Eventually, when they step out of the garage, Alison’s laughter fills the air like nails on a chalkboard as she listens to whatever Mack is saying. They shake hands and part ways, her heading back toward me. “He’s so great,” she says when she reaches my side.
Swallowing I reply, “He is.”
“I’m so anxious to start. The agency will send over the paperwork tomorrow via email. He invited me to come along with you to this weekend’s race.”
“He did?” I ask, my heart leaping into my throat.
She nods. “Mack said no better time to get started than right now.”
“That’s true,” I whisper.
If Alison can sense my heartache, she doesn’t let on. She just beams her bright, white smile at me and sticks out her finger for Oliver to grab onto and adds, “I’ll see you Thursday morning. The motorhome leaves at six.” She squeals. “I’m so excited to start. It’s going to be a long drive. See you Thursday morning!” she adds before turning and waving goodbye.
“Thursday morning,” I mirror.
I can sense his presence behind me as I watch her walk around the house to her car. I have exactly two point five seconds to get my emotions under control to face him. I mean, I’m the one leaving, right? I have no right to feel this utter sorrow when I’m the one initiating the departure. That’s why I swallow back my sadness and paste on a bright smile before I turn to face him. “She’s great, isn’t she?”
He nods slowly. “She seems that way.”
“And you invited her to come with us this weekend,” I add with way too much chipper in my voice to be natural.
Again, he moves his head up and down. “It’ll be a long weekend. What better time to get her accustomed to life on the road than with a twenty-hour trip to Texas, right?”
Now it’s my turn to nod. “It’ll make our sleeping arrangements interesting,” I tease, as he approaches.
His eyes are on his son as he places his finger inside the tiny fist. “No, that’ll be easy.” He looks up, our gazes lock. “You’ll be sleeping with me.”
Tears burn my eyes as I give him a watery grin. “Okay.”
Mack wraps his strong, muscular arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. “If it’s the last time I get to hold you, I’m not missing any opportunity.”
And just like that, my spirits soar and sink simultaneously.
It’s a vicious cycle I’m trapped in, but I know he’s right. I have one weekend left with them. I’m going to make our time count.
Chapter Eighteen
Mack
It’s like I’m trapped in some alternate universe. I’m in my motorhome with Coop, talking about our strategy for Sunday, all while Lena and Alison are sitting on the small couch, playing with Oliver, just a few feet away.
“You with me?” he whispers beside me at the small table, his eyes full of concern.
“Yeah,” I reply, adjusting my position in the seat. “I’m good.”
Coop sighs. “Mack, I know you have a lot going on in your life right now, but I need to make sure you’re focused and ready for Sunday. We can’t have your mind elsewhere, or you know what could happen.”
Yeah, I know what could happen, and when you’re traveling at speeds of more than two hundred miles per hour, the last thing a driver can afford is a distraction. “I’m ready, Coop,” I promise, trying to push Lena and the fact she’s leaving in four days out of my mind.
I can tell he may not believe me, but he nods just the same. “We’ve got to watch Daniels. He did a radio interview last week and is still blaming you for the near accident on the final lap at Portland.” I open my mouth to respond, but he holds up a hand, cutting me off. “I know you didn’t do anything wrong. We’ve been over those tapes. He moved up, not you. But I don’t trust him. If he has an opportunity to, I’m afraid he’ll retaliate.”
“He’s too close to the championship, Coop. Do you think he’d really try to fuck that up?”
Coop shrugs. “I’ve seen people do unbelievably stupid things when they feel provoked.”
Sighing, I lean back against the bench seat. “So watch my ass, right?”
“Definitely watch your tail. I’ve already talked to Fish about keeping him in his sights.”
I shake my head in response. “This is bullshit,” I mumble, running my hand through my hair in frustration.
“Yep, but you know how it is. If you’re in this game long enough, you make enemies. Apparently, you’ve pissed off Daniels without even trying. Shake it off and do your thing. Let us worry about him if we need to.”
“Ten-four, Coop,” I reply, as Oliver hollers behind me. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change my son’s shitty diaper and get him ready for lunch.”
Lena is holding him as he starts to twist and turn, a sure sign he’s about done with the niceties. I scoop him up, pretending not to notice when I slide the back of my hand across her chest, and pull him to my front. “Come with me?” I ask before heading back to my bedroom.
I set Oliver on the bed, which only pisses him off more. When the boy wants his butt changed and his food, he wants it now. He doesn’t like to wait, especially now. Lena grabs the clean diaper and wipes, tossing them on the bed beside me, as I start to remove his shorts and onesie top. “Pewwww, smelly boy.” I gag as I expose his ass to see the nice little treat he’s left me.
“I’ll make a bottle,” Lena says before disappearing from the room.
I get Oliver’s pants changed, which pleases him immensely, and join him on the bed. I prop him on my upper arm to elevate his head and snuggle up on my side. Lena returns a few moments later and hands me the formula. His mouth is already open like a
