Page 37 of Love Collided

I stayed still, glaring at the floor as a lump formed in my throat. I hated keeping so much from them, but it felt like my only choice right now.

“Come on,” Fox said. “I wasn’t trying to start anything, but you’ve been a little out of it lately, and I’m worried. We all know Jesse isn’t always that great. If you’re out in public fightingandnot talking to us, then we are going to start asking questions.”

I sighed, looking around at them all. “Okay, when you put it like that, it’s fair of you to ask. Everything is okay, though, and today has nothing to do with Jesse. I would prefer to not worryabout it, and attempt to get my nerves calmed down enough to actually race.”

Ash jumped up, throwing her arms around me. “Then we’re dropping it for now. Right, Fox?”

His jaw tightened, but he nodded in agreement. It was enough of a confirmation for Ash, who turned back to me. “You got this. None of us would be here if you didn’t. Everyone, including my dad, saw how good you are. Now believe it or you are going to go out there and suck. Come on, we still have to get there, set up, and test the car, so you have a few more hours to freak out.”

“Perfect. Exactly what I was hoping for,” I said, groaning as she handed me another cup of coffee and waved me out the door and to the car.

Four hours later,we were set up and ready, the races starting soon.

I grabbed my helmet and walked out to the car where the entire crew was gathered around it. I already knew they were looking over every inch, making sure it was ready to go for me.

There were so many times in my life I was grateful for them. Their endless support and concern for me still astounded me to this day. While I had been rude about it this morning, I was already grateful again that they were all here for me.

I hadn’t exactly lied to Chase that it seemed Jesse was my ex now. And I hadn’t exactly lied to the crew that everything was fine. Jesse had texted me a few times since the night at the restaurant. Once to apologize, once to defend himself, and once to tell me that he had only been upset that I had wanted to leave in the middle of dinner.

He wasn’t totally wrong about the last one. The fact that I had tried to leave in the middle of a nice dinner was rude. There wasn’t a great way for me to be mad at him when I had done that.

So I had let him know if he really wanted to move on, he could show up and help today. It felt like an ultimatum, like if he showed up, maybe I could believe that we were meant to be together.

I looked around, noticing that he still hadn’t shown up.

“Jesse isn’t here?” I asked them, hating I even had to bring it up after this morning’s confrontation.

Kye looked up from the driver's seat. “Haven’t seen him. Did he say he was coming?”

“Yeah, he said he was like ten minutes away, but that was over twenty minutes ago.”

They all looked at each other, and then back at the car.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let it get to me,” I said, trying to hold back tears. I didn’t even know what I was upset about. I hadn’t exactly needed Jesse here, but I wanted that person. The person that wanted to be there for me, wanted to support me on one of the biggest days of my career. I watched all the guys, the way they always supported the girls. The way Fox was at every single race with Ash, every day of training, he even went with her to check on the cars when she needed to. Even Jax supported Carly and everything to do with her cooking business without a second thought.

I just wanted that person today.

Arms circled around me from behind, picking me up and spinning me once.

Relief flooded me. I wasn’t going to be alone in this.

He was here.

My feet hit the ground again, and I turned with a smile, coming face to face with Chase.

“What are you doing here?”

“Hello to you, too. I’m here to watch you race,” he said, looking effortlessly hot in sunglasses and an easy smile.

“I didn’t invite you.”

He smiled harder, a smug laugh escaping him. “I know, Fox did. Am I not allowed to watch you race now?”

“You can do whatever you want. I just wasn’t expecting you,” I said. For not even racing yet, I already felt defeated by this day.

“You look ready to cry. Why so pissed off already? It’s your first qualifying race. Isn’t this one of the best days of your life right now?”

“It should be,” I grumbled, turning away and heading to the car.

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