Page 49 of Riding the Curve

“Moving up to drive for IMSA is what I’ve been working toward since I started driving karts, but now that it’s here . . . all I feel is⁠—”

“Guilt?”

His cloudy blue eyes bore into mine as he nodded.

“Em, you know we’ll all look out for her while you’re away. And you will always be able to come home on breaks.” I placed my hand on the top of his shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze.

Standing up swiftly, he slid around me and paced back and forth. “I know. I just—I feel like I should be here for her. What if while I’m gone it . . . what if it . . .” His words trailed off as he squatted down on the ground, fingers gripping the ends of his hair tightly.

Carefully, I walked toward him and lowered myself down beside him. “Em, you have to go for this. Racing is your dream, and you excel at it. Mama Lane wouldn’t want you to give up on your dream and neither would your Dad. You know our family will look after them both. I’ll keep on going to visit your Mama like I always have. They won’t be alone, Em.”

His gaze held mine as I extended my hand. He placed his palm in mine and I shook it, sealing the silent deal we just made. Then I pulled us both up to our feet.

“You really think this is the right move?” he asked.

“I do.”

Emerson sighed deeply, and I watched as his shoulders relaxed. The tension melting away a little at a time.

“It’s also okay to let yourself be excited about this. You don’t need to feel guilty for chasing after a goal that you have been working toward.”

“That’s a big ask, but I’ll try and work on it.” He chuckled.

“So, need help packing your bags?” I smirked, watching with delight as his lips twitched with amusement.

“Yeah, I’ll take you up on that offer. They want me out there by the beginning of next week. Bring Ryleigh too, and maybe some of those chocolate chip cookies you and Mama made the other night?”

“What? We made like two dozen! They’re already gone?” I laughed.

“Uh, they’re tasty as hell, Hen. You should take it as a compliment.” He smiled, then walked back toward the wooden swing and patted the seat. “Come on, your turn. Spill the beans.”

Shaking my head, I took a seat and let him push me while I shared the events of my day.

“Earth to Hen.”

Ryleigh laughs, pulling me back to our present conversation.

“Sorry, got lost in thought there for a second.”

“I can see that.”

Leaning over the center console, I pull my brother into a hug. We may have fought like crazy growing up, but he’s always been the first one to protect me. Always lending a shoulder when I need to cry. “I promise to be careful.”

“I’ll hold you to that. I’d rather not have to beat up my best friend, but if he breaks your heart, expect it.”

I roll my eyes, which makes him chuckle softly. “Thank you for the ride.” I slide out of the car and slam the heavy door behind me, then lean my arm against the open window. “Tell Lyla Auntie Hen-Hen loves her.”

“You can tell her yourself when you come over and bake cookies with her this week. She’s been looking forward to it.”

“Deal.”

The truck rumbles alive, and I wave after him as heads back down the road.

CHAPTER 19

Henley

Slowly rubbing my hands over my arms, I try to soothe my body that still hums with electricity. The moment I sat beside Emerson on that plane sent every single emotion that I had bottled up and locked away flooding back into my system.