Page 12 of Wrecking Boundaries (SteelTrack Racing #2)

Rivers Motorsports Headquarters, North Carolina

Martin: Being the oldest is strange. First, it made me not want kids, and then it made me want them. It scares you off, and then you realize you’re strong enough to do it. I was a parent once, so I can do it again. This is me saying I want kids someday.

Sarah: You shouldn’t put that responsibility on yourself. Siblings matter, but you aren’t a parent.

Martin: ….

Martin: That’s a good point. I’ll be incredible at it. Heck, I already have the white picket fence. All I need is a backyard playground set.

Sarah: And a few other things.

Martin: Nah….

We’ve traded DMs for a month and have still not discussed an in-person meeting. He’s fun to talk to, and finding someone so ordinary is lovely. Oddly, some of his comments are eerily close to what I want. For all that, he doesn’t seem interested in more.

It might be time to end things if he can’t bother asking me for coffee. So much of my dating life has centered on race car drivers. Maybe he’s expecting me to reach out first? It’s the next step, and either we do it or we don’t. If we don’t, it’s time for me to move on. There’s a plan to follow, and lingering on an anonymous guy isn’t a part of it.

I press my phone’s side button, and the screen goes dark. I should be listening to Boone’s speech.

“Thank you again,” he says, and the speech ends.

Oops.

I’m sure it was very inspiring.

We’re all back at headquarters to celebrate. Boone took second, and Julian won the first stage, with each of them also leading several laps. Our father, Tom Rivers, always says to celebrate every victory, even the ones that aren’t from winning a race. People perform better when they’re part of something.

“Where’s Maddie?” I ask after the room empties.

“She’s at home meeting with a contractor. We’re ripping out the bedroom carpet and redoing a bathroom.”

“You aren’t doing anything to my room, are you?” It’s mine. A decent amount of my clothes are there. “She said I could keep it as long as I want.”

“I can’t do anything. She won’t let me.” His characteristic sour expression returns. “We aren’t touching your room. It’s yours for as long as you want it.”

“That’s good because I’m spending the night again,” I say. There’s no reaction, probably because I’ve been sleeping over almost every night. “My lease ends in a couple of months. It makes sense to move in to save on rent. Don’t you think?” Antagonizing him is fun, even though there’s plenty of room for a large family in their house.

Boone’s jaw tightens, except the expected outburst doesn’t come. “We have a strict 9 PM curfew. We expect a phone call if you won’t be home for dinner. No strangers staying over without my permission first. Any dates will need to meet with me for a pre-date inspection. You’ll take the garbage out and keep a clean room.”

“Anything else?” I ask.

He takes it seriously. “Mowing the lawn,” he says. It’s like Boone is practicing for fatherhood.

“Deal breaker.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Boone puts a hand on my shoulder, and his expression softens. “If you want to stay with us, whether permanent or temporary, having my sister nearby would be great. Madelyn will feel the same. You’ve had it tough for a while.”

“What makes you say that?” My mind almost goes to Maddie, but she wouldn’t reveal my secrets.

“Let’s go back to my office.,” Boone says, pointing down the hallway. “Nothing in particular. Honestly, I’ve half-expected you to turn in notice for a while because you decided to be a lawyer or live some bohemian lifestyle in Belize.”

My brows draw together. “What?”

“I’m not judging,” Boone says. He raises his hands. “Go be a hippy. It’s fine.”

“I’m not doing that.” Does he even know where Belize is?

We enter his office, and Boone lies across his thinking couch. He nicknamed the damned thing shortly after Maddie became his assistant. She took his executive chair, so he took the couch. Boone claims he does his best thinking while sprawled across it. Secretly, I’m not so sure.

“Good. You’ve been enjoying yourself this past week.” He turns to eye me. “It seemed that way to me. Was that wrong?”

Boone’s observation is correct, which is a surprise, although maybe it shouldn’t. Jake’s request lit a fire in me, and I’m enjoying my work again. Bristol hosts the next race, and I’ll be there. Only this secret can’t be shared with anyone. “No, you’re not. You still want to add another driver, correct?”

The change in conversation surprises him, but Boone answers. “We’re ready for it. The lack of charters is the big problem. ”

“Are there any rumors of one becoming available?”

The question grabs his attention. “Have you heard anything?”

Only if a weird feeling counts. “It was just a question. You have an ownership stake, and owners talk, don’t they?”

“So do you, and yes, they do.”

“Yes, but I don’t care about it.”

I have a minority share, small enough that it hardly means anything. Boone always planned to assume responsibility, so most of it fell on him. In comparison, I told everyone that motorsports management was horrible and wanted no part of it.

Boone rubs at his temples. “This is the big question I’ve been wrestling with. We’re ready for a third team; I’m taking it if a charter becomes available. We’ll have investors if we can prove it’s a good financial decision, which it will be. First, we’d need the charter. Without that…” He shrugs.

“Someone would need to sell it.”

“A couple of teams can barely afford to field a single driver. I’m expecting at least one of them to give up eventually. For now, our growth remains in the lower series.”

Leaving the Cup Series would break Jake’s heart, so it’s not an option. “How difficult is it to operate one car?”

“It’s harder than you think. It could be done with a production partner, I guess. You’d constantly risk losing good staff to the better-funded teams.” Boone turns on his side to get comfortable. The couch is too small for his enormous frame, so his legs dangle over the side. “If someone will do the work, anything is possible.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Due to a cheating scandal, Julian’s former employer was the last team to go under. Jake won’t be so lucky. The double meaning is intended.

∞∞∞

“Who are you texting?” I ask Julian after finding him alone in the break room.

He takes a sip of his green smoothie and sighs. “The girl I’m seeing.”

“What’s her name?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He types another message. “I have to break up with her.”

“You’re breaking up with her via a text message? That’s appalling.”

“I’m a modern guy, and this is how we communicate nowadays.”

“Why?” It’s rare for Julian even to mention seeing someone. “She’s probably amazing.” I’m oddly defensive of her.

“Oh, she is. She’s in commercial real estate. Intelligent, pleasant conversation, better in bed. It was a fun week, but I have no choice but to end it.” He leans close and whispers, “She wanted to see where I live.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“My house is a no-go zone.”

“That’s beyond ridiculous, Julian.” Some curiosity is natural, and I suddenly want to see where he lives.

Maddie says Julian’s approach to relationships is a cover for something, and she’s probably correct. Still, his commitment to the bit is impressive.

He eyes me. “That’s rich coming from the woman who won’t even acknowledge she’s in the middle of a torrid love affair.”

“It’s not torrid.” It sounds lame, and even I don’t believe it.

“That’s not something you brag over,” he says, and I blush.

We sit in two of the chairs. Julian offers me some of his smoothie, but I refuse. My promised date with Jake is later in the evening, and I want to keep my stomach empty.

“Can I ask you a question?” It’s a great way to change the subject, and it’s also the reason I hunted Julian down. “Have you considered becoming an owner?”

He snorts. “Oh, hell no. It will never happen. Boone can enjoy the hard work; I’m content to enjoy the sport.”

Now, I’m curious. “Driving is enough for you, then.”

Julian leans back, considering. “There’s more than the Cup Series. I wouldn’t mind doing more in the other two. I also offered to spot for Matteo if he makes it far enough.”

Matteo worked for Boone last year as a mechanic until my brother discovered his driving talent. Matteo does ARCA and the CARS series, with the potential for more.

“You should tell Boone that.”

“Maybe.”

I’ll do it for him. Boone owes me for bringing Maddie into his life. “Have you heard any rumors lately?”

“That’s a strange question. I heard one of your brother’s rivals is seeing his little sister. Can you believe that?”

I shoot a mean glare at him. Julian ignores it. “I’m serious.”

“Okay, since you’re inquiring about your beau’s team,” he starts, and I cringe at using the word ‘beau.’ “That was on purpose, by the way. I heard his new rookie teammate only has a one-year contract. He’s already tried to extend it and was given a very emphatic no. ”

That could explain Joey’s attitude toward Jake back in Phoenix and hint at other problems within BP Racing .

“That’s interesting,” I say, wanting time to mull it over. “Who else knows?”

“No idea.” Julian dumps his dirty cup in the dishwasher. “Also, my advice to both of you is that he makes nice with Boone. You’ll need his help to make any of this happen.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Someone once told me to always deny. It’s valuable advice.

“Yeah, that happens a lot with me,” Julian says as he leaves the break room.

∞∞∞

Jake: Date night! Date night! Date night!

Sarah: You haven’t told me where to meet you.

Jake: Hell, no. We’re doing this all prim and proper. I’m picking you up. Be ready. Also, please don’t be prim or proper.

Sarah: Guidance on appropriate attire since I don’t know where we’re going.

Jake: Have you ever seen a movie where she has on a giant raincoat and nothing else? You should wear that.

Sarah: That will not happen.

Jake: The raincoat is optional. You are correct. A dress without a bra and underwear is an acceptable substitute.

Jake: I just want to be with you. Comfortable clothes. You’re beautiful no matter what. I love looking at you.

Jake:….

Jake: I want to be with you.