Or could it?
Is that as insane as it sounds in my head?
My plate is clear before I realize it, and Greyson whisks it away before Gabe wipes down the counter.
He leans into my side, mouth warm against my ear. “Go get changed for work.”
Tipping back to look up at him, I nod, but I’m not in a rush. Being around him keeps me grounded. Stable.
His hand comes up to brush a light touch against my cheek. “Go on. We’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.”
The double meaning isn’t lost on me, so I slip my shoes on at the door and dash over to my parents’ house to get changed.
Daisy’s lingering in her room, but I don’t want to bother her.
She sat with me for a while, helping me talk through possibilities of my future.
I’ve never heard her so supportive before.
So…pro Pinebrook.
Even with her recent engagement to an out-of-towner—someone I still haven’t met—she wants to stay here. Growing up, her entire identity was finding a way to leave.
I was the one to leave.
And honestly, I’m not sure it was all I expected it to be. Diverting, obviously. But what do I want out of life?
I’m not as sure as I once was.
Sighing, I shower and change into warm slacks and a sweater.
It’s comfy but professional enough, because I know today isn’t going to be so good for working.
Not with the laps my mind is taking.
I tie my hair back and put on my earmuff headband, grab my coat and coast down the stairs to see Gabe and Greyson leaning against Gabe’s 4x4.
They both tilt their heads the same way to look at me.
It stops me in my tracks. They don’t usually go to work together.
Greyson peels off first, coming up to stabilize me by my elbow and help me over to their driveaway where Gabe meets us and takes me like some precious hand off.
This is weird.
But I follow as Gabe brings me around to his side and helps me into the back seat, knowing I prefer that side if I’m in the back.
Car sickness.
He lingers, buckling my seatbelt for me.
Something he’s only ever done if I was sick or sleeping. I’m not either right now, and it’s intense.
He’s barely touching me, and I’m uncomfortably warm.
Gabe smirks, closes my door, and gets behind the wheel.
It sends my mind back to the track, lapping itself.
