“No.” Drew reared his head back. “Not yet. You know I just signed a new two-year contract with the Delgado team. I’ve been wondering what life after racing would look like for me. I want to begin preparing for that transition. There are a lot of options.”
Floyd nodded and picked up his fork. “I can understand that, and I’m glad to see that you’re thinking more about your future.”
“I was hoping you were quitting. It’s so dangerous. I worry about you so much. I can’t even watch those races on TV,” Joyce said. “Every time I hear about a crash, I cringe.”
Drew smiled and placed his hand over his mother’s hand. “There’s nothing to worry about, Ma. Don’t forget, I learned from the best.” He looked at his father and smiled.
“I’m always going to worry about you. You and your brothers with your adventurous spirits have given me fits over the years.”
“We get it from Dad!”
Floyd shrugged, unable to deny Drew’s statement. They got their proclivity for adventure from him, a biker himself.
“Have you thought about settling down? All this traipsing across the globe and high-speed races don’t leave much hope for grandkids. You don’t want to be old and lonely, do you? Both Hunter and Blake have managed to find nice girls.”
“I may get old, but I don’t think I’ll ever have to worry about being lonely.” Drew rubbed his chin. His father laughed, but his mother shot a narrow-eyed glare his way. “I’m just kidding, Ma. I’ll settle down one day—just not today.”
Drew paid the tab, but they stayed and talked for a while longer. They left the restaurant and he spent a few more hours with them before heading back to his place to change for a night out with his brothers. They were meeting at Blake’s condominium. As he dressed, he responded to various calls and texts from friends, mostly women wishing him a happy birthday. A few even offered to help him celebrate. One sent him a message with a picture of her lying across the bed with the words Happy Birthday written across her bare breasts. That gave Drew a laugh as he reminisced about the week he’d spent with her in Valencia, Spain, during the fall. The daughter of a Spanish dignitary, Lucia loved adventure as much as he did. She always made time to see him when his work brought him to her homeland, but his casual rendezvous with her was over.
Donned in all black with a fresh haircut and a sparkling diamond in his ear, Drew headed for Blake’s place. During the ride, he actually thought about calling Lucia. It wouldn’t take much for her to hop a plane and meet him for a birthday rendezvous. However, he had already planned to take care of a lot of business during his stay in New York and she would certainly be a huge distraction. He silently applauded himself for always being one to know his priorities. Occupied with all the thinking he’d done about his women and his plans, Drew made it to Blake’s in no time. One thing he did decide was that it was definitely time for some changes.
The snow crunched under Drew’s tires as he drove into an available space. He pulled his coat together at the collar, hopped out the car and ran to Blake’s door. Drew heard music and several voices and assumed his cousins were partying with them. Eager to get the night started, he rang the bell several times to pierce the chatter.
Blake swung the door open and, before Drew could say a word, the crowd behind Blake yelled, “Surprise!”
“Oh!” Drew’s hand covered his gaping mouth as he reared back. He bent over laughing. Hunter hugged Drew and then Blake pulled him in for a hug. Drew made his way through the crowd, greeting his guests. “Wait!” Everyone stopped and set their focus on Drew. “Does this mean we’re not going out?”
Blake swatted him on the head. “The party is here, fool.”
Drew sauntered over to the bar and grabbed a bottle of cognac and held it in the air. “Then let’s get this party started!”
The guests cheered. Hunter cranked up the music and Drew started dancing right where he stood. Cadence went up to Drew, danced with him for a moment and then hugged him, wishing him a happy birthday before heading back to dance with Blake. Still holding his bottle, Drew continued through the mass of folks, hugging, chatting and giving high fives.
Someone pulled his arm. Drew turned around to his ex Stacey, who attended prep school with the brothers before becoming a Wall Street executive and moving to the same complex as Blake.
“Stacey?” Drew said unbelievingly.
“Yep! I haven’t seen you in years. You’re looking good.” She nodded her approval.
“Thanks.” She smiled wide as Drew looked her over from head to toe, pleased with how well her curves filled her little black dress. He lifted her arm and twirled her around. “You’re looking pretty damn fine yourself, lady. What’s up with you these days?”
“I’m well. I’ve watched some of your races.”
Drew lifted his brows. “Really? That’s cool.”
They danced for a few songs as more guests arrived. When Hunter opened the door and Alana appeared in the doorway, Drew’s focus shifted instantly. Alana arrived alone. He watched as she walked in and embraced Blake, Hunter and Chey before walking off with Cadence. He admired her silky-straight hair as it gracefully framed her face and flowed below her shoulders. He watched her hips sway under her electric-blue dress and allowed his eyes to roam over her legs concealed in black stockings to the sexy pair of high-heeled riding boots. He imagined how sweet she must have smelled, remembering what type of fragrances she preferred. Drew continued to watch as she and Cadence disappeared behind the wall separating the kitchen from the living room and wondered if she had noticed him. Suddenly, he wasn’t so interested in Stacey’s whereabouts in recent years. He didn’t want to be rude, so he continued dancing and chatting with Stacey, but Alana had stolen his focus.
Alana tried to act as if she hadn’t noticed Drew, but who could miss that smooth, caramel skin; those dreamy, hooded eyes; broad shoulders; and slim waist wrapped in mysterious black. She had taken all of that in and more on her walk from the front door to the kitchen, including the fact that he was dancing with a pretty woman.
At first, Alana wasn’t going to come, but Cadence kept calling to make sure she did. Besides, she had never been a homebody and was bored sitting at her place, alone. Her only sister, Adriana, lived in Chicago and her parents were busy socialites with plans of their own.
Alana grabbed the tray that Cadence had asked her to get and followed her through the crowd to the table with the food. Cadence made room for the additional trays and Alana put hers down. She turned and bumped right into Drew.
“Hey, Drew! Happy birthday!” she cheerfully yelled over the symphony of voices, laughter and music. Alana gave him a friendly hug as if his sexy aura had no effect on her. Drew pulled her in tight and released her slowly. She tried not to swoon from the masculine scent of his cologne or the feeling of his taut chest against hers. Alana cleared her throat and stepped back, adding space between them.
“Thank you.” He licked his lips and Alana wanted to touch them.
“Are you having a good time?” she asked.
“I’m having a great time now that you’re here.”
Alana twisted her lips. “You’re such a flirt.”
“I’m serious.” He stared directly into her eyes. “You know we always had fun.”
“That’s true.” Alana withdrew her hand from his, just realizing that he was holding on to it. “Well, enjoy yourself. I need to go back and finish helping Cadence.”
“We’ll talk later?”
Alana smiled and walked away.
After she had assisted Cadence