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“If private means get naked, we can’t do that here.”
“Sometimes private means private, Princess, let’s go.”
I meekly follow while hysterically laughing on the inside. Sure, it was an embarrassing performance, but does that matter?
“You two publicly fighting over a charity race right before we go public didn’t seem like a good idea,” I explain as soon as we’re alone. “Maddie agreed, so we decided to do it together.”
“Witnessing it was brutal, a form of torture I never want to repeat,” Jake twines a lock of my hair through his fingers as the competitive energy leaves his body. The cocky smile appears, and his frustration is gone. “I’m lucky you both are so wise.”
“Wisdom is great for many things, but not for chasing awaymy crisis of nerves.”
He strokes my cheek. “Problems don’t get any easier by ignoring them.”
“Some do.”
“Not this one, Sarah.” Jake sighs. “The best way to avoid a wreck is to drive through it.”
“You made that up.” He’s also correct. We even talked through how to break the news. “He’s going to freak out.”
“He’ll remember he loves his sister. Trust me, I’m an expert on older brothers.”
Jake taps my chin, and our eyes meet. He kisses me like he wants to pass on some of his courage. It’s working, too, because the panic fades.
“Let’s go tell Boone,” I say.
“Tell me what?”
No. “Boone.” I struggle to say another word, but my throat closes up. Why aren’t my lungs working?
“We were on our way to tell you,” Jake says. He grabs my shoulder, pulling me closer to him, and I’m grateful because my legs don’t feel right.
“I can see that,” Boone says. His eyes move between us, and I wait for the inevitable explosion, but it doesn’t come. He stands there, and I feel like a little kid again, begging him not to tell Mom and Dad so I don’t get in trouble.
“Jake and I are together,” I finally say, knowing how inadequate it sounds.
“Now you’ve told me,” Boone says and walks away.
I begin to follow until Jake puts a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t, you’ll make it worse,” he says. “I’ve seen that look on your brother before, and I guarantee you haven’t.”
“When?” I know the answer before the word leaves my lips.
“Two weeks ago, when I wrecked him.”
32-Sarah
Rivers Motorsports Headquarters, North Carolina
“Can I talk to you?” Boone looks up at me from his stupid thinking couch, and I refrain from a sarcastic comment. “I tried calling you last night.”
He took Maddie and left right after discovering me with Jake. His phone went straight to voice mail, and Maddie texted me to give him time. It’s the following day, and hopefully, that means plenty of time.
“My phone was off,” Boone says.
Maddie stands. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
Boone raises a hand, stopping her. “No, stay here. You’re going to be my wife; there’s nothing we’ll say that you won’t eventually hear about.”
Maddie gives me a pitying look as she sits back down.
