Chapter 32
SHELBY
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Cam walks into the living room and sits down beside me. “How are you doing, gorgeous?”
“Fine. What’s up?” My hand makes a circle over his face. “What’s with this expression?”
Please, God, don’t let something have happened. I can’t take anymore.
“Nothing’s wrong. I’ve had a birthday surprise planned for a while, but with everything that happened…” He scratches his blonde hair. “Go pack for three days. We need this, and I’ll go tell the guys.”
My eyes shoot wide. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“No, I want it to be a surprise,” he calls over his shoulder.
“Cam, you need to tell me what to pack!” I throw my hands up in the air.
He stops. “Bathing suit, a nice dress, jeans, shorts, and tops.”
Two hours later, we sit on the plane, waiting to take off. Mav slides in next to me and takes my hand, swinging them back and forth.
I lean over and whisper, “Where are we going?”
“I’m not going to tell you.” He kisses my nose.
“Dammit,” I say, straightening up.
A few hours later, we touch down. At the bottom of the ramp where we disembark, a limo waits for us.
“I love you, but I don’t need this stuff.” I wave toward the limo.
He laughs, standing at the base of the stairs. “This isn’t just for you. It’s for us, too. We’re spoiled.”
“So spoiled.” Mav jumps into the limo.
Luke sticks his nose in the air and struts to the limo. “I do hope the caviar is cold this time.”
Dom comes down next. “Please take us to the Marriott in Buttes, and the Cristal I requested better be chilled.” He swishes his hand over his shoulder like he’s swishing his hair back.
The limo driver’s face is pinched, like he’s trying to hold back his laughter, but he’s trying his best to be professional. Mav and Luke didn’t faze him, but when Dom comes out, he snorts.
He’s not the only one. I bend over laughing and almost pee my pants.
Cam ushers me into the limo, and I slide in, holding my side.
I wipe the tears from my eyes. “Thank you, Dom. I needed that. To see a big, hulky guy swish his hair—” I can’t finish because I’m laughing so hard. “Where are we?”
“Arizona.” Cam links his hand through mine.
My eyebrows pop up. “What the hell are we doing in Arizona?”
“We’re here to relax and enjoy ourselves. Don’t worry about anything.” Cam smiles.
I shrug. “Okay.”
We pull up to the Marriott. The outside is tan stucco. Off to the side is a large rock formation.
A guy opens the door for us and helps me out. “Welcome to the Marriott.”
“Thank you.” My head swings around as I take in the place.
Cam slides out next and raises his elbow so I can slip my arm through his.
We walk in and up to the reception desk.
“Welcome to the Marriott Resort Tempe Buttes. Do you have a reservation?” she asks.
“Yes, under Wright,” Cam says.
She glances at the computer and types something in. “You requested our suite.” She looks back up. “How many cards will you need?”
“Five, please.” He lets go of my arm and reaches around for his wallet. He pulls out a black card and lays it on the counter.
She gives him back his card and five key cards. “You need to use your card to hit button B, which will open to our bridge. You walk across that and use the key card to open your door. Enjoy your time here at the Marriott.”
We enter a round foyer. The back wall is nothing but windows that overlook downtown Phoenix.
“This level has four bedrooms. I thought Mav and I would share, and the rest of you could have your own room,” Cam says.
I walk to the railing and gaze down at the all-white living room.
“This is amazing.” I walk down the stairs.
The kitchen has a large island with six white seats. Farther back is a formal dining room. I walk over to a sliding glass door and step outside onto the deck.
It’s a beautiful day, with a crystal blue sky. Below us is a pool resting against the rock formation. I love how they built this resort around the rock.
The guys join me by the railing. “This place is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s one of my favorites, too. Dad stays here when he races.” Cam scans the area.
“Anyone want to swim with me?” I bounce up and down.
“Let’s go down,” Dom says.
I squeal as I run up the steps.
“She’s so going to enjoy this. Good choice, Cam,” Dom says.
I open the first door.
“That’s mine, Firefly.”
“Where am I?” I come back out.
Cam smiles. “Third door.”
I go into my room and peek into the bathroom. On the other side of the bathroom, a king-size bed takes up most of the wall, and a dresser and desk sit under panoramic windows. The bellboy placed my bag on the dresser.
Since the guys are waiting for me, I find my suit and wrap and slip them on. The boys meet me in the hallway.
“Ready?” Luke wraps his arm around my waist.
“Ready,” I squeal out.
At the pool, a few couples lounge around the outside. Cam leads us over to the cabana he rented.
“This is ours.” He points to the reserve sign.
I slide the wrap down my arms, and Dom growls.
Smirking, I shimmy over to him and run my hand down his chest. “Like what you see?”
Mav brushes the hair off my neck. “I do, queen. You’re gorgeous.” He kisses my neck.
“Firefly, my inner caveman wants you,” Dom says as he pulls me into his arms.
I stand on my tiptoes and kiss Dom. “Let’s go swimming.”
“Anything you want, babe.” Dom slides my wrap off the rest of the way and tosses it onto a chaise.
We swim around until Luke’s stomach growls.
His cheeks turn red. “Sorry. Swimming makes me hungry.”
“I’m hungry, too.” I rub my stomach.
Dom comes over, grips my waist, and spins me around in the water, making me shriek.
He slows down but doesn’t set me on my feet. “After dinner, I want to watch the sunset out on the porch with you.”
I rest my hands around his neck. “I’d love to.”
Dom scoops up my legs and carries me out of the water.
“I’m going to blindfold you.” Cam holds out a blindfold.
“For real?” I shiver.
“Yes, for real. If you want your surprise…” Cam wiggles his eyebrows at me.
I huff out. “Fine.”
His fingers brush my cheeks as he slides the blindfold in place. He kisses me lightly, then holds my hand for the short drive.
“Okay, gorgeous. I’m going to help you out of the car,” Cam places his hand on my head. “Be careful getting out.”
The second I step outside, my ears catch the sound of cars accelerating, and I can’t hold back my smile.
“You figured out where we are, didn’t you?” He sounds disappointed.
“I told you we should have plugged her ears, too.” Mav sighs.
“I’m sorry. You can’t expect me not to recognize that sound.”
He takes off my blinder. “We’re early, and they weren’t supposed to be practicing when we arrived.”
I cup the side of his face. “Cam, I’m excited about whatever you have planned. Only a small part is ruined.”
“You’re right. I’m nervous.” He smiles.
My jaw drops. “Your dad is here?”
He takes my hand. “Come on, gorgeous. Let’s go meet the old man.”
I let out a piercing squeal of excitement. I’m going to meet my idol. Too bad Uncle Brett won’t be here.
The guard stops us. “I’m sorry, but fans aren’t allowed to be on the track.”
“I’m Camden Wright. My father is expecting us.” He shows the guard his ID.
The guard checks his list. “You can go ahead.”
The track is right in front of me. I take a deep breath, burnt tar and oil burning my nose.
Three cars race, and one of them is number five, George Wright.
Cam squeezes my hand, and I smile at him.
He leads us to the side of the track where his dad’s team is.
A guy wearing a headset turns. Ralph Mendez, George’s crew chief, smiles and approaches us.
“You’re early, squirt,” he teases.
Cam groans. “Asshole, did you have to call me that in front of my friends and girlfriend?”
“Squirt?” Luke chuckles.
“Thanks a lot, Ralph.” He hangs his head.
“Relax, squirt. You wanted to bring us.” Mav bites his lip to hide his smile.
Cam gives Mav the finger.
“Ralph, this is Shelby Winters, my girlfriend. Shelby, this is?—”
“He’s crew chief Ralph Mendez,” I interrupt.
“Cam said you’re a fan.” He holds out his hand.
I shake it. “Yes, sir, since I was little. Used to watch every Saturday with my uncle.”
“Well, come on over. I know George will be coming in soon. He’s excited to meet you.” He waves us over to the side.
Off to the side, Dom and Luke are laughing.
“What is so funny?” Mav looks at his brother.
“Watching Shelby geek out about Cam’s father…” Luke laughs.
“Yeah, it’s pretty funny.” Cam tilts his head. “And weird at the same time.”
I don’t care. I’m in fangirl mode.
Ralph waves us over and introduces me to the rest of the crew.
George does one more lap and pulls in. A guy rushes over and takes down the net, and George climbs out. He removes his helmet and sets it on top of the car. His dark blond hair, the same shade as Cam’s, is streaked with gray. His blue eyes match Cam’s as well, and they mesmerize me.
The only difference between them, other than age, is their cheek structure.
“Camden, you made it.” George hugs him.
“Hey, Dad. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend.” Cam walks him over to me.
“Dad, this gorgeous creature is Shelby Winters, my girlfriend.” Cam places his hand on my lower back.
George pulls me into a hug. “It’s so wonderful to meet you. Cam has told me so much about you.”
He pulls away, and my cheeks heat.
George looks over to Cam.
“She’s star-struck, George.” Mav grins.
You’re embarrassing yourself, Shelby. Snap out of it.
I shake my head and laugh. “I am. I’ve been a big fan since I was little.”
He laughs. “Cam told me. I think I sent some autographed stuff to your uncle.”
“Yes, you did, and he loves everything.”
“Cam also showed me some video of you racing. You’re damn good.”
My stomach performs flip-flops. “I couldn’t ask for a better compliment, sir.”
“None of this sir shit. You’re family. Call me George.” He points to the track. “I set up extra cars for you to race.”
My mouth falls to the ground. “That would be awesome.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon racing around Phoenix Raceway. They even set up a mock race, and I win.
Afterward, I’m bouncing off the walls. “Thank you, Cam. This has been the best day of my life.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun, but it’s not over.” He smiles at me. “Dad is taking us out to dinner, then we’ll watch him race tomorrow.”
“Really?” I squeal.
“Yes.”
I hug him, jumping up and down. I jump the whole way to the limo.
“Thanks for ruining every other gift for us. We can’t compete with George Wright,” Dom says.
I pat his arm. “You’ll think of something.”
“Do you have reservations?” the hostess asks.
“Yes, for Knight,” Dom says.
“Yes, Mr. Knight, your guests have arrived and are waiting at your table.” She motions for us to follow her.
I glare at Dom. Who are our guests? I don’t think it’s George because he has to prepare for the race.
The hostess shows us to a round booth near the back, where my uncle and cousin sit in the seats.
I gasp and clap my hands. “You brought them?”
“I couldn’t let you go to the races and not bring them. The guys helped.” Cam steps to the side so Cin doesn’t run over him as she climbs out of the booth to tackle-hug me.
Uncle Brett slides out and shakes the boys’ hands. “I can’t thank you enough for inviting us to watch the race.”
“It was nothing.” Cam waves to the table. “Let’s sit down and have breakfast.”
“Did you have any problems with your flight, and is everything all right with your room?” Dom picks up a menu.
“Was that the same plane we took to Hawaii?” Cin sets down her menu.
“Yes,” Mav says.
“Everything is fine with the room,” Uncle Brett says.
“This place is cool as hell.” Cin bounces in her seat.
After breakfast, we ride in the limo to the track, and instead of being taken to seats or even to the VIP area, we’re taken once again to the track.
Cin punches Cam in the arm. “You’re kidding. We’re watching the race from down here?”
“As long as you stay out of the way, we can stand off to the side.” Cam points to where it will be safe.
Before the race starts, George comes over, and I understand what I looked like yesterday when I met him because Uncle Brett and Cin are hilarious as they trip over their words.
“I hope you enjoy the race.” He smiles. “We’ll talk after I win.”
The race is close, but in the last second, George pulls in front and wins. The crowd goes wild, and so do we.
After the race, the crew talks to Cin, and George comes and talks to my uncle. I walk over and kiss Cam.
“What was that for?” Cam asks.
“For being the best boyfriend ever.”