Page 49 of Drive To Survive

“Yeah?”

“How about a trip to Griffith Park?”

He scrambled out of the pool so fast he almost tripped over his own feet. He ran over, dripping wet. “That’s only, like, my favorite place ever.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, so your mum said.” I stood and swung him up into my arms, then threw him over my shoulder, fireman-style. At his peals of laughter, a swathe of happiness flooded my veins. “Let’s get breakfast and then go.”

Upon arrival at Griffith Park, Rhett insisted we head straight for the pony rides. Everly and I stood on the sidelines watching him bounce up and down in the saddle, his face glowing with excitement. God, that kid yanked on my heartstrings in a way I’d never have anticipated. There was something about witnessing his transformation from a troubled kid struggling to come to terms with his father’s unexplained abandonment to a happy, smiling, confident child with a bright future ahead of him. I liked to think I had a hand in the changes I’d seen over the past two months. The impact PFK Racing had on some of the needy children who applied to be a part of it made me prouder than I’d have ever thought possible. When Tate and Jared had first touted the idea to me at a really dark time in my life, I’d gone along for the ride, never imagining for a second that not only would our money and skill help to change the lives of others but, at the same time, I’d rediscover a zest for life I’d lost more than two years ago. And one of the main reasons for my renewed enthusiasm to enjoy all life had to offer was down to the little boy clutching the mane of a bay pony, and the phenomenal woman standing beside me.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Everly said, linking her arm through mine.

I smiled. “Just thinking how the solutions to insurmountable problems can come from the most unlikely of sources.”

“Ooh, deep,” she said, flashing me a broad grin. “Today’s supposed to be fun. Let’s leave the philosophical discussions for another time.”

I laughed and kissed the top of her head. “Done.”

Everly finally wrenched Rhett away from the ponies, using promises of ice cream as bribery. Our next stop, the zoo, soon grabbed his attention. If Tate could see me now, strolling through a packed zoo filled with screaming, overexcited kids, an arm slung around Everly’s shoulder, and holding Rhett’s hand, I knew exactly what he’d say: pussy-whipped. But he’d say it with a quirk to his lips and a nod of approval. I’d come so close to hitting rock bottom, yet now, I found myself shooting for the stars.

“So, Rhett,” Everly said, wiping a smudge of ketchup from the corner of his mouth as we sat at one of the shaded picnic tables outside Trails café finishing up our lunch. “What do you think about staying on at Nico’s place for a few more days? Maybe until Friday.”

An enormous smile broke across Rhett’s face, and he nodded vigorously. “Yes. Yes, please.”

“That’s settled, then,” she said with a warm smile in my direction. “Just until Friday, though.”

I smiled, too. Not if I can help it.

EVERLY

“I’ve got to go.”

Nico bent his head and brushed a kiss across my forehead. I stretched, the movement causing the sheet to slip down. His eyes lowered, and he groaned.

“You’re not making this easy.”

I arched my back and sighed contentedly. “I never promised to make it easy for you to leave me,” I said with a sleepy grin.

He sat on the edge of the bed and kissed me, first on the lips, then moving farther south. I pressed a hand to the back of his head, urging him lower.

“Damn you,” he murmured, leaving open-mouthed kisses over my breasts. “I’m going to be late.”

I laughed. “I’m not stopping you from leaving.”

“No,” he said, pulling one of my nipples into his mouth. “These are.”

My stomach clenched, but as much as I wanted to drag him back to bed, he had a meeting to attend, and I had to get Rhett ready for school.

“My boobs promise they’ll be here waiting for you when you get home later.”

“They’d better be.”

“I’m going to get my things today after I drop Rhett off at school.”

His broad smile, so happy, so certain, warmed me from the inside out. “I’m so glad you agreed to stay.”

“Until Friday only,” I warned.

“Yeah, yeah. A few more days with me and you won’t want to leave.”

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