Chapter 22 #2
I stumble as she throws her arms around my shoulders and slams her lips to mine. My brain kickstarts after the brief shock and I tilt my head, claiming her eagerness with my own.
Pulling back slightly, she frames my face with her hands and beams up at me. “You did it!”
“Why do you sound surprised?”
“I’m not.” She huffs, sucking in a labored breath. “I’ve just never run as fast as I did to get here from the clubhouse.”
“You didn’t have to do that, sunshine.”
She shakes her head, running her fingers through my sweat-soaked hair without a care in the world. “I’m always going to be there to celebrate with you.”
My lips twitch and I lean down, stealing another kiss. Because even though there are thousands of people around us and even more probably watching this at home, I couldn’t care less. Not when I get to have her like this.
We jolt when hands slap my shoulders and I instinctively turn with a thundering look, but it shatters into an easy smile when I see the man bouncing around behind me.
“Well, well, well. You just had to go show off for your new girlfriend didn’t you?”
“Nah, all of that was for you, sweet cheeks.” I wink and he barks out a laugh.
“Sure it was. Are you done with my sister so I can get some congratulatory hugs too?”
I’ll never be done with her.
Sighing, I glance down at Sydney and she smiles. “Go, you need to get weighed and ready for your interview anyway.”
Groaning, I lean down and kiss her cheek before reluctantly letting go.
After our weigh in, short interviews, and cool down while they get the stage for the trophy ceremony ready, I’m directed out onto the stage as they announce the winner of today’s race.
I hold my hand up in a wave and jump onto the podium, taking the trophy and medal passed off to me. The UK anthem blares through the speakers and I stand tall, my eyes not moving from the blonde standing towards the back with a bright smile on her flushed face.
When the lads have successfully soaked me in champagne, we make our way down the stairs and back towards the garages. Blake and Sydney are already at the gate, waiting for us and I smirk as she takes off running the moment she spots me.
I catch her easily when she jumps into my arms. “I’m all sweaty and sticky.”
“Just how I like it.”
Jace groans next to us and she giggles hoping back down to her feet. Ryder and Blake walk over to us, his arm wrapped around her shoulder.
“I’m going to catch you boys next time, mark my words,” she teases.
“I don’t doubt it. You were right on my arse that last lap,” Jace chuckles.
“I think this calls for a night out,” Sydney hums.
“Got to call the family first but I’m down for a buffet afterwards,” Jace says, rubbing his stomach over his race suit.
“Oooo, yes! A buffet sounds so good. I’m starving.” Blake bounces on her toes, looking up at her husband with pleading eyes.
He shrugs. “I could definitely eat my weight in mash and fried goodness.”
I look down at the girl curling around my arm. “What do you think, sunshine? Want to see who can eat the most cream puffs?”
She scoffs. “You’re so going down.”
“Oh really? You’re that confident, huh?”
“You may be bigger than me, Lawson Moore, but I’m like a never-ending pit in here.” She taps her abdomen.
My chuckle dies as I glance over her head and into the crowd, seeing the last person I ever thought I would, making his way towards us.
As if picking up on the tension suddenly radiating off of me, the lads and ladies turn. Jace squints before jerking his head back. “Wait, isn’t that—”
“Lawson!” the tall dark-haired man calls out. “What a race today, my boy. You were really something out there.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask, ignoring his ‘look at me, I’m so proud’ comments.
“I was here on some business and it just so happened to line up with the race. We were watching from the VIP area.”
I don’t reply, because there’s nothing really to say. He’s here out of coincidence, not because he wanted to see me. Nothing new there.
“I’m glad I caught you before you left. I wanted to talk to you about attending an event I’m hosting at the end of April. My assistant checked and you have a two week break around it.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you want me there?”
He throws his head back on a full belly laugh and I feel the eyes of my friends glancing in my direction with about a million hidden questions.
He drops his dark eyes to me and shakes his head. “I thought we could catch up, and I have some people I’d really like you to meet.”
The hold on my arm tightens, grounding me as Sydney leans her head on my bicep. Steeling my spine, I soak in her support and clear my throat. “I’ll think about it.”
He wouldn’t take no for an answer right now anyway. Not with all these eyes on us.
“Sounds good. Here’s my card. My assistant will be in touch with more details.”
I don’t reach for his outstretched hand and a breath leaves me as pink-tipped fingertips take it instead.
“I should get going.” He nods without another word and struts away, his overly expensive shoes clicking on the pavement.
We stand in silence for a moment, and once he’s completely out of view my eyes don’t leave the spot where he disappeared.
“Who was that?” Blake asks but I don’t answer.
My mind tumbles as the darkness slips in and I don’t realize my hand is shaking until a much smaller one slips into it and squeezes.
“That was Gregory Moore,” Sydney says softly and I finally break my eyes away to look down at her, finding her already watching me. “Lawson’s father.”