Page 56 of Too Close To Call

Case nods and I keep going. “You had your own demons to fight about the wreck. I understand that. I realized something when Daisy was born. Something about myself and my mom. I think when my mom left, it messed me up. I took her rejection to heart as not being good enough. She left because I wasn’t the daughter she wanted.”

Taking one step closer, he finally speaks, “No, Tori. It wasn’t your fault she left. She left because of her own deficiencies.”

I nod and continue to stare into his eyes. “I know that, but deep inside there’s a little girl that still believes she’s the reason her mother left. When Dad died, I was scared. I wanted to lean on you, but leaning on someone is very close to using them as a crutch. You were all I had left. If you deserted me, it would have destroyed me.”

He takes the second step. “So you pushed me away. You ended it before giving me a chance to leave. To protect yourself. That is so wrong, Tori. That’s when we needed each other the most.”

I nod again in agreement and suck on my bottom lip. “I said I was messed up.”

Finally he’s on the top step, not more than a foot away. He reaches out and runs his thumb down my cheek, and I shiver from his touch. “When you asked me if there was a reason for you to stay, I should have said yes. I love you, Tori Hamilton, and I want us to be together, but only if you want that too. You said you’d move to the island to be with me, but I don’t want that. I don’t want you to give up anything. Your work is here, your friends and the father of your child are here. I won’t take Daisy’s father away from her. She needs to grow up with him close by. I don’t want either one of them to miss out because she lives far away. I don’t care where we live as long as we’re together. I never want to be without you again.”

Through watery eyes, I smile up into his loving gaze. “Daisy…” I start to say, but Case presses his finger to my lips and smiles.

He kisses me softly. “How could I not love Daisy? I know I’m not her father, but I will always be there for her and love her, and maybe give her a few more siblings.”

I smile back at him through the tears and ask, “A few?

He shrugs. “Whatever you want. I can’t imagine a life without you and I don’t even want to try. I love you and I want us to be a family. The three of us—you, Daisy, and me. If you want that.”

I sniffle and nod enthusiastically. “Yes. I want that too. I love you, Case. Always. Forever. I don’t care where we live as long as I’m with you.”

He grins and leans down to press his lips against mine in a gentle, promising kiss. I melt against him. My heart is full and I couldn’t be happier. For so many years I’ve wished for this day. I never thought my dream would come true.

“Then let’s live here, at least most of the year. Fall on Faire Island would be wonderful and Daisy would be in the first class of the newly reopened school. I’ve missed being involved with racing. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to drive again, but I’d like to try. Someday.”

“I think I can help you with that…”

Case takes my face in his hands and kisses me deeply until I don’t know where he stops and I start. All I know is I want more. I want a lifetime of his kisses.

* * *

My hands shake as I grip the steering wheel. I turn my head and, through the visor of the full-face helmets, our eyes meet. Case gives me a thumbs up from his car and I know beneath his helmet he’s smiling.

I return the sign and rev the engine in anticipation. Through my ear piece, I hear, “You ready, beautiful?”

“You know it, handsome,” I say into the built-in mic in my helmet.

“I love you, Tor.”

I smile even though he can’t see it. “I love you, Case.”

“Oh, my God!” Ryan whines over the airwaves. “Would you two cut it out? Are we racing or making out?”

Case chuckles and drops a smackdown. “Cut it, Busch. Be prepared to eat dust.”

Not to be outdone, Ryan rises to the occasion with, “Sure thing, Murphy, but I’ll be sittin’ pretty in first while your scenery will never change.”

“You two couldn’t beat me if I pushed you with my car.” Woody comes back at both of them.

“Hey, Case,” Paul jumps in. “Don’t forget, it’s as simple as turning left.”

“Okay, people. Stop the chatter. This is Axel, your race director. If you’ll turn your eyes to that big row of lights overhead. When you see the green one, go real fast.”

I love this. I love the adrenaline spikes, the smack talk, and the vibration of the engine under my hands. I look to my left again.

And I love Case.

It had taken a few weeks to get permission to use the speedway track for a closed practice. I didn’t have to talk the guys into it. They all seemed pumped to have a little fun with Case.

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