Free Let Me Go by Michelle Lynn

convince me to stay the hell away from Paige. Leave her intact for someone else to love instead of the torment I’m sure to drag her through.
    Noticing Dex’s truck blocking my way, I sit on the chair, my leg bouncing a mile a minute. Fuck, what am I supposed to do? I want her to come with me, watch me race.
    “You’re thinking pretty damn hard there.” Brady runs up the driveway, panting.
    I roll my eyes at the sweat dripping down his face. “Did you turn the wrong way?” I don’t peer up to him, and he walks over to the fridge and grabs a water. “Help yourself.”
    “Don’t mind if I do.” He twists the bottle open and I really hope he doesn’t lecture me today. I’m not in the mood for it. I swear him and my mom have phone conversations about me.
    He sits down on the garage floor and stares up at me. “So, I have a question for you.” I glance through the corner of my eye and suck in a deep breath.
    “What?” I sigh and sit up straighter in the chair.
    “Will you be a groomsman?” He smiles and I do to. Although marriage might not be in the cards for me, it suits Brady. He and Sadie had that ever after thing lined up a month after meeting.
    “Really going through with it? The whole forever until death thing,” I razz him and he chuckles. I’m envious of the guy, no qualms whatsoever. He’s a different guy than me though, that’s for sure.
    “Yep. I am.”
    “Sadie okay with it?”
    “Yeah, she’s fine with it. There’s only one thing.” His lips straighten and I know the favor before it leaves his mouth. “Grant is my best man.”
    I scratch my head, knowing I need to make amends with Grant and Jessa eventually, but the thought of doing so is as welcoming as an electric chair. “I’ll go over there this week.” Brady’s done way too much for me not to reciprocate.
    “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” He stands up, stretching his legs. “It’s about time we get it all done with anyway, and my wedding is the perfect occasion.” He laughs and I don’t.
    “You do know it’s the event of the year. I mean people can’t stop waiting by their mailboxes for the invitation,” I joke, because Sadie has gone overboard on this wedding planning. When I lived over there, I swear she was on the phone everyday with someone about a mundane detail.
    “She just wants it perfect.” Brady excuses his fiancée’s bridezilla mannerisms.
    “Yeah, I know.” I stand up, stepping toward him. “Thank you, I’m honored you asked.” He nods and smiles.
    “Sadie had so many girls, I had to fill in.” A small smirk crosses his lips and we both know neither one of us are going to be sappy about this shit. He asked and I accepted. The end.
    “I’ll take care of it.” I inhale a deep breath, running my hand over my face. “I may bring Sadie with me.”
    His eyes light up. “That’s a good idea, actually. Let me know when you—”
    I wave him off. “No, I got this,” I assure him and he nods.
    “Okay, well now you’ll be added to the email list. Prepare yourself, you get info daily.” He shrugs his shoulders because he has no control of Sadie’s actions.
    Never wanting to give him too hard of a time with his fiancée, I shout down the driveway. “I’ll welcome them.”
    He lifts his arm up and waves at me while continuing to jog down the driveway.
    I watch Brady disappear into his house, and Paige exits ours. Not allowing her out of my sight again, I steadily stride toward her, and her steps quicken to her car. As her hand reaches for the handle, I step in front blocking her. She crosses her arms over her chest and stares out to the street. “Truce?” I offer and she huffs.
    She gives me her attention and her eyes pin me to the car. “Rob, I’m not into playing games.”
    I hold my hands up. “Me either. Please come tonight, I’d love to show you what my racing is all about.” I shoot a cheesy smile her way and she weakens slightly.
    Biting her lip to keep from smiling, I laugh.