Adrenaline (Speed Series Book 2)(35)

With a giggle, I replied, “Yes, I’m kidding. Gesh. Do you really think I’m that much of a slut?”

Starting to walk, I could see Malcolm’s house. I swear his driveway was at least a mile long.

“Okay, well tell me why you’re there. Is this guy like a germaphobe who won’t leave his house?”

I nibbled on my lip nervously. “No. I kind of knew him before he had his accident.”

“Oh . . . this just got very interesting. Who is he?”

I lifted my hand up and waved her off like she could see me. “No one you would know.”

“Try me. You’d be surprised.”

“Malcolm Wallace.”

Silence.

Pulling my phone out, I checked to make sure the call hadn’t dropped. “Annie?”

“Malcolm Fucking Wallace? You’re staying at Malcolm Wallace the NASCAR driver’s house? In Crawford? His ranch?”

I pulled my head back in surprise. “Since when did you become a NASCAR fan?”

She let out a roar of laughter. “Since I saw him at one of my father’s benefit dinners. Holy f*cking cow bells. Paislie, that guy is hot as hell. Where did you meet him and why didn’t you tell me?”

“Um . . . well, I met him at a race in Vegas. Trey had VIP tickets and I literally ran right into Malcolm. We got to talking and I don’t know, we hit it off. Then he sent me a ticket to the Texas race and I kind of had dinner with him one night and was there when he had his accident.”

More silence.

“You there?” I asked.

“I. Hate. You.”

Pressing my lips together, I shook my head as I tried not to start laughing. I knew she would be pissed I kept her in the dark about Malcolm.

“Do you know why I hate you, Paislie?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re fixin’ to tell me.”

“First, you f*ck Trey Rogers for months. Then while with Trey Rogers you met the best looking guy on the planet, then go out with said hot guy, and now you’re probably massaging his upper thigh while you contemplate whether or not you’re going to accidently graze his dick. I hate you.”

And that was it. I lost it laughing. “When was the last time you had sex, Annie? I think you’re overdue! You could always call Trey. I hear he likes to keep one on the side from his girlfriend of six years.”

Annie made a disgusted sound. “Fuck him. He was an *. I feel sorry for that girl, but if she’s stupid enough not to see, then that is her problem.”

As I got closer to the house, I saw Sophie outside riding her bike. She still had the training wheels on it and I could hear her yelling out from way down the driveway. Man, sound travels out here in the country.

“Agreed. Anyway, Malcolm feels more comfortable here. So . . . here I am.”

“Huh. So do you like him?”

Now it was time for me to be quiet.

“Paislie? Oh my . . . you do, don’t you? Hold on. I need to shut my office door.”

I slowed my walking down a bit. I could see Sophie jumping as high as she could to get my attention.

“Okay, tell me what’s going on. In all the years I’ve known you, any time I ask if you like a guy you pop back with a for sure no. Even Trey, I knew you were only with him for the sex.”

I loved my best friend, but sometimes I wanted to tape her mouth shut. “I’m not really sure what I’m feeling right now, Annie. I’ve never . . . well I mean . . . he makes me feel . . . I guess I . . .”

“Jesus! Spit it the hell out.”

“That’s just it. I don’t know how I feel! I’ve never felt like this before.”

She gasped. “Have you talked to Sister Elizabeth? What does she say?”

I rolled my neck a few times to get the tension out. “Hey, I’ve got to go. I have an almost six-year-old barreling at me on a bike with training wheels and she’s out of control.”

“What! He has a kid! Holy fu—”

Hitting end, I smiled as Sophie rode her bike up to me and hit the brakes hard and fast. Must run in the family.

“Paislie!” She turned to Clarisse and waved. “Paislie is gonna watch me now. She’s my new best friend!”

Clarisse and I had met last night in the kitchen when I was sneaking around the house trying to find my way about. She gave me a tour of the house and then made us both a cup of tea. We talked for three hours about everything and anything. I instantly loved her. I knew it was because she reminded me of one of the nuns back at St Patrick’s.

“Sophie, Virginia will be here any minute to get you.”

Glancing up, I gave her a questioning look. “Her nanny. Malcolm insisted Sophie only go to after-school care three days a week. Monday’s and Friday’s Virginia comes. She’s running late today.”

With my hands on my hips, I flashed Sophie a huge smile. “Well, if it’s okay with Clarisse, I’d love to hang out until Virginia gets here.”

Sophie jumped off her bike and ran to the older woman where she dropped to her knees and begged.

Clarisse shook her head and said, “Fine. You be a good girl for Ms. Paislie, you hear?”

“Yes ma’am!” Promptly turning, she got back on her bike and started peddling while Clarisse got in the little golf cart she had been riding in while following Sophie, and headed back to the house.