The Comeback by Abby Gaines Read Free Book Online Page B

just as the interview wrapped up. Gaby went to let him in. Her explanation that they were running late didn’t faze the man.
    “Celebrities,” he said with a resigned grin. “I’ll set my gear up while they talk.”
    Back in the living room, Kaye was asking Zack some questions about his youth, easy ones designed to relax the subject. Zack looked more sleepy than relaxed, legs stretched out in front of him, eyelids heavy. He answered the questions too briefly, and Gaby had to prompt him to elaborate.
    “Let’s talk about your racing,” Kaye said. It soon became obvious the journalist didn’t know much about NASCAR. Although Gaby and Zack had rehearsed for this, tiredness seemed to have worn Zack’s patience thin. He tried, but a couple of times he sounded almost snappy. The chances of a positive story in the magazine slipped a little further away with each curt response. Gaby chewed her bottom lip.
    “I believe you’re good friends with Kent Grosso, the son of last year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion,” Kaye said.
    Zack nodded. “Kent’s a former Sprint Cup champion himself, don’t forget. I’m a couple of years older than he is, but we used to race karts together as kids and we’ve stayed pretty close.”
    Gaby had noticed Zack had strong friendships with a handful of other drivers—it was only his family he had trouble with.
    “Kent must appreciate the support of friends like you, with the difficult time his family is going through,” Kaye said sympathetically.
    It had been a heck of a year for Kent and his parents, Dean and Patsy, who owned Cargill-Grosso Racing. Alan Cargill, the team’s former owner, had been murdered in New York last December—the death of a man so beloved in the sport had shaken everyone. Then rumors had surfaced that Kent’s twin sister Gina, stolen at birth and believed dead, might be alive and somehow involved in NASCAR. The press had been all over the family. They still were, going by Kaye’s line of questioning.
    “I don’t gossip about my friends,” Zack said flatly.
    Gaby almost cheered. Yet she knew Zack had just made things harder. She gave him an encouraging smile.
    “So, Zack.” Kaye’s voice was clipped. “You’re still a bachelor at age thirty-four.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    Gaby could tell by his grimace he was stifling a yawn, rather than regretting his bachelor state, but fortunately the distinction bypassed Kaye.
    “So, why haven’t you met Ms. Right?” she asked.
    “Uh…” Zack blinked again, even more slowly.
    Stay awake, Gaby urged. Then wondered if it might be safer for him to fall asleep.
    “You must have your share of dates,” Kaye persisted.
    “Sure,” he said.
    “Have you had many serious girlfriends?” Kaye asked.
    “A couple. Don’t get much time.” Zack sounded about as personable as a lug nut. The reporter’s eyes began to glaze over.
    “So, what kind of woman will it take to win your heart?” Kaye continued gamely. “What qualities will she have?”
    Yikes, they hadn’t rehearsed this, since Zack wasn’t part of the bachelor contest…yet. Gaby found herself listening for the answer with inordinate interest.
    “I guess—” Zack ran a hand around the back of his neck, easing tired muscles “—she’ll support me in my racing.”
    Kaye nodded encouragement.
    “She’ll put what I do ahead of what she does.”
    Excuse me? Gaby sat up straighter, tried to flash him a warning.
    “Are you saying you wouldn’t marry a career woman?” Kaye asked.
    Zack’s glance intersected with Gaby’s. “Uh, my wife can have a career. Of course she can.”
    He probably didn’t intend to sound as if he was doing the future Mrs. Zack Matheson a favor.
    “It’s just, while I have a window of opportunity to race NASCAR, that has to be the priority in any relationship.”
    Gaby groaned silently. Not only was he a lug nut, he was a Neanderthal lug nut.
    Then he rubbed his eyes, and the gesture made him look oddly vulnerable.
    “You