Free Ever Fallen In Love by Wendi Zwaduk

you show me around? I've been here twice and still not had the honour of touring the place. I like nickel tours."
    If nothing else, walking would give her time to think.
    Confusion flickered across his face as he bobbed his head. “Might be a penny tour.” Tucker offered his hand. “You've seen the track. There's nothing else really here but trees, trees, and more trees.” He murmured into her ear, “Unless you're looking to score in the woods. We never got around to that. Want to?"
    She blinked then followed him towards the garage building. The man knew how to knock her off-kilter. “And miss whatever's in the building over there? I want to see everything.” Megan scrubbed both palms over her face. His declaration ran rampant through her mind. He loved her. It wasn't supposed to happen and yet it had.
    "What the lady wants.” He chuckled and tugged her wrists, forcing her to look at him. “Megs, why do you hide from me? Yeah, you might be right next to me, but I'll be damned if it doesn't feel like you're a hundred miles away.” He nodded to the wide garage door. “This is the mansion. The world's first functional mansion."
    "Functional? I'm impressed. You hate five dollar words.” She breathed in the scent of motor oil and car wax. The citrusy scent of the wax reminded her of home. Funny how she found comfort in the most absurd things. Her footsteps clacked on the pebbled flooring.
    "Shush."
    "You want me to hush or answer your question?"
    "Let's go upstairs first. I'm tired of being outside."
    Megan passed the line of cars in the ample space. A modified race car, another Camaro—brand new if she wasn't mistaken—and a late model car. “Is that the one?"
    "It's still got the dent."
    "I thought we'd get caught for sure, but it was fun.” Megan smoothed her hand over the faint divot in the hood of the late model car. The paint shimmered in the fluorescent lights. Sweet memories came to mind. He won the championship and fucked her on the hood that night, in the car carrier at the track.
    "That was the first time I thought I'd really lost you."
    Megan stared at his back as he strolled away from her. They'd had so many ups and downs. Where did they stand? On the edge of goodbye? On the cusp of forever together? She wiped her cheeks. At the very end of the row sat a lone truck. She gasped. It couldn't be.
    "I kept it."
    Megan shifted her attention from the two-tone blue Chevy to Tucker.
    "Couldn't junk her, even when she cost me over four grand to refurb. I rebuilt the engine, installed a new tranny and used the fab shop at MPR. Couple guys there owed me a favour.” He caressed the fender. “Here she sits. Brand new shocks...waiting to be used."
    Megan ran her fingers over the chrome lining the window. More memories bombarded her. “We sure used it."
    "Best time of our lives, huh?” Tucker shoved his hands into his pockets. “Was for me."
    Megan sighed and blinked back tears she hadn't realised were again filling her eyes. “Where...where are you going?"
    "My space.” He stopped at the top of the staircase. “Come on. I want to show you something.” When she scurried up the wide steps, he opened a door. “Chateau Poston. It's not much, but it's mine, free and clear."
    Megan stepped past him and into the airy space. Mocha walls lined the second storey. A leather couch the colour of milk chocolate lumbered against one wall. Across the room, a large screen plasma television nestled in the midst of a game console and gargantuan speaker system. Shelves filled with trophies and helmets ringed the large room. Other than the race memorabilia, the space could belong to any guy. She ventured towards the shelves. Two items caught her eye. A photo from his first track championship and a collaged photo album she'd given him on their first anniversary. Once again, the past seeped into her brain. The album had been a labour of love, created to showcase each of his triumphs.
    "No others."
    "Excuse me?” Megan swallowed