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“You don’t sound old enough to drive when you call me mean like that,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest.
Dex presses his lips together like he’s trying not to laugh.
“Hmph.” Libby slams out of the kitchen and pounds upstairs.
“Sounds like you two had a fun day,” Dex says.
“Delightful,” I grumble.
He taps his fingers against the table a few times. “A friend of mine owns a racetrack. I could take Libby there and teach her how to drive if you want. Might be easier taking instructions from me than you.”
“Because she actually respects you?”
“That’s not quite what I meant.”
I fiddle with my teabag, dunking it in and out of my cup. “I was being serious, not snarky.”
He reaches over and takes my hand. “Em, I’m pretty sure it’s normal for you two to butt heads right now. You’re more than her big sister.” He lowers his voice. “You’re basically her parent, too.”
“I know,” I sigh. “I’d like to skip ahead to the ‘best friends’ part of sisterhood one day.”
“You will.” His lips tilt into a line, like he doesn’t want to give me bad news. “It might be a little while, though.”
“You’d really want to do that?” My eyebrows draw down with skepticism. “Teach her how to drive?”
“Sure.” He shrugs. “Why not?”
I gesture toward the kitchen door Libby just stormed through. “You need to ask?”
He shrugs again as if it’s no big deal. “Have you seen the way some of my brothers behave? I can handle a little attitude from a teenager.”
“A racetrack, huh?” I’m warming up to the idea.
“It’s not really open to the public. More like they host illegal races on the weekends.”
“Ooo…just where I want to take her.”
“We can go during the day. Griff and Eraser work on cars and stuff there too. It’s safe. Low pressure for her, so she can concentrate on learning without traffic in her way.”
“Okay. Yes.” I pin him with a hard stare. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“Not one bit.” He flicks his gaze toward the door again. “Do you want to tell her?”
“Nope. I’ll let you deliver the news.”
I almost wish I had been the one to tell Libby Dex was willing to teach her how to drive. She couldn’t have been sweeter to him.
The next Sunday, I find myself in Dex’s SUV, turning into a racetrack that’s seen better days. Well, the track itself looks like it’s been well-maintained. The bleachers are weather-worn and the parking lot surrounding the track has potholes and loose chunks of blacktop.
Several other cars and motorcycles are already clustered around the entrance to the track.
“Ah, looks like Heidi brought her Hellcat to show off,” Dex says.
“Oh, wow,” Libby squeals from the back seat. “Can I learn to drive in that instead?”
“Libby!” I turn and glare at her.
“Hell no.” Dex shakes his head, but an amused smile curves his lips. “It took her a while to be comfortable driving that car. In fact, she learned to drive it here. That's a lot of car to handle.”
“It's still really cool, though,” Libby says. “The sparkling green is soooo pretty.”
“Murphy had that custom painted for her.”
“Is there anything he doesn't do for her?” I ask, only partially kidding.
Dex sends a sly look my way. “There’s nothing a king won't do for his queen.”
The simmering way he says it makes it clear that sentiment applies to us as well. And yes, I’d say teaching my sister to drive qualifies.
“Hoo boy, it’s getting sappy in here,” Libby mutters.
Dex chuckles. “Nah, it’s not sappy. That’s what you do when you care about someone.” He flicks his gaze to the rearview mirror. “Don’t ever accept less. If a guy isn’t making your life better, you tell him to bounce.” Dex jerks his thumb over his shoulder in a hit-the-highway gesture.
“What if I end up with a girrrl?” Libby sasses back.
“Same rule applies,” Dex answers without skipping a beat. “I don’t just mean money,” he continues, putting the SUV in park in front of a thick white line painted on the track pavement with start written above it. “All the presents in the world don’t mean a thing if the person giving them to you makes you unhappy.”
I’ve definitely tried to impart some of this wisdom to Libby myself. But I usually get an eyeroll in return. Somehow, I think coming from Dex, it has more of an impact. So, I keep the “see, isn’t that what I always say” to myself.
“Well.” Libby leans forward and taps Dex’s shoulder. “I already know you’re making Emily happy.”
He glances at me. “I hope so.”
“Because you’re teaching me to drive so she doesn’t have to!” Libby sings and throws her door open. She hops out and slams her door shut.
Dex shakes his head.
“Good luck to you.” I mock salute him and he catches my hand midair.
