My da laughs. “I suppose that’s one way to do things.”
“Did you not take it slow when you met Mama?”
“Not even a little.” He laughs more. “I told her what I wanted and that you were both mine from the moment I met you.”
I laugh as I listen to my da. We’ve all grown up listening to their love story. And I get it now that I’ve met Sawyer. I feel like River’s my son, not my stepson. Maybe I need to tell Sawyer exactly how I feel. No sugarcoating it. My da has always been able to help me work through things, even if he doesn’t know it.
“Thanks, Da.”
“For what?”
“Everything.”
He smiles as he hugs me. “Talk to your girl and we’ll make our reservations to go back home tomorrow.”
I hug him back and nod. After he leaves, I finish getting changed and head back to my garage. My crew is packing everything up. I sit down with Matteo and go over some things as they’re finishing up packing my bikes and the other equipment.
“You’re all headed back to Lake Renegade?” he asks.
“Yeah, we’re hoping to leave the day after tomorrow.”
“And Sawyer?” he asks quietly.
“I’m hoping she’ll come with me. The crew is okay with this, right?”
“Sì, they’re all okay. Just don’t play favorites when it’s time to work.”
I nod. “I won’t, when it’s time to race, it’s all business.”
“I’m happy you found each other.” He smiles as we continue to go over the data.
After another hour, I go over to Sawyer.
“Can we talk tonight? We can have dinner at my house if you’d like. My mama got in this afternoon and I’d love for her to meet you and River.”
“Are you sure?”
I smile. “With you, I’m always sure.”
“Okay. I’d like that, I hope she likes us.”
“She already loves you both.” I smile. “I’ll come and pick you and River up at five.”
I kiss her and leave so that she can get back to work.
I meet up with my brothers and we head home. When we get there, our mama greets us all at the door. I love the smiles on my parents’ faces every time they see each other.
Ares: Hey Ez, send pics of Emerson’s woman. Everyone here wants to see her
Emerson: …
Ezra: *sends a pic of Emerson, Sawyer and River*
Giovanna: OMG. They’re adorable! Is that her son?
Emerson: Yeah, that’s River
Luciana: EMERSON’S A DADDY
