Page 3 of Driving Wild

“She’s already coming from a family team to join ours, so what better way to show how connected everyone is?” he continues.

Turning to face my “wife,” I can’t help but feel on edge. She’s been a pain in my ass for months with her remarks about the life I lead and being the fuckboy of NASCAR. But Grace is about to get the awakening of a lifetime with me as her husband.

“Well, this has been a great morning, but if you will excuse me, I need to get to work, and honestly, being called someone’s husband wasn’t high on the list of things to check off today,” I say, standing up and heading toward the door. Turning around, I look at my beautiful, blonde bombshell of a fake wife and leave her with my parting words.

“See you later tonight, WIFE.”

Tinley had made the connection faster than I could about the woman being from a news outlet. I just reacted on instinct, jumping in to help, not even caring that Matt may be the bane of my existence.

Seeing Brad sitting with the other crew guys, I knew just what I needed to do. Did I want to tell Matt about it this morning when I woke up in his bed? The only reason I had been sleeping beside him this morning was because I was worried about the drug that reporter had put in the beer. I may have not wanted to play the part but I wasn’t going let him choke and die either. Nope, that’s why I played dumb and acted like I didn’t know how I got there. I hadn't gotten to his beer quick enough before he took a few sips of it, so he was going to need help getting home. And after making the scene of him being my husband, I couldn’t leave it to the crew guys to get him there.

I couldn’t help but think that my first morning at Mac Motorsports was turning into a shit show. I thought I was just trying to be a nice person, a team player, by getting that ridiculous reporter away from Matt last night. Why did I have to put that ring on his finger? Now I’m tied to the one person I can’t stand for the next two months. It rattles me so much, even being around him for longer than a cup of coffee seems like a lot. But also, he seems to be the only one who turns my insides on fire, making me break into a sweat when his amazing smell is near—spice and motor oil.

When I walked into my small office earlier, I hadn't even gotten the chance to get settled in before Brad called, letting me know what was going on. Little did he realize I’ve had Google Alerts on myself for as long as I can remember. Some people may think I’m conceited for that, but I couldn’t care less. Those are the people who really don’t know me. Coming from a family that has their name in a few different businesses across the country, it’s just easier to stay ahead of the game. I’d already been on the phone with my father most of the morning. And that was about as fun as a vaginal exam this early in the morning. God forbid I put the wonderful Miller name into the gutter.

Miller Motorsports is the legacy my cousin, Jamie, is CEO of. It’s a part of our family’s many businesses. I was expected to join the company after finishing school at App State here in North Carolina. I fell in love with the state and have no interest in moving back home. It also helps that people don’t care what my family name is or that we own a race team. Honestly, people never even make the connection since Miller is a very common name, and I make a point not to put myself in the press. I like being behind the scenes and getting to just be a normal twenty-two-year-old. I set my phone down, and it vibrates yet again on my desk. It has gone a little crazy in the group chat with my cousins since the news broke. Being an only child, I grew up close to them. So honestly, it was only a matter of time before the damn thing went crazy.

Jamie:

What is going on down there? I’ve been getting calls all morning from papers asking about my cousin marrying the playboy of the stock car world.

Me:

Good morning to you too, Jamie, and yes, my morning has been amazing (eye roll emoji), and the title belonged to another before him.

Court:

I just want to point out it's not me this time in case anyone has doubts. Well done, Grace, for taking the blame for once; I knew you weren't as good as gold as everyone else thought. You just hide the crazy. Ha ha.

Me:

Court, just you wait. It will be back on you soon enough.

Clint:

Saw the pic, little miss. Really didn’t see that one coming, but I’m not hating it. (Winking emoji)

Me:

Guys, it’s one big mess. Okay, and before you ask, I’m NOT pregnant!

Clint:

Looks like you got yourself a husband and might I say a fine one at that.

Me:

Clint, you are not helping.

Clint:

Just pointing out the obvious. The man is rough to race; I bet he’s just as rough in other places too. Get it girl is all I’m saying.

I can practically hear Jamie growling and Clint laughing all the way in North Carolina with that text message. They may be married, but Jamie is as much of an alpha as you can get when it comes to his love. And Clint is so carefree.

Me:

On that note, I’ve got to go figure out this mess. I started my new position today, and already, I have to impress our new driver and figure out how I’m to be married to someone I can’t stand for two months. Go me! But this has been great. Thanks, guys. Next time, I’ll just text my girlfriends. (Face-palm emoji)

---