Traction (The Driven World)

“She’s a difficult one,” I finally tell Haelee. “But we’re not there yet. Let’s get you home and have some dinner. I’m not a fan of talking about my mother.”

As we head back down to the garage, Haelee’s lost in thought, and I don’t bother her. I have a feeling it’s about what I told her about Mom. It’s not a lie, but it’s also a tiny version of the truth.

By the time we pull up to her house, the sun is near setting and the clouds are trickling with droplets that prickle as we race up to the door. Inside, there’s a fire going, and it’s toasty. Even though the weather seems to have turned, it’s not as cold outside, but I can’t complain since I’ve been invited for dinner.

Her mother giving me a chance means a lot. Now all I have to do is just not fuck up dinner. The flavorful scents coming from the kitchen have me inhaling deeply. We find Haelee’s mom at the stove with an apron on, her hair pinned back, and a smile on her face.

“Hello, you two,” she greets when she sees us. “Did you have a good day?”

“The best,” Haelee gushes. “Kayden took me out to a track his friend owns, and we got to race. It was completely safe, and I got to drive a gorgeous car. It was fast, but I made sure to be very careful.”

“Your daughter is good,” I assure Caroline. “She’s going to be a star. That is if she really does want to pursue this.”

Caroline closes the pot and turns to face us fully. At first, I think she’s going to say no, to refuse her daughter’s dream, but she doesn’t. Instead, she nods slowly. “She is good. My husband was always so proud of her when he saw her behind the wheel. He would take her to the track when there weren’t any races, and he’d ride with her. Something about having him beside her in the car set me at ease.”

“I think that safety net is something that has given her the confidence to focus,” I tell her. “It’s a good thing. The way she handles the vehicle is nothing short of professional. It won’t be long until she’s the one with her name up on the board.”

Haelee’s eyes are on me as I say this. I’ve never told her I think she’s good. When we met, I said the complete opposite, and I never once admitted that she’s possibly going to take the racing world by storm.

“I’m standing right here, you know,” she whines, her gaze flicking between her mother and me. “Do you really think I can make it?” The hope that springs to her eyes makes me feel happy, and at ease with the feelings she evokes in me.

“I believe it,” I tell her confidently. The sparkle in those dark orbs is nothing short of perfection. It’s almost as if she has stars in her eyes, twinkling with promise.

“Dinner is almost ready,” Caroline announces. “Get the table set, and we’ll sit down and chat some more.”

I help Haelee with the plates and cutlery, and soon enough, the large bowl of chili, along with chips, sits between us. Caroline even made a salad that looks like it’s enough to feed a country. But I’m thankful because even after our burger I’m starving.

We settle into a comfortable silence as we take our first bite, and the moan of pleasure that rumbles in my throat is enough to have both women looking at me.

“This is incredible.”

Caroline grins happily, pride creasing her face. “Thank you. This was my husband’s favorite as well.” A glimmer of sadness crosses her features, but she schools it. I wonder how many times they’ve had to hide their sadness from the world.

Losing someone so close isn’t easy. The only person in the world I know didn’t shed a tear when she lost her husband was my mother. Thinking of her, I realize I must contact the board once more.

After my email the other day, they asked for an extension, which I gave. The meeting is coming up on Monday, which gives me a day to prepare. Since I promised Haelee a date tomorrow, I’m going to have to work on the presentation in the evening. Unless I have my girl over for dinner rather than lunch.

“Have you been racing all your life?” Caroline asks, dragging me out of the thoughts plaguing me, and I’m thankful for the reprieve.

“Yes, well, since I was about sixteen. I learned to drive very young. And my father helped me get into the circuit the moment I was old enough. That was before he passed away.”

“I’m sure he would be proud of the man you’ve become.” Her words mean a lot, but I can’t respond because of the lump in my throat. “What about your mother?”