chapter344

Connor's expression instantly shifted, his brows knitting together. Chris?"

"Yeah. He's already asked a few times, so I figured I'd go tonight after work."

"I'm coming with you." Connor didn't even pause. He tried not to control her life, but if she was going, he was too.

Lydia raised an eyebrow. "You want to come?"

He nodded. I've never actually seen you race. Take me with you.

Connor could handle a motorcycle himself, but with his eyesight, it was safer if Lydia drove.

She couldn't really say no. "Alright."

If she pushed back any more, he might actually lose it.

By six, Lydia had wrapped up her work. Since she wouldn't be in tomorrow, she

went over everything with Josef again before heading out.

First, she needed to swing by home to change and grab her gear. Then she'd stop by Jefferson Group to pick up Connor.

On her way back to the Norwood estate, her mom called.

"When will you be home from work? Should we wait for you to eat?"

"Don't wait up, Mom. I won't be home tonight. I'm going riding with some friends." Lydia kept it vague.

Kylie and Cameron had always been open-minded. As long as Lydia was happy, they never stood in her way.

"Okay, honey. Does that mean you're coming home to get your bike?"

"Yeah, I'm almost there."

After she hung up, Kylie turned to Cameron. "Lydia's going riding with friends tonight. We don't need to wait for her for dinner."

Lucinda, lounging nearby, couldn't help herself. Her voice dripped with fake concern. She just got back to the Capital. What friends could she possibly have? And she's out so late. Mom, Dad, you really should remind her to be careful."

Grace, who was clearing the table, quickly chimed in. "Lucinda's right, sir, ma'am. And Miss Lydia is going to be the future Mrs. Sefferson What would the Jefferson family think if they heard she was out racing at night with people she barely knows..."

Cameron just shook his head, almost amused. "Grace, Lydia's an adult. She knows what she's doing. She's just riding with friends, not doing anything illegal. Last time she even taught those foreigners a lesson on her bike. Everyone sh calling her the motorcycle queen now. If I weren't this old, I'd want to ride with her too. It's seriously cool."

Kylie smiled in agreement. "Exactly. Lydia's made some great friends since that last race. They admire her Skills and want to feath from her.. There's nothing wrong with that. If she ever wants to compete, Ul be the first to cheer her on."

Grace looked embarrassed and nodded. "Of course, you're right. I was just overthinking."

Lucinda was fuming. The burn from earlier still hurt, and listening to her parents praise Lydia any more would make her lose her mind.

"I'm going to check if Grandpa's awake, she muttered.

The old man hadn't been sleeping well in the hospital lately. He'd come home at four, eaten a little, and had been napping ever since.

Not long after Lucinda disappeared down the hall, Lydia came through the door.

Kylie rushed over to her, taking Lydia's hand. "Sweetheart, are you hungry? Do you want something to eat before you head out?"

Lydia smiled, shaking her head. I'm okay, Mom. I'm meeting Chris, his teammates, and Connor. We're grabbing food together."

Chris said Wind Canyon was gorgeous at night. He and his team were bringing barbecue supplies, so they could have a picnic under the stars.