Page 18 of Driving Wild

Walking out to the waiting car, Matt follows behind me. I can tell that the article has really rattled him. Granted, I get that a lot is on the line for him this season. He needs to do great and keep his head down. That’s why the next two months are so important, especially with his contract at Mac coming up for renewal and the season finishing up.

I think to myself that the press is going to come and go but it’s what you turn it into that sticks with people. And being in PR, that’s just what I’m going to do. They want a love story, well then, we are going to give them one for the ages.

As we make our way up the steps of the jet, I smile as I see Tinley and Ryan already in their seats, ready to leave. Tinley raises her dark eyebrow at me as I sit down across from her. The girl has this natural ability to see when something is different. Most times, I’m the one to give her shit about things, but I know it’s time for the tables to turn.

I feel a blush come across my face and neck. I can’t face my best friend now. But I can feel her eyes on me. Just as Matt comes to sit beside me, my phone dings.

Tin:

Well, if this isn’t the walk of shame, I don’t know what is. (Winking emoji)

Me:

Don’t know what you’re talking about. (Laughing emoji)

Tin:

Oh, Mrs. McCall, you had a lot of fun last night after that win. Don’t worry, once we get in the air, we’ll be having a talk because I want details.

Me:

(face-palm emoji)

Tin:

And great job hiding that mark on your neck. (Laughing emoji)

Pulling my camera mode up on my phone, I search my neck to see what she’s talking about, and sure as fuck, he left a mark on me for all the world to see. I was so focused on that article this morning that I forgot to check my neck and cover up this bite that I knew was there last night.

Hearing her laugh beside me, I can’t help but give her a WTF look. I know she’s enjoying this a little too much.

I smack Matt in the arm and turn to him.

“Ouch, what the hell, woman? What did I do now?”

“Have you seen my fucking neck; it looks like a lion mauled me!”

“Not my fault this lion wanted to mark what’s his,” he says, coming close to my ear, making goosebumps run along my arm.

“Ugh, you are such a cave dweller.” I turn to face him. “You mark my neck again, and I’ll castrate you where you stand. I have a job where I’m in front of major people daily. I do not need to cover up marks on my neck each day.”

“Wife, you’re mine, and I’ll mark you every day to keep others away if that’s what it takes to make them see that.”

Rolling my eyes, I lean back in my chair as the flight attendants come over the intercom. They tell us we’re getting ready to take off.

Sitting next to Grace on the flight has been quiet. Which was fine with me. I was still reeling from the article about our marriage. Yes, it was someone just wanting to get some information out there on us. And it was complete crap, but it still made me see red when I made the stupid mistake of reading what the internet trolls had commented.

- Looks like Playboy finally leveled up with that hottie.

- Does she even realize what she’s gotten into with that one?

- Well, he’s got a sugar mamma now. The Millers are rolling in money.

- Damn, that’s one hot couple. Too bad it looks like they want to kill each other.

I’ve never had to deal with my name being thrust into the light with such force before. Yeah, I’ve been in NASCAR for a while now, and I’ve built a steady career while at Mac Motorsports, and the press has always been pretty good to me, especially when they latched onto my friendship with Ryan. They gave us that stupid nickname a while ago with Shake and Bake, and I didn’t even mind that. But now, they’re putting Grace on display, and I don’t like it one bit. She didn’t sign up to be picked apart just because she’s attached to me. So I’m going to protect her at all costs and make sure that they know I’m not after the Miller name.

Pulling up to our townhouse, I’m so tense by the time we get home I can feel it coming off me in waves. I know that I need to put a little distance between myself and Grace so that I don’t take out my anger on her because she doesn’t deserve it.

---