Page 22 of Driving Wild

As long as you’re good to her, then you have my blessing. Jamie & Cort are getting on board too since I told them you’re a stand-up guy. Don’t make me regret it.

Clint:

Tell Grace to text me later. She’s coming up to Boston next week to see her dad.

Me:

Will do. Have a good week.

Clint:

You too. See you next weekend, and I’ll beat your ass this time. (Laughing emoji)

I’m looking down at my phone, thinking about what Clint texted. Grace hasn’t mentioned that she’s going to Boston next week to see her dad. This draws out my anger, but I’m not even sure I have the right to be angry about it. Granted, we haven’t talked much about anything since we crossed the line after my win this weekend. After getting home and then spending the day relaxing on the boat, we just haven’t talked. Now we’re having dinner with Ryan and Tinley. But once we get home, I’m going to find out what’s going on and why her dad’s summoned her home while I would be out of town.

We finally order our food, and I enjoy catching up with Ryan, but I’m on edge. The more I think about the idea of her going to Boston, the more it doesn’t sit well. I don’t know her dad, but just from the way she acted after only one phone call with the man, I wonder if he’s always accustomed to getting what he wants. I’ve known Jamie and Clint for a while now, and they are good people, and the more time I’m with Grace, the more I see that behind that sassy mouth, she’s got a big heart. I’m chipping away at it slowly, but I can see it there.

We pay the bill, say goodbye to Ryan and Tinley, and head back home. We don’t live far from the restaurant, so we decided to walk. The North Carolina air is just perfect. The breeze coming off the water makes it have a light chill in the air, showing that fall might just be here soon and my days of wakeboarding after a race weekend are ending.

She was quiet on the walk back home and headed straight to her room as soon as we walked in the door. Knowing that we have a few items to talk about, I make my way to her room. I knock softly and wait for her to call out before I enter.

“Hey, I was just getting ready for bed. What’s up?” she asks before she picks up my T-shirt and heads toward the bathroom to brush her teeth and change out of the flowy dress she wore to dinner.

“Come on out here, Red. We need to talk.”

Peeking her head out of the bathroom, she sees me standing in the middle of her room, hands in my pockets. I’ve never been a serious guy, but I can turn it on when I need to, and right now, that’s what I’m going to have to do.

“Ummmm okay, what’s up, Matt? You’re kind of freaking me out a little, I gotta say.” She comes to sit on the side of her bed.

“Heard some interesting information tonight via text from Clint, and I need some clarification on some things.” I go to sit beside her on the bed, making sure to put some distance between us so that I’m not tempted to grab her and put her on my lap. Because since yesterday, that’s where I want her at every waking moment. Right next to me.

“Okay, what did he have to say?”

“He just pointed out to me that while I am gone next week, instead of you being with me, you’ll be in Boston with your dad. Care to explain that?”

What the hell is happening right now? My family have decided they need to make Matt aware of my plans to go up to Boston and talk with my dad and explain what’s really going on. Reginald Miller is a man who you don’t just call up on the phone and tell your great ideas to. Nope, he is the man who you schedule an appointment with so that he takes you seriously.

Looking at Matt, I do feel a little guilty for not telling him, but after the weekend that we had, I honestly forgot about it.

“Who told you that?” I ask.

“I’ll give you one guess, but I’m sure you don’t even need it. But you do need to tell me what’s going on. I thought we were in this together. Yet you’re keeping this from me,” Matt says, a little more aggressively than I care for. Which makes my claws come out. I don’t even want to wait for him to tell me why he's acting like a dick right now.

“Okay. Listen to me very carefully then.

“One—I don’t have to tell you my every waking move. Let’s make that clear right now. Fake marriage or not.

“Two—I’m going to see my father and attend a fundraiser for my cousin while I’m there. You’re gone for a long stretch that weekend, so I figured it would be as good a time as any.

“So if you think you have some claim over me because of this weekend, then you, Cowboy, are mistaken. It’s gonna take more than a few orgasms to make me bend that easily. I’ve spent my whole life being told where to be and how to dress. Until I came to North Carolina, I wasn’t even able to go out without someone following behind me to make sure I was safe. So you, my husband, can back up about five steps.”

“Woman, all I asked was whether you’re going to Boston. I said nothing about making you bend to my will or controlling you. And I damn sure ain’t going to start treating you like some mafia princess when you leave the house. I’m a good ole boy from NASCAR for hell’s sake. But I do think I deserve to know that you’re going up there,” he replies after I’ve finished my rant.

Sitting on my bed, I stare down at my hands. Yes, Matt is right—he did deserve to know that I won’t be at his race. But I just couldn’t find the words to tell him that over the last few days.

Playing with my beautiful ring, it makes me smile a little as I look over at Matt. He’s trying to be so serious and in control, but I can see the man who I’m falling for breaking free the longer we sit in silence. I know that all I need to do is use my power of persuasion on him if I want to get what I want. But did I want to play that card on this or save it for another day?

Looking over at him once more, I decide to be an adult and have the conversation. Which I both love and hate since I know that we’re making progress in our “I don’t know what.” Friendship? Fake Marriage? Who the hell really knows because we’ve blurred the damn line, and I’m starting to be okay with it.

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