Page 26

Monterey

We make it to Plymouth, Wisconsin, in no time. I wish we could have stayed in Chicago forever. Just me and him. In this happy little bubble. However, that’s not the way life works.

When we arrive at the track the next day to meet with the team members and pit crew the cameras are once again thrust into our faces.

Danger doesn’t seem to mind. It’s like fame comes so easily for him. Me, on the other hand, I have a few more issues with the matter. The last time I had so much media coverage was when Thad’s news of his infidelity hit the fan. The media made it out to him being the hero, and I was the boring ball and chain that held him back.

They took his side. Hell, all of America took Thad’s side.

However, everything appears to be fine now. The media acts like they love me. And I know it’s all because of the man at my side. It has nothing to do with me at all.

Or who my father is.

It’s only about Danger.

We walk inside the garage where my father and Crank wait for Danger. Warren’s sitting in a chair, a large cowboy hat hung low over his eyes.

“Look who’s here. It’s Danger.” Warren stands from his seat and lifts his cowboy hat over his head like he’s removing it just for us.

I don’t appreciate his tone. Warren should be lucky he’s on this team. In fact, he should be thanking me for his placement on this team. But, that’s just it. It’s the placement. Back up.

He was one of our lead drivers before we signed Danger. And I guess Warren’s never let anyone forget that he was replaced.

I personally think he needs to get over it. Danger’s a better driver.

It’s simple business.

“Warren,” Danger’s voice is calm, like he’s trying his best not to call Warren out on being such a baby, “how’ve you been?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“Boys, let’s get this meeting started,” I interject, wanting to get these two egos in check.

My father agrees and starts right on in with the things the driver’s need to know. I step out of the meeting to stop a reporter from coming inside.

“Amy Jenkins, you know you can’t come into meetings with the Grander team.”

Her short red-bob hairstyle swings on her shoulders as she smiles. “I was lost.”

I raise a brow. “Uh, sure you were. Let me help you find your way out.”

I lead her to the other side of the garage, next to the exit. “Danger and you seem really happy.”

I smile, and there’s no need to fake it, because the smile is genuine. “We are.”

“I’d love to do a piece on the two of you.”

I nod. “Sure we can get something together. Maybe after the season?” I don’t feel like wasting my time with an expose with everything else we’ve got going on.

“Or maybe something sooner.” She slips me her card. “I’ll be in touch.” She walks away and I watch her.

A piece by a national news outlet is normal. I’m not upset Amy asked, I actually am surprised she waited so long. I guess the media had to make sure this thing was real before they wanted fluff pieces for their magazines.

A quick affair isn’t the type of news they’d want. Sure, gossip rags make most of their money off of affairs. I’d guess they made tons of money off of Thad’s affair while dating me. But not the news outlets. No, they want substantial. Something that will sell papers over the long haul.

I head back into the meeting, wondering how much longer they’ll be. I want to talk to my father.

As soon as I enter, Danger and Warren are shouting at one another.

“Take it back,” Danger yells. He’s got Warren pinned up against the wall by his throat.

Oh my God. “Danger, let him go.”

Crank and the rest of the crew are already trying to break things up.

Danger hears my voice and lets Warren go. “Stay away from us.” And then his eyes crash into mine and I see years of pain hidden deep inside.

Has he always had so much pain hidden there?

He grabs my hand, pulling me along with him out of the garage.

“Slow down,” I say, releasing his hold on me.

“I just need some air.”

We stop behind another garage. We’re alone, just the two of us, and Danger wraps his hand around my waist.

“Want to tell me what all that was about?”

He kisses me before he can answer and I let him, because kissing Danger is one of the best things in this whole wide world. And if he needs a kiss from me to help take away the pain I saw hidden in his eyes, then a kiss he’ll get.

I run my fingers through his hair, tugging at the ends. And in that instant the kiss turns more urgent. Almost like Danger has something to prove. And I’m not sure if it’s to me or himself.

I let him work through his pain. Through his anger, using me as his anchor. I try to be here for him, ready to listen when he’s ready to speak.

He breaks the kiss and stares at me. And I swear his eyes have stories to tell. “I’m sorry.”

“What did Warren say?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.”

I don’t believe him. “Think you’ll be ok for the race?” What I’m really asking is if his head is in the game. After the last race in Indianapolis, I’m worried Danger may not be focused enough.

He kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m perfect, baby.”

“I have to talk to my father. I’ll meet you later today after practice.”

“Sure thing.”

We both head back to the garage and I find my father waiting by the door. “Monterey,” I nod, “a word?”

I follow him through the doors of a little office area, and take a seat. “What happened with Danger and Warren?”

My father laughs a little. “Oh, just boys being boys.” He waves his hand. “What did Amy Jenkins want?”

“An exposé on Danger and me. The relationship. No big deal.”

My father removes his glasses and produces a cleaning cloth from the inside of his suit coat pocket. He cleans the frames. “I’ve been expecting that.”

“I have something I need to talk to you about.”

My father puts his glasses back on. “Ok.”

“Do you think this is such a good idea anymore?” I stand. “It’s just that I went through so much bad press after my breakup with Thad, and I’m sure it’ll be the same thing once again.”

“Don’t let the media dictate who you are, Monterey.”

“No, I know.” I sigh. “It’s just I’m wondering if it’ll ruin my credibility once I take over Grander.”

My father crosses his arms over his chest. “I know you have reservations about how the public views you. And I’ll never forgive Thad for what he put you through. For what he put this company through. However, I don’t think Danger will end up that way. It’ll be a nice break up. A peaceful one.”

I smile. “I want to believe you, Daddy. I really do, but the media will paint me out to be a monster for letting a man like Danger slip away.” And I’m beginning to agree with how they’ll think.

“Is there something going on between you two?”

I bite my lower lip, not ready to tell my father the truth just yet. “No.”

“You sure?” He laughs a bit. “Because it sure didn’t seem that way when Warren mentioned your relationship.”

I park a hand on my hip. “Ok, spill it, Dad. What really happened?”

He rolls his eyes a bit. Which I’m sure it’s because he doesn’t like telling details like he’s gossiping in the ladies’ room. “Warren said once the season was over that you’d leave him.”

“He did?”

“Monterey, I’ve never seen Danger look so panicked. Like he didn’t want to lose you.”

I laugh. Because that’s ridiculous, right? Right?

Danger’s not afraid to lose me.

“I don’t know.”

“Well, I do know. And I also know Danger has a good chance of being one of the greats.”

I rub my head, trying to ward off a headache coming on. “Yes, I know. I just don’t want anything to stand in his way.”

“Do you think he can’t focus because he’s so focused on being your fiance?”

I shake my head, not sure if that’s what it really is. I sit back in the seat next to my father’s wheelchair. “I’m just afraid someone’s going to get hurt.” Namely, me.

“Mont, your mother used to panic every time I put on a helmet and sped out onto a track. She feared for my life, but more importantly she feared for our future. It’s never easy to give your heart to someone.”

“Dad, that’s not what this is.” But my father just stares at me like he knows better.

“When you finally give your heart to someone it’s that fear that makes you want to rip it back from out of their arms. Like you handed them something breakable and you’re afraid their fingers are too slippery.”

I laugh a little. “Well, my heart is breakable.”

“Monterey, I think Danger has a lot of pain from his past he needs to overcome. I think you’re the only person who can help him ease that pain.”

“Why?”

“Because you are patient and kind. That makes you the best person in the world.”

I smile. “You’re just saying that because you’re my father.”

He holds his hand out for me to take. “Monterey, it’s ok to fall in love. It’s ok to give your heart to someone.”

“Even if they don’t want it?”

“Danger would be lucky to have it.”

“Still doesn’t answer my question.”

My father smiles and the crow’s feet cornering his eyes deepen. “I see the way he looks at you. I see the way he protects you when he doesn’t think you’re paying attention. He wants your heart, Monterey. He’s just not sure what to do with it once he gets it.”

“Well, I don’t know if that makes me feel any better.” There’s a warmth spreading up my spine at the words of my father.

“He’ll figure it out. He just needs time.” My father lets go of my hand. “You just need to figure out if you can wait for him to figure it out, or if you can’t and you need to move on.”

“What if I make the wrong choice?”

My father smiles. “That’s impossible.”