Chapter Eleven

Macayla stretched her arms over her head and yelped as her knuckles came in hard contact with the wall. “Ouch!”

She sat up quickly shaking the sting from her hand and looked around and frowned. Either she’d slept through being ransacked or she was in Dale’s coach. Kellen’s immediate squalling answered her question.

Standing up to head back to the bedroom, she jumped in surprise when the door flew open and Martin rushed inside. “We need to talk…”

“How’d you get loose?” She walked towards the bedroom, not bothering to look at him and leaned over to get Kellen out of the crib. Spreading out a blanket on the foot of the bed, she laid him down and changed his diaper then handed it to Martin as she picked Kellen back up and gently rocked him against her. “Throw that away please…”

“Dale untied me… Look can we talk please?” he pleaded following behind her as she went back to the living room.

Shifting Kellen onto her hip as he snuggled against her, she sat on the couch and watched Martin, waiting for him to speak.

“Mac… listen. I’m sorry okay. Dale told me what an ass I was being and I’m sorry.”

“I told you what an ass you were being too. Do you only see the obvious when he points it out to you?”

“No.”

“Then why didn’t what I said sink in?”

Martin took a deep breath and collapsed in the seat across from her. “Macayla. I really really like you. Probably more than I’ve ever liked anyone in my life and that says a lot coming from me.”

She listened in silence judging his face and eyes more than listening to the words that came out of his mouth.

“I’m sorry that I’ve acted the way that I have but it’s not you that I don’t trust. It’s Dale and I never meant to let it get to me so easily but as I said, I’ve never been so scared of losing something before than I am now.”

“You really think I’m gonna be that hard to hold on to?”

He shrugged and looked down at the floor. “I don’t know.”

“Martin. My husband died three years ago and until you, no other guy has even peaked my interest. But I’m not going to put up with the jealousy. I never did before and I’m not going to now. If you can’t trust me and my judgment then I can’t be with you.”

“Alright.”

“Is he asleep yet?” Macayla asked as she was unable to see Kellen’s face.

Martin nodded and followed her as she walked back to put him in bed. When she turned around he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. “Kellen’s gonna have to find something else to suck on or you’re gonna look like a leper.”

“What!? He did it again?” She pulled away from him and rushed to the bathroom to look in the mirror. Sure enough another spot had formed just to the left of the other. “Of all the times to have short hair.”

“What’s going on?” Dale called from the living room.

Martin laughed and shook his head. “Kellen’s got a sucking problem you need to have remedied.”

“He did it again?”

“Oh yeah…”

Macayla rolled her eyes and joined the guys in the living room as she casually rested her hand over her neck.

“Is it that bad Mac?” Dale asked as he pulled her hand away. “Holy shit!”

She rolled her eyes. “That really makes me feel better. Good night Dale.”

“Night.”

“He’s been changed and I just put him back down.” Macayla followed Martin out of Dale’s coach and went with him as he took her hand and pulled her towards the road that twisted through the drivers’ lot. “Where are we going?”

“Just thought you’d like to walk around and see everything. You’ve been inside most of the day.”

She smiled and fell into step next to him and they walked in silence, eventually finding their way to pit road.

“So have you been out here yet?”

“Nope. Can’t say that I have.” Macayla looked on in awe. “This place is huge.”

Martin smiled and pulled her against him so that her back was to his chest and slipped his arms possessively around her waist before he rested his chin on her shoulder. “You smell good.”

She laughed. “No I don’t. I smell like baby slobber.”

“No you don’t.”

“Martin!”

They turned at his name to see a young woman and what Macayla assumed was another driver walking towards them. “Hey guys,” Martin said with a smile, shaking the man’s hand as he released Macayla and turned towards their company. “Mac, this is Tony Stewart, he drives the Home Depot car. And this, is his cousin. Ashley.”

Macayla looked at the shorter woman who appeared to be sizing her up then back at Martin with raised brows. “The Ashley.”

“Yup.”

“Nice to meet you.” She smiled at Ashley and took Tony’s outstretched hand, rolling her eyes slightly when he kissed the back of hers.

“Same here and Dale ain’t shittin either. You look just like Meg Ryan.”

“Real smooth Casanova…” Ashley bit sarcastically as her elbow met his ribs. “So, what are you guys up to?”

Martin looked at Macayla and smiled. “Just showing her around. She’s never been here before.”

“Oh, well, we were about to go get something to eat. You guys wanna come?” Tony asked before Ashley could, pretty sure she’d direct the question only at Martin.

“Um… where you guys going? It’s pretty late,” Martin replied, not exactly sure how comfortable Macayla was going out with people she didn’t really know. Then again, what better way to get to know them.

“Waffle House… Duh,” Ashley smarted back, rolling her eyes as she looked at Macayla to find her smiling. “What do ya say?”

“Fine with me,” Macayla agreed, gently pushing Martin.

“Oh alright. Some hash browns and grits sound really good right now.”

Tony looked at him oddly. “You’ve really grown out of Jersey haven’t you…”

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Macayla pulled her pullover tighter as they entered the cold restaurant. It was nearing midnight and though a number of people lined the counter there were plenty of open booths.

The walked the length of restaurant and sat in the booth in the far corner from the door. Sitting on the inside, both Tony and Martin pulled their hats further down over their eyes and immediately diverted their attention to the menus.

Ashley and Macayla watched in amusement as the waitress approached them for their drink order.

“What you boys gonna drink?” she asked as she popped her gum, her southern accent more than showy.

“Milk. Sweet Tea.” They muttered and she just rolled her eyes and walked away.

“Milk?” Tony asked in confusion.

Martin just shrugged. “I drink milk with breakfast. I’m a growing boy.”

Tony just snickered and looked at Macayla. “You hear that? He’s a growing boy…”

Macayla just smiled and took a sip of her water.

“I guess it all depends on what part of him is growing…” Ashley said, not realizing she’s spoken aloud as the smirk dropped from her face when she realized everyone was staring at her. “What?”

Martin chuckled. “That’s my madam. Only thinking bout one thing…”

Macayla shook her head. “She’s not the only one.”

“Oh really…” Martin said, trying to sound suave and seductive as he slid his arm behind Macayla and scooted closer to her.

“Martin! Gees, I was talking about you, ya dork.” Macayla laughed as he tickled her. “Stop!”

Tony quickly scanned the restaurant and noticed they were drawing attention. “Hey… shh… keep it down guys. What are you trying to do? Get us mobbed.”

“Whatever I feel like I wanna do…,” Martin huffed. “Gosh!”

They all laughed at Martin then placed their orders and went back to laughing. “I wanted tater tots, gosh!”

“Alright, enough. Eat.” Tony growled, not nearly as enamored with his behavior the girls were.

After dinner they drove back to the track and said their goodbyes, each going their separate way. “I’ll walk you back,” Martin said as Macayla started for her coach. He slipped his hand in hers and they walked in silence.

“I had fun tonight,” she said as they reached her place and she opened the door.

“Me too,” he replied softly as he closed the distance between them and reached up to caress her cheek. He slowly leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers, barely a whisper of touch, then pulled away. “Good night, Mac…”

She watched him disappear into the darkness of the lot and climbed the stairs on weak legs. “He’s going to kill me…” she whimpered, frustration evident in her voice.

After a quick shower she put on a pair of panties and a camisole and climbed in the bed, opening the window for a slight breeze she laid on top of the sheets and closed her eyes, letting her hands roam her body, soon they were no longer hers but Martin’s as his fingers did their magic and she rested in a peaceful slumber.

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