Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 153946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 153946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
I winced at the whoops and hollers that sounded like Bernie, Chick and my sister shouting into someone’s radio before Wade responded again.
“Affirmative. You’ve started lap ten, Gus. Finish this and get your sweet ass back to the paddock so I can tell you to your face.”
Affirmative.
Wade Hudson loved me.
The knowledge had me making my fastest lap time on my way back to the paddock.
When I pulled in, people were swarming the car and cheering, though I’d barely finished the first half hour of my two-hour turn and my lap time had probably put my team behind their usual numbers.
They didn’t care. They just really loved to celebrate around here.
I felt like celebrating too.
I’d taken the biggest risk of all, one that had nothing to do with the race, and if the expression on Wade’s face as he headed straight for me was any indication, it had paid off.
Or it would as soon as I could make my way out of the prison of belts and straps that kept me inside this literal metal cage of death and away from the moment where the man finally said the words.
Because he hadn’t actually said them yet.
He’d implied. Inferred. Insinuated. Suggested. But despite my usual spiraling and habitual insecurity, I knew I was right. I really, firmly believed I was probably right, which was why I’d declared myself on the radio in front of everyone we knew and any strangers who might be walking by.
Words were important, damn it.
I barely felt the hugs and back pats as Chick and Bernie tried to help me out of my helmet and the now-sweaty top half of my racing suit.
The soaked hair that had escaped my braid was starting to frizz as it clung to my hot cheeks. I understood the purpose of the cooling layer now. This was a hot, stressful and uncomfortably sticky business. My deodorant was nothing more than a distant memory and everything, including the backs of my knees, felt gross and wet.
Then Wade was standing in front of me and I forgot about it all. I looked up at the big, irritatingly handsome man and saw the answer blazing out from the eyes I adored.
He loved me.
“This is like the scene from that Sandra Bullock movie, where the family was all standing around staring and waiting for their idiot son who was taking too long to tell her he loved her and propose.”
Everyone, Wade and I included, turned our heads to stare at Lucy, whose face was almost as red as his mustache. “My wife is a romantic. Plus, we need to move this delightful side quest along so we can get Rick into the car to make up some lap time.”
Rick was already geared up, apart from his helmet, and looking decidedly impatient as he watched Dalton drive the car to the fueling area.
“So much for romance,” I muttered under my breath.
Wade heard me. He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. “That sounds like a challenge, so get ready for it. I’m in love with you, August Retta. I was half in love with you for years, but I told myself it was never the right time for us to be together. I don’t care about timing anymore, and I’m done with waiting. I want this, with you, without any escape hatches or expiration dates. So, I’m saying yes to your proposal.”
Bernie squeaked and Chick swiftly interjected, “To be clear, no one has proposed to anyone. Believe me, I’ve been paying attention. You can’t throw the word proposal around at a moment like this without being specific, Captain.”
Wade swore as I stared at him in wide-eyed, open-mouthed silence. “Sorry, Lucy threw me off. I know you’re not there yet. I meant yes to doing this relationship for real. You and me. Living our lives together, wherever they take us. Wherever you want them to take us, up to an including a proposal at some future date when the word doesn’t make you look like you’re about to pass out, okay? I’m with you, Gus. I love you.”
“Finally,” I heard Rick say as Wade dragged me up on my toes and kissed me until they curled and I forgot my name. And then he kissed me some more.
All too soon, the car rolled back in and we were jostled to the side as the team got Rick strapped into it and onto the track.
I barely noticed.
Wade was still kissing me when I realized we’d somehow made it through the tent and into the RV.
I looked around, blinking stupidly. “How did that happen?”
“Do you care?” he growled against my neck, already working my soaking shirt up my torso.
“We can’t do this here,” I said, whimpering a little when he kissed me in that one particular spot I loved.
“Why not?”
“Everyone is right outside the door. And you might be too nice to say it, but I stink and I desperately need a shower. Plus, what if they have a mechanic emergency?”