“There are so many people who grow up with certain expectations and beliefs which are ingrained in them. My father was one of those people. He loved everyone. He treated everyone as if they were equal, which is one of the values I’d become jaded about over the years. Even though he grew up in a time when women didn’t have jobs, and they most definitely didn’t have any hobbies outside of cleaning the house or cooking dinner. Even looking after the children was done by the nanny.”
“But you have to realize, since then, times have changed.”
“I don’t disagree,” I tell her, admitting defeat because I realize since that moment when I saw red, when I acted like a complete moron, I never apologized to her. “And I was wrong. I’d just never lost before, especially to a female. Never watched a woman speed by me, and I couldn’t catch up to her. Yes, I was a condescending asshole, and I own it.”
A small smile splits those perfectly pouty lips, and I notice the white of her teeth peeking through. She looks like danger and speed, all wrapped up in a pretty package. I’ve spent my years focused on cars, on racing, but the personal part of my life has been stuck in a constant state of traction. I haven’t moved forward in any way because the fear of losing someone I care about is so strong it scares the life out of me.
“That’s all I wanted,” she tells me.
“What?” This time, I’m confused at her words.
As I quickly glance at her a few times, she finally tells me, “You admitting you were wrong.” As much as I want to kiss her, I also want to make her happy. It’s a strange feeling when someone else’s happiness comes before yours.
“I’m a man who will openly admit his mistakes,” I tell her as we weave through bends that offer majestic views of the ocean. I’ve come here so many times over the years because it’s outside the city, far from the hustle and bustle, and it allowed me time to think about things.
I may have made mistakes in the past, but I always tried to be a good person. Yes, I’ve broken hearts, more than I care to count, but all in all, I’ve never hurt someone so badly they haven’t moved on. Curtis can attest to that because most of my exes have ended up in his bed.
“I’m not experienced,” Haelee blurts out suddenly, causing me to still all movement. “I’ve always been so focused on school, on not turning into my birth mother, that I never had a boyfriend. And at times, I feel like I don’t belong in this adult world.” The inflection in her voice makes my chest tighten. I want to reach for her, but I wait until she looks at me, or until she continues her admission. “I’ve always been different. Growing up without my birth parents, knowing what my mother was, was hard. But also, I’m not exactly like the gorgeous girls that are usually around races. But my father was adamant. He wanted me to experience life like every other teenager. And I did. For a time.”
“I think you’re too hard on yourself,” I tell her. “You’re innocent, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but you’re also gorgeous.” The raw honesty in my voice has her flicking her face over me. My attention and focus is on the road, but it’s as if I can feel her, as if she’s touching me. Gently, tentatively, and I can’t deny there’s a pull toward her. I feel it right now, and I felt it last night when I took her out of that bar.
“I’m just me,” is her response. It aggravates me because I know how attractive she is, and I’m almost certain that if I left her in that bar, she would’ve been hounded by men all night.
“You’re not ‘just you’, and that’s what makes you so much more alluring.” When we finally reach our destination, I notice Curtis’s Jeep parked in the spot right at the entrance. I asked him if I could come out here and enjoy the day with her. The moment I called him last night, he knew. And when I told him my plans, he was up for it.
He’s been single all his life, never had one serious relationship, just like me. That’s probably why we bonded so much. We had the same outlook on life. Racing was it, and it’s all we could do to not focus on the fact that something was missing.
It was only until I had finally admitted I was attracted to Haelee, not just her body, but those intelligent, yet sassy remarks she comes up with. But I love learning about her. Knowing who she is makes her even more intriguing and has me asking more questions than I ever thought I would.
“Is this … is this a racetrack?” she finally asks when I kill the engine, and we’re sitting in silence. The awe in her tone makes me smile. It’s moments like these that make my chest tighten because I’m showing her something for the first time. Yeah, she’s seen the professionally made tracks, but this is something else.
The barriers are all made of heavy sand. The cars have been modified within an inch of their lives. Think Fast and the Furious on speed. Excuse the pun.
“Yeah, my friend Curtis set this up a few years ago. It’s a place to unwind. Even though I’m now racing for Colton, I come here just to have fun. It’s safe, and the cars are breathtaking.”
The door to the office opens, and Curtis saunters out with a pretty brunette on his arm. I recognize her immediately as one of the pit girls from a race we had a few months ago. She’s been around Curtis on and off since, but I have a feeling my friend has been holding out on me.
Haelee and I exit my car and head over to the other couple. “Hey, man.” I shake Curtis’s hand before turning to the brunette. I can’t remember her name, so I offer a smile. “Hi.”
“Hey, you’re … You’re Kayden Mercer?”
“I am, and this is Haelee Pearson,” I tell them, watching my girl interact with someone I’m almost certain she’s nervous to talk to.
“Hi,” is all she says, but she stands firm, her shoulders squared. And once again, my chest tightens with the reminder that this girl is turning my life on its fucking head. The fact that I even thought of her as my girl is not lost on me.
“So, you’re the beauty from the bar,” Curtis says in an amused tone. “It’s nice to finally meet you. My man here didn’t want to introduce me. You know, he’s quite possessive.”
“Shut up, asshole,” I bite out, annoyed at his taunts. “Can we get inside and put some cars to the test?”
“Yeah, sure. We’re heading out to grab coffee and snacks. Be back in a few. Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” he warns with a cocky wink before disappearing into the Mustang waiting for him. Asshole. Sometimes, I wonder how we’re even friends.
“She seems nice,” Haelee remarks. “Your friend is funny.” I turn to her, meeting those pretty, cocoa eyes.
“My friend is an asshole,” I inform her coolly, causing her to laugh. “And yeah, that’s one of our pit girls. I can’t remember her name.” I reach for her hand, praying she doesn’t pull away, but she doesn’t, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. I lead her through the doors, and we make our way straight for the garage.
Inside, there are five cars, and the moment Haelee’s eyes spot them, she’s practically squealing. Most girls would be freaking out over a pair of shoes or an expensive designer dress, but her, she’s in love with cars.