Page 118 of Truck You

Mac nods and gives them a smile. “I’m nervous too.”

Silence falls over us as we all stare at each other, no one knowing what to say next. Ben and Greta have their heads down clearly unsure of how to navigate this. Millie smiles and Mac rubs the back of his neck.

“Why don’t we sit? Maybe order some appetizers while we talk.” I suggest.

“Yeah, good idea,” Millie says as she slides back into her chair. Mac and I take the empty seats across from them. “So, Ben and Greta are racing fans. Turns out they watched you race lots of times with Dad. They were at the race a few months ago when Sophia beat you too. It was all they talked about for days. It’s what finally broke Mom and got her to tell us you were her son. Things at home have been … Well, there’s been lots of fighting.” Millie stops and takes a drink of her water. “God I’m sorry. I’ve said too much already, haven’t I? I tend to ramble when I’m nervous.”

Mac smiles and waves her concerns off like it doesn’t matter. “Don’t worry about it.” Then he turns to Ben and Greta. “You’re racing fans?”

They nod but don’t look up.

“Ben’s not just a fan. He’s obsessed. Has posters all over his walls,” Millie says.

“Millie!” Ben scolds his older sister. “You’re embarrassing me.”

Mac chuckles. “No need to be embarrassed. You wanna talk about embarrassing? My girlfriend hands my ass to me every day on the track. That’s embarrassing.”

“Hey!” I nudge him with my elbow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He pulls me closer and kisses my cheek. “Just teasing, Red. But you are a better driver than me.”

This makes Ben laugh which was what Mac wanted. “I want to race cars,” Ben says quickly. “I mean, it looks like fun. I’d like to try it someday.”

“Then you should.” An easy smile covers Mac’s face. The one that says he’s perfectly at ease and comfortable with his surroundings. “You’ll have to visit and come to the tracks with me. I’ll teach you.”

I look up at him in surprise and happiness. Pride swells in my chest at how he’s opening up to them. He must see what I see. Three great kids who want nothing more than to get to know the older brother they never knew they had.

“You’d do that?” Ben asks.

“Of course. That’s what big brothers are for.”

“Will you teach me too?” Greta asks in a soft, barely audible tone. This is the first she’s spoken since we arrived.

Mac turns his smile to her. “Absolutely. You’ll all have to come for a visit. Make a weekend out of it or something.”

“If Mom will let us,” Greta whispers.

“You let me deal with Mom,” Millie says in a stern voice that says she’ll get what she wants, and she dares anyone to get in her way. It’s in complete contrast to the sweet personality we’ve seen so far.

Mac clears his throat and takes a drink of his water. “Is your dad okay with you spending time with me?”

“Are you kidding?” Millie beams. “Dad is great with it. He’s just as mad at Mom as we are. He’s upset that he didn’t get to be a part of your life sooner. Would’ve loved to be a part of your early racing days. Or worked on cars with you when you were young. He may be a lawyer by day, but he loves to tinker with cars. It’s his hobby.”

“Sounds like a good man.” Mac’s voice is heavy with emotion. I know he loves his dad, but their relationship is strained. All the Mutter brothers have issues with their dad.

“He is, and he’d like to meet you someday. If you’re open to that?” Millie adds.

“Sure.” Mac drops his head and fiddles with the button on his shirt. “Was she …” He lets out a deep sigh and squeezes my hand. “Was she a good mom?”

Silence falls over our table. I glance between Millie, Greta, and Ben. They’re all staring at Mac with sadness in their expression. I’m not sure what that means.

“Not the best,” Greta says, surprising me. She’s been so quiet. I didn’t expect her to be the one to answer. “I mean, she’s always been there, so I guess that meanssomething. She’s a selfish person. Always puts herself first, and only cares that we all make her look better.”

Millie nods her agreement. “I think there’s something wrong in her head. She didn’t get the mom-gene. You know, the one that makes being a parent instinctual? She didn’t get that. I’m sure she loves all of us in her own way, but she doesn’t know how to show it. All of our love and affection comes from Dad.”

“So you’re saying I didn’t miss much with her disappearing act when I was five?”

Greta snorts. “Not at all. In fact, she did you a favor.”

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