Page 41 of Wrecking Boundaries (SteelTrack Racing #2)

I keep twirling the ring under the table. Married less than two hours, and it’s already a compulsive habit. Who knew a simple gold band could fit so perfectly on my finger? Jake reaches under the table, clasping my hand as our eyes meet.

We should have done it earlier. Jake once said we wasted an entire year, and the more I think about it, the more I agree.

“Lean in, you two. Let’s get a picture.” Maddie snaps a couple of quick shots with her phone. “I’ll send them to you.”

It was a straightforward wedding, with no appointment needed at the courthouse. Maddie and my brother joined, and Boone even delivered his promised smiles after the ceremony ended.

If you waste a year, it’s important to get moving on the rest as quickly as possible.

“Can you post them? Nothing obvious; let people guess,” I tell her. “It’ll be big news this weekend,” I say in response to Jake’s unasked question. “You’ll be the main story for the next week.”

Jake rubs his chin. “Huh. I’m not used to my personal life in the public spotlight.”

“You married into this family. It will happen.”

“Marrying a princess is a risk I’ll happily take,” he says, and we lean in for a quick kiss. He covers his wine glass when the server approaches. “No more for me, thank you.”

Boone and Maddie decided to treat us to an early dinner afterward. It’s perfect timing, as the restaurant is still half-empty, and it works with our schedules, which require us to fly to Dover early in the morning.

Boone’s disgust changes to curiosity. “Not much of a drinker?”

“Notorious teetotaler coming out with judgment. It’s a family joke. Boone has a strange thing about alcohol,” I say.

“It’s not strange,” Boone blusters. “It’s discipline. Proper hydration is a thing.”

I know that, but Boone’s quick defensiveness is challenging to resist.

“I agree,” Jake chimes in. “There’s a heatwave expected this weekend, and I want to avoid an IV, if possible.”

Jake’s car and suit had issues during one race last season. He insisted on finishing despite his entire crew telling him to stop. He didn’t, somehow managing a top-ten finish and needing to be pulled through the window when it was done. He ended up being taken to the medical center for noticeable dehydration. The crowd went crazy for him then, even though he wasn’t the winner.

Boone’s expression shows no approval, but his dimple almost appears. Almost.

“Speaking of plans,” Jake says.

“What plans?” I ask.

“None. I said that because it makes giving you this look like a classy move on my part.” Jake pulls a folded piece of paper from his jacket’s inside pocket and hands it over. “For you.”

The resort’s name is unfamiliar, but the address is not. “We’re going to Hawaii?”

“There’s a two-week break in the middle of the season, right? We can spare a few days in the middle for a short honeymoon.” Jake points at one of the images. “Surfing lessons.” He chuckles at the lame joke. “You in?”

“For the lessons? Absolutely not, and neither are you. We’ll walk on the beach and stay up late.” I squeal and throw myself at him. It’s perfect timing, and it will only be the two of us somewhere far away. Jake is rarely recognized, and someplace like Hawaii nearly guarantees it won’t happen there either. “I love it so much.”

“A fantasy trip for the princess,” Jake says while putting his arms around me. It’s a little awkward at the table, but we manage.

“Why do you call her that?” Maddie asks. “Princess, I mean. It sounds like there’s a story behind it.”

I bite my tongue because this is a question I’ve asked countless times before and given up on.

Jake winks at me. “I always wanted to be a prince, so this was a nefarious plot on my part.” He pulls me against him. “Serious answer. Look at her. Look at him.” He points at Boone. “These two have a famous name; they were born into royalty. We marry into it. Even more serious answer. How amazing is it for a princess to create her very own kingdom? I’m in awe of her.”

Boone says nothing, and that’s fine because I know he heard it.

∞∞∞

Dover Motorspeedway

“What’s it like to have perfect breasts?”

I open one eye and then the other to gaze up at him. “It’s been a challenge, but I persevere.”

One of my legs lies over his. Jake strokes the ridges down my back and along my hip. It’s our second day of married life, and we ended it by making love.

Our bodies are knit together, both of us blissfully avoiding the rising sun outside.

“My day starts soon,” he says

Casual fans think race days only consist of the race. It would be wonderful if that were true, but it isn’t. The drivers do fan appearances, VIP visits, sponsor visits, team meetings, driver meetings, and so many other events. The race doesn’t start until hours of work are behind them. When it’s all done, they emerge from their car dehydrated and adrenaline-fueled.

I ignore that because it’s important that we stay together, lazily enjoying each other for as long as possible. “Would you consider another wedding?” The question surprises me.

“We can have a dozen more if you want. What brought this on?” Jake asks.

“I didn’t want a big wedding when you first asked, and I still don’t. Maddie suggested I reconsider, and maybe she’s right.” At our dinner, we discussed her wedding plans, which made me rethink the idea all over again.

Jake suppresses a yawn and sits up so his back rests on the headboard. “She wants to marry you too? I didn’t know there was so much competition.”

I push on his chest with mock annoyance. “I said yes,” I say with a soft laugh. “Silly man. They’re planning a tiny destination wedding in December, which makes sense and which we’re both attending, of course.”

“Of course. You want one of those, is that it?”

“No, not that. Nothing formal or elaborate.” Raised in a family that required constant appearances at events, balls, and everything else, the instinct to buck it all is very strong. Our wedding will annoy family and friends, but I don’t care. It’s ours in a way something else never would have been. “A party or reception for everyone else later this year.”

Jake moves, rolling over me. “I’ll marry you every day. All that matters is what comes after: you and me. I love you. Wife.”

I laugh at the new nickname, but his mouth quickly swallows the sound. I wrap my arms over his neck as he further settles between my legs.

My phone alarm dings and our day starts.

Another race day begins.

∞∞∞

This is my first time visiting Boone’s crew in several weeks.

He notices me and ends his conversation. “It’s good to see you around here again,” Boone says, approaching me.

“I wanted to wish you good luck before everything gets busy.”

“Don’t need it. This one is mine,” Boone says and then lowers his voice. “How are you?”

“I’m going to enjoy this race; that’s how good I am.”

“I guess you don’t need your room anymore,” he says.

For the longest time, my apartment mainly existed for appearance’s sake. If Jake hadn’t come back into my life, the odds are I would have moved in with them permanently. “It was your idea, wasn’t it?”

Boone tilts his head and doesn’t answer. “We wanted you to know we were there. However, you needed us.”

“I still need you.”

“I’ll always be here. No matter what,” he says and hugs me. “Don’t forget that. ”

I’ve met my annual quota for tears, and I won’t break it now, not in front of everyone, but it won’t be easy.

“Thank you, Boone, for everything.” I hold him tight, not ready to let go yet. “Not only for helping us get started.”

“That’s funny.” Boone smiles, and I feel even better. “That was the easy part. If getting your own start is what you wanted, I would have fronted it a long time ago. The new brother-in-law…we’ll keep working on that. He’s a good guy.”

“You’ll love him, I promise.” Fingers crossed, that promise comes true.

“It’s his feelings for you that concern me. Give us time; we’ll get there.”

“Spoken like an older brother.”

∞∞∞

I’m one half of the married couple, and all the questions are for Jake. The opening ceremony starts soon, and it’s the first one with me at his side.

NASCAR is a small world in many ways. All the drivers know each other, and the RV layout means extended families do, too. Social media hints quickly spread, meaning we’ve been inundated with questions since arriving in Dover.

Today, though, the media has access to Jake, and they’re taking advantage of it. Better yet, they have access to Jake and Boone together.

“Are the rumors true, then? Are you involved with Boone Rivers’ sister?” Jillian Longwood asks. She’s half of a married couple that manages one of the most popular websites in motorsports. “How will this impact your performance on the track? ”

Jake smiles his cocky smile. “I’m one of the best. That won’t ever change. As for those rumors, are we involved? Hell, I married her.” He’s practically swimming in joy, knowing everyone will have heard his answer within minutes.

“You and Boone Rivers have a rivalry going back nearly two years. Do you expect your new marriage to change any of that?” Jillian asks.

Jake’s smile falters, sliding into less friendly territory. “What do you mean?”

Jillian is merely digging, and I don’t blame her, but Jake sees the implication in her question when none was meant.

Boone comes up, putting an arm across Jake’s shoulders. “All it means is I’ll make him work even harder. See you on the track, surfer boy.”

They’re of almost equal height and make for a strange pair. Boone’s dark hair and coal-black eyes sharply contrast with Jake’s lighter features.

Boone messes my hair as he returns to his pit box.

Jake points at Boone’s retreating back. “You heard the man. He’s ready for a graceful loss.” He wipes his chin and briefly meets my eyes before returning his focus to the interview. “In all seriousness, he makes me better, and I hope Boone feels the same about me. I’m privileged to race against him.”

I stay back, listening to the rest and waiting for his approach. Once it’s complete, we walk hand in hand towards the track for the pre-game show.

“You want to make another bet?” he asks me.

“Always.” I shake my head, knowing where this is going.

“If I win today-”

“That’s a mighty big if,” I shoot back.

“If I win today, what do I get? ”

“I’ll cook dinner for a week.”

“You can’t cook.”

Honestly, I’m a little offended. “I can follow a recipe.”

“No, you can’t.”

“I can follow the instructions on the back of a box.”

“Sure, we’ll go with that.” His hand slides up my arm and over my shoulders. “If I win….”

I wait for his answer, but it doesn’t come. “If you win, then what?”

Jake cups my chin, leaning in for a kiss. “There’s nothing left to bet over. I have you, and that’s all I ever wanted.”

We kiss, ignoring the amused cheers from nearby onlookers.

As the planes fly overhead, letting us know it’s time for the engines to start, I recall what Jake said about me being a princess who created her kingdom.

That’s only half-correct.

Jake is building it, too.