“I didn’t want to pressure you. I knew you didn’t enjoy them, and I never wanted to force you into a situation you wouldn’t like, but I loved it when you used to come. Getting to show off my son and have him at my side . . .” He sighs. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you. I know you’ll never take over, and that’s fine, but this company is my life, and you’re my son. I don’t want them to separate, but I understand if you are busy.”
“Dad, I’d love to come.” I never realized he cares so much, but knowing that he does, well, I feel like a shitty person for not attending. I know how much it meant to me when he came to my races, and now to Starfire, so of course he would feel the same. It was selfish of me not to realize that, and I don’t want to be selfish anymore. I want a relationship with my father, and I don’t want him to feel like he has to hide parts of his life from me. “I’m sorry I stopped attending. That wasn’t right. I was young and stubborn?—”
“You still are,” he teases.
“And prideful,” I tack on with a huff. “I thought I was an embarrassment to you. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
He’s quiet, and I swear I hear sniffling. “Well then,” he repliesgruffly, “I’ll make sure to send the invitation. It’s black tie, of course, but wear whatever you want. It doesn’t matter to me.”
“I can dress up for you, Dad. It’s not a problem. I think I own a tie . . . somewhere.” He laughs, and I smile as I lean back in my chair, genuinely enjoying our conversation. Mackie did that. He brought my father and me together. We have a rocky past, but I still love him, and I’m glad we are growing our relationship this way. Mackie appears at my door but hesitates when he sees I’m on the phone. I gesture for him to enter, but he doesn’t, which makes me grumpy. He should know by now that my office is his. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing. He’s always more important.
“If not, I can lend you one. Oh, and you’re bringing Mackie, yes?” my dad asks, and I blink, watching my boy linger in the doorway, his head tilted in confusion even as I check him out. He looks damn good today.
“Of course. Where I go, he goes. I’ll talk to you later,” I say before hanging up. I’m glad he and my dad resolved their issue. Mackie was nervous after my dad found out about our relationships, but my dad acted like nothing happened. He asked his questions, accepted it, and moved on. He’s good at that. They are closer than ever. Hell, he speaks to my dad sometimes more than he speaks to me.
Annoying, but true, so it’s not a surprise my dad would invite him. It is a surprise that I plan on going, but the idea of getting to show my boy off is worth suffering under the small talk and prying eyes.
“What is it?” he asks worriedly. “Is your head hurting again?”
The reminder of my head catches me off guard. For a few days, hell ,even weeks, I haven’t really thought much about it. My entire focus has been Mackie and our garage. I had no room left to worry, and that is . . . nice. I don’t want to live the rest of my life wondering if today is my last day. I want to enjoy it while I can to its fullest.
“Come here,” I murmur, crooking my fingers.
His eyebrows furrow as he frowns, but he steps around my desk. As soon as he’s close enough, I yank him down so he sprawls across my lap. “Noah!” he protests, looking at the door.
“I missed you.” I sigh as I bury my head into his neck. He strugglesin my hold, trying to wiggle free, so I bite his neck, making him gasp. “Keep moving like that and they will film a very different type of show.”
“You’re incorrigible,” he grumbles, but he relaxes into my embrace, letting me just cling to him. “Who was it?”
“My dad invited me to the fiftieth celebration of his company.” Lifting my head, I look into his eyes. “You’re my date.”
“Shouldn’t you ask me first?” he retorts, even though he’s smiling.
“I can, but you won’t have a choice. If I have to make small talk with people and pretend to be nice, then you better be at my side to make sure I don’t commit murder.”
“Aww, poor Noah bear can’t handle the cougars of high society?” He squeezes my cheeks as my eyes narrow. “Needs his big bad boyfriend to protect him.”
“You joke,” I say, though it comes out garbled, “but they are vicious.”
Laughing, he leans in and kisses me. “I’ll protect your innocence, don’t worry.”
“Baby, I lost my innocence as soon as you walked your fine ass into my garage with those big eyes and asked me for a job.”
His hand comes down on my chest in a teasing smack. “You’re a pig.”
“Hmm, true, but you seem to love it, especially when I was tonguing that pretty?—”
He covers my mouth with wide eyes, shooting my open door a look before glaring at me. “I think Skylar is rubbing off on you.”
“I heard my name.” We both turn to see Sky at my door, grinning. “Aww, look at you. You’re such a boy kisser, Noah.”
“So are you,” I retort.
“No, I am a one-man kisser, thank you very much,” he replies dreamily. “Now, children, carnal activities should be behind closed doors while a camera crew is here . . . unless you hired them for that, in which case we definitely do not have enough lube.” My stapler hits the door as he slams it shut, laughing.
“And you say I’m a perv,” I grumble as Mackie leans back in myarms, smiling at me. “I can’t wait to see you all dressed up for me, but I’m warning you now, I won’t be able to keep my hands off you all night.”
“When do you ever?” he responds, his eyebrow arched.
