#Rev (GearShark #2)(56)

“Well, don’t keep us in suspense anymore, son. Give us the good news!” his father said, turning from the pot with a mug in his hand.

“Good news?” Drew asked.

“You must have some. After all, you did come all the way home for an awfully short visit.” His mother agreed.

“I did come because I wanted to talk to you about something.” Drew hedged.

“Let’s go sit down,” his mother directed and headed toward the sofa.

I sat on the end near the armrest and propped my elbow on the cushion. I was surprised when Drew sat right beside me. He didn’t touch me or even glance my way, but I knew.

I knew he needed my closeness, because in his position, I would need the same. Again, I fought the urge to touch him but consoled myself with the knowledge he knew I was here.

Drew’s parents sat nearby, on the other side, so we were almost facing each other.

Burke took a drink of his coffee, then set the cup on a polished wooden table in front of the couch. “How’s the job going?” he asked.

“It’s, ah, fine,” Drew replied.

His father heard the hesitation in his voice and nodded like he understood. “You’re too qualified for that place. You need more of a challenge. I called Simon, my contact at the large software company that rivals the one I work for, and they’re going to be hiring this spring, soon. I put in a word. Just send over your resumè—”

“Dad.” Drew cut him off. “I live in Maryland now.”

“Of course.” He nodded. “There are plenty of great software jobs there. That’s probably why you’re here. Who hired you?”

Drew took a deep breath, and I reined in my patience. “I’m driving now, for the new racing division.”

“That’s not a full-time job,” his father argued.

“Actually, it is. I’ve just come from a meeting with Ron Gamble. He owns the new division I’m racing for. He’s going to pay me to drive full time. I’m going to be training and touring to different races. I’ve also got some endorsement deals coming in. It’s lucrative, pays well.”

“Computers pay well,” Burke rebuffed.

“You know my passion is cars, Dad.”

“Ever since you were a little boy,” his mom mused.

I kept my eyes trained on his father, measuring his reaction.

His lips thinned. “Cars is a hobby.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Drew argued. “I told you when I moved up there with Ivy I was going to pursue a career in cars.”

“But you still work in computers.”

Drew sat back, a little stiffer. “You didn’t think I could do it.” He huffed. “You thought it was just a dream.”

“Cars are not a career, Drew,” he replied in a no-nonsense tone. “We discussed this. This is just a phase. Your degree, your skill set at software and technology is your future.”

“That’s not what I want.”

I wondered if anyone else heard the hurt deep in his voice.

“What do you mean it’s not what you want?” his dad said, incredulous. “You’ve been working toward this for half your life.”

“No, Dad!” Drew spit out. “You have. You’ve been shoving your chosen profession down my throat since I was just a kid.”

“Andrew,” Adrienne said, shocked.

“Haven’t you been listening? I know you’ve heard me when I said it before. We had this conversation when I moved to Maryland. You were disappointed then, too, Dad. I can’t keep living the life you want me to live. I’ve tried…” His voice faltered, then came back. “My whole life I’ve been trying to please you and live up to everything you wanted me to be. I can’t anymore. I can’t be who you want.”

God.

How could they not react to the pain in his voice, the absolute anguish? How the f*ck could they just sit there and stare at him?

I couldn’t.

It was physically impossible.

“Forrester,” I whispered and reached out a hand. My palm slid over his thigh, a touch meant to comfort. A touch meant to let him know not only did I hear what he said, but I was listening.

Drew made a sound, and his hand fell over mine. He grasped at my fingers like they were a lifeline, like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.

You could have heard a pin drop.

The silence in the room was so loud it muffled my ears. Suddenly, everything seemed to happen in slow motion, like were in a movie and someone hit the wrong button.

Both Burke and Adrienne looked down. Their gazes zeroed in like arrows on a bull’s-eye right to where we touched. Confusion crossed their features, and it slowly gave way to horror.

That single touch told them exactly what Drew had yet to say. It wasn’t that I was trying to hurry it along. I’d only been wanting to give the person I loved some support.

“What the hell is this?” his father said, glancing up from our hands. His voice was dangerous and low.

Drew let go of my hand, and I pulled mine away.

“It’s why I came,” Drew replied. “I do have news.” He cleared his throat. “But I don’t think it’s the kind you were hoping for.”

“Andrew,” his mother said, pressing a hand to her throat.