Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
As I stare up at my family’s house, worry clenches my gut, and I glance at Mackie.
He’s determined, standing with his shoulders back.
He’s on a warpath, and I’m unable to say no to him about anything.
He forced me to come here, even when I didn’t want to.
I can already see Amanda’s and her parents’ cars, and I know this is going to be a shit show.
I don’t care about her or my family getting hurt, but the idea of my parents tearing into Mackie causes me to block his path. “Mackie, please let me handle this—”
“Move.” He arches a brow, and I swallow and step aside.
“Baby, please, my family isn’t like yours.
They can be cruel. They love me, but they care about business more than anything,” I protest as I hurry after him, but he ignores me and steps inside the house without an ounce of fear.
He’s so goddamn strong and beautiful that it physically hurts to look at him.
No one has ever fought for me before, but he does.
“Which way?” he asks, looking at me. I point, and he turns on his heel and follows my direction.
This is going to end badly, but if need be, I can walk away from my family. I can’t walk away from Mackie though. With heavy steps, I follow him into the dining room.
My father stands, his eyes hard as he frowns. “Who are you?” he asks as I step into the room behind Mackie, who walks toward the table with a vicious smirk on his face.
“I’m Mackie. I work at Starfire as a racer.” My father sits, sparing me a confused glance. “I’m also dating your son.”
“This is preposterous!” Amanda’s father snarls, and she stands, her mouth dropping open as she scrambles for her bag.
“Mr. Fletcher,” she calls, and every eye turns to me. “I’ve tried so hard to make this work, but you need to know the truth. I have something to tell you.” Amanda reaches for her phone, but Mackie scoffs, and every eye turns to him.
“To show them, more like. Here, let me save you the trouble.” Opening his phone, he slides it to my father and mother as they lean in to see. “I’m sure my photos are better than yours. That’s me and your son in his bed. The next one is our first date, then at work . . . Well, you get the message.”
All of Amanda’s smugness disappears under Mackie’s attitude, and she sinks back into her seat, speechless. She expected us to bend and give in, but she didn’t know him very well.
I want to bend him over this table right now. I would if I didn’t think it would give my parents heart attacks.
“I’m aware of the expectations that Noah is supposed to marry Amanda,” Mackie says as my parents look between the phone and us.
“I want to make it clear that I will never let that happen. I have no intention of ever letting your son marry anyone other than me. Starfire and his future belong to him, as do I.” He looks at Amanda. “I suggest you learn your place.”
“He is my fiancé!” she protests like a child.
“No, he’s not.” He arches a brow as I step up to his back. “He’s my boyfriend. I can show you my bed, which he left only a few hours ago, if you’d like.” I have to hide my face in his neck to stifle my laughter. God, I love this boy.
“Noah, explain!” my father roars as he holds up his hand, silencing Amanda’s tirade. “Now, is this true? Is this man your partner?”
Mackie has been so brave, mature, and strong, so how could I be anything else?
I stand at Mackie’s side and stare at my father, a man I’ve always respected.
We differed on what we thought my life should look like, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love him.
I do, however, love Mackie more. He’s my future, my everything.
I wanted to keep him from this life and the pressure in it, but I will never hide him.
“Yes, Mackie is my boyfriend,” I answer sincerely.
My mother covers her smile with her hand, and I wink at her.
“I’ve wanted you to meet for a long time, but I didn’t want to scare him away until I locked it down and he couldn’t escape me.
Amanda left us without much choice. I have told you many times before I would not marry her, and I meant it.
I will not let her or you hurt him with this ridiculous notion. ”
My father sinks heavily into his seat, staring at me in shock. “We planned your entire future—”
“Yes, you did, without me. I never planned to follow your wishes. I have always created my own path. My love life is no different. I love Mackie, always have. I won’t let anyone hurt him.
” I take his hand. “If you can’t accept our relationship, that’s fine.
I can walk out of here right now and never return.
I will build our life together without you.
I want to be very clear—I will choose him every time.
You’re my parents”—my tone softens—“and I know you want the best for me, but he is the best, and I won’t let you take him from me, so if the choice is you or him, it will always be him. ”
“Noah . . .” My father frowns. “You knew our plans—”
“Your plans, not mine,” I murmur. “I won’t apologize for being who I am, Father, or disappointing you. This is my life, not yours.”
“This is ridiculous!” Amanda’s father roars. “Noah has been promised to my daughter since he was a teenager!” His face turns redder and redder with each word. “She could have married anyone by now, but she waited patiently for your son!”
“I never asked her to,” I mutter, grinding my teeth.
“You!” he roars, looking ready to combust.
“I think you better leave,” my father murmurs, “while I consider everything.”
My heart sinks, but I nod respectfully. I knew that would be his reaction, forever a businessman, but part of me wanted my father to stand at my side and support me no matter what.
“Let’s go, baby.” I tug on Mackie’s hand, but he resists.
“Your son is brilliant. He was the youngest man to win the championship, and the first driver to break consecutive records. He then opened one of the most prestigious garages in the world, training world-class drivers. He employs people most others wouldn’t.
He’s kind, smart, driven, and determined.
You should be thankful to have a son who didn’t rely on your money and name to get where he is.
If you are truly willing to lose him over who he loves, then you don’t deserve him, but he will never be alone.
I will never let him feel the loss of his father in his life.
I’ll love him enough so he never does. Do you know he was scared to tell you?
My parents died when I was very young, and I know the hole loss leaves in you.
I never wanted that for Noah, and I’m sure you don’t as well.
Isn’t your son the most important part of your life? ”
“Mackie.” I tug him closer and kiss his cheek. “It’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t,” he snaps, angry on my behalf, and I have the strangest urge to cry. “They are your parents.”
“I know,” I murmur sadly as I squeeze his hand. “Let’s go home.”
He frowns and glares at my father and mother. “I hope you know what you lost today.” He takes my hand and pulls me from their house. He’s silent in the car on the way back, so I pull over farther down the road and kiss his hand.
“I love that you defended me,” I whisper.
“I hate that they hesitated. I hate that you are hurting because of me. I want to hit your dad’s smug face. You’re his child!” he yells and turns those wild eyes on me. He isn’t just angry. He’s furious on my behalf.
My heart melts. “I don’t need them. I only need you. I’ve never had anyone who would face the world for me. I love you so much, Mackie. I’m so fucking lucky to have you.”
He scoffs and looks out the front window, and I reach over and turn his head so he looks at me. “I mean it. It was so hot watching you claim me like that. Forget them. I only need you to be happy.” I press my forehead to his. “I’m never letting you go.”
“You could try, but it wouldn’t end well for you.” He sniffs before he softens. “I just want you to be happy. I don’t want you to miss out on anything like I did. I want you to have your family.”
“I have a family,” I promise. “You, Alek, Skylar, Bones . . . I have the best family in the world. My childhood was lonely and cold, Mackie, until you all came along. You brighten up my life, support me, and challenge me. You also infuriate and annoy me, but I’ve never been happier.
No matter what happens, I’ll never be alone or have regrets.
I am in love with you, Mackie, and I will be until the day I die. ”
His eyes blow wide. “No talking of dying. You don’t get to leave me.”
My heart aches as the truth bubbles within me. “Okay,” I murmur before distracting him with a kiss. “Want to drive and get some of that aggression out?”
“I think you secretly like me driving your cars,” he grumbles, but he nods, and we switch places. He’s not wrong. Watching him behind my wheel has possessive glee filling me, knowing I understand him like this when no one else ever will.
The way he turns the wheel with the palm of his hand, spinning us around and onto the road before slamming into gear, is so fucking hot. His muscular body fills the seat, his eyes sharp and angry as he handles the power of the million-dollar sports car. I harden in my pants despite everything.
I’ve always loved watching him drive. It was my guilty pleasure. He looks so in control and fucking sexy.
Glancing at the road, I smirk when I realize it’s a long stretch of empty lane into the city. Undoing my seatbelt, I scoot over and reach down, unfastening his pants. His head jerks around as he swerves. “Noah, what the fuck are you doing?”
“Eyes on the road, baby.” Desire makes my voice rough. How many times did I imagine this as I watched him race? Too many to count, and saliva fills my mouth at the thought of tasting him.
“Shit, I could crash,” he protests when I push his legs apart and reach for his hardening dick.