Jackson doesn’t even bat an eye. “Ryles has changed a lot of lives here. Her dedication is something we all admire. Like I said, stick around and you’ll feel the same.” Should I tell him now or later that won’t be happening? “Anyway, I’m going to assume you know the routine. I won’t ask anything you don’t want to answer. What I simply want to know is how I can help you during your time here.”
Save me from the gang of psychopaths trying to kill me. Steal a car so I can race and make enough money to get the hell out of here. Hug me and tell me everything’s going to work out for once in my damn miserable life. “You’re already doing it. Thanks.”
He smiles back at me, but neither of us are blind. “That’s good. As long as you’re here, we’ll have a bed for you and warm meals. We only have one rule for older guests.” Shit, here it is. “You have to donate your time around the center in return. We make all our kids spend time giving back, so don’t think we’re focusing on you. We do it for everyone. It teaches our younger one’s responsibility and—”
“I get it. I’ve been in the system my whole life. I know the rules.” I hate the pity that radiates off him. It’s unwarranted. He knows nothing about me. I deserve to be where I am in my life: unloved and unwanted. I mean, I got three people killed for Christ’s sake.
“Well, for what it’s worth, we’re happy to have you. I don’t mean to pry, but I saw the sticker on your bag…” My eyes shoot to the NASCAR patch Henry gave me as a birthday gift just before I left. “I’m not sure if you’re looking for work, but with Ryles’ husband in the business, we have volunteer opportunities, if you had any interest in signing up.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure how long I’ll be here. I don’t want to take up a spot someone else would be better suited for.”
“No problem. I get it. It’s not for everyone. They need help with piddly stuff. It’s over at the Auto Club Speedway. Silly stuff like washing cars and assisting the pit crew while the racers do their test runs.” He doesn’t miss a beat. Cars, racing… “But I get it, doesn’t suit—”
“Fine.” The words leave my lips before they even register as my own.
“Great!” He begins shuffling through a pile of papers on his desk until he finds what he’s looking for. “The times are here. I have to head over there today if you’d like to join me. I can introduce you to the pit crew. Beckett Daniels is a legend over there. Trained Colton Donavan himself.”
This all means nothing to me. But access to the speedway could mean access to a fast car. “Sure. Sounds good. What time do we go?”
“Give me thirty minutes?”
I nod. With one failed attempt under my belt, this could be my chance.
Find a car—check.
Now, to find a race.
Cash
I’m on a mission to fire and slay anyone who gets in my way today. My head is threatening to explode. Not threatening, it’s going to explode. My brain is jiggling. Each time I take a step, it bounces and hits the lining of my skull.
I’m never drinking again.
I reach the speedway, and my crew is in the forefront, waiting on me, Becks wearing a scowl. I’m late as fuck.
“Nice of you to join us, princess.”
“Fuck off,” I grumble, passing everyone and heading inside, down to the locker room to suit up. The thought of climbing into my fire suit makes my stomach churn. This is a bad idea. I should have stayed home. I’m not at my best. Starting new intense training to prepare for the Firestone Grand Prix seems like a wash.
“Wish I could fuck off. Had to leave a beautiful warm body in my bed just to service you, so it’d be nice if you were on time. Got stuff to do after this too, starting with diagnosing the results of your test laps and going over the new equipment. Lilly called and said to remind you about the benefit you’re a lead speaker at after Firestone. Since I’m your pit chief and not your goddamn secretary, I told her to tell you herself. She did mention something about searching for some girl…”
Last night… Oh shit, she found the girl. She’s threatening to go to the press. I’m right and she was super underage and I’m fucked.
“You gonna fucking barf, man?”
Probably. “No. Let’s get this over with.”
“Ease up on the throttle on this next lap. Easy…easy… Thatta boy. Okay, bring her in.”
I balance out the nose of the car, maneuvering her back on course as I hit the apex. I make the final lap and bring her in. Unlatching myself, I pop out of the car, needing the fresh air. Jimmy, my spotter, runs up and grabs my helmet. “Have the guys check the tires. The back already feels like they’re starting to blister.”
“Sure thing, Cash.” He runs off, and I head toward the pit crew where Becks is waiting to give me the results.
“That went good.” He slaps me on the back as I unzip my suit. “Let’s dial in on the bite. I see the tires blistering, but you’re taking the apex too sharp. Remember, Monterey’s course has eleven turns. If you release on the turn and boost just before the last lap, we can avoid that. Shave some time off.”
I rip off my head sock. “No shit. I feel it in the end plate.”
“You’re trying to flatten out. You need to hold back. When the opportunity strikes to get under an opponent, that’s it—ride inside the groove line, then go.”
I’m annoyed at his advice. I know what the fuck I’m doing. But I need to hold back. Becks’ the best. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be. “Got it.” I start tearing at the zipper of my fire suit even before hitting the locker room, not giving a rat’s ass who sees me. My crew has seen enough of me to not bat an eye. And I don’t employ any females on my team. Women are a goddamn distraction—and I need to focus. Unlike last night when that little feisty thing stole my focus, then socked me one.
“Huntington?” I’m about to step out of my suit, in dire need of a shower and a pool of water, when Winston, my agent, interrupts. He hands me a bottled water, and I pop it open, dumping the entire thing down my throat. “Lilly is running late, but Jackson from The House called and said he was bringing in a new recruit to assist. You have charity photos for Esquire at three, then a dinner and interview with Pennzoil to extend your sponsorship at five.”
Jesus, who has time for all this shit?
His phone rings, and he takes the call, then quickly hangs up and catches up to me. “Jackson’s here. If you could take a minute to—”
“I don’t have a minute. I’m going to shower. Have someone else work with the new—”
“Cash.”
Fuck. Or not. Trying to hide my annoyance, I stop and circle around. “Jackson, good to see you.” We shake hands. “Heard you finally found someone to take the recruit position. You must have really talked this one up to make him want this spot.”
“Actually, he’s a she.” He steps to the side, revealing the person standing behind him. She peers around, then locks her eyes on mine. My breath isn’t the only thing I choke on.
“You.” I drop my water.
“You!” Her eyes, like warm honey, pop wide open.
“Wait, do you two know each other?”
“No,” we choke out at the same time.
Jackson’s eyes bounce back and forth between us as we continue our stare-off. “Are you…sure?” That I caught her trying to steal my car and I jumped her? That I started getting a boner, because those eyes did weird things to me and when I panicked, she proceeded to kick me in the gut? No, I don’t know her. Wow, she sure is prettier in the daylight.
What am I doing? Get it together.
I shake off the errant thought, finding my bearings again. “No, we don’t. Nice to meet you. Cash Huntington.” I stick my hand out, waiting for her to give me her name. She hesitates for a beat. She wants to refuse; I see the storm of defiance brewing in her eyes. Realizing everyone is waiting, she forcefully sticks her hand out. I take it, squeezing a bit harder, my own expression ruthless, but then my brain registers how soft her hands are.
“L
una,” she mumbles and attempts to tug her hand back, but I don’t let her off the hook that easily. Not so fast, little thief.
“Hmm… Luna. Doesn’t that stand for like thief in ancient mythology or something?” She squeezes my hand tighter, her nails getting a good dig into my skin.
Jackson eyes me strangely. “Actually, I’m pretty sure Luna in mythology means goddess,” he pipes in. Makes sense. She sure is some eye candy—sore! I mean an eye sore.
I drop her hand and clear my throat. “Nice to meet you, Luna. So, you’re into cars, huh?” Like trying to hijack mine.
Her brow crinkles, and I flinch a little remembering her shoe in my gut. “Not the creepy cars.”
Dammit! She won that round. I’m not entirely sure where the sudden electricity is coming from. Neither one of us has blinked yet, and her stare down is intense. Like sexy, hot intense. Abort mission, man. “Well…great. Hope you enjoy the track. I’ll see you two around.” I turn around and walk away, feeling the burning of her stare at my back. She’s the new recruit. That means I’m her goddamn mentor.
“Hey, Cash, I was actually hoping you could give Luna a tour of the place.”
Why does the universe hate me today? I stall, squeezing my eyes shut, then regain my composure and slap a smile on my face. I spin around. “Sure, why not.” Because clearly, I need to get in her good graces so she doesn’t ping me as a creepster. My eyes land back on her. Last night, between the booze and darkness, I wasn’t able to get a real good look at her. Damn, she’s attractive. The color of her eyes scream with not only defiance, but something more. If I stare long enough, I bet there’s a story behind those mysterious orbs. Her hair is lighter than I remember, and I bet it feels soft as a feather. And those lips. Still plush, with a subtle shade of pink. What the hell am I doing? Do not salute her, you fucker. I’m trying not to come off as a creep and here I am starting to get a boner. I should have let that redhead finish me off last night.
My hands go up and swipe down my face, hoping it takes the insanity with it. “Yeah…so, over there is the garage,” I point in one direction. “And the simulators are over there.” I point in another. “If you go down that hallway, it opens up to the speedway. Welp, you two have fun.” I reverse direction to run as fast as I can when I’m stopped again.
“Cash, there you are. Hey, Jackson! So, Cash, I tried finding information on that gi—”
I whip back around. “On another note, let me show you the track.” Reaching out, I snatch her small hand in mine and tug her forward. Jackson’s eyes widen at my behavior as confusion strikes my PR’s. “Lilly, let’s continue this talk later. I have to show our new recruit around.” I walk past her, patting her on the shoulder, still holding Luna’s hand. Did I mention it feels perfect in mine?
“Slow down, creepo!” I hear her voice behind me, but I can’t until we’re out of earshot of Jackson and Lilly. When I turn the corner, I stop suddenly and twist around as she crashes into me. God, she feels good pressed against me too. Shit! Knock it off.
“What are you doing here? Come to try to steal my car again?” I growl.
“I wasn’t trying to steal your car. What are you, a grade-A weirdo to everyone?”
Actually, I’m normally really charming and have women falling at my feet. “I’m not a creep.”
“Yeah, if you say so.”
“I’m not, dammit!” I’m the master of persuasion. Women love me. I just need to put on the charm and get her to admit I’m not a creep so we can move on. I adjust my stance and nail her with my panty-dropping smile. “Listen—”
“What’s wrong with your face?”
“My face? What’s wrong with my face?”
“You just did something weird with it. Are you having a stroke—”
“I was smiling at you. Giving you my highly sought-after charm.” How dare she insult my smile. That smile has gotten me laid more times than I can count. Am I smiling weird? Maybe it’s because she has me all out of sorts. Those penetrating eyes, with the enticing shade of honey and the seductive green dancing around the edge of her pupils…they’re threatening to set this damn fire suit ablaze. I go to tug on my zipper.
“Listen, I’m not sticking around long. We can just pretend you gave me the tour. Point this way and that and act like we like each other. Soon enough, I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Good.” I need to get away from her before she sues me for indecency. And why is she leaving? Where did she even come from?
“So, let’s get this out of the way, shall we?” She sticks her hand out for me to lead the way. My mind goes to the locker room and laying her on her back so I can feel her soft little body under me. The creamy tone of her neck exposed, and my mouth—
“Yep! Good plan.” I squeal out like a girl. Out of the gutter, Huntington. I cough into my hand. “Faster you’re out of my hair, the sooner I can get back to whatever I was doing—and why are you leaving?” Did that just come out of my mouth? A dark haze clouds over her mysterious eyes. She averts her gaze.
“None of your business.” She’s right, it’s not. But that look she just gave me…there’s a hidden story there, and hell if I’m not curious now to find out what that is. “You going to show me around or continue to stare at me like some stalker?”
Dammit! “Wouldn’t you like to know,” I grunt, whipping around and heading down the corridor.
Luna
My skin is on fire. I’m trying to keep my cool, but it’s almost impossible with my eyes glued to his amazing ass. He turns around, and I rip my eyes away from the prize only to become lost in another part of him. His eyes are like staring through a bright green forest, suspending my gaze in his captive stare. Memories of last night flood my mind. The way his warm body felt blanketed over mine. The way his breath, heavily infused with the scent of booze, feathered across my skin, his lips so close to mine. I swore he was going to kiss me. The way my body instantly reacted to him was a surprise. He was a complete stranger, injecting this forbidden need into my veins. My heartbeat thumped against my ribcage, curious if he felt the acceleration of my breathing. I was rapidly melting under his hold until my panic took control. So, when he freed me, I kicked him and ran.
Never did I expect to see him again—or learn he was a professional racecar driver.
Maybe that would explain why I’m being so harsh with him. Denying the way his smile was like a wildfire spreading inside me, untamed and unable to put out. He was undeniably captivating. His skin no stranger to the sun, tanned and smooth as I remember.
Recalling the feel of him last night confirms my theory seeing him now. The strength of him, unforgiving as he held me captive. He’s built like stone. My mind is going rapid with unfamiliar desires I didn’t know existed inside of me. I need to shut it down. I’m only here until I find a race. Then I’m gone. He’s a distraction I don’t need. Or want. Liar, liar, pants on fire. He’s causing me to act reckless and I need to stay on course.
“You coming?” If I don’t stop ogling, quite possibly. What the hell’s wrong with me! I snap out of the spell his tush and lusty eyes have me under, masking my attraction to him with annoyance. “You going to show me around or continue to stare at me like some stalker?”
His face lights up, pouring more gasoline on my already kindled nerves. “Oh, I’m the one staring? If I’m not mistaken, I just caught you admiring my ass.”
“Pfft! As if. Nice try, Romeo. More like debating on kicking it.”
His arrogant smirk irritates me more. “Whatever you say, princess.”
I’m thankful when he dismisses me and starts walking off. It’s much easier to keep my cool when I get to stare at his back and not the inferno of his eyes. But then I get another good inspection of his butt. I wipe at my forehead, feeling warm. Realizing I haven’t moved since he took off, I push off my heel to catch up.
“Down that hallway is the loading dock. Anything from test cars to sim cars come through here. Sim cars get brought in for optimum eco-efficiency. R
acecars, like mine, are tested for capacity, efficiency, responsiveness, and power. Facility holds three garages with one-hundred spaces. Five vehicle entrances…” My eyes follow his finger as he points left and right at doors, hallways, and equipment. I’m hanging on his every word when the hallway opens up to the bluest sky and my feet hit the pavement.
“There she is. Four lanes—three for vehicles, RVs, and transporters, and one for pedestrians. The two miles of asphalt. The track is—”
“D-shaped oval,” I finish his sentence. I may be a powerhouse at illegal street racing, but it doesn’t mean I haven’t spent time reading books on the physics of racing. I’ve wanted to race since I was a kid—before life threw challenges at me. He whips around, surprise lining his wide eyes. I shrug my shoulders. “Read a sign walking in,” I lie.
“Oh, right. Well, here it is.” He turns back to the track, and I can’t help but catch my breath at its beauty. Nothing I’ve read in books or seen on the television compares to seeing it in the flesh. I take a few steps out onto the pavement, feeling the heated asphalt under my shoes. The sun means business today. I cover my eyes to stare off from my left to my right, taking it all in.
“She’s beautiful.” I allow my thoughts to slip from my tongue. Cash snaps his head in my direction, and I sense his curious gaze taking me in. I don’t offer him an explanation; just continue to bask in the realness of my surroundings. The empty grandstands that would normally be overflowing with screaming fans. The freshly cut grass in the center of the track imprinted with famous logos. No words could express the way my body starts to buzz when the sound of a race engine sparks to life and pulls up onto the track.
“Didn’t know I was dealing with an adoring fan.”
“Trust me, I’m no fan of yours.” Another lie. The way my body temperature continues to rise in his presence is certainly not because of the view. “I’m just taking it all in. It’s a lot…bigger in real life.”
Junkie: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) Page 4