Page 17 of Risk

“Are you sure you’re not a therapist or haven’t seen one before? You’re pretty good at this.” The way he asked was like he’d been seeing a therapist for years and not the brief time he’d been seeing me.

“Funny,” he cocked his head and stared at me while our server sat our drinks down in front of us.

“You’re persistent, I can give you that. Fine,” I huffed. “When I got back to my room, I wanted to check in with my patients, so I opened my email and saw one from my ex-boyfriend.” Callum sat up straighter in his seat as the muscle in his jaw ticked. “I thought about deleting it, but thought better of it. I only read one line, but he was extremely mad about seeing me on TV today before your race. I’m not sure why he feels he has any right to be upset if I’m with another man, which was his assumption. I deleted it, not willing to let it affect me. So far, I’m not doing a great job of that. I haven’t figured out yet why it causes me a sense of unease.” I lifted one shoulder as I looked out onto the street. “See, it’s silly.”

Leaning forward, Callum took my hand in his. “It’s not silly. Was he ever cruel when you were with him?” His thumb caressed over the top of my hand.

“No,” I shook my head. “He was always sweet.” Until I moved with him to Spain. “That is until he decided to cheat on me. When I found out, he didn’t try to fight for me. Not once, but right before you came to see me, he showed back up in my life. I didn’t handle it the best, refusing to talk to him, but I had nothing to say, and I wasn’t going to allow him to make me late to see my patient. It’s been months.” I added the last a little too loud, causing the people who were seated around us to turn their heads and look at us.

Our waitress brought out our dishes and placed them around our small table. It didn’t leave us much room, but they smelled divine, and I couldn’t wait to dig in.

Callum put a little bit of everything on his plate but waited until I took my first bite before he started to eat. Once I moaned at the heavenly gnocchi that hit my tongue, he seemed to be appeased and took his own bite.

“I wasn’t wrong, was I?” He pointed his fork to the dish.

“Not wrong at all. I can’t believe you don’t eat this for every meal while you’re here.” I shoved in another bite and chewed.

“If I did that, I wouldn’t look like this, and I’d be a shit driver. I’ve got to fuel my body with what it needs to be efficient out on the track.”

“I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as dedicated to their job as you. I really do believe it’s part of the reason you’ve done so well with getting back behind the wheel.” I was astounded after watching him compete against nineteen other drivers. I would have been a nervous wreck out there, but when he felt the smallest inklings of a panic attack come on, he had me talk him through it. There were only three instances, and the amount of time he had me speak to him was shorter each time.

“You’re the other reason. If it was anyone else over the system, I would have lost it.” The look on his face said he believed every word out of his mouth.

We had tried letting Kaspar talk to him, but after thirty seconds, Callum demanded in a desperate voice for me to come on the line.

“You didn’t give Kaspar a chance. Maybe we can slowly work him in the routine. I—”

“No,” he interrupted me. He looked about ready to jump from his seat and run at the mere mention of having someone else talk to him. It wasn’t as if I was telling him my deepest, darkest secrets. Today, after he’d calmed down, I read some of the book I’d been reading for the last several days to him.

“Callum,” I said his name softly, “what would happen if I got sick and couldn’t be at one of your races? What would you do then, not race?” I wanted to say when I wasn’t around any longer, but I knew that would send him over the edge, so I kept that to myself. For now.

“We’ll buy you some good vitamins tomorrow and make sure you eat healthy. Then you won’t get sick.” The statement somehow didn’t sound desperate but more of a demand.

Not wanting to unnerve him any more than I already had today, I kept quiet with my observations and ate the amazing food he’d ordered for us. If this is what I got to experience at every destination, I was going to have to start doubling down on my workouts. Otherwise, I’d gain a hundred pounds by the end of the season. Now Callum’s early morning workouts made sense.

“I was thinking after this we’d go to the Oceanographic Museum. Does that sound good to you?”

My forehead wrinkled at the thought of a museum about water. It didn’t sound exciting, but since Callum had probably already gone there before, he must have liked it.

“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong.” He laughed, throwing his head back. I couldn’t help but stop and watch. He had a laugh that drew you in. Even though Callum was a happy-go-lucky guy, I didn’t think he let himself laugh all that much.

“Tell me about this ocean museum.”

“Like I said, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m not sure why they call it a museum when it’s an aquarium. What I do know is that it’s beautiful and peaceful. It will be perfect after our meal and to further bring me down so I can sleep tonight.”

That made me smile. I couldn’t get over how happy it made me see how much his win affected him. I had a feeling when he lost, Callum took it very hard.

“Sounds perfect. I need to walk off this food baby I’ve got going on over here.” I rested my hand over my stomach. If we had been back at the hotel, I would have unbuttoned my jeans, or better yet, taken them off.

Callum sat up straighter and acted as if he could see my food baby. His eyes flared before he settled back down in his seat. After taking a sip of his water, he cleared his throat. “Are you ready to go start an adventure?”

“I thought I already had,” I shot back.

“Good answer,” he stood, smiling down at me. “Let’s do this.”

* * *

“Doyou see that building right there?” He pointed out over the water to what looked like a palace to me. It was spectacular. A broad smile broke out across his face. “That’s the museum.”

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