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“Well, I guess I don’t have another date.”
“You’d better not,” he growled, reigniting a tingle in my core. As if I’d go with anyone but him, anyway.
I leaned in to him, offering my lips. “I’m only yours. You know that.”
He caught my chin and brought his mouth to mine again. “And I’m yours.”
As we sank into another kiss, that knowledge was all that mattered. Not racing. Not the fundraiser. Not Marta, his uncle or the smear campaign. Not the time we’d been apart. Just us. Together now. And the logistics could be worked out later.
Twenty-Three
Bristol
Axel was late to his panel, but he didn’t care. Trying not to be obvious, I slipped into one of the seats near the back while he took his place next to Troy Pressure. A small smile curled my lips as I watched my man get down to business, his hair slightly mussed from my fingers but otherwise completely focused on the questions people asked.
My smile widened when he leaned forward on his forearms and smiled affably at the teenager who asked him if he thought he’d win the cup that year.
“I’d sure like to.” He glanced over at Troy. “I’m sure Troy and his team will have something to say about that, but I’m going to give it my all. Coming in second kindasucks, you know?”
The crowd tittered then moved on to a question for Flip and Neva, related to motocross.
Movement beside me drew my attention from the stage. I glanced over to see Oak and his wife, Luna, sliding into the row beside me. My cousin leaned toward me.
“The person in question took off in her SUV about ten minutes after you asked me to delay her bothering Axel,” he said.
At his news, I sagged back into my chair, relieved. Until then, I hadn’t realized how tense I was about another possible confrontation.
“Thanks,” I said quietly, blowing out a breath. I supposed I’d be driving Axel home—not that there had been much question. Except for the part where we discussed if he’d drive or if I would. I already knew how that would go. He was such a control freak about being behind the wheel. He wouldn’t say a word, wouldn’t criticize me, but quiet tension would roll like waves from that side of the car. I’d rather just hand him the keys.
“Anytime, Bristol,” my cousin said, before he leaned back in his seat and pulled Luna close, one arm around her shoulders and his hand on their child. A sliver of pain twisted through me and burned my eyes. Quickly, I looked away before getting lost in could-have-beens. As I’d said to Axel earlier, should haves and could haves would get us nowhere. There was no place for them. I wouldn’t ever forget, but I couldn’t get lost in memories of that horrible day.
Crossing my legs and smoothing down my skirt, I tapped my fingers on my thigh. I focused on the sensation of the drumming near my knee, the cool air raising goosebumps on my arms, the familiar lemon oil scent in the gym, and taking in the people around me. The mind tool worked well for me, and it was easier to stay in the moment than it used to be.
When the press of sadness lessened, I was able to refocused on the panel. A smile curled my lips at how effortlessly Axel handled questions, even those I thought would be difficult to answer. His public persona and self-confidence had grown in the past six years, letting him get comfortable in his skin and public speaking. Pride unfurled and spread through my chest. I loved seeing the man he’d become.
The crowd was laughing at Axel’s answer to a question about what he wore beneath his fire suit when my phone, in my purse on the floor, vibrated against my foot. I couldn’t fathom who it might be. Most everyone I knew was here at the elementary school this afternoon. Worried it might be my parents, I pulled out my cell. Immediately, my brow furrowed at seeing Axel’s dad’s name on the screen.
“Hang on a second,” I whispered when I answered.
Sliding out of the row where I sat, I hurried out of the gymnasium.
“Hey, Benz, what’s up?” I asked once I was in the deserted hallway. Muffled sounds of talking and laughter came from inside the gym, but they wouldn’t hear me. Still, I walked further down the corridor to make sure I didn’t disturb anyone, my ballet flats tapping on the speckled tiles.
“Do you know where Ax is? I can’t reach him.” He sounded breathless and upset, and my senses surged to high alert.
“Yeah, he’s here at the fundraiser. He’s on the panel speaking, right now. Is everything okay?” I was actually surprised Axel’s family wasn’t here, now that I thought about it.
“No. Molly was in an accident. Hit and run on the highway. We’re at the hospital.”
No… My eyes widened, and my gaze swung toward the plum-brown gymnasium doors, staring at them and knowing Axel had no idea his world was about to be shaken again.
“Oh, God…” I breathed.Please let her be okay. Oh, God, please.
“We don’t know anything yet—” His voice broke. “The ambulance brought her here. They called me. But I don’t know… I… I don’t know…”
My heart broke at his panic and fear.
“I’ll get Axel there. As soon as he gets off the stage, we’ll be on our way to you. Okay?”
