Page 21 of Driving Force

“It’s okay, Tinley. I’m kind of glad you picked me to mow down.” He laughs. “So, how have you been?” he asks, shifting on his feet a little.

I could tell he really didn’t want to stay around and make small talk with me, but he was a good guy from what I had been around him, and I knew he wouldn’t just turn and walk away.

“I’m good. What have you been up to?” I ask, genuinely wanting to see how he’s been.

“I’ve been good, trying to finish my last classes before going into the real world, you know, starting my sports medicine career. I'm actually staying in Charlotte since they have all the sports and race teams,” he replies quicker than I realize is possible, not wanting to make eye contact with me.

“Okay, well, have a great day. I’ll see you around, Chase.”

As I walk toward my class, he stops me, coming closer. “Tinley, I wanted you to know that I hope he’s good to you. You’re a great woman.”

With a light kiss on my cheek, he walks away, leaving me with more than one thought. Ugh, what a weekend. First, Ryan saying I love you, now Chase being so sweet when I may not deserve it.

Yep, math is the bane of my existence. That was the longest hour and a half of my life. Walking to my car, my phone vibrates.

My Driver:

Hi kitten, how’s the morning?

Me:

Ugh, finishing math class, why do we even need it? (frown emoji) How’s your morning

My Driver:

Been in meetings about the car this morning, so its uneventful.

Me:

Wish I was with you

My Driver:

Me too, miss you. Can I call you later? I have to stop by Brad’s off before going to the simulator to get ready for this week’s race.

Me:

Of course (kissy emoji)

My Driver:

(heart emoji)

Putting my phone back into my bag, I head home. I smile a little wider and can’t wait to talk with Ryan later. Even if my stomach turns a little, I know the conversation we need to have because I have to know whether he meant those three little words or if it was just something he had said because he was so blissed out from the win and the amazing sex.

Walking into the house, I find Grace studying her phone. “Hey lady, what have you been up to? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. What's going on?” I ask. Pausing to look at her when she still hasn’t answered me. “Grace, earth to Grace, hello?” I ask again.

“What? I’m sorry,” she finally says after looking up at me with a confused expression.

“Grace, what the hell, girl? What’s going on?”

“Ugh, I’m sorry. I’m a little stressed about this next month, then trying to decide about the summer internship. I broke things off with Miles last week, so I’m honestly trying to figure out my next step.” She finally takes a breath.

“Grace, wait back up. You broke up with Miles? But I thought you guys were in such a great place?”

“Well, we were, but then honestly, with him going into the draft with baseball and me possibly going into NASCAR and traveling, we just saw our paths going different ways and wanted to end things before we resented one another,” she says with a sad but determined voice.

“Well, I’m sorry, but you may be right. He’s a good guy, but I wouldn’t want either of you to suffer because of work. Now answer my second question. Why were you studying your phone so hard?”

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