LOGINThe line rings twice before Stuart Lockwood answers. “Greg?” I immediately hear the concern in his voice. “Everything okay? Is Jen alright?” I smile softly despite my nerves. “She’s fine,” I say quickly. “She’s perfect, actually.” Stuart exhales audibly. “Good. You scared me for a second there.”
Monday morning arrives far too quickly for my liking. After the chaos and adrenaline of the weekend in Foxborough at the Gillette Stadium, waking up in bed next to Jen with the biggest smile on my face feels almost unreal. My body is still buzzing with leftover excitement from my victory, and every
For a moment, I feel that crushing guilt all over again. I don’t deserve her. I know that. But God, I love her. The song ends to roaring applause, but I barely hear it. Anxiety suddenly claws back into my chest, heavy and sharp. I turn away quickly and head back toward the pit. Focus. I need to focu
The stadium lights burn bright against the darkening evening sky, throwing silver across the packed dirt track and turning the haze of kicked-up dust into glowing clouds. The air smells of gasoline, hot rubber, sweat, and rain-soaked earth. To me, it smells like home. My chest tightens as I stand
My dad hugs me next just as tightly. “You’ve worked harder than anyone I know.” I laugh shakily against his shoulder. “I think I’m running purely on caffeine at this point.” “That sounds about right,” Chase calls from nearby. I immediately laugh as my brother pulls me into another hug. “You surviv
By Friday afternoon, I am fairly certain I have survived what could only be described as hell week. The past several days have blurred together into one endless cycle of stress and exhaustion. Exam after exam. Meeting after meeting. File after file. Paper after paper. Every morning starts before sun
What I didn’t tell Jen was that when she was in the shower and I was resting, I made arrangements for a minivan to pick us up. I needed to make sure it was big enough so this fucking chair can go in easier than it did in that damn taxi. I hate seeing that look on her face when something so simple pr
“You’re shitting me right man?” I shake my head telling him no I’m not shitting him. “You were gonna race against Garrett?” There’s that name again. Why does it sound and feel familiar? God, I hate having a partial loss of memory right now. This is pissing me off so much right now it’s giving me a h
Jen gasps and slaps me across my chest, avoiding my broken arm. “I can’t believe that of all the things about me, that is the one you remember.” Her face turns reddish pink, making me unsure if she’s embarrassed or blushing. OR maybe both.“When it comes to you, sweet cheeks, I have never forgotten.
Getting wheeled back into the gallery where Jen left me, I keep looking at all the paintings, waiting for her to return. My eyes kept wandering to the painting I have just secretly purchased for the woman who is taking care of me and whom I still love deeply. When I get a bit longer of a chance, I n







