Page 123 of Promise

My wife back.

Max chuckles. “Let’s talk.”

My curiosity is piqued. I want to hear what he has to say, so I agree to meet him. But I have no intention of going alone, and I worry about how Trinity might feel attending a race with me.

On one hand, I want to show her what I love.

On the other, I respect her fears. That dream she had before she went back to work still haunts her. She doesn’t really like to watch the races on TV, but she does. She sits beside me and supports me, often sharing popcorn, snuggling against each other.

Still, I’m nervous when Trin gets home from a long shift. I pour her a glass of wine as she cuddles Mirabelle, smothering her cheeks with kisses.

After handing her the glass, I take Mirabelle from her and set her in a baby swing I pulled into the kitchen while I made dinner.

“I got a call from Max today.” I blurt out the news like I can’t hold it back any longer.

Trinity stills, wine glass mid-lift to her mouth. She lowers it back down.

“Max?” Her voice tight.

“There’s a race tomorrow, and he asked me to attend. He says he wants to talk to me.” I lean on the island between us.

Trinity sets her glass down and stares at the red liquid. “Okay.”

She doesn’t sound okay, and I step closer to her.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.” I rub her arms, feeling her bristle beneath my touch.

If she tells me not to go, I won’t. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize where we are, but I’m also curious what Max has to say to me.

She shakes her head like she doesn’t want to say her thoughts, or maybe she thinks nothing of this situation.

Maybe my own nerves are in the way.

“I’d like you to go with me.”

“Really?” she says quietly, keeping her eyes on me.

“Really.” I smile wider, relief washing over me. “We can make a date of it.”

We’ve been on a few dates in the past months, but not many. Family is always open to babysitting, especially Mary, but Trin and I like to spend time with Mirabelle. We also realize it’s important for us to have alone time together. Just adults.

“It will be fun,” I add, still sensing her apprehension.

“Okay,” she says, her voice low. “I’ll call my mom.”

She pulls her phone from her pocket. She isn’t even out of her scrubs yet.

Watching her, I’m a little caught up in my own thoughts. I’m excited to see the track again. Even a little excited to see Max. But most of all, I’m excited to spend time with Trinity, sharing the track with her.

The closer we got to the canyon, the more anxious I become. I’ve had my hand on Trinity’s thigh the entire ride here.

She’s wearing another floral dress, which is flirty and country, like the dress she wore out with her friends. She’s also wearing those cowboy boots that drive me wild. She has my Velocity hat on her head, giving a valiant effort to support this night. Support me.

She might be just as nervous as I am.

Once we park, my anxiety shifts to excitement. There’s a buzz in the air, mingling with the riotous roar of race cars in the distance.

The grandstand here isn’t nearly as grand as the one in Daytona. Still, the metal structure rises in front of us like a wall. A fortress holding back the dragon within.