Page 25 of Wrecking Boundaries (SteelTrack Racing #2)

“Wake up, sleepyhead. It’s late,” Jake says. I shove the hand on my shoulder, but it doesn’t work. “We’re meeting my family later today.”

My eyes bolt open. “I’m awake.”

“I thought that would work.”

“What time is it?” I ask and rub my gritty eyes. The dresser mirror shows it didn’t help my looks. Thin, dark stains cover my cheeks. My hair resembles a giant knot. “I’m hideous.”

“You’re stunning,” Jake says with a sweet smile, displaying none of his usual cockiness. “No one is supposed to look their best in the morning. My mouth is dry. How are you feeling?”

He’s still gorgeous.

I’m surprisingly rested despite everything. Our night ended earlier than usual, with neither of us in the mood to go out or do anything else but sleep.

“If meeting your family wasn’t a joke, I’m anxious. If it was, then I’m annoyed.”

“Not a joke.”

“Anxious.”

“About last night,” Jake begins before trailing off. He moves so his body is over mine. “We were hurting, both of us. I didn’t apologize for my part, so I’m doing it now. I’m sorry.”

“I am, too. You were right about last year, Jake. I’m sorry that we lost a year. ”

He tips his head towards me. “We’ll make up for it.”

Knowing Jake, we will.

∞∞∞

Rivers Motorsports Headquarters, North Carolina

One task remains this morning, and then it’s time to go. It’s not particularly onerous, and the situation only exists because Jake arranged for us to partner up in the go-kart charity event. Surprisingly, I’m looking forward to it.

“Hi, Pete,” I say as he enters my office door, daughter in tow.

“I’m leaving Lily in your care,” he says without a greeting or preamble.

Lily frowns at her father’s choice of words but doesn’t speak up.

“We’ll get along great. She’s doing me a favor, after all.”

“He better behave himself,” Pete says.

“He will,” I promise, as I have several times already.

Julian is a shameless flirt, but he’s also wise enough to know when to turn it off.

I hope.

“Dad, I’m fine. You can go.” Lily affectionately squeezes Pete’s hand, and he leaves. “I’m Lily, like the flower,” she tells me.

She pointed that out when we met last year for Pete’s birthday. Either she doesn’t remember me or assumes we don’t know each other. “I’m Sarah. We’ve met before,” I say, and she frowns. “My big brother can be protective, too. It’s irritating sometimes, but it’s because he loves me. ”

“It was Dad’s surprise party. I messed up his age on the birthday cake.”

“You salvaged it incredibly well,” I say.

This conversation is becoming painful. If I don’t think of anything else, we’ll discuss the weather soon.

I move towards the door and indicate for her to follow me.

“Have you ever been in a go-kart before?” I ask Lily, and she shakes her head. “Well, you’re doing me a big favor. Julian will be your partner. Do you remember him?”

Lily’s steps falter. “We met,” she says.

“Was he an ass? Please don’t hold that against him. Julian improves with exposure. He’s like poison in the movies where you need to build immunity first.”

Calling her weird is out of character for Julian. Of course, Lily wore ill-fitting clothes and messy hair that day. Maybe it’s more in character than I think, especially how he sometimes behaves towards women.

This may be one of my rare bad ideas.

“We didn’t speak to each other,” she says. “Do you want me to be an intern? You can say no.”

“Why would I say that? It was my idea. We always need extra help.” We might need more soon. If Jake’s future unfolds as he wants, it will split my responsibilities. If it happens, I want to be a part of it.

She doesn’t answer because we’re at Julian’s door. Pictures of his former cars cover the walls. The desk drowns in stacks of paper and a laptop. I would bet any amount of money that Julian has no clue what any of the paper is for. He could have an instruction manual for nuclear weapons buried in the pile, and he would have no idea.

There isn’t a single personal item to be found. That isn’t surprising, especially considering Julian’s relationship with his family.

“Visitor for you,” I say, announcing our presence.

Julian is dressed in jeans and a fitted white T-shirt. His messy auburn hair always makes him look even better. A glance at Lily shows a lack of interest, and I breathe with relief.

His brows raise as he notices Lily, and my relief disappears. Julian’s smile creeps out, so I cross both hands in an X where Lily can’t see. His smile changes from charming to merely friendly.

Lily wears a short black skirt and a red blouse. If she lifts her arms, her midriff will be exposed. Her hair is neat and styled, too—a big contrast from a year ago.

Julian introduces himself and offers a hand. Lily stares at it before accepting, giving him a lackluster shake before pulling away.

He ignores it and says, “We’re about to make go-kart history. The first step is video games. You play?”

“Sometimes,” she says without enthusiasm.

He ignores that, too. “Perfect. First, we practice with Mario Kart, a classic in its own time. Then, we work in person. We’re guaranteed to win this.”

“I’ll leave you both to it,” I say, silently praying that nothing goes wrong.

My day ends in less than an hour, and I still have work to do.

After several phone calls, I pull up Jake’s information one last time.

He can make it work, assuming there is a charter to buy and a partner. Jake’s sponsors love him, so that won’t be a problem. He’s also great with media.

The minutes drag by until I shut my laptop and click off the office light.

Jake will pick me up soon, so I need to go, but my feet move toward Julian’s office.

I hide behind the partially open door and listen. Julian’s muffled voice doesn’t allow me to pick out the words, but Lily’s laughter is clear.

Relieved, I leave headquarters and drive home to pick up an overnight bag.

∞∞∞

Jake rolls down the truck window. “You looking for a ride?”

“It’s dangerous to take rides from strangers,” I say, leaning against the closed door.

“Climb up on me, and we won’t be strangers.”

I groan. “That’s bad. Really bad.”

“It works on you,” he says before opening my door and tossing my bag in the rear seat. “Are you comfortable?”

“Perfectly.”

Jake starts his Chevy truck’s engine, but I slide over before he can put it into drive and drop several kisses all over his face. He wraps an arm over my shoulders so I can’t pull away, and the playful kisses turn slow and tender.

“If we keep that up, you will need to climb on me,” Jake says, and I groan again. “We have time.”

I hurry back to the other side and put my seat belt on while Jake laughs.

“Your family does know I’m coming, correct?”

“You want to know what Mom said?” Jake raises his voice and says, “Jakey! Are you bringing a special girl home? It’s about time.”

“I’m the first ‘special girl’ you’ve ever taken home?” I can’t lie; I love it.

“The very first.” Jake coughs and turns serious. “Pick up my phone. There’s something I want to show you. The code is 123456.”

I pick it up, and the security code works. “Seriously?”

“What? If hackers want to check out my search history, they’re welcome to do so. Anyway, open the email. It’s probably the top message.”

I do so and start reading. “To our family here at BP Racing , the following statement will be released to the media this afternoon.” I keep reading, and my heart sinks. “It’s official. BPR is done.”

“Officially ceases operations at the end of this season. It’ll be up on every sports news site by now if you want to look.”

I don’t. “I’m sorry.”

He shrugs. “It will work out. The individual teams will follow their drivers, so they’ll be fine. I hope. It’s the office staff who are out of a job.”

“What about you?” I plug his phone into the charger. Some of my earlier excitement seeps away. “You’ll be able to stay until the end of the season?”

“I’m guaranteed a ride with Top Row Racing if I want it.” Jake reaches across the cab to take my hand.

My heart sinks. Top Row is over three hours away. Jake won’t be expected at headquarters every day, but he’ll need to be there often enough that a daily commute isn’t practical either. “Perhaps you should accept.”

“That won’t happen,” he says with such finality my head jerks. “I’m not taking any offers, not from them or anyone. You’ll figure this out for me. ”

“I have everything on my laptop and can show you later when you’re not driving. It can happen. You’ll need a manufacturing partner and some investment help, but otherwise, the numbers work.”

“ Top Row might do it. We drive the same cars.”

Smaller teams don’t always have the capabilities to manufacture and build their own cars, so they arrange with the larger ones. Car manufacturers encourage this since it extends their brand and presence.

“So does Rivers Motorsports ,” I say.

Jake smiles his cocky smile. “Hey Boone, can I borrow your garage for a few days? No big deal, right?”

He’s right, and I shouldn’t consider it. “ Top Row is well-respected. If you want to partner with them, I’ll make the deal happen with you. Moving isn’t fun, but we also have time to put that together.”

It’s not that far, but it is also far enough.

“I expected no different.”

We head west, driving through mountains and forests, and I lose myself in the pretty views.

“Hey, move closer to me,” Jake says, breaking the spell. “I want to put my arm around you.”

I do so and settle against him. “Five days until we break the news.”

We decided telling Boone at a track was a bad idea, so it will happen immediately after we return home from this weekend’s race.