Nate (A Texas Jacks Novel) (19 page)

I knew the minute I set foot on the dirt at the track that I would realize how much I’ve missed being on my bike. I haven’t spent as much time as I would have liked over the past three weeks here, and I feel like a part of me is missing. I need to come out here and touch base with the track—
and myself
—more often.

Tucker and Holt should be here soon. They went to pick up Halley and Naomi. To be truthful, I’m glad Charlie was busy tonight. This is something I felt like I needed to do on my own, to free my spirit by knowing that no one is watching, judging, or distracting me. I don’t think Charlie would ever judge me, but she would definitely be watching, which would serve as a major distraction in and of its self.

I know I need to bring Charlie out here more so she can become more comfortable with what I do. She worries a lot about me riding, as she feels this is a dangerous sport. And she's right, it can be dangerous, but I need to calm her fears by showing her that I know what I’m doing, and how awesome it feels to be here. Today just didn’t feel like the right timing for that, though.

Today is just about me.

I’m geared up and pushing my bike out to the track when I see that the guys are making their way over to me, with the girls in tow. You can tell the girls are extremely happy to be here, just as much as the guys are to show off for them. Personally, I think Tucker isn’t using his head, considering that he could run into Lisa at any given moment. I don’t want his drama out at the track. The last thing we need is to make a big scene.

“Tuck, Holt. Ladies,” I greet with a two-fingered salute as I continue on my way. I don’t have time to sit around for idle chat. I’m losing precious riding time and daylight hours. Plus, I want to be home in time to talk to Charlie before sleep claims us, and the workweek overtakes our days.

“All right, which one of you ruined it for me tonight at dinner?” I pointedly ask each of my sisters. We’re on kitchen duty, so I take this moment to have a pow-wow with them, knowing it’s safe to talk since Mom and Dad are in the living room, relaxing with the guys.

“Hey, don’t get all huffy and puffy on us, all right? I was just excited that you finally met someone. I didn’t know that blabbermouth over here would say something to Mom!” Bethany shoots Lindsay the evil-eye glare.

“Hey, don’t jump all over me. I didn’t tell her.” Lindsay looks at Jennifer, so we all turn our eyes her way.

“Oh, give me a break. I have better things to do than to run my mouth off to Mom.” She fires back at us.

“That only leaves you, Rachel,” Bethany says, looking her way.

Rachel shakes her head. “I swear it wasn’t me. Don’t go pointing your fingers at me, now. My only guess is Anson. He might have overheard us talking about it and mentioned it to your dad, who would have passed it along to your mom. Don’t worry—I know how to make him talk. I’ll be right back,” she says as she starts walking out of the kitchen.

We all bust up laughing at that, knowing that if it was him, he’s going down once Rachel gets a hold of him. I decide not to say anything further and start cleaning the kitchen.

“Well? That’s it?” Jennifer asks.

“No. I’m waiting for Rachel to come back. I have plenty more to say, believe me!”

A few minutes later, Rachel is back with a sad-faced Anson.
Who knows what she promised to hold against him.

“Look, I’m sorry I said anything to Dad, okay? He and mom were on me about a few things and I just let it slip, to take the pressures off of me. I’m really sorry, Charlie-bear. Forgive me?” He gives me a ridiculous pout that might have worked in the past, but right now, I’m not feeling so forgiving.

Well, not just yet, anyway.

“Here’s the deal. I wanted what everyone else got— safe passage from the family before the subject was brought up. Lindsay got three months, if I remember right, and Bethany still has safe harbor with her
two
men.” I remind them, cutting Bethany a look.
She seriously needs to pick one already
. “Why couldn’t I be afforded the same rights? All I was asking for was at least two months. Do I not rank high enough for respect around here? Who’s to say Nathan and I will even work out?”

“We’re sorry, sis. We know it can be rough being the youngest in this family. Sometimes, the youngest is just easy pickings. I didn’t purposefully set out to sabotage your need for space. It really just slipped out, and I’m really sorry. It was a defense mechanism — you know me.” Anson both tries to defend himself and give me an apology, all in the same messed up sentence.

“I know this is a big deal. It’s a big deal for me, too. But we’re taking it slow. We’re exclusive, but we haven’t defined our relationship yet. He isn’t used to having a serious girlfriend. I’m not even sure when the last time that was for him. So, let’s not set the family up for false hope, in case it all goes down the toilet before it can even takeoff. I really like him, so I don’t want to push and freak him out. I’m pretty sure I will send him packing if I invite him to dinner here. I haven’t even met his family yet. We’ve only known each other for a total of four weeks. With three of those weeks spent dating, so it’s still new and fresh. Just promise me that I won’t be blindsided like that again, okay?” I ask all of my siblings and my sister-in-law.

“We can respect that.” Lindsay says as she wraps her arms around me in a tight, squeezing hug.

“Careful there, Buff Armstrong. Save your strength to squeeze the life out of your man. Some of us here are fragile, you know.” I smile with a wink at Lindsay before she lets me go, allowing the others in for a turn.

“All right, it’s time to do what you women do best,” Anson says.

Oh boy
. Rachel is looking like she’s ready to chase him with a fire poker from the fireplace.

“And what’s
that
, babe?” Rachel leaves that line hanging, clearly waiting for Anson to make the right response.

We all know he won’t, though.

“Cleaning,” he deadpans. It takes him a second to remember that he’s outnumbered before he slowly backs his way up to the entryway. However, for him, it’s too late. Rachel starts making her way towards Anson, causing him to start running with her hot on his heels.

“When will he ever learn?” Bethany chuckles.

“This is Anson we are talking about, so my guess is never.” Jennifer says, making us all laugh a little more.

“Once Rachel gets her hands on him, he’s toast,” Lindsay chimes in.

We’re all laughing while turning back to our chores in the kitchen when we hear, “
Mom
! Rachel’s being mean to me!”

“I’m sure you deserve every bit of it, too.” Mom yells back, causing us to lose it again.

“Boys,” I say through a big smile as I shake my head.

“Hey, hot stuff. How was your evening with your family?” I ask Charlie the second she answers my call.

“It went pretty well. What about you, cowboy? How was your time at the track? No injuries, I presume?” she asks with a hint of worry in her tone.

“No injuries to report, sweetheart. You can stop worrying yourself sick over there. You know the boys would have called if something happened. Anyway, it’s exactly what I needed. I hadn’t realized how much I was missing the track. I need to take you out there again, soon. I’m thinking next weekend seems good. What do you say to that?”

“Yeah that works for me. I’d like to see you in action again, looking all hot on that bike.” She giggles into my ear through the phone.

“Charlie, maybe I shouldn’t take you out there. I’m thinking you’re going to be one big distraction.”

She starts laughing again, causing me to laugh as well. “I promise to be good. I swear.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, little one.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“So, what really happened at dinner?”

“Oh, the usual — Mom wanting to know what’s going on in our lives, Dad trying to get us to play a game with him, and the siblings being troublemakers.” She chuckles, describing her evening like it’s one of many fond memories.

I wish I had that to offer her, but it will never be that way in our house again.

It’s time for a subject change.

“I’m glad to hear you had a nice time. So, what’s on your agenda tomorrow? Do you think you have time for dinner in your busy life?” I tease her, knowing her life consists of work, our friends, and now, mainly me. Every free moment we have is usually shared with each other.