. It’s not my secret to tell.
I could tell Maddie to get her perspective, but that wouldn’tbe fair. She’s marrying Boone, and expecting her to withhold so much from him isn’t right.
Boone loves me more than he dislikes Jake; that’s also correct. He also considersRivers Motorsportsto be our family legacy. He won’t risk the business and won’t give any opportunity to someone else, especially to another competitor.
“Is Wednesday too soon?” I ask. Jake will agree, and it needs to be over.
It’s strange. Jake is ready for commitment, and I’m enjoying NASCAR and motorsports again. I should be giddy with excitement, and all I feel is foreboding.
Joey Fisher is in the past, and everything since him only proves how wrong he was.
I need a class on optimism. Do they offer those?
“No. Oh, oh, oh.” Maddie bolts from the couch and lets out a panicked cry.
“This could be bad. Here’s a replay to see what happened,” the announcer says over the TV set.
The screen switches to racing footage, showing Jake in the outside lane with Boone on the inside. They’re almost perfectly matched until Boone finds an opening and takes it. Jake quickly crosses down the track and swipes him.
I cry out but don’t know why. To an inexperienced eye, it looks like Jake made that move to knock out an opponent. It was foolish and foolhardy.
Jake - what were you thinking?
“It appears the 24 car went in for a block and missed,” the announcer says again.
Boone and Jake each spin several times, and then Boone’s car repeatedly flips until it lands on its side in the apron.
“Let’s watch this again from another camera,” theannouncer says, as if there aren’t two panicked women watching it. “We’ll monitor this for any injuries. This could be a bad one.”
The winner is announced, but I don’t hear it.
