This love has consumed me and changed me irrevocably.
No matter what, I will always belong to both of them.
23
Reese
“Why do you have to leave so soon? The first race isn’t until March.”
Kayla is crushed. I’ve put this moment off for as long as I could, but it’s time.
“Baby, I explained this to you already. I have to train, and then I need to test. One goes hand in hand with the other.” The look in her chocolate-brown eyes is devastating. “You think this is easy for me?” I take her face in my hands. “Leaving?”
“Yes.” She sniffles, the tears a constant stream.
“No.” I kiss her. “But it’s my job. I’m under contract, and I want to reclaim my title.”
“You’ll be gone for over two months.”
“I know. But this is the job. And I take it very seriously. I have to go.” I wipe her wet cheeks with the pads of my thumbs. “Don’t be upset. Dev is here. You won’t be alone.”
“Was that your sordid plan all along?” she fumes. “You leave and Dev babysits?”
“Maybe.” I tease her lips with my tongue. “I take care of what’s mine.”
“I’m going to miss you like crazy. I already do.”
“No, you’re not. We’ll FaceTime every day and sext every night. I’ll make you come with just my dirty words.”
That gets me a tiny smile.
“I’ll come back right after the first race. On a plane an hour later.”
“Promise?” Her expression is hopeful.
“I promise.” I kiss her again, slowly, passionately, pouring all my emotion into one elongated embrace. “Love was just another word until you gave it a definition. Think about that when you’re missing me. You changed me, Kayla.” I press my lips to her forehead.
“You changed me, too.” Her voice strains, and so does my heart.
“I’m an influencer. What can I say?” I try to make light of the situation.
“Reese.” A giggle breaks through. That’s how I want Kayla to be before I leave. Happy.
“I expect you to watch every single race,” I stipulate. “Testing, too.”
“I want to protest for so many reasons.”
“But you won’t.”
“No, I won’t,” she gives in easily.
“Good. Because there’ll be an exam when I get back.”
“You’re sort of making me want you to leave.” She curls her lip cutely.
“Liar.”
She giggles a little more, the sound making my insides thrive.
