Page 65 of Danger

I smile. “I want to believe you, Daddy. I really do, but the media will paint me out to be a monster for letting a man like Danger slip away.” And I’m beginning to agree with how they’ll think.

“Is there something going on between you two?”

I bite my lower lip, not ready to tell my father the truth just yet. “No.”

“You sure?” He laughs a bit. “Because it sure didn’t seem that way when Warren mentioned your relationship.”

I park a hand on my hip. “Ok, spill it, Dad. What really happened?”

He rolls his eyes a bit. Which I’m sure it’s because he doesn’t like telling details like he’s gossiping in the ladies’ room. “Warren said once the season was over that you’d leave him.”

“He did?”

“Monterey, I’ve never seen Danger look so panicked. Like he didn’t want to lose you.”

I laugh. Because that’s ridiculous, right?Right?

Danger’s not afraid to lose me.

“I don’t know.”

“Well, I do know. And I also know Danger has a good chance of being one of the greats.”

I rub my head, trying to ward off a headache coming on. “Yes, I know. I just don’t want anything to stand in his way.”

“Do you think he can’t focus because he’s so focused on being your fiance?”

I shake my head, not sure if that’s what it really is. I sit back in the seat next to my father’s wheelchair. “I’m just afraid someone’s going to get hurt.” Namely, me.

“Mont, your mother used to panic every time I put on a helmet and sped out onto a track. She feared for my life, but more importantly she feared for our future. It’s never easy to give your heart to someone.”

“Dad, that’s not what this is.” But my father just stares at me like he knows better.

“When you finally give your heart to someone it’s that fear that makes you want to rip it back from out of their arms. Like you handed them something breakable and you’re afraid their fingers are too slippery.”

I laugh a little. “Well, my heart is breakable.”

“Monterey, I think Danger has a lot of pain from his past he needs to overcome. I think you’re the only person who can help him ease that pain.”

“Why?”

“Because you are patient and kind. That makes you the best person in the world.”

I smile. “You’re just saying that because you’re my father.”

He holds his hand out for me to take. “Monterey, it’s ok to fall in love. It’s ok to give your heart to someone.”

“Even if they don’t want it?”

“Danger would be lucky to have it.”

“Still doesn’t answer my question.”

My father smiles and the crow’s feet cornering his eyes deepen. “I see the way he looks at you. I see the way he protects you when he doesn’t think you’re paying attention. He wants your heart, Monterey. He’s just not sure what to do with it once he gets it.”

“Well, I don’t know if that makes me feel any better.” There’s a warmth spreading up my spine at the words of my father.

“He’ll figure it out. He just needs time.” My father lets go of my hand. “You just need to figure out if you can wait for him to figure it out, or if you can’t and you need to move on.”

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