I hate it, hate the distance between us, and hate that he’s worried about something alone.
After watching him and Sky do their checks, I turn away only to blink in surprise. My dad is standing behind me in a Starfire Racing jersey with Mackie’s number on it. “D-Dad?”
“Hi, they said I could come down and sit with you and watch from here. Is that okay?” He looks nervous, and it hits me that my dad has never been to any of my races for Starfire.
“Of course.” I drag a chair over and tap it. “The box might be more comfortable with drinks and food. It’s where investors watch,” I begin.
“No, here is good.” He takes a seat, and when Mackie looks over, my dad waves brightly. Mackie’s smile grows, and he waves back. “He invited me. I hope that’s okay.”
“You two talk a lot?” I ask as I sit.
“Sometimes.” He shrugs. “Is that okay? He’s important to you, so I want to know him.”
“No, I like it,” I admit before leaping to my feet when I see Alek walking at Mackie’s grandma’s side, escorting her.
“She was asked to leave the box,” Alek hedges with a red face. “She called one of our investors an uptight homophobe who needs a good fucking.”
Biting my lip, I look at her when she huffs. She wears a bedazzled shirt with Mackie’s name and number. No doubt it’s handmade. “He was being a cunt,” she remarks before she walks over to me and kisses my cheek. “Hi, pretty thing. I’ll sit here with you, if that’s okay?” She turns and sees my dad. “Well, hello, tall drink of water.”
My dad stands, taking her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Noah’s father.”
“I’m Mackie’s grandma,” she replies and looks between us. “Damn good genes in your family. My boy did good.” She pats my dad’s shoulder. “Sit with me, cutie.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he responds, looking bewildered. She has that effect on people. “Mackie mentioned you raised him.”
“I tried. The boy is a hooligan,” she scoffs. “I suppose he takes after me. He spent one too many nights protesting and drinking with me, I imagine.”
“Oh, yes, I see.” He looks at me then back to her. “I’m very fond of him.”
“So am I. If you want him to be part of your family, you’ll need a big dowry.”
I gape. “Grandma.”
“What? Your dad is loaded, isn’t he? He can afford it. My boy doesn’t go for cheap. I know his value.”
I look at my dad in concern, but he bursts out laughing. “I like you. I know who he takes after now. I agree, a big dowry, although I think Noah wouldn’t dare let me handle it. He would.”
“Noah, I need your opinion,” Alek calls,and I hesitate.
“Go, boy, stop standing and gawking. I’m not going to corrupt your father or something. I might feel him up though. I’m old, not dead.”
“Jesus Christ.” Turning away, I head to the monitors, hoping she hasn’t devoured my father whole by the time the race finishes. After checking everything, I lean into Alek. “Is Conan here with Evan in the stands?”
“I didn’t see him. Was he supposed to be?” he asks, confused.
Frowning, I look back, but I don’t see him either. I was sure Mackie invited him, and I made sure he had a ticket. I thought he would want to be here to see him race. Is that what’s wrong with Mackie? Did he and Conan fight? I thought he would have told me, but what if he didn’t and just suffered alone?
While they are getting into their cars, I pull out my phone, but then I hesitate. Do I get involved? Will Mackie be mad if I do? Putting it away, I focus on the race. I’ll ask him after.
It doesn’t take long to get sorted, and before we know it, they are off. They know this track inside and out, but my nerves never lessen. They work their way through the pack, sticking together and making strategic moves for the first two laps, leaving them in sixth and seventh place.
“Now comes the hard work,” I mutter into the mic.
“We’ve got this, old man. Sit back and have a drink,” Skylar says through the headset.
“He’s right. You can sit back and think about how to reward me—oops, I mean us.” Mackie’s taunting is obvious, as is the sexual promise, and I roll my eyes, smiling.
“Focus, I want you in third and second by the next lap.”
