I quickly sat back down and nodded. “Sorry.”
Two reporters had already asked me if I was Emmit Lewis’ new girlfriend. Smiling, I just kept walking. I knew how this game was from when Emmit first moved up to NASCAR.
“Have you told him yet?” Daddy asked me.
Shaking my head, I said, “No.”
“Don’t you think you should?”
My heart dropped as I looked back out onto the track. What if that’s why Emmit was so quiet? He was thinking how we were going to make this work.
I was about to say something when Emmit came over the radio. They were still under caution as the track crew cleaned up where a car hit the wall.
“Is my girl still sitting there with you, Waldo?” Emmit asked.
Daddy laughed and shook his head. “Yes.”
“Let me talk to her.”
My mouth dropped open as I shook my head. Daddy started laughing and motioned for me to talk. “Dad, people can hear whatever he says to me.”
“Hold on, I’m trying to talk her into it.”
“Ten-four,” Emmit said like it was no big deal that everyone and their mother would hear our conversation.
I held up my hands as I gave my father a stern look. “Ease the poor kid’s mind, Adaline.”
Holy shit this was not going to turn out well.
With a deep breath in, I pushed it out and hit the button. “Hey.”
“Hey, baby.”
I tried to keep my voice calm as I smiled. I’d never want Emmit to know how I was scared to death every time he climbed into that car.
“Wanted to hear your voice, Addie.”
I instantly saw a camera pointing up to the box as I looked away and talked back to him. “I forgot to tell you something, Emmit.”
Emmit chuckled and said, “Better tell me before we go green.”
Breathe, Adaline. “As of this morning, I’m officially working full time for Elliot Racing.”
“What?” Emmit asked as I looked at my father. Nodding his head for me to keep talking, I said, “Yep. Seems Elliot Racing wants a full time nurse on staff to travel with y’all.”
“Please tell me you’re not kidding.”
I couldn’t help but notice there was another camera pointed up at me as I let out a giggle. “You’re stuck with me, Emmit.”
Emmit yelled, “Yes! Baby, you just made my day.”
I shook my head and laughed. “Okay, get back to racing. I love you.”
“Green flag out,” the spotter said as I exhaled a deep breath and sat back. Daddy bumped my arm and chuckled. “You’re going to be the talk of the town, baby girl.”
I rolled my eyes as I moaned. My phone went off next to me. Pulling it up, I saw it was Kristin Adams, Doug Adam’s wife. I’d met her last week after the race and then again this morning. We had coffee and exchanged phone numbers.
Kristin: You’re on the news!
Me: Oh shit.
Kristin: That was the cutest damn thing I’ve ever heard! HA! What publicity!
My cheeks burned as I looked around.
“How’s the car feeling?” Daddy asked Emmit as I focused back in on the race.
“Okay,” was all Emmit said as his spotter came over the radio again as Emmit was pacing lap traffic.
“All clear.”
Emmit quickly made a move after turn four and moved into second place.
“Ten laps to go,” Daddy said as he spun his ring on his finger. It was a habit he had done since I could remember. He only did it when he was nervous. His voice always stayed smooth and unmoving for Emmit though. Even when Emmit was cursing him out, Daddy always stayed calm.
“How far ahead?” Emmit asked his spotter.
“One,” he replied.
“Let’s fucking do this,” Emmit said as I held my breath while Emmit attempted to pass Malcolm.
Malcolm came down from the top in an attempt to block Emmit.
“Bumper, door, bumper, clear, go go go!”
I jumped up and watched as Emmit passed Malcolm and took second.
“Come on, Emmit!” I yelled out.
“You miss it?” Daddy asked as I nodded my head.
“I’ve missed him.”
The spotter came over the radio. “White flag, this is it. One to go.”
Daddy shook his head. “If you’re going to do it, do it now, Emmit.”
My heart was pounding within my chest as I watched Emmit race to the finish line with number seven. Dropping down on turn four, Emmit and Doug were side by side.
“Emmit, go!” I screamed out as they approached the checkered flag.
Emmit did something and shot out in front just enough to take the win. Jumping, I turned and launched myself into my father’s arms as the entire pit crew celebrated.
Daddy laughed and pulled my ear up to his mouth. “Two in a row.”
Climbing down from the tower, I headed to victory lane with my father. The crowd went wild as Emmit did his normal thing after he won. Spinouts and driving with the checkered flag.
Standing back with my father, I waited for Emmit to pull in. Climbing out of the car, he stood up and began shaking water all over everyone as he yelled out in victory. My heart felt as if it would explode I was so proud. Even at home over the last few years, I would scream and yell at my TV when Emmit won.
The news was right there and ready to interview Emmit. Mr. Elliot walked up next to me and said, “He wants to see you first.”
Snapping my head and looking at him, I stumbled on my words. “W-what?”
With a wink, Mr. Elliot said, “He radioed in he wanted to talk to you first.”
“But . . . but . . . he can’t.”
Emmit jumped down and pulled in a few members of his pit crew and hugged them, while Tim Mathew, with one of the major news networks, held a microphone out and began talking to Emmit. Looking around, his eyes caught mine and the smile that spread across his face would be one I would never forget.
“Excuse me one second, Tim. I’ve got someone I need to kiss first.”
Everyone turned and looked at me as Mr. Elliot and I came to a stop. Emmit reached out for me and pulled me to him as he placed his hand on the back of my neck and pulled my lips to his. Right before kissing me he whispered, “I wanted to kiss you.”
Pressing his lips to mine, everyone erupted in cheers as I laced my arms around Emmit’s neck. “Don’t go anywhere,” Emmit said as he turned and started his interview like he hadn’t just kissed me in front of millions of people, or never mind the fact that he made them wait for him to kiss me.
Before I knew what was happening, I was standing next to Emmit with his arm around me as we held our fingers up for the number one and pictures were taken. My mind was spinning, and I didn’t know if I was excited or scared to death. The rush of Emmit winning was always a high for me, just like it was for Emmit. I hadn’t realized how much I missed being a part of this with him.
Once all the pictures were taken, Emmit did a few more interviews and then met with a few fans. He only let go of my hand when he had to. During the last interview, I glanced around and saw Stephanie. I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or not, but it looked as if she was shooting me daggers. A smile quickly spread across her face before she turned and walked away.
Hank’s words replayed in my mind.
“Watch your back, Adaline. Not everyone is who they seem.”
A feeling of panic passed through my chest as I made a mental note to ask Hank about Stephanie. The last thing I wanted to do was let jealousy rear its ugly head in the wrong places. Or at all for that matter.
Emmit’s interview finished and he turned to me with the most breathtaking smile on his face. His dimple had always been my undoing and now it was out in full force. Taking me into his arms he said, “Now you’re all mine.”
Kissing me fast and quick on the lips, he took my hand and led me back to his bus as my heartbeat felt like a hummingbird’s wings. This day had been a whirlwind, but I had a feeling tonight was going to be even more exciting.