Page 26 of Wrecking Boundaries (SteelTrack Racing #2)

Jake’s family home surprises me, though there isn’t a particular reason why. It’s a simple ranch-style home with a brick front and forest-green trim. It’s unassuming, making it a challenge to imagine Jake living in it for half his life.

“Are you fascinated or disappointed?” he asks, and I detect an undercurrent of insecurity.

“I’m picturing you as a little boy playing on that swing set.” I point outside the front window, drawing his attention to the wooden set on the house’s northern side. However plain the house might be, the empty lot beside it isn’t. The yard is big enough for another pair of homes, a pool, a workshop, and even a vegetable garden.

“I built it when Josie was little. I never used it.”

“You built it?”

“With help from the box instructions.” He gives me a half-smile. “My carpentry skills are lacking. Shall we go inside?”

We’re almost an hour early, so we’re not expected yet, but the minivan parked outside tells us people are home.

“One minute.” I swallow and try to ignore the nervous twitch invading my stomach. “I don’t want to make a terrible impression.”

“I love your hair.” Jake tucks a lock behind my ear. “It shines in the dark. Did you know that?”

“It’s almost black, so that’s impossible.”

“I spent the past year breaking into your apartment when you’re asleep. Trust me, it shines.”

I laugh, and the nervous twitches cease.

“You’re going to see my childhood room. Do you know what a rare treat that is?”

The opportunity alone makes the drive worth it. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Jake honks the horn. “We meet in the middle,” he explains as we leave his truck.

A moment later, the gravel driveway erupts in a cacophony of greetings and hugs, but I hang back, wanting to give the Knowles family some time alone first.

Jake introduces us, which leads to a friendly hug from his mother, Julia, and matching waves from his two younger sisters.

All three share Jake’s blond hair, with its streaks of gold and hints of pale silver. They have the same chin and perfect cheekbones, too. Julia’s hair is divided into two loose braids, each tied off with a piece of tie-dyed fabric. Jake once commented that his mother was born in the wrong decade.

“Well, you’re even more beautiful than Jake described,” Julia says, and I blush at the comment.

“I said knock-out gorgeous, didn’t I?” he says. I roll my eyes. “A genius, too.”

So much for his promise not to lean into the hard sell. “He exaggerates,” I say.

Jake removes our overnight bags, and we all go inside.

Maddie chews her lip when she’s nervous; oddly, I find myself doing the same.

∞∞ ∞

“Dinner is served,” Julia Knowles announces before setting a large pot and warming plate in the center of the dining table. “It’s nothing fancy—chicken and dumplings, one of Jake’s childhood favorites.”

Jake scoops out food before his mother sits. I start to correct his manners but resist after noticing Julia’s pleased expression. Growing up, we were never allowed a bite until every family member was ready.

“The basement light is burnt out,” Jake says. He pauses and takes another bite. “You’re also out of light bulbs.”

“I forgot to pick some up this week,” Josie says in an easy tone. “We hardly use it anymore, with only three of us in the house.”

“I’ll pick some up after dinner,” Jake says. “That way, we don’t forget.”

Julia Knowles frowns but doesn’t respond. After we arrived, Jake went through the house, claiming he needed to check for repairs or other problems. First, he sprayed their garage door with something to stop it from creaking, and then he fixed a minor leak in the bathroom faucet. After that, he changed the fire alarm battery.

He behaved like it was an old habit, but I suspect his mother finds it frustrating. She invited me to share a glass of cold lemonade and asked questions about my family while pretending not to notice Jake.

“This is delicious,” I butt in to change the subject. “My mom is always looking for new recipes. Would you mind if I share it with her?”

“I’ll send you off with a copy,” she says, immediately launching into a list of ingredients.

Maddie is supposed to be the diplomat, but my efforts are decent, too .

“I went to a tryout event at the local track yesterday,” Josie announces.

All the silverware drops onto plates with a series of sharp clinks. Jake and his mother, Julian, share matching expressions.

Streaks of red and green break Josie’s blond hair. It’s hair chalk rather than anything more permanent, like she wants to rebel but lacks the courage to go further. I tried dying my hair once as a teen, but the dark shade washed everything out.

“I told you not to,” Julia says with a certain weariness. “It isn’t safe there.”

“It’s where Jake got his start,” Josie shoots back with all the vinegar a teen girl can muster.

“She’s right,” Jake says. He leans forward in his chair and gains a few inches in height. Even sitting, it’s like he’s towering over his little sister. “It isn’t safe there. You need to be concentrating on school, not on dreams.”

“You did it.”

“That’s different,” Jake says. “It’s dangerous, and I don’t need you adding to Mom’s worries.”

The mother in question frowns. “When you’re older, after you finish school, we can talk then if it’s something you want to pursue. Maybe Jake can arrange an internship or something.”

“No.” Jake picks up his fork to use as a speaking aid. He points the tines at his sister. “You’re going to college. I didn’t get that chance, but you can. Go to school and give yourself options.”

“I don’t want to,” Josie snaps back. “You can’t make me.”

“You think so?” Jake leans forward, and his expression turns outright threatening. “I can go down to that track tomorrow and make sure your hope is permanently destroyed. I can do that at every track within a hundred miles of here.”

The other sister, Jessica, shrinks further into her chair. She’s shy and has hardly spoken a word since we arrived. I tried talking with her but gave up after realizing it only made her uncomfortable. She reminds me a little of Lily Webb, Pete’s daughter and our new intern.

Julia looks at something on the wall. I follow her gaze and realize it’s a large photo behind an empty chair. It’s the Knowles family before Jake’s father died. It’s not a professional picture, probably taken by a family friend. It’s off-center, and none of them are posed. Jake stands between his parents, with his sisters in front. The youngest is missing, likely not even born yet.

Unfortunately for Jake, I’m not easily cowed, and I know one location that won’t respond to his threats. “My family sponsors a camp every summer for teens interested in motorsports. It’s not just racing but construction and strategy. You have to be a student in good standing, and we ask for a teacher recommendation, too.” That last part isn’t true, but it helps our cause. I can solve problems, but sometimes, that requires some fudging. “It’s two weeks, and you would have a chance to meet several people in the industry. There’s also no charge.” That isn’t true either, but I can make Jake pay the fee later.

Josie’s eyes bulge with excitement. “Are you for real right now?”

“Quite real,” I say.

“I think we’ve found a solution,” Julia says, changing the subject. “Did I mention signing up for a painting class at the adult community education center? It’s one evening a week and seemed like fun.”

I pick up her hint and say, “That sounds exciting. Tell us about it.”

∞∞ ∞

I change into a matching pajama top and shorts in his childhood bedroom. Jake, wearing only a pair of gym shorts, leans against the dresser with his arms crossed, watching me.

He’s been pleasant since dinner, but my interruption bothers him.

“Your childhood room is still your childhood room,” I say. “The trains are unexpected.”

“Trains are cool. Who doesn’t like trains?”

One cream wall has train posters. The others are classic motorsports, with cars and drivers from several decades ago. His room also has a kid-sized dresser to match his narrow bed and little else.

“I figured you would update it at some point.”

“Why? This room was where I slept and nothing else. I built and raced my equipment, leaving no time for hanging out in a bedroom. Why waste time on interior decorating?”

The image of teenager Jake measuring for curtains and putting paint samples on the walls is hilarious.

Jake signed his first big contract at sixteen. Although he may have been a high school student, he was already a full-time worker.

“Where are we going to sleep?”

Jake slaps his chest. “Body pillow right here.”

I pointedly stare at the bed, back at him, and then at the bed again. “You barely fit. It will break the laws of physics if we try. We might even break it, and I refuse to let your mom wonder if we were doing anything under her roof. Let’s make a bed on the floor. ”

“Seriously?” he asks, and I frantically nod. “Waking up with sore muscles will be fun. He begins pulling the blankets and sheets off the bed.

His annoyance strangely reminds me of my brother Boone.

“Who provided for your family after your dad died?” Jake’s curious eyes meet mine. “Who paid the bills? Where did your money come from?”

“Who do you think?” Jake asks. He goes back to leaning against the dresser with his arms crossed. “You shouldn’t have butted in like you did. If she wants a part-time job at the mall two days a week, I don’t care. She isn’t following in my footsteps.” Jake says that like he’s doing his sister a favor.

“You call me prickly. Part of that is I butt in and make things my business,” I say. Boone and Maddie are a couple because I made them my business. “I fixed your problem without you needing to threaten every race track owner in the state. “

“Not the entire state.”

“I forgot. Everyone within a hundred miles. Your correction is appreciated.”

He ignores my sarcasm. “It would have been fun,” Jake says. His smile verges on cocky.

“Boone is actively looking for more women to enter the sport,” I say, wanting to challenge him.

Jake doesn’t take the bait. “That’s great. I’ll join him as long as it’s not my sister.”

I tilt my head, taking in Jake’s demeanor. He uncrosses his arms, letting one palm rest on the dresser. I note Jake’s room one more time, and it clicks. Jake’s childhood ended when his father died. He doesn’t want that for his little sisters, especially the two youngest. He’s the closest to a father they will ever know.

I approach, wrap my arms around his chest, and squeeze as hard as possible.

Jake returns the gesture. “What’s this for?”

“Can I give you some unsolicited advice?”

He tilts at my chin so our eyes meet. “Have you met yourself? You have great unsolicited advice.”

It’s an odd compliment but a flattering one. My heart flutters and I put my hands on his chest. Jake’s skin is warm. “What you’ve done for your family is amazing; it’s more than anyone could have done. However, they have a great parent already. Let her do the job of raising them and concentrate on being a big brother. Not everything is your responsibility.”

His jaw tightens, so I say nothing to give him time to mull it over. Some messages can be immediately received, while others can only be shown in tiny bursts. I’m not sure which delivery Jake needs.

He pulls me tight against him, and his head sinks onto my shoulder.

“Like I said, practically a genius,” Jake says, kissing my cheek. “Let’s go to bed.”

Tiny bursts it is.