Heart Racer: A Billionaire Love Story Page 12

  “Sorry I’m late,” Lauren said. She rolled her eyes. “Derek and I got into another fight this morning.”

  “Who?” I wrinkled my nose. “Who’s Derek?”

  “Lauren’s new boyfriend,” Katie said. She snickered. “They have a very dramatic relationship.”

  Lauren elbowed Katie in the side and I burst out laughing as Katie spat margarita all over herself.

  “We’re not dramatic,” Lauren said loftily. “We’re just intense.”

  I rolled my eyes. “That sounds like another word for drama,” I said.

  “Well, we met on Tinder,” Lauren said. She grinned. “I wasn’t really looking for anything serious, but when I saw Derek, I totally knew that I wanted him to be my boyfriend.”

  “So what’s the problem?” I narrowed my eyes as I finished the rest of my drink. Thankfully, a bartender swooped in and handed us three fresh margaritas. After toasting Lauren and Katie, I took a long sip.

  “Well, it’s like this. One minute he’s totally fine. He calls me and tells me how much he really likes me and that he’s been thinking of me all day. And then like, I go over there and he tells me he doesn’t think he can be a good boyfriend! And I’m like, what the fuck?” Lauren said. She frowned and drained half of her drink in one gulp. “I don’t even know how to deal with him when he does that.”

  I bit my lip. “It sounds like he doesn’t know what he wants,” I said slowly.

  “No shit,” Lauren said. She rolled her eyes. “But then like, when I tell him that we should break up, he tells me that he loves me and can’t imagine not being with me!”

  “That’s really frustrating.” I meant what I said. I couldn’t imagine how it must feel to be yanked up and down like a yo-yo. If Jake had ever tried anything like that, I was sure we wouldn’t be living together today. That or one of us would be dead.

  “But the make-up sex is amazing,” Lauren rolled her eyes and fanned her face, “The best I ever had.”

  Katie and I laughed.

  “Liv, you have it so easy,” Lauren complained. “You live with a great guy who worships you.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “It wasn’t always like that,” I said. “It was a lot of work to get where we are now.”

  “Yeah, but like it would be so easy to fall in love while traveling the world with a famous race car driver,” Lauren said. “I mean, how could you go to Paris with a guy and not fall in love?”

  I frowned and thought for a moment. “I used to think that,” I said slowly. “But it’s something different. I don’t even think it was the travel and the money that made me happy with Jake. I think it’s just because he’s Jake. I love him,” I said simply, shrugging my shoulders. “He makes me happy, even back here in Daytona.”

  Lauren and Katie burst out laughing. “He’d better make you happy,” Lauren said with a smirk. “Because this place ain’t exactly getting any better.”

  I snorted. “Maybe not,” I said. “But I know I want to be with him, no matter where we are.”

  Lauren sighed enviously. “You’re so lucky,” she said. “I wish I had a guy like that.”

  I smiled. “I know,” I said softly. “I feel like I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”

  ***

  When I got home, Jake was still on the couch. He was snoring and his mouth was open. A tiny strand of drool dripped from his lower lip to the pillow. I rolled my eyes before leaning over with a tissue and gently dabbing at the pillow.

  “Wuzza?” Jake yawned and opened his eyes. “Oh, Christ, Liv. What time is it? I didn’t hear you get home.”

  “I just got back,” I lied. The truth was, I’d been home for over an hour. But Jake looked so cute that I didn’t wanted to wake him.

  Jake nodded. His face was flushed and puffy with sleep. He groaned again and rubbed his eyes with both fists. There was an open box of Frosted Flakes balanced precariously on his chest. When he stretched, it tumbled to the floor. I tried not to cringe as an ocean of corn cereal spread over the carpet.

  “Are you okay?”

  Jake nodded. “Yeah,” he said. “I feel alright. I’m just so fucking tired, though. It’s like I can’t ever get enough sleep.”

  I frowned. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “You just look exhausted,” I said gently.

  “I told you, I’m not getting enough sleep.” Jake groaned and sat up. As he grabbed the back of the couch and tried to maneuver himself into his chair, I stepped forward and grabbed his shoulders.

  “Easy,” I said. “Don’t hurt yourself.”

  “Liv, I’m not a child,” Jake said through gritted teeth. His jaw was clenched and I could see a vein twitching at the side of his temple. “I can do this myself.”

  “I know,” I said. “I’m just trying to help, Jake. I don’t want you to hurt yourself further.”

  Jake rolled his eyes and a flash of panic went through me. What if everything I’d been feeling back at the bar was wrong? What if Jake and I really weren’t as strong as I’d thought?

  “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I’m not trying to get on your nerves. I’m just trying to help.”

  Jake reached for the remote. He ignored me as he turned on the television and started flipping through channels.

  “Did you go to therapy today?” I sat down on the couch. “How’s Jamie?”

  “I cancelled.” Jake yawned. “I didn’t feel like getting a cab.”

  “Are you serious?” I could feel my hands balling into fists at my sides but I shoved them in my lap so Jake wouldn’t notice. Frustration was welling up inside me like boiling water. I wished I’d stayed out, I thought angrily. Maybe if I came home later, Jake would already be in bed and we wouldn’t have to have this conversation.

  “Yeah,” Jake said. “I just didn’t feel like going.” He yawned and the odor of unbrushed teeth floated across my face. “I might go tomorrow, though. Or maybe I’ll wait until next week. I’m thinking of giving this all a rest.”

  I sighed. “Jamie won’t be happy with you,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “You were making such good progress, too.”

  “Jamie can fuck off,” Jake said. “I don’t give a shit what he thinks. He’s a cocky asshole, Liv. He thinks he’s better than everyone else because he broke his back surfing and can walk again. Woo-hoo, big miracle there.”

  “Jake….” I trailed off, biting my lip. “I’m sure he’s just trying to encourage you.”

  “Well, he comes off like a real jackass,” Jake said.

  I sighed and stood up. I was one step away from telling Jake that he sounded like a real jackass, but instead I let it go. Maybe I should just change the subject, I thought. Maybe Jake will cheer up if we do something special tonight.

  “What do you want for dinner? Do you feel like going out? Maybe we could get steak and shrimp,” I said. “Those are your favorites, right?” I tried to smile but Jake didn’t even glance up. “Jake?”

  “What?” Jake finally turned his gaze away from the television. “What did you want?”

  I sighed. “I wanted to know what you wanted for dinner,” I said. I tried to smile again but this time my cheeks just ached. “I thought we could go out if you’re feeling up to it.”

  “I don’t care,” Jake said. He shrugged and turned back to the television. “Just order something in.”

  “Fine,” I snapped. “I will.”

  I went into the kitchen and grabbed the tote bag I brought home from work. Ever since Dr. Miller had brought up going back to school, I’d requested some course materials from local colleges about their vet tech programs. So far, it looked doable. The tuition was affordable and it looked like I could do it part-time in eighteen months, and keep working. The only thing I was concerned about was Jake. Would I still be able to take care of him if I was juggling work and school?

  A few minutes later, Jake wheeled into the kitchen. He gave me a sad look.

  “I’m sorry, Liv,” he said. “I didn’t mean
to upset you.”

  “It’s fine.” I sighed. “I just…I don’t know how to talk to you sometimes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re obviously depressed and you’re not taking care of yourself.” I replied. “I mean, you’re sleeping all day and all night. We haven’t made love in three weeks. And you’re barely eating—dinner used to be your favorite part of the day!”

  Jake frowned. “I’m not depressed.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m fine, Liv. Trust me.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine,” I said. “Whatever. You’re fine. I missed that.”

  “Liv, come on,” Jake said. “I don’t know what you want me to do here. It’s not like I can just snap my fingers and have everything go back to normal. Damnit, I wish I could do that—more than anything!”

  “I’m not asking for a miracle,” I said hotly. I stared at him. “But when I met you, you were so optimistic! You loved to work hard, and you were one of the most spontaneous guys I’d ever met. Remember Berlin?”

  “What about it?”

  I frowned. “You really don’t remember?”

  Jake shook his head.

  I bit my lip. “We were in Paris. We’d just gotten there for a night. And I said I wanted to see Germany because I wanted a good beer. When I was in the bathroom, you booked us a weekend in Berlin…just because of the beer and bratwurst!”

  Jake’s face relaxed and he chuckled. “I do remember that,” he said. “It just seems so long ago. Like a lifetime or something.”

  “Well, it wasn’t,” I said. “It was about six months ago.”

  Jake winced. “Ouch,” he said.

  “I’m just worried about you,” I said softly. “I see that you’re not really yourself anymore, and I feel like I can’t do anything to help because you won’t let me in.”

  “We live together,” Jake said. He stared at me. “I’m not sure what else you want me to do, Liv. I mean, this is how relationships go.”

  I took a deep breath. “I don’t want to fight with you,” I said. “But I really think you need to take an objective look at what you’re doing right now. You haven’t been yourself, and I can’t say anything without you trying to bite my head off.”

  Jake nodded. “I feel like I’m disappointing you,” he said.

  “You could never disappoint me. I just want you to be happy,” I said honestly. “And right now, you don’t seem like you’ve been happy in a long time.”

  Jake sighed. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “I know I haven’t really been myself lately.” He swallowed hard. “I’ll try to work on that, Liv. I swear I will. I want to be the man that you deserve.”

  Despite the anxiety and frustration gushing through my body, I couldn’t help but smile at Jake’s words. Leaning down, I hugged him gently.

  “I know,” I said. “I trust you.”

  Jake kissed me on the cheek. He reached up and took my chin, then guided our mouths together. As we kissed, I felt the frustration start to melt away like troublesome ice. Finally, I thought. Finally, we’re getting somewhere here.

  “Did you decide on dinner?” I asked sweetly when I pulled away.

  Jake grinned. “Yeah,” he said. “Let’s get something really nice delivered. Steak with lobster tails?”

  I laughed. “Someone misses the high life,” I teased. “That sounds incredible. You’ve got it.”

  “I’m going to take a shower,” Jake said. “I’ll be out soon.”

  While Jake was in the shower, I called Le Chez Françoise, one of the newer and fancier restaurants in Daytona. It was obviously a tourist joint—big aged steaks with huge lumps of cheddar mashed potatoes and seventeen-dollar lobster tails. It was expensive, but I couldn’t deny that part of me felt like celebrating.

  The food arrived just as Jake was wheeling himself down the hall, dressed in a clean button-down shirt and looking boyish and sexy. His wet blonde hair was still damp and tousled from the shower, His blue eyes sparkled with a life in them that I hadn’t seen in months. He made a big show of checking me out as I plated the food, and I put on a little show for him too. I bent over and pressed my boobs together so he’d see my cleavage.

  “This looks great,” Jake said. He wheeled himself up to the table and took a deep breath. “Wow, I’m really hungry.”

  I laughed. “Even after all that cereal?”

  Jake nodded. “Nothing like a good bloody steak,” he said. He licked his lips. “Besides, I have a feeling that we have something to celebrate.”

  My jaw dropped. “You know?”

  Jake narrowed his eyes. “What?”

  I laughed. “About the vet tech program?” I said excitedly. “I can’t believe you found out!”

  Jake laughed nervously. “I’m sure it’s great, Liv, but I was thinking of something else.”

  “Oh?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “So, what were you thinking, smarty-pants?”

  “Liv, will you marry me?”

  My jaw dropped.

  “Marry me, Liv. Make me the happiest man on earth and spend the rest of your life at my side. We’ll be together forever, and we’ll always support each other and love each other, no matter what.”

  Tears welled up in my eyes and I clutched my breast with both hands as I nodded up and down.

  “Yes,” I cried out. “Of course, I will. Yes!”

  Jake grinned. “You’re not putting me on or anything?”

  I shook my head as tears dripped down my cheeks. “No,” I said. I was grinning so widely that my cheeks ached. “I want to marry you, Jake. You are the love of my life. ”

  Jake grabbed my hand and squeezed so tightly that it almost hurt. I raced to his side and leaned down to kiss him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

  “I can tell you’ve been exercising,” I whispered breathily in Jake’s ear. “Your grip is so much stronger than it was before.”

  Jake chuckled. “Just wait and see what I do with you later,” he growled. “I can’t wait to make love to my fiancée.”

  The word sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn’t believe that I’d said yes so quickly. What was wrong with me? But at the same time, I knew in my heart that I’d made the right decision. Jake and I were perfect for each other, and nothing was going to change that.

  “Where’s my ring,” I teased, kissing Jake along his jaw and chin. “I expect a nice one.”

  Jake laughed. “I couldn’t have one delivered with the steak,” he said with a playful pout. “But we’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

  I squealed and kissed him. I was far more excited at the prospect of marrying Jake than any ring…no matter how big or fancy.

  “But Liv, your program,” Jake said. “What was all that?”

  “Oh, my God,” I said. I blushed. “It seems a little silly to talk about that now when we really have something to celebrate!”

  Jake squeezed my hand again and looked deeply into my eyes. “I want to know,” he said seriously. “Especially if it’s something that excites you.”

  I blushed and bit my lip. “I’m thinking of starting a veterinary technician program,” I said. “Dr. Miller keeps talking about how I’d be good at it and I could do it in eighteen months and still work.”

  “That’s fantastic!” Jake kissed me. “I’m so proud of you,” he whispered into my mouth. “Of course, you’ll be great at it. You’re such an incredible woman, Liv. I’m honored to spend the rest of my life at your side.”

  A lump swelled in my throat. All I could do was nod happily. I loved this man so much.

  “Me too,” I whispered softly into Jake’s ear. “Me, too.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  (One Year Later)

  Olivia

  “Hold still,” Katie chastised. “I’m never going to get this zipper up if you keep squirming!”

  “My Spanx are all bunched,” I groaned. “It itches!”

  “Well, stop moving,” Katie said. She laughed. “You’re going to look wonderful, Liv.”

  I
rolled my eyes. “What if I took off my Spanx?”

  “Trust me, don’t do that,” Katie said quickly. “You’ll want those for the photos!”

  “Oh, come on.” Jake’s sister, Abby, rolled her eyes. “Liv has such a perfect body. I’m sure she’ll be fine without them.”

  “The camera picks up everything. She doesn’t want to have anything bulging. It’ll ruin everything.” Katie said to Abby.

  “It’s her day. She should do what makes her happy,” said Abby.

  “True, but this day only comes around once in a lifetime. There are no do-overs. At least there shouldn’t be,” said Katie.

  “Hey guys, I’m right here,” I said, annoyed. “You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not!”

  Abby and Katie both looked surprised for a second but then burst out laughing. After a moment, I joined in too.

  “This is crazy,” I said, tilting my head back and dabbing at my eyes with a tissue. “I can’t believe I’m getting married.”

  Katie snorted. “Neither can I!”

  I glared. “Hey,” I said. “Watch it, or I won’t toss the bouquet in your direction.”

  Katie blushed. “Sorry,” she said. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and gave me an affectionate squeeze. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just think you’ve come a really long way. I’m so happy for you!”

  I nodded. “I know,” I said gently. I glanced down to the sparkling, pear-shaped diamond on my left hand. It was still the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen…every time I looked down, I gasped. After twelve months, I was just now starting to believe that it was really and truly mine…just like the man who had given it to me.

  “I know you’ve come a long way,” Lauren said. She rushed over and kissed my cheek lightly. She reached an arm around and pulled the zipper all the way up. This time, it closed with ease and I looked at myself in the mirror in awe of my ivory-clad figure.

  “You’re such a beautiful bride,” Abby said. She wiped a tear from her eye. “My mom is going to flip out. She’s going to cry through the whole thing—just watch.”

  I smiled nervously. “I might, too,” I admitted. “Am I supposed to feel like this?”