Chapter eighteen
Davey dropped his bags just inside the front door.
Back at The Ranch again. He wished Tyler would have come home with him.
The oversized house loomed around him, too big and lonely.
As much as he loved it and as much as it reminded him of good times with his father, it was also a vast isolated shell.
Davey's stomach growled, letting him know he hadn't eaten since the quick breakfast he'd shared with Tyler at the hotel earlier that morning.
Their night together had been fabulous. After soaking in that tub for almost an hour, they got out and Tyler had kissed and licked every inch of Davey's body, and then they made love, long and slow.
Tyler had muttered something about urgency and lack of time.
Davey wasn't sure what Tyler meant, except that they did seem to need to touch each other beyond reason.
Hell, he wanted to touch Tyler now, however many thousands of miles apart they were.
Although Colorado wasn't that far, it still seemed like the whole world away while he stood alone in this huge living room with cathedral ceilings and massive timber supports.
He always felt small and insignificant here.
Since he had grown up in this house, standing there often took him back to being a child.
He made his way into the kitchen. Brad would have called and had his service stock the fridge for him.
The man would do anything to make sure he ate right.
He found a container of hummus and pita chips in the pantry that he could snack on until dinner.
He pulled out one of the premade meals from the freezer.
Chicken and veggies. When he did get Tyler home, they'd cook and grill fresh food.
Tyler loved steak. Davey smiled to himself thinking of how much he wanted to please Tyler, make him happy.
He wanted to see that satisfied smile on his face every morning as they woke up in a tangled mess of arms and legs.
Hadn't that been the best part of every night they'd spent together?
Davey ate by himself at the breakfast bar and turned on some rock music, trying to just enjoy a quiet meal, but he kept checking the time on his phone, unable to stand the wait until Tyler called him.
It would still be a while since Tyler had a later flight.
He was probably in the air now. Davey pouted.
How the hell was he going to get through this week?
He had three days until he had to catch his flight to Indianapolis.
With only three races of the season left, he led the point’s board.
If he did well these next few races, he'd win the overall championship.
He could do it if he could just stay focused.
"Sledgehammer," by Peter Gabriel rang from his phone. Brad. He tapped his screen to answer the call. "Yeah?"
"What are you eating?" Brad blurted out without so much as a hello, but he'd always been like that. Davey smiled a little, feeling comfort in the familiarity of it.
"Chicken and veggies from the freezer." Davey was used to the interrogation when he was home between races.
"Good. There should be eggs and turkey bacon in the fridge. Eat a good breakfast before you go out to practice tomorrow."
"How do you know I'm going to practice?"
"You always practice and we always have this conversation.
Just do what I tell you, brat!" The good-natured ribbing from Brad made it feel like they could actually be friends.
He had been a wonderful coach and food mentor, and he did more than bitch about what Davey ate, though, and Davey appreciated his efforts.
"Yeah, okay. I'm probably going to swim afterwards."
"Then, you'll want a big lunch. So, don't forget to set something out before you head off to the track."
"Sure. Thanks, Brad."
"No prob, dude. Get some rest tonight, will you?"
"I am. Bed early. I'm beat." He didn't lie; every muscle on his body ached with exhaustion.
They hung up. He knew Brad and Stewart both cared about him, but it was their job regardless of friendship—not like Tyler.
He cleaned up his dishes and got a package out of the freezer for his lunch tomorrow. He didn't look at it, just dropped it into the fridge. If he waited until morning, he'd probably forget about it and then he'd be eating peanut butter sandwiches.
Shakira's new song, "Empire," rang out of his phone. Tyler. He had just set the ring tone on his trip back from the airport. He hoped it wasn't too obvious, but then he really didn't care; he liked it. He answered quickly. "Hey!"
"Hey, back." Just hearing Tyler's voice made Davey's cock start twitching, even when he sounded so tired.
"You home?"
"Yep. Just got in. I'm lying on my bed. I'm totally worn out."
"Yeah. Me too. What're you doing tomorrow?"
Tyler gave him a long breathy sigh. "I'm hanging out at the pool with Janie. That's it."
Davey laughed. "I'll be at the pool sometime tomorrow afternoon, doing laps. After practice."
"Damn! Don't you ever take a day off?"
"Nope. I'll take time off when I retire." He heard Tyler chuckle softly, but they both knew it for truth. "I miss you already."
"You do?"
"You're not backing out on me again are you?
" They'd decided that they would meet on Wednesday at a hotel near the airport and spend the night.
They'd split up after that until Saturday night after the race.
Then, they'd meet back up at the same hotel.
Davey had already booked the rooms. That would be their plan for the next three races.
They'd meet before and after and away from everyone else.
But, Thursday through the end of the race on Saturday, they didn't even know each other.
It would be hard, but that's the way it had to be.
Sunday they'd fly out to their different homes.
Davey wished Tyler would fly to his home instead, but maybe they could figure out something eventually.
"Come stay at The Ranch with me for a while after Vegas.
" The last race in Las Vegas would have Davey incredibly wired regardless of the outcome and he didn't want to be alone during the break, especially if he could have Tyler with him.
"I'm still thinking about it. Let's see how the next few weeks go. Okay?"
Davey listened to the silence on the phone. He wanted a yes, wanted Tyler to give in. Damn, he felt like throwing a fit like a spoiled two-year old.
"Hey," Tyler said. "I'm not backing down. Not changing my mind. Promise."
"Okay. I just, you know." He wanted to tell Tyler he loved him, but knew it was too soon. Maybe if he would come out to The Ranch. "It's just lonely here."
"You can call me anytime."
"Thanks, baby." Tyler's words helped. Davey knew he couldn't rush this thing, or he'd end up alone for real. "Go to bed, Sleeping Beauty. Take your phone to the pool with you tomorrow. I'll call."
"Okay. Night, Davey!"
He hung up, reluctantly. They'd done the phone sex thing before, but Tyler sounded extremely tired, probably jet-lagged. The next few weeks would be trying. They both needed some rest.