Page 21 of Driving Wild

We race down the lake, and Matt jumps waves with the biggest smile. I can see he’s finally relaxing. It’s reassuring that today was just what he needed. Slowing down, I watch as he sinks into the water before releasing his board and climbing back into the boat.

Watching the water fall down his amazing body, I just stop and stare at him. I can hear him clear his throat, so I look up and see he’s smiling that genuine smile only I see, and dammit, I blush.

“Wanna try, Red?”

Unable to control myself, I burst out into a fit of laughter.

“Did I say something funny?”

“Matt, there are a few things you need to learn about me. One, I'm not into any type of sports activities. And two, I will never know what to learn. I’m more the ‘sit on the sidelines and cheer those who are doing it’ girl.” I walk over to the co-captain’s chair and take a seat as Matt moves toward the captain’s chair, and we head back toward the house.

With the wind hitting my face as we race toward the house, I look over to the man whom I once loathed and realize that my ice heart may just be changing, and it scares the living hell out of me.

Today has been one of those core-memory days that will go into a special Grace Box. I finally relaxed and didn’t have a care in the world. The media can step on a Lego barefoot for all I care, and it is all because of her. She saw how stressed out I was with that article and took it upon herself to do the one thing that I didn’t even think she knew I enjoyed aside from racing. Being on the water is the one place I don’t have to be on all the time.

Stepping up to the house and opening the door, I let Grace go ahead of me, and my phone pings. I look down to see Ryan calling.

“Hey, man. What’s up?” I ask.

“Hey, Tinley wants to know if you and Grace want to go out for dinner. She’s been trying to reach her, but she hasn’t answered. She was starting to freak out when I said I’d call you.”

“Hang on, let me ask the little missus.”

“Grace, Ryan wants to know if we want to meet them for dinner tonight. Said Tin’s been trying to get a hold of you.”

“Yeah, I saw my text messages from her,” she says, laughing, then she appears back in the living room after changing out of her bikini.

“Sure, we can go. I guess I owe her a drink since she was freaking out with me not responding.”

“Yes, man, we can go. Meet you in about an hour at the burger place around the corner.” Hanging up the phone, I head toward the bedroom to get changed so I can take my girl to dinner.

Walking into the restaurant an hour later, I see Ryan and Tinley already at a table out on the patio, away from everyone else.

“Hey, thanks for grabbing a table. Sorry, it took us a little longer than we said. Someone just couldn’t get enough of this body,” I tell them, smirking as we sit down.

Grace’s face turns a light shade of pink, and it’s fast becoming one of my favorite things. I noticed that she only blushes when we’re in public. In private, she’s a lioness with me.

I scan the menu for what I’m in the mood for, and my phone vibrates in my pocket. Reaching to see who texted me, I’m puzzled as to who it could be, considering the one person I talk to daily is sitting across from me.

Clint:

Good job on the win last night. See your balls finally dropped and you came out swinging. (Laughing emoji)

Me:

Thanks, man. Guess I just needed some motivation, and Grace did just that.

I’m laughing at myself as I wait for the reply to come from Clint.

Clint:

Also, saw your IG post. You know she’s going to kill you when she sees it, and if you’re replying now, she’s not received that notification yet.

Me:

Got to show off what’s MINE to the world. Especially since the press think otherwise.

Clint:

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