Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Jade and I both take one in the middle and strap ourselves in. I fight the urge to look back at Scarlett, but I’ll see her soon enough when I lap her on the track. I was considering letting her win, but that sassy mouth of hers changed my mind.
The light turns green, and we start to move. As soon as we clear the gate, I push the gas pedal to the floor. Deacon flies around me, laughing all the way. I shake my head at him and keep my foot down. I don’t care how many of them pass me. Just as long as she doesn’t pass me.
Damn, I should have made a bet with her. If I win, she will come home with me. If she wins, I go home with her. Yeah, that’s a positive outcome either way, but I missed my opportunity. Instead, I’m racing like this is the Daytona 500 and there are millions of dollars and a big ass trophy to hoist over my head in the winner’s circle on the line.
I don’t dare look back. Honestly, I don’t know what place I’m in. Deacon passed me, but I zoomed past Orrin and Sterling. We’re all spread out at random places on the track. I’m not sure any of us really knows who’s in the lead. What I do know is that the lovely Scarlett has yet to pass me, so to me, I’m still winning.
I grip the wheel as we come to a sharp curve. Just as we are about to go around it, a kart in front of me spins out. It’s Maverick. He’s laughing, as are the rest of my brothers. I grin and slow down to keep from hitting him.
“Later, suckers!” Scarlett waves her hand in the air as a few wisps of her red hair flies behind her. Palmer is right on her tail, and they’re wearing matching smiles. I wait for the disappointment to settle inside my gut, but her smile prevents that from happening.
Scarlett has been through so much in her life, and she still manages to find joy in everything she does. Not that I’m a depressed guy, and I’ve had a good life. A great life. I’d like to think I’m happy and easy to get along with. However, there is something infectious about Scarlett and how she views things. She’s definitely a “glass half full” kind of person.
Instead of using the final laps to try and catch her, I goof off with my brothers. We start weaving in and out and back and forth with each other, just being silly, and it reminds me of when we were kids. We were always doing this kind of thing. Get all nine of us on the track and we dominated.
Just like we are tonight.
We’re not dominating the race, but we are dominating the track. Putting on a show for anyone who might be observing. Part of me wishes that Scarlett was standing at the gate watching, but the other part is glad that she’s out here.
Living.
Smiling.
The light turns yellow, and we’re instructed to slowly make our way back to the main entrance. Once we’re parked and given the go-ahead to unbuckle, I’m out of my cart and looking for her. She’s standing with Palmer, Kennedy, and Jade. They’re all laughing and passing out high fives. She fits in so well with them, as if she’s always been a part of our lives.
“Oh, Archer, the loser's lounge is that way.” Scarlett points to a small sitting area of couches through the glass doors.
It’s a room where people can sit and watch and not be out here with the smell of all the fumes and be sheltered from the loud noise of the race.
I open my mouth to smart off but decide better of it. Instead, I bend and lift her over my shoulder. She shrieks as I carry her out of the race area and back to the party room. When I place her on her feet, she stumbles, but I’m there to catch her at the same time I kiss the hell out of her.
She fists my shirt, and I taste her for the first time in far too long. We’re hidden in a back corner, so when I hear the door open, I ease out of the kiss and step away from her.
“Uncle Arch! It’s time for cake!” Blakely comes barreling into me, and I lift her into my arms.
“You know I love me some cake,” I tell my niece. My eyes find Scarlett’s, and we share a look. One that is filled with heat and promises of more kisses. More… everything.
For the remainder of the day, I pretend like I don’t want Scarlett. I pretend like her mere presence doesn’t affect me. And when it’s time to go home. I walk her to her car and say goodbye. I don’t ask her to come home with me. I don’t hint for her to invite me to hers. Instead, I do the right thing and put some well-needed distance between us. She’s worming her way under my skin.