"Well, I have something that might cheer you up. I don't remember if I told you about this, but the nerds had an old, beat-up Corvette that I bought. Annie got it all fixed up for me, and it's sitting outside right now," I said.

Griffin's eyes widened. "Can I see it?"

I smiled. I knew that would get his mind off his odds at Talladega.

We headed back down the stairs, but no one was where we left them in the living room. Every chair was empty, and a few red Solo cups were left littered on the table.

Classy.

"Did they all leave?" I asked.

Griffin laughed. "I guess they thought my get-together sucked too and saw their chance to escape. See, this is why I need you. You're a lot more fun than anything I can set up."

It was that same reputation that so many people tried to blame for me getting fired, but what was life without a little pleasure? Even the regretful next day felt better than getting used until nothing was left in the tank.

I didn't even think that we had spent much time upstairs, but all the cars in the driveway were gone except for mine. As soon as Griffin caught a glimpse in the moonlight, he stopped in his tracks.

I looked over at him. "It looks even better in the sun. The red paint's real hot."

"Oh my god. Can I drive it?" he asked.

"Do you honestly believe that I would let you drive this? I've poured way too much money into it for you to wreck it," I said, but the keys slipped out of my hand and into his anyway. "Wherever you want to go."

"You hungry?"

I shook my head. "Kind of, but I could probably afford to skip a few meals. I can't fit into the fire suit Annie made for me a few months ago, so that pretty much sums up how my life is going right now."

He rose his eyebrows. "Who cares, Kate?"

"I do."

"Get in the car. If you're not hungry, then you're not hungry, but you sure as fuck aren't gonna stop eating because you're afraid of gaining weight."

Racing took a ton of training and discipline, and everyone in the garage knew that Griffin Gallagher took that shit to the extreme. It sure as hell was no secret it paid off with results on the track and results in bed.

I never really got the chance to meet any of the girls in his life since they were gone within a week, but they knew what they were getting with him.

But at his get-together, the only woman there was Elizabeth, and as long as he wasn't lying to me, she was off-limits. How unlike him.

Although I had spent all day in that car, the magic still hadn't worn off yet, and I got in with Griffin to go wherever the hell he chose. And it didn't even matter to me. It was nice to be back, and even though I had a lot to sort out in the near future, that didn't have to be a problem quite yet.

I looked over at him as he started the car up. His hair had gotten longer since the last time I saw him, but I didn't mind. It was cute.

"Dude, this is literally the coolest shit—" He stopped and looked over at me. "You look tired."

"Probably because I am," I said. "I was trying to take a nap before your new puppy interrupted me, remember?"

"She's the best, isn't she?" He smiled. "You know, I don't have to drive this thing right now. You've had a long day, and you should really get some rest. We'll find your key tomorrow."

"Thanks, Griffin."

"If I can be kind of selfish for a second, I'm just glad you're back here. I'm still gonna make you eat something, though."

I smiled. There wasn't anything selfish about it at all. "What kind of whole wheat organic bullshit are you gonna put me through today?"

"Look, Katie, I don't give a shit if you eat half of your body weight in ice cream at this point."

"Do you have that much ice cream?"

He laughed. "Well, not exactly, but I always kept some random processed shit here for when you came back."

When. With that one word, I realized I really had missed him a hell of a lot more than I thought, and every second of every day in Canada I knew damn well that I missed him.

Maybe the wishful feeling I had about him when I was walking with Annie wasn't just a passing thought. He had seen me at my best, my worst, and just about everything in between, and while I was a little more open than he was, he never hesitated to say what he was really feeling.

Well, by that logic, I was just making a giant fucking mess in my heart for something he didn't share.

Of course, it was a topic we didn't really discuss ever, so maybe.

We headed back to the kitchen, but whatever hunger I felt earlier was long gone and replaced with a pukey sensation from my toes to my nose. He was the one constant comfort in my life, and he enjoyed his revolving door of women. What the hell was I supposed to do with that?

"I don't know what you're in the mood for, but I think I have some Oreos or something," Griffin said. "Unless you want whole wheat organic bullshit or whatever the fuck you called it."

I forced a smile. "It's fine. I'm fine."

"I'm serious, Katie. I'm worried about you."

"Worried? Why the hell would you be worried?"

"Because this would take a toll on literally anyone, and you're the most emotional person I know. I mean, you were just crying upstairs, so I think I have a reason to be a little concerned about you."

"I'm just tired, okay?" I shook my head. I was right where I wanted to be, but why did it have to hurt like hell to find my way back? "Don't waste that shit on me. You know I'll be fine."

"Yeah, you will be. But what about now?"

"If you want the truth, right now, things are fine. Yesterday and the day before, things sucked, and the feeling is just lingering, and I don't know how to get it to stop."

He hesitated, and my heart sped up and leaped into my throat. It was only partially true, but what was I supposed to say? He was the main problem at the moment, and the motherfucker didn't even do anything wrong.

There were a billion reasons why I could have just been tricking myself into the bullshit I was feeling, but for someone who had no problem with impermanence, it all felt a little too real to me.

"You don't have to pretend that they didn't hurt you. And you also don't have to give them a second more of your life or thoughts," Griffin said.

"Nothing's ever over, Griffin. That's the problem. And I wasted so much time on that robot and team for them to stab me in the back, and Annie's in fucking New York probably living her best life. It feels like RTR all over again."

"No one who just uprooted their entire life is thriving. You should know that by now."

Then where the hell was I supposed to thrive? Some people were born for the road, and I was one of them. The idea of staying in one place was terrifying, and new starts were rough.

Maybe I just had to drive around in circles until I died.

"I should really get to bed. You know how the sky feels like it's falling when you're tired? I'm pretty sure I'm at that point," I said.

Griffin chuckled. "Just go to bed. This time, I mean it. The party's over anyway."

I gave him a small smile. Of course, I was probably the one who ruined his lame party by making it even shittier with my vocal criticism of Elizabeth, but he did insist that despite that, he was still glad that I was back.

It was nice to have someone welcome me and mean every second of it instead of having someone use what I gave until it wasn't good enough anymore and throw me out.

I made my way back upstairs to Penny's and my room, and she still hadn't moved from earlier and was fast asleep. The bed was covered in dog fur, but who the hell was I to complain? She was, in fact, a very good girl.

"So you're Griffin's new girl, huh? I never really thought he'd ever settle down," I said to Penny.

She didn't even look up from her slumber. I couldn't blame her. What a goddamn queen.

I also never thought that I'd be the one to accidentally get a few feelings for him, but who the hell knew anything anymore?

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Hello everyone, and thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate all of your support. This chapter was on the shorter side, but I hope that the next chapter will be filled with some excitement. Once again, we know what happens when I get excited about what's coming next: I get disappointed in myself.

So I'm not entirely sure what I want to ask today because I am very tired, so what have you liked about the book so far? What haven't you liked?