Page 11 of Love in Overdrive

A towel whacked him on the back of the head. “Ow.”

“Dinner’s in fifteen minutes. Go, unless you want to help.” Sara McBride shot him a mock scowl.

Message received. They had it under control. Hailey chopped up greens for a salad, and his sister-in-law prepared the garlic bread.

“Okay. Unless you need me to do something?”

“Go.” His mom waved him off as she stirred the sauce.

The sound of racing floated through the open den door. This was definitely his father’s room. Not a stitch of the light tone-on-tone that filled the rest of the home. Nope, this was all about the cars… comfy leather couches, dark wood shelves lining the back wall, and automotive memorabilia. But his father’s pride and joy hung on the wall directly in front of the couch, an eighty-inch state-of-the-art television. The life-sized cars currently racing around the track all but leapt off the screen.

“What lap are they on?” Cade asked.

A blue blur headed straight for him when he reached the doorway.

“Hey, buddy,” Cade said as he caught his nephew in full run. He scooped him up and threw him over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

“Hi, Uncle Cade.” Jimmy giggled then wiggled, and Cade let him slide down to his feet. Jimmy smiled up at Cade so sweetly—it was devious. “Uncle Cade, can I play a game on your phone?”

Cade glanced at his brother-in-law. Jimmy’s dad shrugged.

“Pleeease.”Jimmy's smile grew larger and angelic in a flash.

He rolled his shoulders. “Sure, buddy, just be careful with it.”

Jimmy snatched the phone out of Cade’s hand, before he fully had it out of his pocket.

“Thanks,” Jimmy yelled, and he was off—a pint-sized tornado racing from the room.

Cade’s father, brother, and brother-in-law were in a heated discussion when he entered.

“Good timing. Who are your picks for the season?” James, his brother in-law, asked.

He couldn’t say he’d kept up with the racing circuit while in prison. Cade tapped a finger on his lips as he scanned the roster. Shit. It must have been longer than he thought since he took in a race. Only a couple of names on the roster registered. Good thing Cade was a fast study. A few well-worded questions and he had all the top driver’s backgrounds and stats.

“Dinner.” His mom called from the other room.

Perfect timing. Cade had just picked the last driver for his fantasy race team when his stomach grumbled.

At the table, Cade found a place near his mother’s chair. Being the youngest, he’d always sat by his mother growing up. Some things never changed.

“Here, Mom, that looks heavy. Let me carry that for you.” His brother shot out of his chair and hurried over to their mother.

“Brownnoser,” Cade mumbled.

Bryan smirked.

Not only was Bryan the oldest, but he was Mr. Perfect. Always straight As through school, starting quarterback his junior and senior years, the man could do no wrong. He earned his architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin and even married his college sweetheart. It sickened Cade sometimes how his brother’s life fell into place.

Even though Cade and Bryan were as different as night and day, he would always be there for him. Just like Bryan was there for Cade when he needed him most.

But back in school, it sucked. Teachers assumed Cade would be another Bryan when he walked into class. His parents tried to embrace his individuality, but he could tell at times it was hard for them.

“Jimmy, wash up for dinner.” His sister set the salad on the table and yelled to her son.

“Honey, you should sit. I’ll get him.” James pulled out her chair, then yelled, “Jimmy. Now!”

She ran a hand over her growing belly and rolled her eyes. “I could have done that.”