Jeffrey smiled a smile that was a little too familiar, and his demeanor immediately brightened. “No, tell me about it. What is it like?”
There was no more talk of Nellie or the past. The two had quietly decided on a truce and found something they could talk about together. I was happy for Jack. This might be the beginning of a great relationship for him. It was so weird to think that Jack had no dad, and then he found one who really loved him.
I had a dad but I found out that he really didn’t love me—unless I behaved like a trained monkey.
Wow. Just wow.
Chapter Eight — Jack
Elaina came to see me at the Redemption Road house the next day. I didn’t have to go to the track until noon because it had rained all night and the track was still slick. Camera crews were everywhere. They were interviewing the families of the drivers, but I didn’t have any family members that I’d let them film. Nellie was dead, and my relationship with my father was far too new for that. Besides, I still wasn’t sure about his motives and it seemed kind of funny to me that all of a sudden, he showed up. I don’t know, maybe I’m not trusting enough, but Mike wanted to interview someone from my past and Elaina was the only one I could think of. They wouldn’t let Mollie interview. I guessed they wanted to keep my relationship status secret since I was the one who was bringing up the ratings. I wasn’t even allowed to watch the interview —I had to wait like the rest of America to see what she’d said about me. She wouldn’t tell me anything either, but she promised that she’d only told the best stories.
We took a walk outside and the crew followed us, but no audio recording was allowed. I told her about meeting Jeffrey and gave her the update on Mollie. “Jack, after the hell you’ve lived through, I really hope he’s a nice guy.”
I couldn’t help but agree with her and I promised her that one day, I’d introduce them. “Well, you could bring him to my wedding.”
“What? You’re getting married? For real? Let me guess, little Ricky’s dad?”
She nodded her head, her bright smile shining beautifully. “Yeah, he just asked me.”
I hugged her tight and I was glad her world was looking up, as well as mine. “That’s great, Elaina. I’m sure Ricky is super-excited.”
She laughed again. “Yeah, you know it.”
We walked down the steps into the lower garden. “I have a little news, too.”
She raised her perfect eyebrows. “What? Tell me!”
“I’m with Mollie now. I told her how I felt about her and she didn’t run away, so we’re together.”
“I knew it! That girl had your heart from day one.”
“Yeah, she did and I want to do something epic for her, but I need some ideas since I’m not the greatest romancer in the world. Do you think you could help me?” She hugged me as we walked. “Of course I will. What do you have in mind?”
We talked a little more and by the time she left, I had plenty of ideas. Mollie had told me she loved me, and she knew how I felt about her, but I still wanted to sweep her off her feet. I knew sex with Mollie was amazing, but I wanted to do more—be more. I wanted to be a better man and I wanted to prove to her that I could be. Unlike my past relationships, she didn’t want anything from me. I wasn’t her sex toy, although I would be if she asked. I also wasn’t a drug connection for a blow job. Oh, God, the blow job. I chuckled to myself. If I didn’t love her so much and if I’d known it was her first time, I’d have told her to watch the teeth, but I loved her too much for that. It’ll come, in time. I was her man and I had to be that man.
Thankfully, Mike had moved on to Randall and was busy filming him talking about why he was going to win Redemption Road. I didn’t like him at all. Any guy that would pimp out his wife or use her as bait didn’t deserve my attention. I’d heard him refer to me as an arrogant prick, but I didn’t react. I just grinned and ignored him—however, I couldn’t help but notice that Colton went out of his way to talk to Regina. That kid had better look out for himself.
I went to my room and flipped on my laptop. I placed a few orders, happy about what I was doing. This felt right, more right than anything else I’d ever done. There was a knock on the door and I closed the lid on my laptop. I didn’t need the camera crew snooping around—I wanted this to be a complete surprise, to everyone.
It was Mike. As always, he stared at the world through his camera lens as if it were some giant magnifying glass. “Hey, guys, come on in. I’m just about to do something you should record.” Mike gave me the thumbs up and followed me out of the room. I tapped on Colton’s door. “Hey, you want to go for that ride? I’m going to take this check by the clinic.”
Colton slid on his shoes and nodded. “Yeah, but first, come with me.” Instantly, I felt suspicious, but I did as he asked and followed him into the kitchen. Our other two housemates were there talking and cooking. We’re like a bunch of women, hanging in the kitchen all the time. Well, they were. I’d just followed Colton in there.
“I told the guys what you had in mind and Randall, Wyatt and I want to help out, too, so we all chipped in a little something extra—thought maybe your doctor friend could use it. We all know this is a competition, but we also know what it’s like to need help from time to time.” I looked at the three guys, shocked at what I was hearing. I’d only planned to take Colton along in the hope that I could talk to him about Randall in private. I knew what Dixie had said, but I couldn’t let the kid walk into a trap. Randall’s smug look told me he’d been talked into helping, but Wyatt and Colton seemed sincere about wanting to help. I took the check Colton handed me and looked at the numbers—each one had donated ten thousand dollars. I couldn’t believe it—Dr. Hopkins would have everything he needed to re-open the clinic now.
“Wow, guys! This is too much. I didn’t expect this at all.” I blinked the water away from my eyes and grinned at them. “Thanks.” I reached out and shook Randall’s hand, then Wyatt’s.
Colton grinned and swatted me away. “Let’s get that over to the clinic.”
Colton and I loaded up in my Challenger with Mike and his mini-cam in the backseat. The rest of the crew followed us in the truck and instead of warning him about the trap Randall had set for him, I gave Colton a tour of the Village. I even drove by my ratty old house and was surprised to see it still standing. I’d already sent the doctor a text and asked him to meet me at the clinic. He’d agreed, but I still had a few minutes to kill. “So this was where Andre got shot. Luckily, he survived but unfortunately, he had to go across town for months to get help. These families need this clinic open—they need Dr. Hopkins and his staff here.” Colton asked a few more questions as we drove down the road to the clinic.
Dr. Hopkins stood outside the clinic, talking to someone on the sidewalk. I recognized the guy from the diner—he was the manager or the owner, I couldn’t remember. After we parked, I got out and talked to the doctor before the cameras came on. I’m sure Mike wanted to surprise him, but I respected the doctor too much to pull a stunt like that. “I have a check to present to you for the clinic. As you can see, this camera crew wants to film us, but if you say no then they won’t. I do have to tell you, though, that getting you and the clinic on TV will bring more awareness and, hopefully, donations, especially since millions of people watch the show.”
He looked uncertain at first, but then he smiled. “Okay, if you think it’s all right and it will help. I’ll be glad to do that.”
“Great!” I waved Mike over and introduced Dr. Hopkins to Colton. “He’s another one of Stockton’s drivers. Great kid!”
“Nice to meet you, young man, and I hope you all stay safe out there. I don’t want to have to fix you up like I did Jackson, here. I know I’ve put more than one stitch in this boy.” Dr. Hopkins laughed a little and patted me on the back.
I nodded, and laughed, too. “Yeah, but we don’t want to start telling those stories.” Mike gave me the thumbs up sign to let me know he was rolling.
“Dr. Hopkins, fir
st I want to say thank you for serving the Village for so long. What’s it been, twenty years?”
“Yes, twenty-three to be exact, and it has been my pleasure. This is my community, too.”
“It’s sad to see this clinic closed. It used to be so busy, treating lower income families, but that’s what happened, isn’t it? It’s been closed for a few months now, right?”
“Almost a year. I tried my best, but it couldn’t be avoided. We received as many grants as we could and were scheduled for more, but we needed financing in between those grants. Costs have gone up significantly over the past couple of years.”
I put my hand on the doctor’s shoulder. I could feel him tremble—or maybe that was me. I couldn’t believe I was doing this, that we were doing this. Unable to wait any longer, I said, “Dr. Hopkins, on behalf of the drivers at Stockton’s Redemption Road, I’d like to present you with a check for fifty thousand dollars. Please do what you do best. Re-open the clinic and serve our community.”
Dr. Hopkins’ hand flew to his mouth and he instantly began to cry as he took the check in his shaking hands. “Thank you, thank you all so much.” He grabbed me close and hugged me then he whispered to me, “Thank you, Jackson. Mollie was right all along. You are a good man.” The camera crew caught most of it, and hopefully not the last part, but if they did, I was okay with that. Dr. Hopkins opened the clinic and gave us all a tour. Of course, I knew where everything was, but Mike and Colton paid attention, and asked questions about the services and clients.
By the time we left, I was on cloud nine. I’d talked Mike into riding back to the house with his own crew and he didn’t give me a hard time. I guessed he’d taken enough film for the day, because his crew was anxious to talk to him about something. Colton climbed in the Challenger and I unplugged the pocket camera from the visor. He looked at me but didn’t say anything.
“Listen, I want to tell you something but I want you to keep it to yourself. Dixie told me to keep my mouth shut, but I can’t just sit back and watch you walk into a trap. That chick, Regina, she’s not who you think. I mean, she’s Randall’s wife, for real, but she’s playing you. Regina and Randall are working together and they don’t care what their kids see. She’s hoping to get you in a bad situation so you can get disqualified, or at the very least, shook up enough to lose.”
Colton’s happy-go-lucky smile suddenly disappeared. “You’re wrong. Regina is through with him. That guy is an asshole. She says he treats her bad and the kids, too.”
“Colton, you have to listen to me, man. I have it on very good authority here. She’s not what she seems. Please tell me you haven’t done anything with her.”
“No, nothing.” He looked exasperated. “I swear, nothing’s happened. We just talked, that’s it.”
“Always remember that the cameras are rolling. If Mike can catch you doing something with her, he will—even if you can’t see him. He tried it with me. I like Mike, but he works for Redemption Road. He has a job to do and he’s going to do it. Keep away from Regina. For God’s sake, if you’re horny, read some of that fan mail, or ask your coach to introduce you to someone. I don’t know, do something else. She’s not for you, man. She’s got two kids and a crazy husband. You don’t need that, even if you do win.” I grinned at him.
“You mean, when I win.”
“Sure, whatever.” We pulled into the long driveway that led to the Redemption house and I could see right away that we had company. A big, blue Dodge truck sat in my spot and none other than Dylan leaned against the door with his arms crossed. I was surprised he wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat or something. “Awww, fuck.” I put the car in park.
“What is it? Who’s that?”
“The biggest fucking asshole you’ll ever meet. He makes Randall look like a baby.” I climbed out of the car and kept my eye on Dylan as I walked over to him. The old Dylan was the kind of guy who’d sling a knife if he could, and I didn’t know how much he’d changed—if he really had changed. Mike and his guys were already there, ready to film whatever dust-up may transpire. Fuckwads—they knew about this. I knew exactly why Dylan sat in my parking spot. This was about Mollie. Well, if he wanted a piece of me, he could have it. I hadn’t gotten into a good scrap in months.
“Something I can help you with?”
“Yeah, mother fucker! You’ve got a lot of nerve being around Mollie, just because you’ve got a half-ass fucked up reality show to back you up now. She’s not for you, Fitzgerald. She’s got way too much class for you. Fuck, I don’t even think you’ve got blood in your veins any more, do you? More like some junkie juice, or maybe some crack?”
I lifted my, arm ready to pop him in his fat mouth when Wyatt yelled at me from the porch. “Don’t do it, Jack! He ain’t worth it!”
“What I do with Mollie has nothing to do with you, Dylan. Not a god-damned thing. Get the fuck back into your tacky-ass truck and get the fuck out of here before I throw you out.” I balled my hands into fists, ready to lay the fool out. I’d really hate to have it on camera, though.
“You’re going to throw me out? Punk ass bitch! Since you think you know so much, ask yourself how I got here. You think these people are your friends? Guess again. I got a phone call letting me know where you were, punk. And I’m going to tell you again…stay the fuck away from Mollie.”
I eased up to him, just a few inches between us. “Fuck. You. I don’t care who invited you here. Get the fuck out. ” I could smell some nasty whiskey on his breath. Now I’d feel bad if I kicked his ass—he was half drunk.
He laughed in my face and stared me down, his dark eyes dangerous and angry. “You watch your back, Fitz. This isn’t over.”
I didn’t move, even when he brushed against my shoulder. He got in his truck and left. I walked away from the group, went into my room and slammed the door behind me. He’d better have gotten the message.
Chapter Nine — Mollie
I woke up to a beautiful, sunny day. I missed Jack and although we hadn’t set a date for when we’d see each other again, I knew it would be soon. His days were so full now—racing, signing autographs, doing interviews and whatever else came with the whole Redemption Road media circus. He’d called late last night, but he was so tired. I felt bad keeping him on the phone, and he didn’t like to text in case someone got a hold of his phone and blasted it to the world. The show was a lot more work than he’d thought, but after the racing and filming had started, he loved it.
Goodness knows, girls were crazy about him and sometimes that kind of intimidated me, but he’d reassured me over and over again that I was his girl. And why shouldn’t they fawn all over him? He was a celebrity now. A tall, handsome, sexy celebrity and one hell of a race car driver.
Since I was in a ridiculously happy mood, I wore my bright pink scrubs, the ones with the smiley faces all over them. Then I looked at myself in the mirror and realized how cheesy I looked. Oh, well, maybe I’d be in the pediatric ward today—the kids loved the smiley faces.
I had a long shift today with eight hours at University Hospital ahead of me and then I was off for the weekend. I loved my job—I had no regrets about the career I’d chosen for myself and just a few minutes later, I pulled into the hospital and walked down the hall of the Intensive Care Unit. I looked at door 214 every time I passed it and thought of Simon—the sweet little boy who I’d fallen in love with. So brave, overcoming cancer once already and now fighting a second round, and he wasn’t even ten yet. That reminded me—I needed to call his parents and check on how he was doing.
I walked toward the nurse’s station, and the first thing I saw was a ridiculously large bouquet of deep red roses—you could barely see the countertop. Wow, that’s kind of cool. Judith met me and I noticed she looked kind of put out.
“Somebody had a nice time last night.”
“What?” I had no idea what she was talking about. She pulled the gift card from the flowers and handed it to me as if she were passing me a court ruling. Still puzzled, I pul
led the crisp, white card out of the envelope.
I love you, Mollie. Thanks for being there.
If Judith weren’t standing over me, I probably would have jumped up and down. “I got to help a friend, that’s all. Do you want me to move these?”
She frowned a little but her voice sounded softer now. “Maybe you could put them in the break room until the end of your shift?”
“Sure.” I wasn’t going to let her mood get me down. I couldn’t stop her from passing judgment if she wanted to, but I didn’t have to let it crush me. I grinned to myself—Jack had said those three little words again, only this time it was in writing. I slid the card in my pocket and carried the massive vase to the small break room behind the nurses’ area.
“Oh, let me help you.” One of the new nurses, Melanie, grabbed one side of the vase and helped me lift the flowers. I just wondered how I was going to get them home.
“Boy, these flowers smell so good. Love them,” she smiled.
“They are beautiful, aren’t they?” I replied as I pushed the door open with my foot.
“You are one lucky girl, Mollie!” We slid the vase onto the table and I chuckled.
“Yeah, I guess I am.” I was tempted to brag about Jack but thought better of it and the next few hours went by quickly while I did my rounds and helped Melanie. She was a transfer from another hospital and I liked her instantly. She worked hard and didn’t try to get out of the jobs that other people didn’t want to do. She realized, too, it was important to have compassion for people when they were at their most vulnerable. It wasn’t like it was a thrill for me, but people couldn’t always make it to the restroom or puke in the bucket. This was ICU, for God’s sake!
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