Page 84 of Downforce

“You’ll always be my babies.”

I stifle my grin. “Speaking of babies, did Dad tell Travis that someone called me a bitch?” I ask my mom.

“Hang on,” Mom says.

I hear her call out to my dad who must be somewhere not too far from her, but his reply is muffled.

Mom’s laughing voice once again fills my ears. “He says damn straight he did and he won’t rest until he gets to the bottom of whoever called his baby girl a bitch.”

“Mom, you know he’s being insane, don’t you? No one called me a bitch. You were the person I was talking to when I said it. Haven’t you⁠—”

“Of course I told him he’s being a lunatic and that not only would our daughter not stand for someone calling her out of her name, but she absolutely wouldn’t lie to us about it.”

I’m happy she knows that. Growing up, I was typically the more sensitive one out of my brothers and sister. I didn’t know until later on, but both of my parents feared for me the most when it came to worrying about how I’d be treated by other people.

“What did he say to that?”

“He told me he wasn’t so sure and that he believes you might be sparing this person out of fear over what he might do to them. He thinks you’re more afraid of getting him or your brothers into trouble than getting justice for whoever said it.”

I groan. “I love Daddy, but the older I get the more I suspect that man’s not wrapped too tight,” I say, using the euphemism my mom uses when she wants to call someone crazy.

Her laughter makes me grin. “I’m serious.”

“I’m surprised it’s taken you this long to figure it out.”

“Honestly, Mom. I think Dad and my uncles might be a little … what’s the word?”

“Possessive? Protective? Loving?”

“Deranged,” I say, making her laugh more. “I’ve heard rumors,” I mumble.

“From who?” I perk up at the sound of my father’s voice.

“Am I on speaker?”

“Yes,” my father says, obviously unashamed. “What rumors have you heard?”

“None. No rumors at all,” I reply. “And can you please stop going around asking people who called me a bitch? I told you no one did.”

There’s a brief pause. “I don’t know if I believe you.”

“I’m canceling your flight.”

“I’ll book my own,” he counters.

“I’ll figure that one out and cancel it as well.”

“You can try, sweetheart, but we know there’s nothing that can stop me once I’m determined. Just ask your mother.”

I hear the smile in his voice.

“You mean stalker,” I grumble, already knowing the story of how my father basically fell in love with my mom at first sight, but she rebuffed his advances numerous times over her reluctance to get involved with a professional athlete.

“If that’s the title you choose to give it, I’ll claim it happily. I haven’t had any complaints from your mother. Isn’t that right, precious?”

I make gagging noises when I hear what sounds like them kissing on the other end of the line. My parents aren’t shy about showing one another affection in front of us kids and never have been.

Despite my outward display of disgust, I conceal my smile and the happiness the sounds my mom’s laughter stir inside of me. My parents’ affection and love for one another have always created a sense of safety for me.