He laughed then scooped me up into a hug that lifted me off my feet. Hayden immediately interceded, pulling me out of his arms. Stiff smile on his face, he said, “I’ll let that one go, because you did do an awesome job, but in the future…hands off.”
I gave Hayden an amused look, and Dex sheepishly backed away from us. Then I spun around looking for Myles. He’d started out the race so well…but he’d ended up in sixth place. Still a great finish, but honestly, I’d been expecting him to win. Something—or someone—had messed with his head. God, I hoped he worked things out with Nikki soon, for the sake of his personal life and his professional life.
I didn’t see Myles anywhere, but instead spotted someone I hadn’t expected to see—Dex’s father. Bright smile on his face, Richard walked over to me, arms stretched to his side. “Congratulations, Mackenzie. I have to say, that was pretty spectacular display of skill and stamina. You…and your team…are quite remarkable.” His voice oozed charm.
“Um, thank you,” I responded, still suffering from disbelief.
Richard firmed his lips, then nodded. “You’ll be hearing from me soon, Mackenzie Cox. Very soon.”
His lips curled into a smile that oddly reminded me of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. But it didn’t really matter if he gave me an eerie feeling, or if my gut told me not to trust him. Richard Covington could be Cox Racing’s salvation. And I wasn’t about to pass up a chance to save my company. To save Hayden.
***
CHAPTER 12
Winning Daytona…changed me. Every day I found myself wanting to be on the track more and more. I wanted to be racing, riding, keeping my form as perfect as possible, not stuck in an office all day. But I still had a business to run, a business that was really starting to struggle, and I knew, if things didn’t change quickly, I wouldn’t get to go out on the track anymore. Not as a Cox Racing rider. Dex’s dad was my greatest hope…but I hadn’t heard from him yet.
I was kind of a wreck waiting for him to contact me, and as the days turned into weeks, I became convinced that he’d changed his mind about supporting the business. Or maybe that wasn’t what he’d meant. Maybe he’d just been implying that he’d love to watch another event, and “You’ll hear from me soon” had nothing to do with a sponsorship. Maybe I’d gotten my hopes up for nothing. I prayed that wasn’t the case, because after using up so much of our resources at Daytona, Cox Racing was hurting.
“Kenzie, this probably isn’t my place to say anything, but…we’re kind of running low on…everything. Are you gonna…order stuff…soon?”
I looked up from my desk, grateful for the excuse to stop staring at the multiple past due notices in my hands. “Yes,” I told Dex. “I’m working on it, I promise.”
Concern on his face, Dex walked around the desk and sat on the edge, close to me. “Is everything okay?”
His eyes drifted to the bills in my fingers, and I subtly flipped them over. “Yeah, it’s fine. I’m just…running behind on things. But I’ll catch up, don’t worry.”
Dex’s worried expression didn’t change. “Your cash flow is running low, isn’t it?” Low was an understatement. I couldn’t tell him that, though, so instead I gave him a tight-lipped smile. He nodded, understanding. “Maybe I can help. I do have a boatload of cash, just sitting in a bank account doing absolutely nothing.”
I immediately shook my head. “No, I can’t let you do that. And besides, this is only temporary. Cox Racing had three riders in the top ten at Daytona. There’s no way someone won’t want to work with us. Soon.” That hadn’t been the case yet, but surely it would be.
Dex didn’t look convinced. Halting any further attempts to give me money, I stood up and hastily arranged some of the more haphazard piles on my desk. “I’ll work on getting more supplies in, but not right now. Now, I need to get going to Nikki’s baby shower.”
Nodding, Dex stood from my desk. “Okay, Kenzie,” he said, his voice soft. Then he reached down and grabbed my hand. I was so shocked, I didn’t pull away, and he clenched my fingers tight. “Just know you can come to me, for anything. Money, advice… Even though I chose not to follow my father’s footsteps, I’m actually quite good at this stuff.” He nodded toward my desk.
I tried moving my hand away, but he was holding on pretty tightly. “I appreciate that, and I might even take you up on it, because I’ll be honest… I’d rather be on the track than up here. But…” I lifted our joined hands, “…this has to stop. I’m with Hayden. It’s highly inappropriate.”
He immediately dropped my hand, his pale eyes widening. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t even really conscious of the fact that I was…” Closing his mouth, he shook his head. “I just… I like you, Kenzie. You’re smart, talented, beautiful, determined…” I opened my mouth to object to all of that, and he held a hand up to stop me. “And taken, and my boss. I understand. I’m just letting you know…it’s hard for me to not…make a move on you.”
His honesty was…refreshing. And problematic. “If it’s that hard for you, maybe…maybe working here isn’t a good idea.” My heart started thudding in my chest at the thought of him leaving. I’d won Daytona partly because of his skills, Nikki could give birth any day, and Road America was right around the corner… I literally couldn’t replace him in time.
Dex’s posture straightened, and his expression grew determined. “No. I know you need me, and this is where I want to be. And I actually can ignore a pretty face and do my job. It’s just the occasional flirting that I have difficulty controlling. Everything else is…fine.”
I wanted to believe that, but his expression was a little too soft…too tender. But there was nothing to be done about it now. I needed him. “Just do your best, please.”
A warm smile spread over his face, and I sighed. He reminded me of a preteen girl suffering from a severe dose of puppy love. And I had a feeling no matter how many times I told him I wasn’t interested, it wouldn’t make a difference. Unless I was outright cruel to him, his crush on me would continue. There was no convincing him out of this.
Giving him a brief smile, I grabbed my things and headed for the door. He followed closely behind. I waited for him to leave the room, then locked my door. Dex was still smiling when I turned back around. “Have a good night with Nikki. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nodded, then asked, “Have you heard from your dad? I was kind of expecting a phone call.”
Dex frowned, then shook his head. “I haven’t, but that’s not too surprising. With his fingers in as many pies as they’re in, Dad is…really busy. I’m sure he’ll call you soon though. I gave him your number.”
I nodded and thanked him, and he practically skipped his way back to the garage. I was shaking my head at him when Hayden walked up to me. “What?” he slowly asked, seeing my expression.
“Nothing. Ready to go?” Hayden nodded and grabbed my hand, and I reveled in his touch.
Thirty minutes later, Hayden and I pulled up to the apartment he shared with Nikki. It was a little strange to think of the apartment as part his, since he stayed at my place most nights. Truly, his apartment had become more of a glorified closet than anything else. Nikki was even using his room to store all the extra baby stuff she’d been receiving from her massive family. A family that was all here.
There was barely room for Hayden and me to step into the living room, it was so stuffed with the Ramirez family—Nikki’s mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, and her six brothers and their wives and children. Nikki had told them a few times that they didn’t all need to watch her open presents, but they insisted on being a tight-knit group, so they all came. That kind of family unity was an oddity to me. My family tried, but… I think we failed more often than we succeeded. Hayden seemed mystified too, but then, his family was…gone. His birth family anyway.
Nikki looked flustered and tired when she gave me a hug. “Thank you for coming,” she told me. “I know you’re super busy at the track.” She frowned after saying it.
She hadn’t been into work much since Daytona, and it wasn’t only because her due date was quickly approaching. We had done so well with Dex at the helm, that I think she felt like she didn’t belong anymore. But the truth was the complete opposite of that. So long as Cox Racing existed, Nikki would always be a part of it.
“Of course, I’d come,” I told her squeezing her tight. “I want to celebrate every moment with you. And it’s been lonely at the track without you.”
We separated, and she gave me a sad smile. “No one misses me at the track, Kenzie. You don’t even need me…” Her eyes filled with tears, and I instantly squeezed her again.
“Of course, we need you. It’s not Cox Racing without you.” Pushing her back, I stared into her eyes. “Your spot will always be there, waiting for you. No one is taking it. No one.”
I made my face firm, so she’d understand and believe me. She sniffed then nodded. Then groaned. “I did congratulate you about winning, didn’t I?”
Laughing, I nodded. “Yes, you did. You were crying at the time, but you did.”
Wiping away a stray tear, she shook her head and said, “God, I suck. I’m so sorry for being such a self-absorbed prima donna lately. I really am proud of you, Kenzie. Even if it does terrify me that you don’t need me anymore, I’m bursting with pride. I hope you know that.”
“Well, now that it’s clear that I do need you, you don’t need to be scared anymore. I hope you know that.”
She cringed, then rubbed her back. “I do. Thank you, Kenzie.”
“You all right?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yeah, just sore and achy today. Nothing to worry about.”
I shrugged then looked around the packed room. There were about twenty conversations going on as people mingled. Hayden was talking to Carlos, Nikki’s eldest brother. Nikki’s mom, Marie, was waving at me to come over. Her dad, Juan, seemed to be taking a nap. And then, in the far corner of the room, partially hidden by three of Nikki’s sisters-in-law, I noticed Myles. My eyes widened when I saw him staring into a cup, looking dejected. I was so shocked to see him here. He’d been a ghost lately.
“Myles is here,” I murmured, not meaning to say it out loud.
Nikki sighed “Yeah, he’s been moping the entire time he’s been here. He’ll barely even talk to anyone.” She sucked her lip into her mouth, looking worried and conflicted.
“Have you talked to him much recently? Did he tell you…what happened at Daytona?”
Her dark eyes misted up again. “That wasn’t my fault. He can’t really blame me for that, can he?”
My eyes narrowed as I tried to understand. “He only told me he lost focus. What did he tell you?”
With a sniff, she shook her head. “He told me…he couldn’t stop thinking about me, and the race just didn’t seem important anymore. He told me…” Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “He told me he loved me.”
My jaw dropped open. “Oh my God, Nikki, that’s—”
She interrupted my outburst with a glare. “That doesn’t change anything. We can’t… We’re not—The two of us…” She sighed, unable to finish any of her thoughts.
Putting my hand on her arm, I softly said, “Don’t make it so hard. Do you love him?”
Twin tears rolled down her cheeks. “I do…as a friend… I do.”
A heavy sigh escaped me. I knew she was lying, but she was lying to herself, so there was nothing I could do about it.
Nikki wiped her cheeks, then cringed again. “God, this is really starting to piss me off,” she said, rubbing her back again. “It’s been off and on all freaking day.”
“Do you want me to get you a hot pack?” I asked, stroking her arm.
Nikki shook her head, then her cringe shifted to a look of outright pain. She breathed her way through it, then as the pain apparently faded, Nikki’s eyes widened with some hidden insight. “Oh my God, Kenzie, I don’t think this is a backache. I think I’m in labor.”
My heart started erratically thudding in my chest. “Oh my God, oh my God…okay…um, we need to…” Looking up, I announced to the packed room, “Uh, guys… I think we need to go to the hospital. Nikki thinks she’s in labor.”
Myles immediately pushed through the room to get to her. Nikki’s mom was close behind him. Taking my place, Myles wrapped his arms around Nikki. She clung to him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded. “It’s okay, Nik. I’ve got you.”
She looked up at him, love and fear in her eyes. All the earlier conflict and confusion was completely gone. “I’m scared,” she whispered.
Smoothing back her hair, Myles started moving her toward the door. “I know, but it’s gonna be okay, I promise.” Looking back at me, eyes hard with determination, he firmly said, “Her bag is in her room. Grab it and follow us.”
I nodded, then darted down the hallway. Behind me, I heard Nikki’s mom screech, “Don’t you dare leave without me, Myles Kelley!”
When I got back to the living room, people were hustling out the door, swarming to their vehicles. Nikki’s dad was still asleep. I quickly woke him up, then hurried over to Hayden. Lifting the bag, my heart thudding with excitement, I said, “Let’s go.”
I asked Carlos to stay until everyone left, so he could lock the apartment door, then Hayden and I hopped on our bikes and took off for the hospital. I felt a sense of urgency the entire time we rode, but after we got there, and I fulfilled my duty, giving Nikki’s bag to her nurse, there was nothing to do but wait. It was excruciatingly boring.
I passed the time by chatting with Nikki’s extensive family. Most of them were excited, but her mom…she was pissed that Nikki hadn’t let her into the room.
“She said she just wanted Myles in the room with her, can you believe that?” Her small brown eyes narrowed at me. “Myles, a man she insists is only a friend, instead of me, her mother. It’s just not right.”
Smiling, I told her, “You know they’re more than friends, don’t you, Marie?”
With a sly smile she told me, “Of course, I know, I’m not an idiot. I’m just waiting for my daughter to figure it out. So stubborn, that one. Always has been.”
Laughing, I nodded. “Yeah, definitely.” Sighing, I looked over at the hallway that led to the room where Nikki was probably in a ton of pain. “I hope she’s doing all right.”
Marie touched my knee. “She’s fine, honey. Nikki…she’s tough. She had to be with six older brothers.” I smirked. While I didn’t have personal experience growing up with brothers, I had to believe what she’d said was true.
It felt like we all waited there for days, but in truth, it was only a few hours later when Myles walked into the waiting room with a dazed look on his face. “It’s a girl,” he whispered. Then he started laughing. “Nikki was right, it’s a girl.”
I saw a few of Nikki’s brothers exchange money—they gambled even more than she did—then I couldn’t see anything through the tears clouding my vision. Making my way to Myles, I slung my arms around him so hard, he grunted and backed up a step. “Oh my God, Myles! Congratulations!”
He exhaled a shaky breath as he hugged me back. “Thanks, Kenzie. I’m still…in shock, I think.”
Pulling back, I grabbed his arms. “How is Nikki?”
His gaze softened, and tears pricked his dark eyes. “She’s doing good. Just tired. She was amazing, Kenzie. Just…amazing…” He seemed awed, overwhelmed, and on the verge of an emotional collapse. I rubbed his arm in support, since I didn’t know what else to do for him.
Everyone else gave Myles their congratulations. Once the whole crowd had a chance to acknowledge him, Marie asked a question we’d all been dying to ask. “Can we see her? Her and the baby?”
“You mean Maria?” Myles asked, a small smile on his face as he locked eyes with Marie.
Her jaw dropped, and tears pooled in her eyes. “The baby’s name is Maria? After me?”
Myles nodded, then shifted his gaze over to me. “Maria Louise Kelley. Nikki gave her my last name.
” His voice was shaky, like he was about to lose it. I already was.
Tears streaming down my face, I repeated Marie’s question. “Can we see her, Myles?”
He nodded, swiping under his eyes. “Yeah, just a couple at a time though. Nik’s wiped.”
Marie instantly started speed-walking down the hallway, on a mission to see her daughter. None of us stopped or argued with her.
Hayden and I let the rest of the family see Nikki first, and it was late by the time we strolled into her room. We wouldn’t have long to visit, but that was okay. Truly, I just wanted Nikki to know I was here.
Nikki looked barely awake when we got there. Myles was sitting at the head of the bed with her, his arms cradling her close. He was lightly stroking her arm with his thumb, and his cheek rested against her head while she rested hers against his chest. The look on both of their faces was perfect peace. Maria was snuggled in a pink blanket, asleep in her mom’s arms. Pausing in the doorway, I lifted my phone and snapped a picture of them. If one of them ever tried to argue with me that they didn’t belong together, I was going to tape that photo to their forehead. Or staple it. Whatever drove the point home best. They looked like nothing less than an ideal family right now.
They both looked up when Hayden and I approached the bed. Nikki beamed at me, but I could clearly see the exhaustion on her face. Angling her arms, she showed me Maria’s adorable, little scrunched face. “It’s she beautiful, Kenzie?” she said, her voice as tired as her face.
Feeling like I was going to cry again, I nodded. “Just like her mom.” Myles’s gaze shifted to Nikki, and I could see he agreed.
Nikki held her hands out to me. “Want to hold her?”
I had to admit, touching that tiny, fragile-looking package intimidated the hell out of me, but I wanted her too much to let that stop me. Nodding, I carefully removed her from Nikki’s arms. She was so warm, like a hot water bottle, and so tiny. Her skin was so soft when I touched her too-small-to-be-real fingers, but what really struck me was how good she smelled.
Undeniable Rush Page 15
