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“Fine,” he said, “shut the fuck up and listen,” he shouted. “Since I’ve been selected to choose our first fun outing, I thought that I’d tell you all what we’re doing this afternoon.”
“I’m still hungover from last night,” Colter said, “how about we do it tomorrow?”
“No,” Brooks said. “I tried to warn you to lay off the shots, but you said you were just blowing off some steam. If you don’t want to come with us, say the word, but the rest of us drank responsibly and want to have some fun.”
“Here, here,” Norah cheered from the sofa. “Where are we going?”
“Go carting,” he announced. “I used to love to go into town as a kid and go to the go-cart track with my brothers. I checked, and it’s still open. So, what do you think?”
“I used to love going there too. My grandmother used to love those things,” Savannah said.
“Wait, your grandmother used to ride the go-carts?” Jude asked.
“Yep—she was kick-ass,” Ginger said. “Her grandmother was so much fun, I could see her going go-carting with you, Savannah.”
Savannah smiled at her friend. “She was fun, wasn’t she?”
“She was,” Norah agreed. “So, when do we leave for this fun outing?” she asked.
“I was thinking that we could go around two this afternoon. Jude said that he has a few training seminars that he needs to finish for his new job, and I know that the rest of us have work to do. Does two work for everyone?” he asked. They all nodded their agreement and he had to admit, he expected more kickback from the group over his decision, but everyone seemed to be happy about his choice. Even Colter with his hangover seemed okay with going go-carting.
* * *
They left the house a little late but got to the go-cart track before the dinner rush. In a couple of hours, that place would be packed with families eating at the diner next door to the track and then riding go-carts until dark.
“You really picked a great place,” Savannah gushed. “This place brings back so many memories.”
“I’m glad you approve,” he admitted. He was too. For some crazy reason, he wanted to impress Savannah, not that she made that easy. “It brings back good memories for me too. My family used to love this place—you know, when we were all happy, before my parent’s divorce.”
“It’s nice that you have good memories to go along with the bad,” Savannah said. “That’s kind of how I feel about coming here. It makes me miss my mom and grandma, but I also remember the good times and they outweigh the bad memories of losing them both.”
“That’s a nice way to look at it,” Brooks said. He was surprised that she had shared something so personal with him. Savannah hadn’t shared much of anything with him since telling him that kids used to make fun of her at school for being uptight. It was nice to see a little piece of her life and he didn’t have to dig it out of her.
“I have to admit though, I’m a bit nervous about driving one of those things. I think that they might actually be the same go-carts that they had when we were kids,” she said. He looked the go-carts over and had to admit, they did look ancient.
“Just take it slow,” he said, “I’m sure that you’ll do great.”
“Well, I am an excellent driver, so maybe you’re right,” she bragged. He thought that she was being completely serious until she gave him an exaggerated wink. “I’m just teasing you, Brooks. I’m not arrogant enough to say that I’m excellent at anything. I’m an okay driver, at best. But I do plan on taking my time around the track until I feel comfortable with the whole thing. I leave the speed to you guys. May the best man win,” she said.
“Or woman,” Ginger said, raising her hand. “I mean, we’re racing too, right?” she asked Norah.
“Um, I don’t know if that’s a good idea or not,” Norah said. “I might just take it slow with Savannah. I’m a bit of a chicken.”
“No kidding,” Ginger teased. “Fine, suit yourselves. I’m in for racing the guys though, and I plan on winning, for the record.”
“May the odds be in your favor, honey,” Jude teased. The more Brooks saw the two of them together, the more convinced he was that Jude had jumped into bed with Ginger. Well, they were already sharing the same bed, but he was thinking metaphorically. Jude was a master when it came to getting women to fall into his bed, and he was sure that Ginger had already succumbed to his friend’s charms. Brooks made a mental note to ask Jude about it later when they were alone. Now wasn’t the time to spring a question like, “Are you having sex with Ginger, and do you plan on ruining our summer?” No, that kind of question could wait until later, after they were done having fun.
He turned around to find Savannah watching Ginger with Jude and he was pretty sure that she was also picking up on the same vibes that he was. “This is going to be trouble,” she mumbled under her breath.
“So, you see it too?” Brooks whispered into her ear. He loved the way that she didn’t pull away from him when he got close to her. Savannah shivered and leaned into his body even, and that had to be a good sign, right?
“I do, and if your friend is planning on moving across the country at the end of the summer, I’m going to be very busy this fall trying to mend my friend’s broken heart—again. Heck, it’s all I seem to do these days,” she admitted.
“And who helps to mend your heart, Savannah?” he asked.
“Oh, I’ve never needed help in that department,” she admitted. “I’m so busy growing my career and taking care of my father, I don’t have much time to date, let alone fall in love with some guy. I guess it’s safer that way.”
“Safer and easier,” he agreed.
