Page 108 of Start Your Engines

“Connor, I’d best get that. You have fun at the gym, and don’t get distracted by the slot machines.”

Connor jumps up, and I see the famous Dane dick. I can’t believe this sexy and kind man is mine.

“Do you think they have them in the gym, too?”

I chuckle. “It is Vegas. I’ll message you when I’ve finished talking with my parents.”

“Love you, and good luck. You know where I am if you need backup.” He moves into a boxing stance that does nothing to hide his penis.

I roll my eyes as I say, “Love you,” and hang up the call on my laptop while answering my phone.

“Mum, what’s up?”

“It’s me,” Dad replies.

My finger hovers over the red end call symbol.

“Before you hang up, I need to talk to you. I had another health scare this morning.”

“Are you okay?” I stutter.

“I am,” his voice wavers. “But I thought that was it for me. I’ve tried calling your brother, but I can’t reach him. It’s time we found out where he is.”

“If you’re sure. I haven’t heard from him for a few weeks.”

“Me neither,” he replies.

“Are you all right now? Should I come home?”

“Of course not. You’ve got the race today. Nothing is more important than that.”

“Sorry, yes.” I don’t know why I’m apologising for caring about my dad, especially based on how he’s treated me. I check my watch. I’ve got a couple of hours before I need to leave. “Dad?”

He clears his throat. “I called to apologise for the meal. I regret how I treated you and for ruining a perfectly good dinner. It’s just… I worry about you,” he says gruffly.

“Oh, right. That wasn’t a good evening, was it?” My words are stilted. I’m not used to my dad apologising for things or sharing anything related to feelings.

“No, and I’m partly to blame.” Partly?

“Right. Well, you don’t need to worry about me. I was fine.”

“That’s not what I mean. I worry about you all the time. I worry about you leading the team when you should live differently. That’s why I wanted Niki as the team boss. This isn’t your life.”

As apologies go, this is shit, but I don’t want to argue and give him another heart attack. “I love everything about racing.”

“Do you? I still feel sick when I remember your crash. That day Connor slammed you into a wall, your mum and I panicked that something more serious had happened. I’ll never forget that moment.”

“Connor didn’t do it?—”

“I remember the terror as we waited to see if you were safe. My plans for your future flashed in front of my eyes. Not the lifeyou’d had but the one you should have. I thought about how I’d never get to walk you down the aisle, hold a grandchild, or have Christmas celebrations with a big family. I didn’t think about how you’d never race again, although I know it was important to you.”

He never asked what was important to me. Even now, he’s telling me what my future should have been.

“When you recovered, which was the best day, and got a university place, I felt you’d be safe from racing and have a future away from this business. Yet you’re working every hour of the day and taking on the stress that gave me a heart attack. I want more for you, Senna.”

I rub my forehead with my fingers. “But what about the things I want?”

He makes a humph sound. “This business ruins lives, and I’d hate my daughter to have her life ruined.”

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