Chapter 47
FORTY-SEVEN
Mackie is so happy, it’s comforting. My sunshine is back, and the entire garage can feel it.
The mood has shifted and improved so much, it’s contagious.
Our relationship is the worst kept secret here.
Everybody knows, even if they pretend they don’t for our sake—all but Sky and Alek, who tease me relentlessly.
I don’t care, though. I have my boy, and that’s all that matters.
The numbers in front of me blur, and I lean back in my chair, wondering if I can sneak Mackie away for a nap somewhere so I can hold him.
Probably not. The film crew is here today, documenting our lives and daily routines, and Clarke has taken a real shine to Mackie, much to my chagrin.
His jealousy has completely disappeared, and he seems smitten with her as well.
I know I’m being grumpy about that, but I don’t like him smiling at anyone other than me.
My phone rings, and I answer it without looking. “What?” I bark, speaking crueler than I mean to since jealousy fills my mind.
“Everything okay, son?” my dad asks, and I sit up taller. I’m still not used to him trying, but I like it.
“Shit, yeah, sorry. I was just lost in my own thoughts. You okay? You don’t usually call me during the day. Is Mom alright?” I jump to my feet, and his chuckle fills the phone.
“We are both okay. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I guess I should warn you next time since your first thought is concern.” Rolling my eyes, I sit down. “I wanted to ask, well, invite you really.” He trails off and sounds nervous, which is odd. My father is never nervous.
“Dad?” I prompt when he doesn’t speak.
“Sorry, well, you see, it’s our company’s annual celebration and award ceremony, but we’ve also been in business fifty years, so we are holding a big ball this year to celebrate.
I was hoping, wondering, more accurately, if you would come.
” He goes quiet for a moment, and before I can answer, he rushes on.
“You don’t have to do anything, no speeches or responsibilities.
I know you don’t like these types of events, but it would mean a lot to me if you came. ”
I haven’t been to one since I was nineteen. He never mentioned them again after that, so I just assumed he didn’t care if I went or not, but from the nervous tightness in his voice, I think he does. Maybe he always did. “I thought you weren’t bothered if I didn’t attend,” I admit.
“I didn’t want to pressure you. I knew you didn’t enjoy them, and I never wanted to force you into a situation you wouldn’t like, but I loved it when you used to come.
Getting to show off my son and have him at my side .
. .” He sighs. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you.
I know you’ll never take over, and that’s fine, but this company is my life, and you’re my son.
I don’t want them to separate, but I understand if you are busy. ”
“Dad, I’d love to come.” I never realized he cares so much, but knowing that he does, well, I feel like a shitty person for not attending.
I know how much it meant to me when he came to my races, and now to Starfire, so of course he would feel the same.
It was selfish of me not to realize that, and I don’t want to be selfish anymore.
I want a relationship with my father, and I don’t want him to feel like he has to hide parts of his life from me.
“I’m sorry I stopped attending. That wasn’t right. I was young and stubborn—”
“You still are,” he teases.
“And prideful,” I tack on with a huff. “I thought I was an embarrassment to you. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
He’s quiet, and I swear I hear sniffling. “Well then,” he replies gruffly, “I’ll make sure to send the invitation. It’s black tie, of course, but wear whatever you want. It doesn’t matter to me.”
“I can dress up for you, Dad. It’s not a problem.
I think I own a tie . . . somewhere.” He laughs, and I smile as I lean back in my chair, genuinely enjoying our conversation.
Mackie did that. He brought my father and me together.
We have a rocky past, but I still love him, and I’m glad we are growing our relationship this way.
Mackie appears at my door but hesitates when he sees I’m on the phone.
I gesture for him to enter, but he doesn’t, which makes me grumpy.
He should know by now that my office is his.
It doesn’t matter what I’m doing. He’s always more important.
“If not, I can lend you one. Oh, and you’re bringing Mackie, yes?” my dad asks, and I blink, watching my boy linger in the doorway, his head tilted in confusion even as I check him out. He looks damn good today.
“Of course. Where I go, he goes. I’ll talk to you later,” I say before hanging up.
I’m glad he and my dad resolved their issue.
Mackie was nervous after my dad found out about our relationships, but my dad acted like nothing happened.
He asked his questions, accepted it, and moved on.
He’s good at that. They are closer than ever.
Hell, he speaks to my dad sometimes more than he speaks to me.
Annoying, but true, so it’s not a surprise my dad would invite him. It is a surprise that I plan on going, but the idea of getting to show my boy off is worth suffering under the small talk and prying eyes.
“What is it?” he asks worriedly. “Is your head hurting again?”
The reminder of my head catches me off guard.
For a few days, hell ,even weeks, I haven’t really thought much about it.
My entire focus has been Mackie and our garage.
I had no room left to worry, and that is .
. . nice. I don’t want to live the rest of my life wondering if today is my last day.
I want to enjoy it while I can to its fullest.
“Come here,” I murmur, crooking my fingers.
His eyebrows furrow as he frowns, but he steps around my desk. As soon as he’s close enough, I yank him down so he sprawls across my lap. “Noah!” he protests, looking at the door.
“I missed you.” I sigh as I bury my head into his neck. He struggles in my hold, trying to wiggle free, so I bite his neck, making him gasp. “Keep moving like that and they will film a very different type of show.”
“You’re incorrigible,” he grumbles, but he relaxes into my embrace, letting me just cling to him. “Who was it?”
“My dad invited me to the fiftieth celebration of his company.” Lifting my head, I look into his eyes. “You’re my date.”
“Shouldn’t you ask me first?” he retorts, even though he’s smiling.
“I can, but you won’t have a choice. If I have to make small talk with people and pretend to be nice, then you better be at my side to make sure I don’t commit murder.”
“Aww, poor Noah bear can’t handle the cougars of high society?” He squeezes my cheeks as my eyes narrow. “Needs his big bad boyfriend to protect him.”
“You joke,” I say, though it comes out garbled, “but they are vicious.”
Laughing, he leans in and kisses me. “I’ll protect your innocence, don’t worry.”
“Baby, I lost my innocence as soon as you walked your fine ass into my garage with those big eyes and asked me for a job.”
His hand comes down on my chest in a teasing smack. “You’re a pig.”
“Hmm, true, but you seem to love it, especially when I was tonguing that pretty—”
He covers my mouth with wide eyes, shooting my open door a look before glaring at me. “I think Skylar is rubbing off on you.”
“I heard my name.” We both turn to see Sky at my door, grinning. “Aww, look at you. You’re such a boy kisser, Noah.”
“So are you,” I retort.
“No, I am a one-man kisser, thank you very much,” he replies dreamily.
“Now, children, carnal activities should be behind closed doors while a camera crew is here . . . unless you hired them for that, in which case we definitely do not have enough lube.” My stapler hits the door as he slams it shut, laughing.
“And you say I’m a perv,” I grumble as Mackie leans back in my arms, smiling at me. “I can’t wait to see you all dressed up for me, but I’m warning you now, I won’t be able to keep my hands off you all night.”
“When do you ever?” he responds, his eyebrow arched.
Mackie’s phone rings. Without looking away from me, a smile curving his pouty fucking lips, he answers.
“Hello?” His voice is laced with amusement, but he stiffens and quickly sits up.
“Oh, uh, hi.” He shoots me a nervous look I don’t like, and I yank the phone away and put it on speaker as he gulps.
There are no secrets between us. I’m too possessive, but I don’t care. I already share him with Conan, so I’m not sharing him with anyone else.
“I just wanted to give you a heads-up. I don’t do drama, nor do I want to be part of it.
I am simply here to race and be the best we can at Blizzard.
I know you have no intention of leaving Starfire, which is fine, and I respect that.
Noah is a great manager.” Marina’s voice—Blizzard’s new manager—makes me blink.
Huh, I guess I won’t murder her, then, for calling my boy, since I know who it is.
“A woman approached me about trying to pay you to work for Blizzard and leave Starfire and Noah.”
“Let me guess, her name was Amanda?” Mackie grumbles.
“That’s her, so I guess you know her. Okay, I’ve done my good deed for the day. If the bitch comes around again, I’m going to kick her out on her designer high heels. She annoys me.”
“Thank you for the warning. I’m sorry she got you involved,” he says nicely. “And once again, thank you for considering me for Blizzard. I have no doubt you will be great competitors this year.”
“Oh, we will. We might even steal your trophies,” she teases nicely, and Mackie smiles. “See you on race day, Mackie.”
“You too.” He hangs up.