Page 80 of Riding the Curve

“Hey, Beau.”

“Hey, kid. I’ve got some good news for you. Your suspension has been lifted. We need you back and training on the sixth. Jake is out of the next race, so we’ll need you to fill in his slot.”

I should be elated. Jumping for joy.

Instead, my heart is pounding out of my chest for an entirely different reason.

“You still with me?”

I clear my throat. “Yes, sorry. Thank you so much, Beau. I’ll make sure that I’m there.”

“Good to hear. We’re all looking forward to seeing you back on the track soon. This is your second chance, kid. Do well at this race, and the board will consider promoting you to the next racing class. I’ll see you in a week.”

“See you in a week.”

The line goes dead as I lay my head back on the back of the couch.

Metallic jingles outside the front door as I whip my head back up. Ryleigh eases the door open, and a grin grows wide on his face when he takes in the view in front of him.

He closes the door and gently slides his keys onto the side table. “Need a beer?”

I let out a breath. “Hell, yes.”

A few minutes later, he returns from the kitchen and hands me an ice-cold bottle. Then he takes a seat in the arm chair across from me.

“Thanks for looking after them tonight.” He smiles, taking a long sip from his beer. “It’s nice to see her comfortable around you.”

“Lyla or Hen?” I snort into my bottle as I take a sip.

“Both.” He smirks.

“How was the haul?”

“Long,” he sighs deeply. “I feel bad having to rely on everyone to help me out with Lyla while I have to do things like this. I’m exhausted all the time, and I know I’m not the greatest Dad.” His shoulders slouch as he takes off his cowboy hat and wipes his brow with his arm.

“Ry,” I say, making sure I have his attention before I keep going. “You’re a wonderful father. She knows how much you love her, and how hard you work for her. Lyla spent the whole afternoon talking to Hen about her daddy. That little girl thinks that the sun rises and sets in your eyes, because you’ve given her such a beautiful life. You are the one that stuck around and have been loving her and helping her grow her entire life. It’s okay to lean on those around you whenever you need to, but I don’t ever want to hear you say you aren’t a great father again. Because it’s simply not true. In my eyes, and more importantly, Lyla’s—you are one of the best.”

“Needed that slap back to reality. Thanks, Em.” His lips tilt up, as he places his hat on the coffee table.

“Anytime, you know I always love a good opportunity to slap you around a bit.” I smirk, tossing back another swig of beer, then place it on the table beside me.

“Don’t like that one? We have a few different kinds in there. Want me to get you another?”

“No, it’s not the beer,” I grumble. “My stomach is a little upset, though.”

“Probably all the pizza.” Ryleigh chuckles and takes another sip. When I don’t laugh back his face falls. “Em?”

“I got a call from Beau.”

“Oh, shit,” he whispers, setting his beer aside as well. “When do you have to leave?”

“Two days after the wedding,” I groan.

“You don’t seem as happy as I thought you would be.”

“Things have—” I pause to look down at the sweet soul lying peacefully on my lap. “A lot has changed over these past months.”

The side of his mouth quirks up as his gaze hovers over his sister. “So, what are you going to do?”