The Scarred Wife's Racing Five

Chapter Twenty

POV Holly

When Sawyer dropped me off that evening, I wasn’t expecting to see Noah relaxing on the bench outside my apartment. I hesitated in the walkway while he took a swig from his glass. “Are you planning on standing there all night?” He asked.

I hurriedly went over to him and he looked up at me. “Sawyer said he was falling for me.” I stumbled out of my mouth.

“And?” I blinked as his nonchalant answer fell over my ears. Did he really not care that one of his best friends just hit on me?

“You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be mad? I had a feeling. We’ve been friends long enough to notice these things. What did you tell him?”

“I don’t know what to tell either of you. Not to mention he added there were three more of you for s**t sake!”

He stood to his feet and nodded again before resting a hand on my shoulder like we were buddies. “I know this is strange to you, but just don’t overthink it for now. Just get ready to head out. Are you still interested in treating me to dinner?”

I nodded quickly. “Of course I am. It’s important that I repay you for your kindness.”

“Good. I’ll see you downstairs in an hour.” He raised his glass towards me and left. Just like that. I was expecting him to be angry with me. T-To hit me, but nothing.

I went into my apartment and set up my phone while I thought about the two mystery men that had just fell in my lap. When I glanced at the clock on my lock screen, I realized I only had about a half an hour to head back downstairs. Then I looked at the crumpled piece of paper on the table while I let my feet shake. There is only one person I could think to call about tonight and I just had to do it. I tapped the numbers and listened to it ring. “Hello, this is Susan Davis.” I heard her harmonic voice ring through the mic and I sighed in relief.

“Hi. This is Holly. We met a couple of weeks ago, and you helped me out with my hair.” The other end was silent until I heard her squealing.

“Hi Holly! I was wondering when I would hear from you. Is this your cellphone number?” She asked.

“Yes. I just got it this morning actually,” I said breathlessly. She is just as happy as ever. “I just got a job at a shop too, and I’m enjoying the work. I thought I could splurge a little,” Even though I wasn’t the one who bought the thing. But I’m paying him back. So, it’s totally the same thing.

“You have a job now! Congrats! I was going to tell you that being a waitress at the bar downtown would be great for you. My husband works there, and he would have no problem looking out for you, but if you have already found nirvana, who am I to change your mind?”

“Really? Maybe we should meet up there some time. It would be nice to grab a drink.”

“Okay! I am totally down! You will love that place! Brandon is working on Thursday night so we can meet up then. I can text you the address.”

“Right. That would be awesome. Um…one more thing. Can you help me with something?”

“A problem? Do you need help?” She pressed, and I shook my head as if she could see me.

“No, I’m fine, I just need help with…picking out something to wear.”

“Something to wear? Are you going on a date, Holls?!”

“Holls?” I asked with a smirk.

“Hey, I’m working on it. I thought that was a cute nickname though.” She huffed.

I rolled my eyes. “The jury is still out on that one. On the nickname and the date.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know if I should take anything too seriously yet. But, I do want to look nice. Since you were there when I picked out my new wardrobe, I thought you would be a good candidate for assisting.”

“Where is this date going to be?” She asked, and I could hear the emphasis on the word date. I gave her a run-down of the night. She listened intently before a heavy sigh came through the phone. “I think the white-washed skinny jeans, converse, and that orange puffy-sleeved crop top would look awesome on you.”

I winced at the crop top that she insisted I’d buy. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Showing a little skin will make any man drool. Trust me.”

“Susan, I-”

I tried to finish my sentence when I heard a customer coming into her salon. “Hey girlie, I have to head out, but I cannot wait to hear the details of you not date tomorrow. Byeeeee!” She giggled, and the line went dead.

I leaned back on the chair and listened to the birds chirping outside my window. The crop top would be cute, but I don’t know if I really want to show off my skin in such a public place. I stood to my feet and got dressed quickly. The top, as I figured, showed off a few of the scars on my tummy and one disgusting bruise that was still healing. I cannot go out like this. I scrambled through my drawers until I found a white tank top and threw that on underneath the shirt. Having the fabric covering my skin felt like a well-deserved hug that I desperately needed right now. One day the bruises won’t make me run and hide, but today isn’t that day.

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This apparently wasn’t the best idea. If one more person glares at me tonight, things might get ugly. Noah was quietly eating his pasta while I felt like I was being judged. There is no way I can eat like this. “Ignore them, Holly.” Noah finally said.

“I don’t think that is possible. Why are they all glaring at me? What did I do?”

“Nothing.”

I pursed my lips. “That’s not what I meant, Noah.”

He sighed and turned to glare at the restaurant. The people who decided to stare before were now quickly looking for something else to do. I snorted as a laugh fell from my lips. I didn’t want to, but the change in the atmosphere with just one look was comical. “Feel better?” He asked, holding back a smile himself.

I pulled my laugh down to a chuckle and nodded. “Yes. Much better. Thanks.”

“Don’t worry about it. Now, eat. We have to head out in about twenty minutes.”

I groaned, then grabbed a bite. “Awwwh. No dessert?”

“I thought you were treating me?”

“I am, but it seems like that went out the window once you denied me a sweet treat.”

He wiped his lips on his napkin then waived his hand in the air subtly. “Yes, Mr. Canterwood?” One of the servers asked. It was like they teleported here.

“Bring a dessert menu.” I blushed and looked down at my plate. All of a sudden my appetite returned. I shoved some of the chicken in my mouth and the server ran to grab a menu. He reappeared with the small leather book and handed it to Noah.

“Noah, you didn’t have to ask for a dessert menu. I was joking.” I whispered.

“I’ve seen you eat enough ice cream and chocolate bars to know you are lying.”

I rolled my eyes and finished the last bite of my chicken before snatching the menu from his hands. “You are annoying.” I grumbled, and his chuckle hummed through our little corner of the restaurant.

“Just get something from the menu so we can head out. I’m not interested in being late for my race.”

“You should be more concerned about getting sick during your race. Isn’t it hard to race on an full stomach?”

“When I was twelve…maybe. I’ve been at this for too long to have food stop me from getting behind the wheel.” The server came back, and I decided on a chocolate cake as he took away our dinner plates.

“So, were you the one that got everyone else into racing?” I asked.

He leaned back in his chair and raised an eyebrow. “Everyone else?”

“Sawyer told me there were five of you, so I was wondering if all of you liked racing as much as you do and that’s what you have in common or something.” I ranted.

“Not particularly. I love the adrenaline and the others tend to race as a hobby. For me, cars are everything. I think taking an engine apart on a Saturday is cathartic, while Sawyer would think of watching paint dry instead.”

“What about the others?”

“What about them?”

“I don’t know. After Sawyer told me there were five of you, I became interested.” He smirked, and I quickly waved my hands in front of him. “Platonically speaking!” I corrected.

“Well, platonically speaking, I’m sure you will figure it out sooner or later. I’m surprised I’ve kept them away this long.”

I inhaled sharply as the cake was placed in the middle of the table with two forks. “Sawyer seemed to think the same.”

“Why the sudden interest? After I yelled at him for pushing you too far today, he told me you weren’t interested.”

I blushed and grabbed a bite of my cake. “I said I didn’t want to be passed around like some w***e. Am I wrong?”

“Yes.” He said bluntly and grabbed a bite himself. I blushed further and continued to eat in silence. They both keep telling me that if something romantic happens here, it is normal. Why can’t I shake the feeling that it’s not only abnormal, but it is also going to be more trouble than it’s worth?