Quarter Mile Hearts(68)

“Maybe you shouldn’t have left us then should you? Did you ever think about how your leaving would affect the rest of us?” I realize too late that I’ve crossed the line. It’s not like him to have outbursts like that and I shut up. “I’m going to lunch,” he shouts over his shoulder as he storms out the garage. I don’t think it would be wise to point out that it’s only eleven am.

We watch him leave, and Max drapes an arm over my shoulder and kisses my temple.

“It’s up to them, Leigh. Stop worrying about everyone else.”

“But…”

“We’re not kids anymore.”

“I guess, but this is huge.”

“It is, but they’ll be okay. They’ve got their family and each other.”

I nod, but dip my head, feeling a rush of tears. When did I turn into such an emotional wreck, ready to cry at the slightest thing? Max pulls me back into his chest while I fight against the tide of emotion and calm my breathing. The thing is, he’s right…I didn’t think about anyone else when I made the decision to leave. They’ve all moved on and made a life for themselves and what do I have. A tiny apartment that I haven’t given a second thought of. A job that I couldn’t give a shit about, and no one other than the people here that I left behind. How would things have turned out if I’d stayed here? Would I be engaged to be married right now? Pregnant? That thought scares the shit out of me, but I guess I’ll never know. The thought that scares me the most is that I might never have realized how I feel for Max.

“We need a car.” Max’s hand sweeps up and down my back.

“We need to tell my dad what’s going on.” That is something I’m not looking forward to.

“When does he come home?”

“This week, I think.”

“Well, we’ve not got long. Plus, we’ve got a car to build.”

“And a cousin to make up with.”

“That, too.” Max kisses me and we get back to work, but even after Aaron has come back from lunch, I experience the same twinge of guilt as I did the other night at the hospital. I didn’t think about how it would affect them all. I never expected it to make a difference, but Aaron and I grew up together. He is a year older than me, but we are as close as any brother or sister.





Chapter Twenty-Three




The plan is to head to my house after we close the garage for a strategy meeting. Things between Aaron and I have been a little strained since his outburst, and I know I need to make the first move. The truth is that I’m not sure what to say. I’m not very good at the heart to heart shit, but I’ve hurt him and need to make it right.

Beth and Aaron follow behind Max and me on the drive home. I wait in the drive and grab his arm as he passes me. Max slings his arm around Beth’s shoulder, leading her to the house ahead of us.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, real smooth, but I suck at this. Growing up with my dad, I never mastered the art of an apology. Whenever we fell out, it was a gruff ‘I’m sorry’ followed by an awkward hug and all was forgotten. I don’t always remember that although Aaron is my older cousin, he isn’t as thick skinned as my dad.

“S’okay.” He shuffles his feet awkwardly and I sigh heavily; this is going to be harder than I thought. But I take a deep breath and plow on.

“No, it’s not. I never should have said those things to you. It isn’t any of my business. You’re both adults. I forget that we’re not kids anymore, and you two are far more sorted than I’ll ever be.”

He flashes me a wry smile. “You’re getting there. Look how you’ve stepped up since your dad was in the hospital.”

“Yeah well, either that or I’ve just agreed to the craziest race of my life. I’m sorry for leaving you all. I didn’t think about how you would feel about it.”

“We’ve done all right. Let's face it; none of us gets into as much trouble as we do when you’re here.” He winks at me, but he has a point. Apart from my dad, I guess it must run in the family.

“Yeah, you might be right.” I break into a smile and link my arm in his, leaning against him. It’s the closest he’ll get to a hug.

“So, you and Max, eh?”

I groan and nudge him with my shoulder. “What about us?”

“You going to stick around for him?” I open my mouth to answer when the front door swings open and Beth stands in the doorway.

“Leigh, you better get in here.” And then she disappears. Aaron and I throw each other a worried glance and sprint up the path and follow her into the house.