Page 24 of Too Close To Call

Frustrated at my reply, she stands, covers Daisy with a beach towel, and walks to the deck railing. I follow, but leave a good two feet between us. My plan of keeping my distance is shot when she shivers and I step to her side and put my arms around her shoulders. She leans into me and rests her head on my shoulder.

This familiar position sends a yearning burst of desire straight through me. I’m so dazed it takes a minute to catch on to what she’s saying.

“My dad and I used to travel around and watch dirt track races. That’s when you first caught his attention. After he saw you race the first time, you were on his radar. I think you reminded him of himself.”

Happy memories of that day flood my brain. “I remember meeting him for the first time. To me, it was like meeting royalty. He came to find me after the race and even though I’d won, he sat me down and told me everything I’d done wrong. I never forgot and I worked hard to relearn some of the chicken shit ways I drove.”

“That was my dad. I hope you realize he didn’t do that with everyone. He had to really see potential in a driver to take an interest. The first time you won big, he couldn’t have been prouder of you. Even when it meant he lost. It didn’t matter to him because you drove a good, clean race. He always said you can’t teach instinct. You either have it or you don’t. We both had it. At least I like to think I would have, if I’d had a chance.”

“You were…” I start to deny, but her raised brow makes my words fade away.

“Stop, Case. We both know that my dad didn’t want me to pursue a racing career. And that’s okay. I’m happy with the way my life turned out. You, on the other hand, never should have stopped driving. You don’t know how sorry I am for being the reason.”

I shrug. I couldn’t have continued driving at the time. I may never be able to drive professionally again. “You are and you aren’t. I was messed up for years. I wouldn’t have been a good or safe driver back then. I relived the crash in my nightmares most every night.”

I still do, but not as often. I lost the edge when I ran into Dale’s car. Nobody knows that. The charity race was going to answer the question if I could go back. I would either have stayed safely at the back of the pack, or I would have shot to the front and fought for position like I always did. I don’t know which way the race would have played out. Maybe I’m better off not knowing.

“I’m sorry you went through that. You don’t know how badly I’ve wished I could go back to that day and do what I wanted to do. I wanted to run into your arms and let you hold me so tightly that you’d put me back together.”

Tori looks up at me and her eyes shimmer in the moonlight. She licks her lips and my gaze moves to the pink tongue peeking out from between her pursed lips. “You asked me earlier why we named her Hannah. There was never anything but honesty between me and Ryan. He knew I loved you and always would. When I looked down into my newborn’s face, she looked like a Hannah. She was supposed to be yours, Case. In my mixed-up mind, giving her your mom’s name somehow made her partly yours.”

I drop my arm and step back, glancing at Daisy asleep on the couch. “It hurts, Tori, knowing she isn’t mine. She’s an incredible kid. You and Ryan have done good by her. But she isn’t mine and she never will be.”

Tori lowers her head, but not before I see disappointment in her eyes. She wants me to say it doesn’t matter, that we can wipe the slate clean and start over, but it doesn’t work that way. At least not for me.

Tori nods and I know I’ve hurt her. “I guess I should get Daisy home and in bed. Thanks, by the way, for letting us stay in the apartment.”

“Why are you here, Tori? I mean working at the garage and living in the apartment. Paul said you’re filling in while Ashley is on her honeymoon. I can’t believe you want to work there or need to. And if you think being there is going to make me fall in love with you again, you’re wrong.”

Her head jerks up and her stubborn chin tilts. “You’re right about part of that. We rented a house on the island, but when we arrived, the rental agency said a palmetto bug infestation had been discovered. I tried to find another place to rent, but everything was booked. The only lodging available came with a job, and the fact it was at your shop was just a bonus.”

My brows draw together when Tori steps close enough for her breasts to touch my chest. I feel her pebbled nipples through my thin t-shirt. My pulse races, and I fist my hands to keep from reaching out and pulling her even closer. My dick hasn’t forgotten or forgiven me for how close he came to a happy ending in the office at the garage.

She tips her head back and looks me in the eyes. “You’re wrong about one thing, though. I don’t need to make you fall in love with me again, Case, because you never stopped loving me.”

I open my mouth, but she presses a finger to my lips. “Don’t bother to deny it. I won’t believe you. What we did in the office proves my point. That wasn’t meaningless sex like you tried to convince me of, that was love between two people who still have feelings for each other. The way you touched me and kissed me proves we are so much more.”

I don’t say a word. I can’t. Helplessly I watch as Tori picks Daisy up and carries her to the back stairs leading down to the parking area. She pauses at the top and turns. “Goodnight, Case. Thank you for a great day. Daisy and I had such a wonderful time. See you at work on Monday.”

I should have carried Daisy for her. I should have said something. Anything. Instead, I can’t get my mind to fire and move my body or mouth because I can’t admit that she may be right.

* * *

Early Sunday morning, I glare at the trio coming towards me down the marina dock. The problem with telling my family about why I left racing is that I gave them something to try to fix—which means butt into my business. It’s what family does. I’ve never had a problem with it before, but I was always on the other end of that butt. I’ve always been the butt-er, not the butt-ee. There’s a difference.

I’d spent a restless night going over my day spent with Daisy and Tori and I needed space to breathe. When I finally gave up trying to sleep, I knew there was only one place I wanted to be and that’s on the wide open water under the guise of fishing. I heft a cooler from the dock and tuck it into a storage bin on board my boat.

I only have so many beers and none of them are for the motley crew determined to intrude on my day.

“Going fishing?” Rod asks.

“Oh, good, you have beer,” Bode says as he jumps on board from the dock without waiting for permission. Did I really expect my brother to follow maritime protocol? No.

“I don’t see another cooler. Did you pack food?” David asks.

I glower at the man that’s like another brother to me. In fact, most of the time I forget he isn’t actually related. Truth be told, I’m a little intimidated by his MMA champion wife.

“Of course, I packed food. Forme. Not for the lot of you. Why are you even here? Don’t you all have babies at home that need diapering or feeding or something?”

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