Stephanie held up her hand and said, “Adaline, I didn’t mean anything by it, and I shouldn’t have even said anything. I was out of line and for that please forgive me.”

Giving her a weak smile, I said, “No worries at all.”

“If you need anything, please be sure to let me know.” Pulling out a piece of paper, Stephanie wrote down a number and handed it to me. “Here is my cell phone number. I have it with me always.”

I glanced down at it and then back at Stephanie as I reached for it. “Thank you so much, Stephanie.”

With a small nod, she started toward the door. “Emmit has a few interviews, then the drivers’ meeting. After that he is open until about an hour and a half before race time. More interviews and then driver introductions. If you would like for me to have food delivered, just let me know.”

“O-okay, thank you,” I said as Stephanie called out goodbye and shut the door behind her. Looking at Lola, I smiled and said, “She seems nice.”

Lola barked and ran over to the sofa and growled. Walking over to her, I bent down and laughed. “I take it you don’t like sharing your man.”

Lola licked me as I fell backward and she jumped on me. It didn’t take long for her to start covering me with slobbery kisses.

“You better hope she doesn’t eat shit.”

I smiled when I turned and saw Hank, Emmit’s driver. “Hey, Hank!” I said jumping up. “What’s up with you?”

With a concerned look, he looked around the bus. “Not much. I take it Emmit’s already headed out?”

Brushing off Lola’s hair from my shorts and T-shirt, I said, “Yeah. Stephanie said he had some interviews.”

Hank turned to leave. Before stepping outside of the bus, Hank glanced back to me. “That boy loves you, Adaline.”

I bit on my lip and grinned before saying, “I love him too, Hank. I always have.”

Hank looked down before looking back up and into my eyes. “Watch your back, Adaline. Not everyone is who they seem.”

My smile dropped as Hank stepped out of the bus and shut the door.

A feeling of fear swept over my body. Swallowing hard, I put my hand to my stomach and said, “Holy shit.”

“Emmit, you want to let me know how you’re doing in that car?” Daddy asked as I glanced over to him and then back out to the racetrack.

Emmit had hardly talked since the race began. “Good. It’s a little loose in the turns still.”

My father looked over at me and winked.

“Bumper, bumper, door, all clear,” Emmit’s spotter said as Emmit passed another car and took fourth.

“Caution,” the spotter and Daddy said at the same time.

“Emmit, we’re going to pit next time around.”

“Make the adjustment, Waldo. I’m fucking tired of fighting with this car in the turns.”

Daddy widened his eyes and said, “Copy that.”

I stood so I could see Emmit and the rest of the cars coming down pit road. “Is everything okay? Why is he so quiet?” I asked my father.

“He’s in the zone. When he gets like this, I tend to just leave him alone. He’s worked himself up from twentieth to fourth, so whatever he’s doing I’m letting him do.”

I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through Emmit’s mind as he raced so hard. The only thing I did know was my leg bounced up and down nervously while I watched as the cars came in. Malcolm was in the pit box behind Emmit. He came to a screeching stop and his pit crew went to work with lightning speed.

“Five, four, three, two, one,” the spotter called as Emmit stopped.

Emmit quickly began talking to his crew. “Let’s go guys! Get me out before the twenty-three. We’ve got this!”

After making an adjustment to Emmit’s car, four new tires and gas, Daddy called out, “Go! Go! Go!”

Making a fist pump, I called out, “Yes!” when Emmit beat Malcolm out. Turning to Daddy, I smiled as he gave me a wink.

Daddy leaned over and whispered, “You’re on TV baby, don’t act too excited.”

I quickly sat back down and nodded. “Sorry.”

Two reporters had already asked me if I was Emmit Lewis’ new girlfriend. Smiling, I just kept walking. I knew how this game was from when Emmit first moved up to NASCAR.

“Have you told him yet?” Daddy asked me.

Shaking my head, I said, “No.”

“Don’t you think you should?”

My heart dropped as I looked back out onto the track. What if that’s why Emmit was so quiet? He was thinking how we were going to make this work.

I was about to say something when Emmit came over the radio. They were still under caution as the track crew cleaned up where a car hit the wall.

“Is my girl still sitting there with you, Waldo?” Emmit asked.

Daddy laughed and shook his head. “Yes.”

“Let me talk to her.”

My mouth dropped open as I shook my head. Daddy started laughing and motioned for me to talk. “Dad, people can hear whatever he says to me.”

“Hold on, I’m trying to talk her into it.”

“Ten-four,” Emmit said like it was no big deal that everyone and their mother would hear our conversation.

I held up my hands as I gave my father a stern look. “Ease the poor kid’s mind, Adaline.”

Holy shit this was not going to turn out well.

With a deep breath in, I pushed it out and hit the button. “Hey.”

“Hey, baby.”

I tried to keep my voice calm as I smiled. I’d never want Emmit to know how I was scared to death every time he climbed into that car.

“Wanted to hear your voice, Addie.”

I instantly saw a camera pointing up to the box as I looked away and talked back to him. “I forgot to tell you something, Emmit.”

Emmit chuckled and said, “Better tell me before we go green.”

Breathe, Adaline. “As of this morning, I’m officially working full time for Elliot Racing.”

“What?” Emmit asked as I looked at my father. Nodding his head for me to keep talking, I said, “Yep. Seems Elliot Racing wants a full time nurse on staff to travel with y’all.”

“Please tell me you’re not kidding.”

I couldn’t help but notice there was another camera pointed up at me as I let out a giggle. “You’re stuck with me, Emmit.”

Emmit yelled, “Yes! Baby, you just made my day.”

I shook my head and laughed. “Okay, get back to racing. I love you.”

“Green flag out,” the spotter said as I exhaled a deep breath and sat back. Daddy bumped my arm and chuckled. “You’re going to be the talk of the town, baby girl.”

I rolled my eyes as I moaned. My phone went off next to me. Pulling it up, I saw it was Kristin Adams, Doug Adam’s wife. I’d met her last week after the race and then again this morning. We had coffee and exchanged phone numbers.

Kristin: You’re on the news!

Me: Oh shit.

Kristin: That was the cutest damn thing I’ve ever heard! HA! What publicity!

My cheeks burned as I looked around.

“How’s the car feeling?” Daddy asked Emmit as I focused back in on the race.

“Okay,” was all Emmit said as his spotter came over the radio again as Emmit was pacing lap traffic.

“All clear.”

Emmit quickly made a move after turn four and moved into second place.

“Ten laps to go,” Daddy said as he spun his ring on his finger. It was a habit he had done since I could remember. He only did it when he was nervous. His voice always stayed smooth and unmoving for Emmit though. Even when Emmit was cursing him out, Daddy always stayed calm.

“How far ahead?” Emmit asked his spotter.

“One,” he replied.

“Let’s fucking do this,” Emmit said as I held my breath while Emmit attempted to pass Malcolm.

Malcolm came down from the top in an attempt to block Emmit.

“Bumper, door, bumper, clear, go go go!”

I jumped up and watched as Emmit passed Malcolm and took second.

“Come on, Emmit!” I yelled out.

“You miss it?” Daddy asked as I nodded my head.