Fueled Obsession 5

by Amanda Heartley

  I was sitting at my computer at the nurses’ station, entering medications I’d administered into the database, when another delivery man arrived at the counter.

  “Is Mollie DuBois here?”

  Melanie laughed. “That’s her over there.”

  At least he didn’t have flowers this time, and I thanked my lucky stars that Judith was still at lunch. I didn’t know what had happened between us—we used to be pretty friendly, I figured that somehow, some way, my father must have influenced her.

  “This is for you. Please sign here.” I read the paper he passed to me—no way was I signing anything without reading it first. It was a delivery from Redemption Road. I scrawled my name on it with shaking hands and passed it to him as Melanie handed me a letter opener.

  “Open it! Open it!”

  “Okay, calm down! You’re more excited than I am.” That wasn’t true, but I was trying to be cool. I sliced the box open and removed a thick, yellow envelope. I opened it and found two tickets for the Redemption Road race this coming weekend. I slid the tickets back inside the envelope then removed the tissue paper from the box and plunged my hands into a soft mound of black leather—it was a jacket! I lifted it out of the box—the back was emblazoned with the number ‘27’. Jack.

  “Oh, my God! That is gorgeous!” Melanie exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were a racing fan. Hey, that’s for Redemption Road. I saw the premiere last month and I’ve been watching every week. I love it! You know Fitz? That’s his number!”

  “Yeah, I know Jack. He’s my boyfriend,” I said as I slid the jacket on—it was a perfect fit. I rubbed my hands over the many badges and Jack’s name. I loved this gift—all I could do was smile.

  “Are you serious? You’re Fitz’s girlfriend? I am so jealous of you!” Just then, one of the call buttons lit up and I remembered where I was. I quickly slid the jacket off and returned it to the box. Just in time, too, because I saw Judith walking down the hall.

  “I’ll get that.” I hopped up and went to check on my patient. It was just a minor request, another pillow and some water.

  “Come on, tell me the truth. You’re seriously dating Jack?” I grinned and nodded.

  “Yes, but please keep it to yourself. I can’t have camera crews following me around at work. Judith would have a fit!”

  Melanie snorted. “Indeed, she would. Your secret is safe with me. Why the hell are you working, anyway? Isn’t he rich? God knows he’s hot!”

  “Yeah, well, so am I. Rich, that is. I work because I love my job.” All her questions were starting to get annoying, but I had to keep my cool. I didn’t want the whole world to know Jack was my guy.

  A few hours later, when I finally had the opportunity to take my lunch, I found out that my secret was definitely not safe with Melanie. I thought she was a good-hearted girl, but she was not one to keep something to herself, and everyone at our lunch table already knew all about me and Jack. Melanie just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “Oh, come on. Don’t be mad. You’re dating someone famous. If I was dating Jack Fitzgerald, I’d tell the world.” I rolled my eyes and ate my lunch as quickly as I could.

  On my way back up to the ICU floor, the elevator stopped and I got the shock of my life when Dylan stepped on. Shit. He saw me immediately and gave me his best fake smile. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you and I can’t seem to get you to answer, so I figured I’d stop by and see you for lunch. Did you eat already?”

  “Yes, I have, and I’m just heading back to work.” I tapped on my watch to show him I didn’t have time for this.

  “Come on, Mollie. You can’t avoid me forever. I know you’re with Jack and all the ‘not having time to date’ was all bullshit.” The elevator stopped and a doctor stepped on with us. A floor later, the three of us stepped off and I waved Dylan to a less busy location near one of the waiting rooms.

  “I think it’s cool that you stopped by to see me, but I can’t do this right now. I’m at work and it’s not cool for you to be here now. Judith isn’t in a good mood and I’m training a transfer. Can I call you later?”

  “This is easy for you, isn’t it?” He walked away then came back even angrier. All I could do was stand there, frozen. “Play Dylan along until that fuckin’ loser comes back to ruin your life! This isn’t right, Mollie. You haven’t been fair to me at all.”

  “Do we have to do this right now?”

  “Yeah! We do, because you won’t answer your fucking phone! I want to know right now. Were you fucking him when you were with me? Is that why you never had sex with me?”

  I tried to remember the nice guy, the one who’d been my friend these past months, not the jealous bastard standing in front of me now. It was time to be honest with him. That was the right thing to do. For me, for him—for Jack.

  “I never loved you, Dylan.” Well, that was one way to say it. “I cared about you and I liked you but I didn’t love you, not the way you wanted me to. I’m sorry. I thought maybe it would’ve hap—”

  He raised his hand to stop me from further explanation. “—Stop it! I knew I was wasting my time with you.”

  “Dylan!”

  “You’re a real bitch, Mollie. A real bitch—you know what? You and Jack deserve one another. I hope you’re happy. When it all falls apart, don’t come crying to me. I won’t be there.” Dylan walked away and left me gaping after him in the hallway. Before I knew what was happening, Judith arrived and put her arm around me.

  “Are you okay? I called security, but I think he’ll be gone before they get here. Come on, let’s go to my office.” Oh, great! She’s going to fire me!

  “Judith, I’m sorry about that. You know I don’t like drama. I had no idea that he was coming up here today. I am sorry.”

  She stopped in the hallway and looked at me. “Mollie, I don’t believe you are anything but a really nice girl and a great nurse, but I’ve got something to tell you.”

  Ah, crap. I followed her to the station and then into her office. I sat across the desk from her and waited to hear her tell me to clean out my locker.

  “Dr. Hopkins called this morning. He’s reopening the clinic, and he’s asking for you to return to the Village to help him. I can’t stop you and, quite frankly, I want you to stay, but I had to tell you about it.”

  “Wait, I’m not getting fired?”

  “Why would I fire you, Mollie?”

  “Well, recently, we don’t seem to have been that close. I thought maybe my dad had said something to you, or did something or…I don’t know. Maybe I’ve just been imagining things.”

  “No, not at all. I know I’ve been stressed out lately, and I did get snappy a few times, but it had nothing to do with you. I’ve just got some issues of my own that I’ve been dealing with.”

  “I had no idea. Sorry to hear that, Judith.”

  “I guess you know about the gift that your friend made?” Again, I had no clue as to what she was talking about, so I shook my head. “Jack Fitzgerald has saved the clinic—Dr. Hopkins called this morning to tell me. He said the kid showed up with a check for fifty thousand dollars. I swear, he sounded like he’d won the lottery or something. Anyway, he said to come by and see him, or call him. I hate to see you go, but if you do, I’ll understand. They need good nurses like you out there.”

  “What? Jack did that?” My emotions felt like they were on a cruel roller-coaster ride. Up, way up one minute, and then down just as quickly. “When did that happen?”

  “This morning, I think. Surely, you knew about it. I mean, you are his girlfriend, right?” I rolled my eyes again.

  “Did Melanie tell you that?”

  “Of course! You see what kind of nursing staff I’ll have if you leave—a bunch of busybody gossips. All the good ones leave ICU eventually. It’s a tough gig up here.”

  I couldn’t believe Jack had done that. What an amazing man! Why couldn’t my father see that?

  “Why don’t you finish your afternoon rounds and then go on home...and take tho
se ridiculous flowers and your new jacket with you.”

  “Are you sure? Leave you with Melanie?”

  “Yeah, it’s time she and I had a little chat anyway. All I ask is that you let me know as soon as you can about your decision. It’s going to take some time to find someone to replace you.” I walked around her desk and hugged her. “I’m proud of you, Mollie. You’ve done so much with your life already. Keep up the good work.”

  I left her office and wiped the tears from my eyes. Melanie tried to quiz me about our conversation, but I’d already learned my lesson with her. I took her on my rounds, taking vitals, checking on patients, and talking to visitors. When it was over, I called downstairs to ask for a hospitality cart. No way could I carry this huge bouquet of flowers all the way down and I wondered how I’d even get them up the stairs at my place. Melanie was dying to know what I was doing, but I didn’t say a word. I just gave her a smile and a wave.

  The hospitality volunteer had come prepared and gave me a box to carefully lay the roses in. She said the best way to transport my mega-bouquet, was to put the flowers in the box and the vase in the foot well in front of the backseat. That made so much sense, I wondered why I hadn’t thought of it myself. When I finally got it loaded and in my car, I called Jack, but of course there was no answer. He was probably on the track and there was no way he’d hear it ringing anyway if he was speeding down the raceway with a full race helmet on. I drove home and jammed out to a retro eighties station. I loved those cheesy songs!

  When I made it back to my apartment, I found another package waiting for me. This one was clearly from Jack again and had instructions taped to the package. “OPEN OUTSIDE!” My hands were shaking as I took the roses and the jacket indoors, then I carried the box out to the balcony. What was going to happen? I hoped this wasn’t some kind of joke gift, or something that would scare me. Carefully, I tore off the strip of packing tape, opened the box gingerly then I caught my breath as dozens of butterflies flew out in a breathtaking display of color and beauty. It was amazing and I laughed out loud. One of my neighbors below had her child on a swing and pointed up at the mini butterfly cloud as it flew away. Again, I wiped away tears of joy. That was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and the most incredible thing anyone had ever done for me!

  Inside the box was a single slip of paper. I picked it up and read Jack’s handwriting, Looking forward to every tomorrow with you in it.

  I held it to my chest with a big, beaming smile on my face and spun into the house. God, I loved this man! I had to text Natalie and tell her about my day. She’d be shocked, I’m sure, to hear about Dylan, but hopefully she’d be happy for me and Jack. Besides, she had to go to the races with me. I wanted her there. I was so excited—I could barely swipe the letters correctly.

  I’m in love!!!!! full blown outta the park LOVE!

  Chapter Ten — Jack

  OMG this is so exciting! We’re here in the box thing!

  I laughed when I read the text. Box thing. Oh, that girl made me smile! I texted her back real quick.

  Ok, babe, I’ll be there asap!

  We’d all been assigned a VIP box where friends and family could meet and they were epic seats for the race. This was my second race on this track, and for my first one, my box had been empty. It didn’t bother me at all, but it pissed Dixie off—especially when Randall asked us if he could use the box since we weren’t. Dixie didn’t like the guy and made no secrets about it. She told him no!

  Our team’s schedule—and we were a team—had been so tightly managed that I couldn’t call Mollie back yesterday, although I’d thought about her sweet face and berry lips a thousand times. I couldn’t believe what I was about to do, but I knew I had to. I’d always been a gambler, but this time, I was betting on my life—my future. I sure didn’t want to wimp out.

  I’d begged for fifteen minutes to visit the box, but Dixie had reluctantly agreed to just five, so I wasted no time and jogged up the walkway and waved at all the fans who yelled my name. A security guard greeted me and opened the door to the box to let me in.

  “Mr. Fitzgerald, good luck to you, sir!”

  Aw man, don’t jinx me. I’d never liked hearing anything about luck right before a race, but I smiled and said, “Thanks.” I kept my fingers crossed just in case. I walked up the staircase inside the box and was so happy to see my friends—the people I considered my family—and little Ricky was the first to greet me.

  “Fitz! You look so cool, man!” I picked the kid up and damn near dropped him. He’d grown a lot. I felt a twinge in my shoulder, but I ignored it. I’d just about come to the realization that the injuries from the accident I’d had were going to stay with me forever. I hugged him and kissed his cheek. He wiped it off and whispered in my ear, “Fitz, you can’t do that in front of all these girls! It’s not cool man!”

  I put him down and messed up his hair. “Your right, dude. You’re getting too big for man kisses.” He straightened out his little shoulders and I had to laugh. The kid was so cool.

  I wanted to get over to Mollie, but everyone else crowded around me and expected me to talk with them. I hugged Elaina and posed with her for a cell phone selfie. Mr. Jernigan shook my hand next and gave me a big smile. Behind him, Jeffrey stood up and gave me a polite nod. Next to him stood a young girl, who was thin, blonde and had chiseled features like her father—and me. I knew exactly who she was—Angelina.

  As I stood in front of her, tears streamed down her face and she wiped them from her green eyes. “You must be Angelina.” She nodded, rubbed her eyes some more and when she smiled, I saw silver braces and beautiful dimples. “I’m Jack.” I extended my hand to her, but she just stared at it and the next thing I knew, her slender arms were around my neck and she cried big heaving sobs. Jeffrey reached out to comfort her, but I put up a hand to say, ‘it’s okay, I’ve got this’. I held her tight and felt my heart melt. Fuck! I have a sister! I didn’t know a thing about her, but I loved her instantly with all my being and nothing would separate us now. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I knew it would be Dixie calling me back to the pit. I squeezed Angelina one last time and told her, “I’ll see you after the race, okay?” She released me and smiled through damp eyes. I turned around, shook Jeffrey’s hand and whispered, “Thank you.”

  I fought my way over and looked at Mollie, who wore those sexy blue jeans and the jacket I’d sent her. Her big, blue eyes seemed even bluer as I grasped her hands and looked deep into them. God, she’s so beautiful! I felt centered and happy, and it had all begun with those gorgeous eyes. I was so in love with her and bravely I told her, “I’m going to win this for you—for us.”

  She smiled her beautiful smile and stepped closer to me, then she stood on tiptoes and kissed me sweetly. I didn’t want to get too carried away—my little sister was here, after all, but I grinned at her afterward to let her know that she’d have to surrender a few more kisses later. At some point, we’d have to do a little more than kissing— I wanted her more than I had ever wanted anything before. She was the one.

  I’d just realized that a couple of Mike’s guys were in the box, but I didn’t care and I’d pretty much expected their presence at some point throughout the day. I only had a few more months of this, then they’d be gone and I’d get to start a brand new life with Mollie—without the cameras.

  I felt my phone vibrating nonstop now, so I hugged Mollie goodbye and waved at everyone one last time. The crowds all around us yelled at me, and I waved back at them too—such a weird experience to hear people chant your name.

  On my way back to the pit, I reminded myself of all the things I’d learned in training with Dixie. Count to three before you make the turn. Randall likes nosing to the left, so inch him to the right when you lead. Come on, you can do this.

  My train of thought was broken when I heard Dixie yelling at Todd or one of the crew members. I thought I was about to get a royal ass-chewing for taking so long in the box, but I was glad that she didn�
�t yell at me when she saw me. Instead, she walked over to where I was standing and zipped up my jacket.

  “Let’s do this, Jack. Remember, if you want to do what we talked about, you’ll need to win. They don’t let losers make speeches.” I looked at her and kept a steely look on my face as I slid on my helmet. I had to win.

  It took five minutes to do all the safety checks, but I knew we were good to go. We’d already spent most of the day in here, fine-tuning everything, checking stats, running tests—nothing could go wrong. Well, except for driver error, and that was always a problem, especially in high pressure situations like the one that I was about to face. There must have been at least ten thousand people packed into the stadium, but I didn’t think about them. All I could think about were my rivals—Colton, Wyatt and Randall—and the ultimate prize of the checkered flag waving in front of me as I crossed the finish line first.

  Dixie leaned into the car, but she didn’t say a word. She just looked me in the eyes and smacked my arm. Then I eased the car—my car—out onto the track. The other racers were already there, but that didn’t bother me. I liked being last to arrive at the start. I figured their nerves would be jangling while they waited for me to line up, and that might just give me an edge.

  I couldn’t hear much of anything inside the cockpit, except Dixie checking the radio comms and the race official blabbing on about the rules. We edged our cars up until our front tires were on the line, then the officials came out and checked our positions. Everything must have been good because they left the track and it wasn’t long before the lights came on. Red…three seconds. Yellow…two seconds. A pause that seemed to last forever, then…Green! I left the line smoothly and kept the wheelspin to a minimum. I changed from first to second in the blink of an eye then moved up through the gears each time the rev counter snuck into the red.

  Wyatt eased ahead of me, but only for a nanosecond—he never held that position for long and the red-haired kid was way too cautious coming off the line. He’d always tried to make up for it later, but he hadn’t been successful so far. Colton rode beside me in his blue ‘68 Road Runner, but I knew his strategy—speed, speed and more speed. I looked across and grinned at him, even though I knew he couldn’t see me behind my helmet.