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“She went on a date with a total douche from a neighboring small town. He sat and sipped his wine like an idiot while I professed my love, not once fighting for her. Further proof he wasn’t worthy.” Liam’s dad grins at me.
I cover my mouth to suppress my laugh. “And then what happened?”
Liam’s mom shares a smile that reaches her gray eyes. “We ran off into the rain and never looked back. We got married a year later and had Lukas ten months after. The rest is history.”
“Wow, quite the story.” I wish I could generate more words but watching them smile at each other hurts my heart as much as my head. A dull throb makes its way through my body. Stupid me for choosing someone with a history of collecting hearts like trophies.
“But less about our story. Tell us about you. What are you going to do in a few months when the season ends?” His mom gives me her full attention.
Besides eating my weight in ice cream after your son shatters my heart? “I’m finishing up my degree, so I’ll probably continue my classes.”
“And you’re studying accounting? How interesting.” His dad shoots me a weak smile.
I grimace. “About as interesting as talking about it.”
They both laugh at my half joke, half truth.
His mom shows me a genuine smile. “We hear you like art. Any plans with pursuing that on the side?”
“To be honest, I recently got back into painting and drawing. Thanks to Liam, actually.”
“Our son has a soft heart and can be thoughtful, even though that’s not what the media says about him. He wants the best for people despite his poor executions lately,” his dad chimes in.
“Bad decisions are expected in a sport where racers make a living off rash choices. We can’t fault him for the habit spilling over into the rest of his life,” his mother adds.
Kind of like an impulsive decision of sleeping together despite how it’ll ruin our friendship? Sounds about right.
Our conversation continues until sportscasters announce the start of the race. We all watch together inside of the garage, the kids going crazy as Liam speeds around the track. Their screams bounce off the pit walls. His car zooms across the pavement, a blur of gray and black as he holds on to his second-place position.
A home race tends to be a big deal. German fans come in droves, decked out in McCoy gear, flags, and posters with Liam’s name on them. Liam has a lot of pressure to perform well, and he does so, holding on to his second-place position throughout the first ten laps. His car inches up on Noah’s and leaves little room for error. Screeching tires ring through the overhead televisions as cars run down the straights, with Liam’s gray car rushing at high speeds.
I barely pay attention to Bandini’s rankings. For once, I want the opposing team to win. This is an important race for Liam, with him needing to prove himself to his German fans and McCoy.
Blurs of colors pass as Bandini and McCoy compete against one another. The crew prep for Liam’s pit stop, with the mechanics running around carrying spare parts and wheels. Adrenaline courses through me at the prospect of Liam winning. He flies through another lap, clocking in the fastest time yet.
Liam rides Noah’s tail as they race through the track. My body pulses with energy, wishing the best for Bandini while wanting Liam to overtake Noah. The two of them, a haze of red and gray, fight for first place.
Liam’s car hums as he takes down the track. With a few laps left, Liam’s window of opportunity to overtake Noah is closing. Noah hits top speeds as he drives through the narrow straits of the German track. McCoy’s vehicle is best equipped for sharp turns, which makes Noah vulnerable during the next curvy section of the track.
Liam presses on the accelerator early during one of the turns and his car inches ahead of Noah’s. He pushes past Noah before cutting in front of him. The move closes Bandini off from the first-place position. Liam’s family and I go wild, jumping around as the pit crew whistles and claps.
Liam expertly defends his position against Noah for the final two laps. He passes the finish line, clocking in the fastest lap and the German Grand Prix winner title in one go.
“We’re so proud of him. That’s our baby boy.” His mom pulls me in for a hug. I still in her arms, not used to this type of affection.
Liam’s family beams, their smiles bright and their eyes shining as they watch Liam complete his victory lap. They pull me in for a group hug. I’m not accustomed to such a large family unit, but I can’t help loving how it feels to be welcomed and included.
The whole Zander experience is another chip at my heart. I accept their affection because, why not, I’m already committed to seeing this through straight to my demise. There’s nothing quite like pairing heartache with unattainable wishes. If my relationship with Liam wasn’t torture enough, he had to add a sweet family into the mix.
Well, damn. I really screwed myself over this time.
