Chapter 44
FORTY-FOUR
It’s the first race of the season, and everyone is high on excitement and nerves, but Mackie seems distracted.
Even before he headed to the asphalt, he was glued to his phone.
I tried to talk to him, but it’s always busy pre-race, so he managed to escape me.
He stayed at his home the last few nights, needing to rest after long practices to prepare for today.
I know something is wrong, but pushing Mackie to talk never works.
I hate it, hate the distance between us, and hate that he’s worried about something alone.
After watching him and Sky do their checks, I turn away only to blink in surprise. My dad is standing behind me in a Starfire Racing jersey with Mackie’s number on it. “D-Dad?”
“Hi, they said I could come down and sit with you and watch from here. Is that okay?” He looks nervous, and it hits me that my dad has never been to any of my races for Starfire.
“Of course.” I drag a chair over and tap it. “The box might be more comfortable with drinks and food. It’s where investors watch,” I begin.
“No, here is good.” He takes a seat, and when Mackie looks over, my dad waves brightly. Mackie’s smile grows, and he waves back. “He invited me. I hope that’s okay.”
“You two talk a lot?” I ask as I sit.
“Sometimes.” He shrugs. “Is that okay? He’s important to you, so I want to know him.”
“No, I like it,” I admit before leaping to my feet when I see Alek walking at Mackie’s grandma’s side, escorting her.
“She was asked to leave the box,” Alek hedges with a red face. “She called one of our investors an uptight homophobe who needs a good fucking.”
Biting my lip, I look at her when she huffs.
She wears a bedazzled shirt with Mackie’s name and number.
No doubt it’s handmade. “He was being a cunt,” she remarks before she walks over to me and kisses my cheek.
“Hi, pretty thing. I’ll sit here with you, if that’s okay?
” She turns and sees my dad. “Well, hello, tall drink of water.”
My dad stands, taking her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Noah’s father.”
“I’m Mackie’s grandma,” she replies and looks between us. “Damn good genes in your family. My boy did good.” She pats my dad’s shoulder. “Sit with me, cutie.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he responds, looking bewildered. She has that effect on people. “Mackie mentioned you raised him.”
“I tried. The boy is a hooligan,” she scoffs. “I suppose he takes after me. He spent one too many nights protesting and drinking with me, I imagine.”
“Oh, yes, I see.” He looks at me then back to her. “I’m very fond of him.”
“So am I. If you want him to be part of your family, you’ll need a big dowry.”
I gape. “Grandma.”
“What? Your dad is loaded, isn’t he? He can afford it. My boy doesn’t go for cheap. I know his value.”
I look at my dad in concern, but he bursts out laughing. “I like you. I know who he takes after now. I agree, a big dowry, although I think Noah wouldn’t dare let me handle it. He would.”
“Noah, I need your opinion,” Alek calls, and I hesitate.
“Go, boy, stop standing and gawking. I’m not going to corrupt your father or something. I might feel him up though. I’m old, not dead.”
“Jesus Christ.” Turning away, I head to the monitors, hoping she hasn’t devoured my father whole by the time the race finishes. After checking everything, I lean into Alek. “Is Conan here with Evan in the stands?”
“I didn’t see him. Was he supposed to be?” he asks, confused.
Frowning, I look back, but I don’t see him either.
I was sure Mackie invited him, and I made sure he had a ticket.
I thought he would want to be here to see him race.
Is that what’s wrong with Mackie? Did he and Conan fight?
I thought he would have told me, but what if he didn’t and just suffered alone?
While they are getting into their cars, I pull out my phone, but then I hesitate. Do I get involved? Will Mackie be mad if I do? Putting it away, I focus on the race. I’ll ask him after.
It doesn’t take long to get sorted, and before we know it, they are off. They know this track inside and out, but my nerves never lessen. They work their way through the pack, sticking together and making strategic moves for the first two laps, leaving them in sixth and seventh place.
“Now comes the hard work,” I mutter into the mic.
“We’ve got this, old man. Sit back and have a drink,” Skylar says through the headset.
“He’s right. You can sit back and think about how to reward me—oops, I mean us.” Mackie’s taunting is obvious, as is the sexual promise, and I roll my eyes, smiling.
“Focus, I want you in third and second by the next lap.”
“You heard the man.” Skylar chuckles. “Time to get moving, pretty boy. You ready?”
“Let’s do it,” Mackie agrees, and then we lapse into silence. I keep my eyes on their stats, as well as their car information. It’s totally different this side of the race, but as I hear their engines roaring past, I can’t help but tighten my hands into fists.
It’s always hard listening to them and seeing them on the screen.
For a long time, I was behind the wheel, but now I’m at the comms, and I’ll admit there’s always a sliver of envy.
Watching my boy and Skylar own that course, though, is all the victory I need.
It’s better than any race I could drive now.
“That’s it, keep moving,” I encourage as they pull off a quick overtake on the fifth corner, moving them up. They keep going, overtaking other cars until they are in second and third. Only Blizzard is in front of them now.
“I’m thinking slingshot,” Skylar suggests.
Mackie groans, but we all know he’ll join in.
The next lap, as soon as they are on the straight, they pull that stunt, one I would never teach them.
It isn’t my fault they watch my old race videos.
It’s dangerous, and I’m worried, even more so now that I am in a relationship with Mackie.
My heart skips a beat as I move closer to the monitors, wishing I could be there, but I have to trust them.
I don’t blink, watching as Mackie slingshots around Blizzard, using Skylar as his push off.
The next corner is close, and he almost rolls, but he manages to gain control and right the car, shooting into first as Skylar follows him to second.
“That’s it, baby!” I roar before realizing what I said, my cheeks heating as I clear my throat. “You’ve got this.”
“I hope you weren’t calling me baby,” Skylar jokes. “My boy wouldn’t like that.”
“You wish,” Mackie scoffs.
“Nah, I like them young. You’re the one who’s into volunteering for the elderly,” Sky teases.
“Alright, enough. Bring it home,” I urge, embarrassed by my outburst.
It’s only then I breathe out. The rest of the race is in the bag, and when they cross the line, nobody is surprised. They are the best racers out there, but that also means there’s a long way to fall.
That is something I know all too well, but I keep it to myself, happy with their rankings. It’s always good to start strong, and we just showed the whole world what we are made of. If they keep this up, they will be champions.
No one deserves it more.
“Good job, boys,” I call, but they aren’t listening, their whoops filling my ears.
Yanking off my headset, I hug Alek as Sky and Mackie climb from their cars and rush over to celebrate. I yank them both into a hug, not wanting to show favoritism, and Mackie grins when he pulls back.
“Told you both, that title is ours.” I grip each of their faces. “You were incredible.”
“Thanks, old man, but only my man handles me like this.” Skylar shrugs me off, and Mackie laughs as he steps back.
“Fine, fine. Next time focus on your third turn—”
Skylar groans as I start to give him feedback, but I notice Mackie isn’t listening, which isn’t like him. He’s searching the crowd.
His face drops as he looks at the stands, and his eyes lower to the ground. His heartbroken look pisses me off. Skylar grabs him and spins him around, and some of his smile returns, but it’s too late. I saw it.
I’m going to kick Conan’s ass.
I glance between them, and Skylar nods, sensing the issue. “Let’s go celebrate.” Sky drags him off, and I turn to my team and give them their duties before looking at my dad.
“I need to handle work stuff. Can you find your way out?” I ask.
“Of course. I’ll give Mackie’s grandma a lift,” he promises before hesitating.
“You did incredible, Noah. Mackie and Skylar did well, of course, but watching you in action . . . it reminds me of when you raced. I’m so proud of you.
” He slaps my shoulder before offering Mackie’s grandma a hand. “My lady.”
She flutters her eyelashes as she smiles. “Tell Mackie I’ll call him later. I know he’ll be busy.” She winks then takes my dad’s hand. I shake my head as she squeezes his arm muscles before he leads her away.
She’s incorrigible.
Pulling my phone out, I walk into the garage and find a quiet place. I hit his name in my contacts before I can second-guess myself.
CONANTHECUNT
“Noah?” He seems hesitant at first. “Is Mackie okay?” he asks, no doubt worried.
“Like you fucking care,” I snap, and he’s quiet. “You hurt him.”
“What?” he asks, sounding shocked.
“Where are you? Why the fuck weren’t you at his race today? I got you a ticket,” I say. He’s quiet for a minute, and I sigh. “Did you two fight?”
“No, nothing like that,” he promises.
“Then there’s no excuse. I don’t give a shit if we have issues between us—you don’t hurt him like that.
He wanted you here and you weren’t. He was looking for you.
He’s dating both of us, Conan. You don’t get to pick and choose when it’s good for you or just because it’s easy.
You’re part of his life, you made that choice, and that means you’re here for his big days, and today was one of them. ”
“I wasn’t sure if I was welcome,” he responds. “Racing is your and his thing, your domain—”
“This is Mackie’s domain,” I grumble, understanding a little. “His life, his job. He wanted you here.” I hear his sharp inhale. “Don’t hurt him, Conan. He doesn’t deserve it. We are going to be unsure, but just ask. I’m not a total asshole. I’ll answer and be honest. We both want him happy, right?”
“Right,” he responds slowly. “I fucked up, didn’t I?”
“Yes.” I smile. “Lucky for you, Mackie is a forgiving person. Trust me, I’ve fucked up enough to know that, but you need to fix it. Tell him the truth. He values that, and he’ll understand. I’ll tell the staff to let you in when you come.” I hang up.
Who knew I’d be playing counselor between my boyfriend and his boyfriend?