NADINE OPENED THE DOOR, WHERE the smells of cinnamon washed over us.

"Is that you, Nick?"

"Nadine," I confirmed, setting her bags next to the stairs that led to her room.

It had been two weeks since we last saw her. Apparently, she wasn't doing well in Stats and needed extra help, so she stayed behind. My wife dropped her papers on the island, ran over on bare feet and crushed our daughter in a vice-like hug.

"Are you hungry?" Hadley asked, already making her way to the kitchen in a few long strides. "I saved you a dinner plate."

"I ate at Raven's Nest," Nadine replied, taking her seat at the table.

I plunked down next to my daughter. I missed her and was angry I hadn't spent as much time with her as I wanted. Linda's death left a gaping hole in our family that extended to all her children and grandchildren, and the Bells did what they did best: kept busy.

"How are classes?" I asked, noting how she turned her phone face side down on the table before combing long black tresses from her face.

"Good," she answered, though she didn't seem so sure.

Her phone vibrated, but Nadine left it, not bothering to look.

"How's Liv?" Hadley asked from the kitchen, making lavender and chamomile tea–their favourite.

"She's good," Nadine said, offering nothing more.

Hadley set our cups on the table before taking her seat on my right, continuing their conversation. I admired my wife and the enthusiasm she exuded. She was taking Linda's death hard and did most of her grieving behind closed doors when our kids were gone.

Despair pricked my heart. I understood how hard grieving was, so I made myself available to her as she had for me. She sobbed quietly in my arms before putting on a strong face. She didn't need to but felt it necessary considering how difficult it was for our children.

My wife and daughter exchanged forced smiles, but I couldn't help but notice the unoccupied chair across from me. My son hadn't returned my calls since he left earlier. And it was starting to aggravate me.

I took out my phone, ready to text and tell him to get his sixteen-year-old ass home. We were all taking Linda's death hard, and everyone was dealing with it in their own ways, but Nico...

"What are we doing tomorrow," Nadine asked.

I didn't mean to ignore her, but my mind was set on the last text message my brother-in-law Nate sent me. Some legal bullshit for Bell Construction—Nadine's grandfather's construction company. "What?"

She lifted dark brows. "Tomorrow."

Shit. "Uh, I have to catch up on some paperwork, and I told Jace I'd work with him in the afternoon."

"Oh," she said, and I caught the disappointment.

"You can tag along if you want," I offered.

"It's fine," she replied, a little too quickly.

Hadley and I exchanged glances. Nadine hadn't been right since she left for school. Because of Linda, we assumed. Nadine took on the role of caregiver and stayed with her grandparents while the rest of us worked to keep the businesses afloat. Hadley took over the bar Linda had owned in town, leaving me with Paul's company. And the twins—Nadine's uncles—helped with everything else. It was hard on all of us, but I was worried about Nadine. She seemed too calm for my liking. She didn't even cry at the funeral.

My phone dinged again, this time from my head mechanic, business partner and best friend Austin griping about parts.

Austin: Luke's bitching about the bill for parts, but I need to rebuild the top end for the Evo. I need pistons, rings...

The list went on and on before another text came. Then another.

I grated my teeth, thumbs flying across the screen.

Baker: Just fucking order them if you need them.

Austin: Holy Baker, I was just asking.

Running two businesses was harder than I thought, and I really should have considered it before I agreed. But Paul was hurt, Hadley was grieving, and they trusted me, so I decided to help.

A text from Luke came in, then another from Austin. Bastards. They knew Nadine was coming home, and they couldn't leave me alone for one evening.

I looked up at my daughter, the sorry stained in my eyes. "Can I call you tomorrow? I'll probably be gone before you get up."

Nadine bit her full bottom lip. Despair hung like a cloud. "Sure."

Her disappointment seeped into me like dirty motor oil. I made to turn off my phone, to say fuck it, when it vibrated.

Incoming call, Luke Bell.

Nadine's eyes flicked to the phone in my hand. "Tell uncle Luke I said hi."

Her hollow words stung. "We'll go for an evening ride," I promised. "When I'm finished with Jace."

Luke called again, and I cursed my idiot brother-in-law.

"Alright," she said, leaving me to answer my phone.

I watched my dad leave the dinner table and head to the deck seething in frustration as my Uncle Luke said, "I need you to look over the numbers on the spreadsheet."

"I don't even know what the fuck it's for," my dad spat back.

Nick Baker didn't swear around us very often, and when he did, I knew he was at the end of his rope.

I heard my uncle Luke say, "It's the spreadsheet for the fucking shop. Austin needs to chill out on parts."

The door closed, locking the argument about to ensue behind the door, leaving my mother and I alone in solemn silence.

I looked to her for answers, hoping she'd give me something.

"It's been busy since you left," she said, thumbs sweeping her oversized tea cup. "Dad's trying to get approval for papa's business deal, but he's been met with... obstacles."

"It's okay," I replied. "I get it." Sort of. Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt, he had chosen to train Jace over me. Jace was here all the time. This was my first weekend back, and I only had Saturday and Sunday before I had to return to school.

I stared at the bits of steam curling from my tea, then glanced around the house toward the open kitchen behind my mother before dragging my gaze to the living room where the stone fireplace crackled with heat. "Where's Nico?" I asked, filling the mournful silence.

My little brother Nico Baker. Sixteen years old, number 244, Pro-Lite racer on his way to becoming a pro.

"Out," my mother said—the concern evident in her tone. "He's been out a lot since you left for school."

I nodded. Nico was quiet like me and did his grieving alone. It had me worried—that and his Instagram. The stunts he was performing were reckless, but I didn't say as much. The last thing I wanted to do was worry my mother.

Long moments stretched between us. She asked about my plans for the weekend.

Training, I answered, considering there was nothing else to do. Lily wouldn't stop texting me about the party I was missing. My phone vibrated again, and I ignored it. I wasn't ready to face Jace. Not after the rumours and Hunt's pulverizing statement about him and Jessica being together.

Jealous betrayal seared a white-hot line through me. I wouldn't believe it. Jessica was my friend, and Jace and I had been dating since my father signed him to our team four years ago.

My throat tightened, but I wouldn't cry. Instead, I focused on my mother, who I knew could feel my inner turmoil. She didn't know how to ask what was troubling me, and I didn't blame her. None of us knew how to carry on. Not after Hama. And it showed in our awkward conversation and the things we didn't say.

With nothing more to talk about, I rose, painting the portrait of happiness with a forced smile. "I'm going to bed. I want to be up early with the rest of the team."

"Are you sure you're ready?" she asked, adjusting her thick grey sweater. "It's been a while since you've been out there."

Six months, to be precise.

I nodded. I wanted to get on my bike. To ride the pain away. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She gave me a weak smile. "Alright. I love you."

"Love you too."

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! If you feel called please consider leaving a comment, even if it's an emoji. It lets me know you're enjoying the story and encourages me to keep writing <3

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