Page 115 of Lemon Crush

Was it a joke between the two women, or an actual possibility? Would she tell me either way? Would she want me to come with her?

Because you’d leave your family and friends behind? The businesses? Your life?

If I’d known twenty years ago how we’d be together, I might have said yes, despite my hang-ups. If it was fifteen to twenty years from now, I’d gladly spend my retirement chasing her sweet ass around the globe and back. But now? Starting from scratch at this point in my life, when my family still needed me? For a maybe?

“What’s going on in that handsome head of yours, Captain Wade?” Chick asked softly.

I wasn’t sure why he’d started calling me that, but I didn’t correct him. I was too busy pondering the nature of pointless plans.

“I’m thinking I need to get those measurements on the roll cage for Dalton before I pack it in for the day,” I lied flatly as I got to my feet and pulled out my wallet.

When had it become just the two of us?

“I’d like to remind you that communication is important in any new relationship, but particularly one with a writer.”

I threw a couple of bills on the table for Patty. “She’s the one keeping things to herself.”

“Then you’ve told her how you feel about her already? That you want more out of your current situation than great sex and temporary housing?”

I glared down at him, still lounging in his chair as if heintended to stay there a while. “I’ve been trying to show her. Aren’t writers supposed to be observant?”

“We’re phenomenally observant about everyone except ourselves and, more often than not, the people we’re dating. We’re like therapists that way. It’s a pesky blind spot that wreaks havoc on our personal lives.”

When I didn’t respond, he sighed and stood. As we walked out into the sun and back across the street, he said, “August is my family, Wade. The only one I’m willing to acknowledge. She’s been there for me through some dark hours and never asked for anything in return but my friendship. I would do anything for her, up to and including burying a body.”

“You warning me off?” Damn me if I didn’t like him better for it.

“Warning you, yes, but hard as it is to believe, I’m also attempting to help you. At great detriment to myself, since I’m the one who stands to lose here.”

What was he saying?

“She can frustrate even me with her inability to see her own worth or what’s right in front of her,” he continued. “You have a little time here, but if you don’t let her know what you want soon, she’s going to give you exactly what you’re expecting.”

I stopped in the open door of the garage. “What doesthatmean?”

“It means she’ll leave, because that’s always been the answer before and no one’s bothered to give her a good enough reason to find a different one.”

“What do you think I’ve been trying to do?”

Chick opened his mouth to respond as Kingston walked up.

“I’m out.” He spun his keys around his fingers. “I want to see if I can catch the last of their practice.”

“Mind giving me a ride?” Chick asked, his expressionsubdued. “Rick took off without me, and I need to get to the track myself.”

“You’re going to the track?” I asked, ignoring Kingston’s frown.

“That was the plan. There’s a steak place I’d like to drop by first. I thought I’d get everyone an early dinner. August said they only brought one cooler with soggy sandwiches, so she must be starved for something edible by now.”

“I know the restaurant.” Kingston gave me a look I couldn’t decipher. “Want to join us?”

Eating was the last thing on my mind right now. “You go ahead without me. I need to start the clean-up and plan for tomorrow.”

The look intensified and I realized it was panic. Not something my overly confident friend was known for.

“Are you sure you want to turn down free steak?” he asked. “I still need a mechanic’s viewpoint on the race requirements. My eyes cross anytime I start reading the website details.”

Dalton walked up, smoothing a hand over his beard. “I’d like to get a look at the track and I love free steak.”

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