With a smirk, Dalton shook his head. “Check things out, huh?”

My eyes looked over his shoulder as I caught Malcolm Wallace’s stare. Malcolm and Emmit raced the earlier circuits together and were each other’s biggest rivals. It took Malcolm a year longer to move up to NASCAR and he hated the fact that Emmit had always been just a tad bit of a better driver than he was.

“You’re on Malcolm Wallace’s team now?”

Dalton nodded as he stood proudly. “Crew Chief.”

My eyes snapped back to Dalton. “What? Daddy didn’t tell me that. Oh my gosh, Dalton, that’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you,” I said as I threw myself into his arms. Dalton had started off on Emmit’s pit crew and quickly proved to be a huge asset. I was so proud of how far he had come in the short amount of time.

“Thanks, Adaline.”

“Well, well, well. Look who has decided to grace the racing world with her beautiful presence.” Malcolm purred as he walked up and slapped Dalton on the back. “I would pay a hundred bucks to see the look on Emmit’s face when he sees you. Let’s hope he doesn’t have a blonde on his arm when it happens.” Leaning in closer to me, Malcolm whispered, “He has a thing for blondes now.”

God, I forgot how much of an ass Malcolm could be.

Narrowing my eyes at Malcolm, I finally gave him a fake smile as I said, “Always a pleasure, Malcolm, but if you’ll excuse me.” Turning to Dalton, I smiled bigger and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Dalton, good luck and congratulations again. Sorry you’re working with such a dick.”

Malcolm threw his hand to his heart and frowned. “Ouch, that hurt!”

Dalton let out a roar of laughter and said, “Thanks, Adaline. It was really great seeing you again.” I walked off and made my way down toward Daddy’s bus.

I glanced around frantically. What if Emmit was dating someone? I mean, did I really think he wouldn’t find someone else? My heart was beating practically out of my chest as I stopped in front of my father’s bus. No one paid any attention to me as they busied themselves. I didn’t see Emmit’s bus anywhere, which I thought was strange.

Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and prepared myself for seeing Emmit with someone. My parents hadn’t mentioned anything about Emmit dating; of course they didn’t talk much about him to me. Once Emmit stopped returning my calls, I got the hint. I had dated a couple of guys, nothing serious. One guy I dated about three times before I realized I had to be honest with him. Telling him I was in love with another guy didn’t go over so well with him.

Emmit.

Me being here brought up all the memories and feelings I had buried deep down inside. Feeling the tears building, I squeezed my eyes shut.

I walked away from him and now I had to live that decision. Turning his marriage proposal down was the biggest mistake of my life.

“He qualified for the pole,” I heard my father say. I knew he was talking about Emmit and my heart swelled up with pride. If there was one thing Emmit Lewis could do, it was drive a stock car.

My eyes quickly scanned the area as I looked for Emmit. “Don’t worry, I think he’s in his bus,” a male’s voice said from behind me.

Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled as I shook my head and placed my hand on my hip. “Robby Quick. You still running around changing tires faster than any other living human being?”

“Hell yeah I am,” Robby said as he picked me up and spun me around.

I let out a laugh as I hit his back and said, “Put me down before your wife thinks something’s going on.”

Robby threw his head back and laughed. “She’s going to be so happy to see you, Adaline. My EmmyLou is seven months pregnant.”

My eyes widened as I looked at Robby. “W-what? Lou’s having a baby? Where is she? Back in North Carolina?”

Robby looked at me like I was insane. “Hell no. We got us a real nice motor home. Lou’s even converted an area for the baby. We’ll be ready to go come next season.”

I looked at Robby like he was nuts as I let out a chuckle. “You’re kiddin’ right? Lou’s gonna take a baby out on the circuit? Why would she want to do that?”

Robby’s face dropped as he pushed his hand through his hair and said, “Um, no Adaline, I’m not kidding. I mean this is my job, and it’s what I love to do. I want my family with me. And Lou loves it as well.”

My smile fell as I realized how I had just sounded. Giving Robby a sweet smile, I said, “I’m so happy for you both. You’re going to make great parents and I think it’s wonderful Lou gets to be with you, Robby.”

Robby’s smile graced his face again. He went to say something when someone called out his name. “Got to go; it’s great seeing you again, Adaline.”

Lifting my hand, I said, “You too.”

Robby took off and left me standing there. Turning to find one of my parents, my eyes caught his. My breath caught in my throat as every memory of his touch raced through my mind. Goose bumps erupted over my entire body as I tried to remind my brain how to breathe.

Emmit.

With a nervous smile, I lifted my hand and waved as Emmit stared at me. My eyes caught the glimpse of a blonde standing next to him, and I immediately felt my heart drop to my stomach.

He’s dating someone. How freaking stupid of me to just show up like this and not think he hasn’t moved on.

Emmit leaned over and said something to the blonde as she nodded and gave him a slight smile.

Emmit quickly made his way over to me in four quick steps. “Adaline,” he said as butterflies danced in my stomach from the sound of his voice. I’d forgotten the effect Emmit had on me.

“Hey, Emmit. I was just—”

Emmit took a hold of my arm and led me away. My skin was on fire from his touch as I fought to drag in air. Emmit rounded a corner away from everyone and stopped as he pinned me with his eyes.

“Just because you don’t give a fuck about this life, doesn’t mean other people hate it as well. Try thinking next time before you open up your mouth, Adaline. Robby’s already feeling worried that Lou isn’t happy, and you didn’t help the situation any.”

My mouth dropped open as I tried to form words to speak. I was both shocked and angry that Emmit would treat me this way. But I was more bothered by the fact that he called me Adaline. He’d always called me Addie. Even when I introduced myself to him back in elementary school, he decided he would call me Addie.

“I—I didn’t mean to upset him. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

Taking a step away from me, Emmit whispered something under his breath.

He turned and walked off as my senses came back to me. Following him, I called out his name.

“Emmit, please wait.”

With a motion toward the blonde to follow him, she glanced over her shoulder at me, and gave me a weak smile before turning and walking off. They stopped two buses down and Emmit held the door open for her as she stepped up into the bus.

Oh God. I’m so stupid. This was a mistake coming here. All I did was bring up old feelings and clearly I was the last person Emmit wanted to see.

I need to get out of here.

Quickly taking out my phone, I pulled up Uber. I’d just head back to the hotel and stay out of the way for the rest of the weekend.

“Adaline!”

Closing my eyes, I cursed under my breath when I heard my daddy’s voice. Sucking in a deep breath, I pushed it out and spun around to face him as I put on a smile and acted like everything was fine.

“There’s my beautiful girl.” Walking into my father’s arms, I fought to hold back the sudden onslaught of tears.

“Daddy,” I whispered as a single tear somehow managed to escape my eye and trek down my cheek. Quickly lifting my hand, I wiped it away.

My father pulled back and looked me over. “Beautiful as always. Are you hungry?”

That moment my stomach decided to growl. Giggling, I nodded my head. “I guess so.”