“Yeah, we’ll make sure he’s safe,” one of the guys adds, but I’m not really paying much attention. At this point, my eyes are on her, watching her eat, watching the way she interacts with my crew. She’s at complete ease in the setting, which makes me grateful. I’m not sure what I’d do if my personal life clashed with my professional one.
Not that she’s my personal life, but you know what I mean.
You want her to be…
And I do.
I’m just not sure if she’s ready.
***
The next morning, the track is buzzing. Excitement, anticipation, and adrenaline are coursing through my veins and that of every person here. Mid-Ohio is one of my favorite tracks, and one of my two wins last year. I’d love to take home another victory, and that starts with a good qualifying run.
This is a road course, which, coming from a country boy like me who raced on oval dirt tracks his whole life, took some getting used to. Mid-Ohio has thirteen turns, some elevation changes, high-speed and tight corners, and a damn challenging entry to pit lane. That’s probably my favorite part. I love a good challenge.
We’re in the garage, my team getting ready for this morning’s inspection. My fire suit is on, but only to my waist, so all I have to do is slip my arms inside, zip it up, and I’m ready to go. I’m getting into my zone, channeling my energy into what’s about to come, yet I can’t help but think about the two people hanging back at our hauler site. The motorhome is there with Oliver and Lena inside. They’re going to head this way to watch me qualify. I’m pretty pumped. It’s not the first time I’ve had someone from my past come support me, but I could count on one hand how many times it’s happened. The only person to ever come watch me race was Jim Stanley.
Lena’s dad.
Now his daughter is here for the first time, and I’m not sure what I’m more excited about: the race or her attendance.
As my time draws near, we get ready to head to the track. Coop is with the car and will meet me there along with the rest of the guys. I head to the motorhome and smile the moment I see Lena. She has this weird wrap thing strapped to her chest, and she’s swaying to music coming from her phone. It’s a country song I’ve heard a bunch on the radio, but I’ve never heard it quite like this—slightly off-key and pitchy.
When she turns, that’s when I see Oliver. He’s snug against her abdomen, his head nestled on her chest. I’ll admit, I’m a little jealous of my son right now. What I wouldn’t give to have my head stuffed between her tits, maybe while we’re both wearing less clothes.
“Oh!” Lena holds her hand up to her mouth.
“Sorry, but I didn’t want to interrupt the concert,” I tell her, smirking as I lean against the motorhome door.
Lena rolls her eyes. “Oliver likes to dance,” she tells me with a smile. “Is it time?”
“It is. You ready?”
She heads over to the table and grabs two sets of headphones. One for her, and the smallest pair I’ve ever seen for Oliver. “Can you help me?” she asks, handing me the little blue headphones. They’ll swim on my little man, but at least his ears will be protected.
I take the headphones, pulling apart the earpieces as she tries to hold up Oliver’s head. He’s still sawing logs, content as he can possibly be in her weird wrap. “This is different,” I tell her, trying to maneuver the ear protection down in the wrap. My hand brushes against her boobs, and like a fourteen-year-old boy, a jolt of excitement sweeps through me. “Sorry,” I stammer, trying to hide a smile.
Lena just gives me a look, like she’s not buying it for a second. “Are you done?” she asks, humor lacing the words.
I slide the protection over my son’s ears and smile a big cheesy grin. “Yep. Done.”
She raises an eyebrow and heads for the door. Outside, the sun is high as she slides a pair of sunglasses over her eyes. She stays close, walking right beside me as we head for the track. The familiar scent of gasoline and burnt rubber fills the air, the sound of a car on the track growing louder the closer we get.
Lena slips her headphones on as we move through the crowd. Competitors and opposing crew members offer a quick hello. When we reach pit road, I find my car and my team. She stops beside me, glancing around and taking in the sights and sounds. Even behind sunglasses, I can see the excitement in her wide eyes.
I move toward her, placing my hand on her upper arm. Her scent engulfs me, sweet and familiar, and my cock takes notice. That’s something new. Can’t say I’ve ever started to sport wood right before a race. She doesn’t pull back, something else I notice, as I lean in and say, “You can go over and stand with Coop. He’ll make sure you’re out of the way,” I holler, moving her ear protection just enough to help her hear me.
She nods but doesn’t move. In fact, I swear she leans in. My lips tingle, half a second away from moving to claim hers, but somehow, I refrain. Instead, I bend down and kiss Oliver’s forehead. He flinches, his lips mimicking a sucking motion as if he’s eating in his sleep. I can’t help but smile.
“See you in a bit,” I add, dropping my hand from her arm.
“Good luck,” she tells me with a grin before turning and heading over to Coop.
He gives me a thumbs-up, letting me know he’s got
