Quarter Mile Hearts(69)

As soon as we enter the living room, we see what she is talking about. My dad is sitting on the sofa, cushions arranged around him and an assortment of medication on the coffee table. Nurse McCartney fusses around him, setting down a glass of water and making sure he has enough cushions then drapes a blanket over his knees. A blanket, for fuck’s sake. How old is he? I didn’t even know we owned one.

“Dad, what are you doing home?” I wince at the way it sounds once I’ve said it; that’s really not what I meant.

“I got out early,” he beams, thankfully not taking offense.

“For good behavior,” Nurse McCartney adds.

“We would have picked you up, Uncle Hank.” Aaron flops down on the armchair opposite him and pats his knee for Beth to sit in his lap. Can’t they give it a rest? Catching my eye roll, he discreetly gives me the finger, making sure my dad and Nurse McCartney can’t see. This is what he used to do when we were younger and when I would do the same in return, I was always the one who got caught.

“Nurse McCartney kindly brought me home.” He smiles warmly at her, and I suck in a breath. My eyes snap to Max who grins back; he’s spotted it, too.

“I’ve told you to call me Maria,” she scolds him, and my dad nods. Oh god, what is going on here?

“Well, thanks anyway,” I start, hoping she’ll take the hint.

“Right. Well, I’ll be going now.” She picks up her purse and the atmosphere in the room becomes a little awkward as her and my dad keep nodding at each other but not saying anything. Nurse McCartney doesn’t move and eventually my dad shifts, trying to stand until Max takes hold of his elbow and helps him to his feet. One arm is in a sling, which makes it harder for him to be as mobile.

“Thanks,” he mumbles and walks toward the nurse. “I’ll see you out.” And he walks her to the front door, before they step outside and close the door behind them.

The four of us all stare at each other, speechless. I’ve never seen my dad with a woman. Ever. Even when I was growing up, he didn’t date anyone, I don’t even know if he had offers, but there was never another woman in his life. It’s nice, I guess, but it feels a bit weird. I don’t want to think about my dad and Nurse McCartney in that way.

Five minutes later, Dad comes back in and shuts the door behind him before taking his place back on the sofa. None of us knows what to say and just stare at him.

“What? You’ve never seen a man and a woman talk?”

“She wanted to do more than talk,” Aaron mutters, but we all hear him and Beth kicks him slightly. My dad smiles and that says it all.

“So, what’s kickin’ chicken?” He looks around expectantly.

Not him, as well.

“Well…” I’m not sure where to start. Luckily, Beth saves me.

“Tom Anderson’s agreed to race again.” Of all the things she could have told him… that is not what I wanted her to say. I really need to be quicker off the mark.

“What?” If he wasn’t in pain, my dad would have jumped to his feet, but the wince that crosses his face tells me that isn’t possible. His eyes jump to meet mine.

“Yeah,” I mumble unenthusiastically.

“Who?” His eyes narrow, and I shift uncomfortably.

“Zach and me.”

“No way in hell,” he rages, and I feel about five years old, getting told off for doing something I shouldn’t be with Aaron. The rest of them keep quiet because this is between him and me.

“It has to be me or the deal is off.”

“Max, talk to her,” my dad snaps, and his gaze swings around to Max.

Excuse me?

“I’ve tried. As much as I fucking hate this, it has to be her.”

“What about Aaron?” He looks over at where Aaron and Beth are sitting. A look of sheer panic passes over Beth’s face; she doesn’t want Aaron racing any more than Max wants me racing.

“No.” I shut him down in a firm voice. “Aaron can’t race.”

“But you don’t race.”

“Well, it’s not like I don’t know what to do.” I’m beginning to feel like none of them have any faith in me.

“We can practice,” Max grumbles, still not happy that I’ve agreed to race.

“I need a car,” I state bluntly. “There is no way I’m using my Charger.”

“No.” My dad shakes his head, agreeing with me. “I might know where I can get a hold of a car.”

“What will Zach drive?” I look at Max and Aaron, but they both shrug. “His Evo?”

“No, he wouldn’t risk anything happening to that. He’s spent serious money on it.” Max shakes his head.