Quarter Mile Hearts(38)
“You’re just being silly. Then we could both end up being killed.”
He stares at me for a minute. “That’s it, isn’t it? That’s why you were so upset about your dad being in an accident? When you said he could have died. You meant you would be left all on your own. That’s what you’re scared of…that racing will take someone you love away from you.”
I avert my gaze and look over his shoulder, trying to attract the attention of the waitress, who still hasn’t made an appearance.
His thumbs brush over my knuckles and my insides flutter. “I always wondered why you left.”
I sigh, but I suppose I owe him that much. “I loved this town, but at the time, I felt it was stifling. Racing was becoming too important to everyone. It was taking over, and I was at risk of getting sucked in.”
“That’s why you don’t race?”
“I’m scared of it. Scared someone else I love will get ripped away from me. And… well, I didn’t want that for me. So I left, ended up in a dead-end job, drifting.”
“Leigh, look at me.” I try my hardest to ignore the earnest look in his eyes as he wills me to look at him. Eventually, I cave and meet his stare head-on. I see a whirl of emotions that I didn’t expect, but what I see most of all is concern. Max Morgan is worried about me.
“What?”
“Nothing is going to happen to me. Just take a chance.” His hand squeezes mine to reinforce his plea.
“Do you take all your dates home with you?” I ask, trying to change the subject. I know I am treading a dangerously fine line, but I need to hear him say it, to reinforce my image of him as a complete manwhore who will break my heart at the first opportunity he gets. That way I can justify why I need to stay away from him, even though I don’t want to.
His eyes darken, and he heaves a deep sigh, breaking his hold on my hand, to fold his arms on the table and leans forward.
“Contrary to popular belief, and what you so obviously think, I am not a manwhore who sleeps with anything that moves. I have very selective taste.”
“What’s with all the blondes?”
“They don’t make me think of…” He trails off and picks up the menu, still holding out hope that we’ll get served. Instead of shutting up, like my brain is telling me to, I plow on regardless.
“So, you don’t sleep with them all?”
He lowers the menu and pins me with those dark eyes of his. “No, Leigh, I don’t sleep with them all. They are young and harmless and hang around the races. I’m not interested in them, but it keeps people off my back.”
“Why do you want to keep people off your back?”
“I have a certain image to uphold.” I roll my eyes, and his stare hardens. “And if they knew I was hung up on some girl, it would ruin that image.”
“Oh.” I don’t know what else to say, I had no idea he had someone that important to him. My heart squeezes; maybe I was fooling myself by thinking that Max might actually have feelings for me, but I made that mistake once before. All this time, he’s been hung up on someone else. This is all too much for me. I gather up my purse.
“I better go.” I make to slide out of the booth.
“Stay where you are,” he growls out his command. “You still don’t get it, do you?” My eyes cut to his, and I shake my head, not daring to say a word.
“It’s you. You’re the one who I can’t get out of my head. Even after all these years.”
“But…”
“I know it doesn’t make any fucking sense. That one night we spent together did something to me, and I can’t get you out my system. Even before that night, you were all I craved.”
I am at a loss for something to say, and for once, I bite my tongue, not wanting to anger him further.
“You’re scared, Leigh, I get that. I can wait, maybe forever; I just hope it doesn’t take that long.”
Nothing my brain comes up with to say will make this any better, but I manage a nod. The truth is that I feel the same. I haven’t managed to get him out my system since that night four years ago.
Maybe he realizes this conversation is getting too heavy because he doesn’t ask if I feel the same, and he doesn’t push me any further.
“So, Beth and Aaron. Can’t believe they’re getting married.” I watch him weigh up whether to let the matter drop or not, but then a resigned look comes over his face.
“Why not? They’ve been together since they were teenagers.”
“True, it’s just a big step.”
He shrugs. “Not for them.”
“You going on Friday?” Inwardly, I groan at the thought of having to attend the engagement party that Aaron’s parents are throwing for them. As maid of honor, my attendance is mandatory and no excuse will get me out of this.