Page 22 of Home Stretch

“I have a solution for that too.”

“What’s that?” she asks, her blue eyes swimming with so many emotions.

“You could bet on me.”

As soon as I say the words, it hits me that I mean bet on me for more than just the races. I know that Malia could go back to her parents, and they would pay for everything again. She could let them pick some fancy husband for her, and I’m sure that he would be equally rich, and she would want for nothing. No one will ever love her as much as I do, though. No one will ever work harder to make her happy.

Malia is studying me, and I know she’s thinking the same thing as me. The air seems to stall in my lungs as I wait for her to give me a sign, something that lets me know that she wants this with me.

When she smiles, her eyes softening, I feel like I can breathe again.

“People bet on my races all of the time. Hell, people love betting against us all the time. You could bet Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and make enough for the whole month. Bet on Hendrix and Thorne too. They’re sure bets. You’d have enough to cover tuition in a few months. I can cover expenses here for us.”

“I’ve never bet or gambled before,” she says, and I can see her doing the math in her head.

“I can help you pick other racers too. I know enough about them and their cars to usually be right about who will win.”

“It seems so strange to do that for a living,” she says, but I can see her considering it.

I know that the only thing holding her back has to be what her parents will think if they ever find out, and I try to think of a way to convince her.

“Your date from the other night thought that he could make a bet for a girl and no one in your family thinks that was weird. Why can’t you make a bet to pay for your future?” I ask her.

“You’re right. My parents cut me off because of what some rich dick did. They wanted me to apologize for it. They don’t get to judge me for what I do after that,” she says with a determined nod. The familiar fire that I’ve always loved seeing in her is back.

I grin, taking in her flushed cheeks and sparkling blue eyes. Malia has always been so strong. She has this drive in her that is similar to mine. Maybe that’s why we clicked so fast.

“So, we’re doing this?” I ask. She looks at me, her ocean eyes locking with my brown ones.

“Absolutely we’re doing this.”

She stands like she’s going to throw herself into my arms, and I’m more than ready to catch her when she freezes.

“Wait. What about the garage you guys want to open? And your future?”

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