Page 78 of Truck You

She has a great pit crew, and she agreed to let my brothers help. We’re all under the tent or at the pit to support her and cheer her on. A part of me wishes I was in the stands where I could see the entire race better, but then I wouldn’t get updates from Chase on how she’s doing.

I shouldn’t worry because she’s an amazing driver. She can handle a car better than some Sprint Cup drivers. Her skill is impressive.

But I still can’t relax.

“Dude, if you don’t calm down, you’re going to rattle the screws loose in that chair,” Ash says as he drops in the empty seat next to me. “She’s fine.”

“I know she’s fine.”

“Then why are you so tense?”

I glance at my brother and shake my head. I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about what has me tied up in knots.

Things between Sophia and me got serious fast. Something shifted between us on Halloween, and I can’t shake it. We’ve spent every day and night together this past week. We’ve worked together at the garage, sometimes on the same vehicle, and other times on our own projects.

A couple of mornings when we were slow, she joined me at the track and helped Ash and Chase out in the pit. I joined her in the evenings after work, when she’d rented the track to prepare for this race.

We’ve eaten every meal together, and I’ve stayed the night with her at Clara’s house. We’re a full-fledged couple and I’m not the least bit upset about that. I enjoy being with her. I want to be with her all the time.

So, yeah, I’m nervous about her being on the track. I want her safe, and I can’t protect her from other drivers any more than I can protect myself. But there’s so much more bothering me right now.

I look over at my brother. He’s watching me, waiting for an answer.

I take a deep breath and say what’s really on my mind. “Her parents are here.”

The race is near Cincinnati, about thirty minutes from her parents’ house. They may not approve of her life choices, but they still came today to support her.

“Oh, yeah?” Ash stares at me like he’s waiting for me to elaborate.

I nod. “I’m supposed to meet them after. She wants me to go to dinner with them.”

“Aw, I get it.” Ash grins. “Meeting the parents for the first time. That makes this thing between you two pretty serious, huh?”

“It’s not that.” I lean back in my chair and rub my hands over my face. “I’ve never mettheparents before.”

Ash narrows his eyes. “What are you talking about? You’ve met plenty of your girlfriends’ parents before.”

“No. I’veknownthe parents of the girls I’ve dated before. There’s a difference.”

His brow furrow deepens. “I’m not following.”

I huff, and my leg bounces on the ground again. “With every girl I’ve ever dated, I knew their parents first. Beaver is small. Everyone knows everyone. Today will be the first time I’ve ever met the parents after the fact. What if they hate me?”

Ash tosses his head back in laughter. “Oh, man. This is great.”

I punch him in the arm and that only makes him laugh harder. “It’s not funny, asshole. I really like Sophia. If her parents hate me, how’s that gonna work?”

I groan at how stupid I must sound. I’ve never worried about whether a girlfriend’s parents would like me or not. It never mattered before. But Sophia is important to me, and I don’t want anything getting in the way of our relationship before we’ve even had a chance to make a real go at it.

“Mac, it’ll be fine.” Ash squeezes my shoulder. “Just be yourself. Well, maybe keep the possessiveness under control, but other than that, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Ha,” I say with a sarcastic undertone. “That’s easier said than done.”

“Maybe so.” Ash pushes to his feet. “Come on. Get up here and cheer your girl on. She’ll be coming in for her next pit stop soon. Let her see your smiling face.”

* * *

God she’s hot.

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