After placing their orders, they talked about Melissa’s tour in Afghanistan, the city of Birmingham, and the nearby Talladega race track.
“I can’t wait to race tomorrow!” Lucas grinned at Jamie. “You’re my race partner, right?” He whipped his head toward Davey. “Unless you’re available.”
But Ben shook his head. “He’s my ride.”
Davey chuckled. “You got it, buddy.” His gaze slid around the table. “AJ’s meeting us there, so someone can ride with him.” Part of everyone’s gift was the NASCAR experience at the Talladega racetrack. He’d rented a block of time for their exclusive use so they would have the track to themselves.
His mother tucked her arm under Cruz’s. “I’ve got my partner right here.”
Jesus. What was going on between the two of them? Davey shifted uncomfortably, then pushed that thought deep inside.
Melissa held her hands in the air. “No racing for me. I love to watch, but I have no desire to race.”
Nora’s lips curved up. “I guess that leaves me with AJ.”
Something unpleasant stirred in Davey’s gut. He’d invited AJ so he could take Melissa around the track or Lucas, if Jamie and Melissa rode together.
“Or you could drive yourself,” he suggested.
“Nah, I’d rather ride shotgun.” Nora glanced at him through lowered lashes. “I can be his plus one. You know, like Cee-Cee suggested a few weeks back.”
Was she messing with him, or was she really considering being AJ’s plus one?
The unpleasantness in Davey’s gut tangled into a knot as he remembered his friend’s request for Nora to join them in the hot tub. He didn’t like the idea of Nora riding with AJ. As he contemplated new match-ups, Ben changed the subject.
“Dad, your old house was really small,” Ben said chomping on a French fry. “Were you poor?”
Davey let out a rough laugh. Ben didn’t know the half of it. “Son, we didn’t have enough money to be poor.”
“We had to invest every cent to keep Davey in the driver’s seat,” Cruz put in. “Racing’s not a cheap sport. It takes a lot to keep those cars running.”
“I saw a car that looked just like yours,” Lucas told Jamie.
When Davey had driven the group around his old stomping grounds, he’d taken them to the garage where he and Cruz used to work. It had been a nostalgic stop. He’d enjoyed working on engines side-by-side with Cruz every bit as much as he’d enjoyed racing.
“A ‘vette?” Jamie asked. “What year?”
“Early seventies,” Cruz said.
“You have a ‘vette?” Davey asked, glancing across the table at Jamie.
“A’65 Mako Shark,” Jamie said, sighing contentedly.
“It’d be nicer if it ran,” Melissa commented, generating a few laughs.
Davey raised a brow at Cruz, wondering if his friend was thinking the same thing as him. He and Cruz could get that baby running.
“Give Davey and I a week,” Cruz said, in synch with Davey’s thoughts. “We’ll get that car working good as new.”
“But a hell of a lot faster,” Davey said, excited about the opportunity to do one of the things he loved most and to do it alongside Cruz.
Ben pumped his fist in the air. “A hell of a lot faster.”
Chuckles and snickers ensued around the table. Even Nora laughed when Davey groaned and put his head in his hands.
Various conversations broke out around the table. Jamie and Melissa caught up on local news, Ben and Lucas talked about school, and his mother and Cruz whispered about God knew what.
Davey had just taken a big bite of his burger when Nora nudged him.
“You gonna make me take a bite of that?” she asked with a shit-eating grin.
Even though her tone was teasing, he choked, swallowed hard, and took a couple of gulps of sweet-tea. When he met her gaze, her eyes twinkled with amusement despite his epic fuck-up.
He appreciated her sense of humor. Even so, he dropped his head, still embarrassed over the whole incident. “Damn,” he muttered. “I guess he told you.” A hint of disappointment poked at his chest, even though he understood he was the new parent in the mix.
Nora laughed. “He didn’t sell you out,” she whispered. “I found puke on his jacket and after he gave me a bunch of made up stories, I finally dragged the truth out of him.”
Davey was moved by both Ben’s loyalty and Nora’s honesty. The women he typically dated played games, kept secrets, and attempted to hold the relationship power. Honestly, he’d thought that was how all women operated, but Nora was a breath of fresh air. “Thanks for telling me,” he whispered, moving in so close that his face almost touched hers.
Nora’s eyes softened and her lips parted.
In slow motion, his mouth lowered toward hers. In the recesses of his mind, he knew he couldn’t kiss her now, but his body continued to lean in. Just before his lips grazed hers, someone loudly cleared his throat.
Davey jerked his head upright and found Cruz and his mother staring at him. He scrubbed a hand over his face. What was wrong with him? He’d almost kissed Nora in front of their entire group. Cruz flashed him a you’re-welcome look, while his mother’s smile indicated she was pleased by this development.
In perfect timing, the waiter arrived with the bill. Grateful for the distraction, Davey whipped out his Visa card. After the waiter left, Jamie turned to him.
“Guess you’ll be taking off soon to prep for the new season.”
“Next year’s gonna be your year, Davey Johnson,” Melissa said with great zeal.
Davey glanced at Ben so he could revel in his son’s enthusiasm. But Ben wasn’t excited at all. His lower lip had jutted out and his brows were furrowed. “You’re leaving me?”
Shit. He hadn’t thought that through.
He glanced at Nora for help but she only folded her hands across her chest. As was her norm, her feelings were spelled out loud and clear. Royally pissed off.
“Yeah, Davey, when are you leaving?” she asked, her tone frosty.
Jesus. “I race,” he said inanely, even though he knew why Nora was mad. The men in her life had always left and now he was doing the same to their boy.
But he was a NASCAR driver. His life was in Charlotte, the race capital, and in every city where he raced. Even so, disappointment jabbed at him. He didn’t want to leave Ben. If he were honest, he didn’t want to leave Nora, either.
“But you can’t go,” Ben whimpered. “I just found you.”
Davey had no idea what to say.
Thankfully, Cruz stepped in.
“We’ll be back in between races.”
Ben’s chin lifted.
“We’ll fly you and your mom in for some races.” Cruz’s gaze slid to Davey’s mom. “And your grandma too.”
“That would be fun,” his mother said. “I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you, Ben?”
“Uh-huh.” Ben’s expression quickly shifted from pout to pleasure. “That’d be cool.”
“Can I come to a race too?” Lucas asked, his voice hopeful.
“You got it.” Davey smiled at Lucas, then at Jamie and Melissa. “And your folks too,” he said diffusing the previous tension. Everyone at the table was happy once again, with one notable exception—Nora.
After dinner, they agreed to meet at eight the next morning, then everyone headed to their respective rooms. Davey followed Nora and Ben so he could say good-night to his son. They’d had a late dinner, so it was getting close to Ben’s bedtime.
They rode in the elevator along with Cruz and his mother and all got off on the tenth floor. They walked down the hallway in silence until Cruz stopped in front of a door along with his mom.
What the hell? Davey raised a brow.
Cruz raised a brow back.
Nora and Ben hugged Davey’s mom as Davey stood awkwardly to the side.
“Have a good evening, Davey,” his mother said after releasing Ben. “And thanks again for the trip.”
He stuffed his
hands in his pockets. “Yeah, sure.”
She tipped her head up and smiled at Cruz. “It’s been lovely so far.”
Once again, Davey had no idea what to say. When Cruz pinned a look on him, he realized he was scowling. He willed his lips to relax and even forced a corner of his mouth to lift. “See you in the morning,” he said, and then shuffled off.
“Davey,” Cruz called out.
He turned back.
“Bar in thirty,” Cruz said.
Shit. Davey didn’t want to deal with this tonight. Or any other night for that matter. But Cruz hadn’t asked, he’d instructed, and he was the one and only person who could get away with that. Because Davey couldn’t say no to Cruz, he simply nodded, then made his way down the hall to catch up with Nora and Ben.
Ben was his usual chatty self, but Nora’s stiff posture told him she was still pissed off. Jesus. He’d tried to do a nice thing by taking everyone on this trip and they’d had a great day. But now he was getting nothing but grief.
After Nora opened the door to her room, she sent Ben off to get ready for bed. Davey followed Ben and waited on the bed as he got ready.
“Dad, wanna stay and watch a movie?” Ben asked when he came out of the bathroom looking adorable in his Batman pajamas. “I think Cars 3 is on tonight.”
“I’d love to, buddy, but I have to meet Cruz downstairs.”
“You gotta talk racing?” Ben asked, flipping on the TV as he slipped under the covers.
Davey could only wish. “Something like that.” He kissed Ben on his forehead. “Don’t stay up too late. We have a big day tomorrow.”
Davey lifted his gaze toward the door when Nora stepped into the room.
Nora strode toward Ben’s bed attempting to look calm, cool, and collected, even though she was anything but. She was still stewing, even though sometime over the course of dinner, her anger had shifted from Davey to herself.
Of course Davey had to leave. He raced cars for a living. She knew that, and she’d known it from the start. But she should have thought through the effect his career would have on Ben and she should have prepared Ben for it.
She bent down and kissed Ben’s head. “I’ll check in on you in a little while.”
Ben looked like his usual chipper self. She supposed Davey’s promise to come home in between races and to fly Ben to see him race had appeased Ben. Those promises would have satisfied her too had she believed him. But she had no reason to. Men had always left her. Her father, her boyfriends, even her beloved Pap had died on her when she’d been way too young to lose him.
Give him a chance, said a voice in her head. A voice that sounded a lot like Pap.
That was the logical thing to do, but she needed her mind to catch up. Willing a calm she didn’t completely feel, she gestured for Davey to follow her to the living room. Once there, she turned to him. “You better keep your promise to Ben, and not just disappear on him.”
Davey took her hand and held it. A warm, tingly feeling moved up her right arm. “Nora, I’m not going to disappear.” He caught and held her gaze. “I’ll be back in between races as often as I can. I’ll fly you and Ben to any race you want to attend.”
She glanced at the floor as hope and doubt duked it out in her chest. Hope must have won by a small margin because her body relaxed slightly.
Davey gave her a lazy grin and took her other hand. “Have dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“What?” Go out with him, as in a date? Davey didn’t date ordinary women like her. He must have meant dinner with her and Ben. She lifted a shoulder. “Sure. Ben and I are free.”
“No.” He squeezed her hand. “Just you and me.”
Shocked, she snapped her head up and gaped at him. She wanted to, but it was a bad idea. “I…I can’t. Uh, Ben.”
“Jamie and Melissa want to take him and Lucas out tomorrow,” Davey said, giving her another sexy smile.
She wasn’t dating. Even if she was, she needed someone more in her league, someone normal. More importantly, they had Ben to think about. If they dated, Ben would think they were going to get married and he’d get his hopes up. After her and Davey’s inevitable break-up, Davey wouldn’t come around as much. That would crush Ben. She searched her head for another excuse.
“But your mom and Cruz,” she said, applauding her quick thinking. “We can’t just leave them alone.”
Davey let out a tight laugh. “I’m pretty sure they want to be alone. You’re out of excuses.” He rested his forehead against hers, making her feel as warm and gooey as a roasted marshmallow. “Come on Nora, it’s just dinner.”
It was just dinner. They could have a nice meal and nice conversation. Nothing more, nothing less. “Okay,” she whispered.
“Great,” Davey said, drawing back. “I have to run.” He leaned in and grazed his lips over hers. “Until tomorrow,” he said, then he disappeared.
She remained planted in place, one hand touching her moist lips, the other pressed against her thumping heart. What had she gotten herself into?
Chapter Twelve
Inside the hotel bar, Davey slipped onto a barstool next to Cruz.
“You see who just signed with Gordon’s Racing?” Cruz asked, wrapping his hands around a bottle of Sam Adams.
“Yeah.” Davey ordered an O’Doul’s. “I didn’t think Jared would switch teams.”
They fell into comfortable race talk, and as they caught up, both of them signed a few autographs.
Half an hour later, Davey’s shoulders loosened. Maybe they weren’t going to talk about Cruz’s relationship with his mother, after all. But just then, Cruz’s eyes turned serious.
Unease wound through Davey’s intestines. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation. It was especially difficult because Cruz was the one person he could usually be himself with.
“You know I love you, Davey, and I’d do anything for you,” Cruz said, making Davey’s heart tug. “Nothing will ever change that.”
“I know, man.” Davey looked up and caught Cruz’s gaze. “You’ve been like a father to me.” Cruz had been there for him in ways his own father hadn’t. Cruz had been a positive role model and had loved, supported, and protected Davey. Cruz had also kept him on the straight and narrow. Like the time his dad had caught him with a bottle of his friend’s mother’s pain medication when he’d been fifteen. He’d traded some car parts for the pills after he’d finally figured out that his mom was never coming back. He’d only taken a couple of the pills, but they’d helped take the edge off. After his dad had found the bottle, he’d smacked the shit out of Davey. After Cruz found out, he’d taken Davey to an NA meeting. Davey still remembered the stories of lives ruined by drugs and he hadn’t touched another drug since that night.
“I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” Cruz took a long slug of his beer. “I’ve never asked anything of you, but I’m going to ask something now.” Well, shit…here it comes. Davey shifted uncomfortably as Cruz looked him in the eye. “I’d like for you to be okay with me dating your mother.”
A laugh tumbled out of Davey. “Are you asking for my permission to woo my mother? What year were you born?”
Cruz laughed too.
Despite their shared laugh, Cruz’s ask was unnerving and Davey wanted to say no. Annoyance churned in his gut as betrayal burned his throat. Even so, he didn’t miss the irony. Cruz, the one man who had always been there for Davey, wanted to date the woman who had abandoned him.
Cruz quietly nursed his beer, giving Davey time to stew or contemplate or whatever the hell he was doing. Cruz was like that…he’d calmly wait Davey out until Davey was ready to address the situation at hand.
Cruz ordered a shot of whiskey, and guilt swamped Davey. Cruz only did shots when he was celebrating or feeling anxious. Davey took a long pull of his O’Doul’s. Who was he to stand in the way of Cruz’s happiness? Cruz meant the world to him and he wanted Cruz to be happy. He supposed he wanted his mother to be happy too. Cruz obviously saw something
in her that Davey didn’t. If Cruz saw something good in his mother, maybe there was something he wasn’t seeing because Cruz was rarely wrong about people.
Davey had spent so many years hating her that it was hard to be objective now. He got why she’d left his dad. Davey had loved his father in his own way and was indebted to him for giving Davey the opportunity to race. But his dad had been a hard-ass son-of-a-bitch and it had worsened every time he’d hit the bottle. And he’d hit the bottle a lot.
As Cruz tossed back his shot of whiskey, Davey sat taller on his stool. It was time for him to support Cruz like Cruz had always supported him. He shifted toward Cruz. “I can’t say it won’t be odd, but I want you to be happy.” He let out a wry laugh. “If my mother will make you happy, then go for it.”
Cruz put an arm around his shoulder and gave him a half hug. “Your mom’s a wonderful woman. You’re going to see that one day too.”
Davey nodded, even though he wasn’t convinced. But who knew? Cruz had a good sense when it came to reading others. He’d once told Davey it had come out of necessity, growing up as a Cuban kid in a small white town. Regardless, Davey couldn’t think of a time when Cruz had mis-judged someone’s character. Given this, he should probably pay more attention to Cruz’s evaluation of his mother. Something to marinate on later.
Davey took another drink of his beer, then changed the subject. “Nora was pretty pissed tonight. I got so caught up with Ben that I forgot we’ll be on the road for ten months.” He circled a finger around the rim of his bottle. “This is the first time I haven’t been chomping at the bit to get back at it.”
“Ben will miss you,” Cruz said. “That’s for sure.”
“I hate that I’ve just gotten to know him and now I have to leave.” Davey clasped his hands together and put them on the bar. “But unless I quit racing, I don’t see another option.”
“There are always options.” Cruz put a hand over Davey’s. “If you want to be around for Ben, you could keep your dad’s place and live in Serenity,” he suggested. “You’d still have to travel to your races, but you could see Ben when you’re at home.”
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