Page 37 (2/2)

The pride and awe in his voice was real It was so real it was painful "Thanks"

"And this is what you should be doing--what you should have always been doing

I didn’t understand it then I do now I can never take back the things I said or the way I said theht choice

You’d have been a terrible politician, but you’re one hell of an auto racer Life’s way too short not to do what you love Always do what you love"

Gray nodded "I have been, Dad"

"So you’re happy"

"Never been happier"

"And does that happiness include Evelyn?"

Gray cocked a brow "Evelyn?"

His dad set his glass of water down and stood "You know, it’s azes Reminds me of me and your mother, the ere e first fell in love And e fell in love again"

His dad smiled "Soyou and Evelyn?"

He wasn’t prepared to have this kind of conversation with his father "Idon’t know We have two different lifestyles She wants a career in politics"

"And you’d deny her that?"

Gray frowned "Hell no She should have everything she wants"

His father s and s Your mother adores her So does your sister I could see the two of you together"

This was the most bizarre conversation he’d ever had with his father

"I don’t kno I could make it work"

"You were always a s you’ve ever wanted If the two of you are ure it out"

TWENTY-SIX

GRAY FOUND EVELYN IN HIS PARENTS’ SUITE, SHE AND his ether on the sofa She stood to face hi, but I think we’re going to be okay"

He saw the relief on his ed his mom "Me, too"

They visited for a while, then he and Evelyn left to head back to the racetrack

Mentally exhausted, all he wanted to do was go to bed, close his eyes, and clear his head

Evelyn was great about reading his rill him about his conversation with his father, just cliainst his chest

Surprisingly, though, he couldn’t sleep, couldn’t shut off the thousands of thoughts going through his ht

Evelyn scooted up against the pillows and drew her knees up to her chest

"Would you like to talk about it?"

He thought for a few et the whole forgiveness thing But I feel like I have all these years of anger and resento of instantly"

"But you can’t Not just yet"

"No"

"It’s going to take tiht to allow yourself some baby steps with your dad You don’t have to have this instantly close relationship with hih to know the truth, to knohat happened and that he wants a relationship and forgiveness, and to just take it day by day?"

"I guess so"

"And I think you’re still carrying years of resentment inside you One ‘I’ to cut it, is it?"

He looked at her "Thanks for that I think that’s what’s bothering‘I’m sorry’ should be the end of it, but it doesn’t feel like the end of it for me"

"Nor should it Years of indifference don’t just disappear with one apology He has a lot to ht you’d be on his side"

She laughed "Hey, I’m Switzerland here"

"A very political state Secretary of State"

She climbed onto his lap "Not a chance, buddy It’s all the way to the White House or nothing"

He grasped her hips and snaked his way up her rib cage, his fingers playing with the thin tank top she wore "Aainst his erection "Hmmm, so I’ve noticed"