Off Track

Chapter 14

Olivia grabbed Ryan's hand when she noticed him fidgeting as stay stood outside the door of her parents house. "It's going to to fine Ry. They liked you back then. They are going to love you now. My dad will be cool and my mom will probably hug you to death." She tried to reassure him.

"But I wasn't with their daughter back then. You're dad's not gonna like grill me and ask if we're having sex or anything like that is he?"

Olivia laughed. "I have no clue. I've never brought a boyfriend home before. Besides, we're not even having sex anyway."

He raised an eyebrow. "Sweetheart, do I need to remind you where your mouth was last night. I know you had a little bit to drink, but I would think that would be pretty memorable."

"I remember exactly where my mouth was, and yours too for that matter. It doesn't count as sex though."

"Oh really. Then why do they call it oral sex?"

Good point.

"Keep your voice down." Olivia's face was bright red.

Ryan smirked at her.

"Are you ready?" Olivia asked.

"Just a minute." He kissed her slowly, sweetly, making her knees go weak just before he pulled back. "Okay. I'm ready."

They entered the house and were greeted by Keith and Kathy James. Olivia let go of Ryan's hand just long enough to embrace her parents, then she grasped it again, giving it a squeeze.

"Mom, dad. You remember Ryan?"

"Mrs. James, it's nice to see you again." Ryan said, as Kathy wrapped him in a warm hug.

"Call me Kathy, and you remember my husband Keith?"

"Yes sir." Ryan shook his hand.

Olivia smiled to herself. Ryan has always had the nicest manners.

"Do you need some help mom?" Olivia asked.

"I would love some help." Kathy replied.

Ryan shot Olivia a look that said 'Don't leave me alone.' She smiled at him and squeezed his hand before joining her mother.

"Why didn't you tell me Ryan grew up so gorgeous?" Kathy asked when Olivia got to the kitchen.

"He is pretty hot isn't he." Olivia said with a grin.

"He was always a cute boy. I'm glad to see he's still as polite and well mannered as he was back then. Is it serious or are you two just having fun?"

"I think it could be serious. I know we haven't been together long, but it just feels right. Like we were meant to be."

"I guess we'll have to start getting into NASCAR then." Kathy smiled at her daughter.

Olivia mixed up the ingredients for a salad while her mother took something out of the oven and set it on top of the stove. She inhaled deeply. "Mmmm. You made your lasagna."

"Well, I know it's one of your favorites. I didn't even ask, does Ryan like lasagna?"

Olivia didn't even know. "I guess we'll find out."

By the time Olivia and Kathy had brought everything to the table, Ryan and Keith were talking like old friends.

"So Olivia, tell me more about your job." Kathy said.

"Well, I'm still in training and learning, but I work with Ryan, handling his PR." Olivia replied.

"What all does that mean?" Kathy asked.

"She gets to boss me around. Tell me what to do and where to go." Ryan said with a laugh.

"So do you work for Ryan or does Ryan work for you?" Kathy questioned.

"We both work for Team Penske. Ryan has a lot of sponsor and media obligations and I'm responsible for coordinating all of his various duties with the different sponsors and the track and making sure he gets there on time, and I'll handle all the press releases. I'm sure there's more, but I'm still learning."

"It sounds interesting. I'm sure it keeps you pretty busy. How has your racing been going so far Ryan. We've never followed NASCAR before, but I'm pretty sure that's going to change." Keith said, joining in the conversation.

Ryan hesitated a bit before answering. "It's been a pretty up and down season so far. We've had some good runs. Some top fives and top tens, but we haven't gotten a win."

"Not yet. But you'll get there." Olivia added.

Ryan gave her a smile that melted her heart.

"We've had a little bad luck. Had some races we probably should have won, but I made some mistakes, the team's made some mistakes, some mechanical failures that were beyond our control, but we're cleaning some stuff up."

They continued to make small talk throughout dinner. Olivia felt everything was going well. Ryan had relaxed and her parents were warm and friendly.

"I'll help you clean up mom." Olivia offered, picking up empty plates to bring into the kitchen

"You've got it bad Olivia." Kathy laughed.

"What are you talking about?"

"I see the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you, not to mention all the little smiles and hand touches. Y'all both have it bad."

"I'm crazy about him." Olivia admitted.

"I'm happy for you honey. I know you've always had a thing for Ryan, and he's such a nice young man."

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur. They were laughing and joking around as if no time at all had passed. It was getting late. Ryan told Kathy and Keith if they wanted to attend a race to let him know and he would get everything set up. They thanked him and promised they would let him know, they were very interested.

"That went well." Olivia said, as they climbed into Ryan's Bronco to make their way back to his house.

"I thought so too. Your parents were always nice to me." He squeezed her hand.

"I told you you had nothing to worry about." She said.

"Are you ready for Michigan? My mom, my dad my sister?"

"And your adorable little nephew. I can't wait."

A/N: Just a little short chapter, mostly filler. Next chapter will have more.