“Face it. The Carson women are a rare and interesting breed.” Rafe tapped on Sam’s door, then opened it.
Sam was wrapping up a phone call and waved them in.
Parker looked at Rafe. “Is it possible to change a few classes around?”
“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I have some things to get done that I’ve been putting off.” She wasn’t ready to tell anyone about the show.
“I don’t think that will be a problem.” Rafe smiled.
Sam stood by her desk with her arms folded across her chest. “I hope one of the things you’ll be catching up on is a visit to our mother. I’m tired of hearing you’re avoiding coming home for a visit.”
“I’m not avoiding. I’m going to the get-together on Saturday.”
They both looked at Rafe, who was laughing.
“What?” Parker looked at him.
“You two could be doppelgangers.”
“I’m going to ignore that you said that,” Parker quipped. She really didn’t see how she and Sam resembled one another.
“OK. I’m off to meet Leigh.” Rafe opened the door. “Text me with the changes you want to make, and I’ll notify the scheduling coordinator.”
“Thanks. You’re the greatest. See you on Saturday.” She turned back to see Sam looking at her.
“You really do look nice in that suit.”
“Are you saying that to hurt me?”
“Yes, I dole out compliments to be mean.”
“You’re only saying that because Rafe said I look like you,” Parker huffed.
“I don’t agree. You’re way shorter than me.” Sam picked up her purse. “Where do you want to eat?”
“I chose last time. It’s your turn.”
“OK. Italian. I’ve had a hankering for chicken parmesan this week.”
“Italian it is.” She looked at Sam. Her big sister should have lit into her by now about the stadium incident. Come to think of it, she hadn’t called her to reprimand her either. She’d sent a text saying she was happy she was OK. “What’s your deal?”
“What do you mean?”
“Go ahead. Get it over with.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“What?”
“I did something reckless. Blah, blah, blah.”
Sam put her hand on Parker’s arm. “I know how much that car meant to you. Dad bought you that car. Fixing it up was a labor of love for the two of you.”
“It wasn’t my intention to wreck the car.” Unexpected tears welled up in her eyes.
“Of course not.” Sam handed her a tissue.
“Well, I don’t have as many memories of Dad as you and Deke and Sol.” She sniffed. “That car was my fondest memory of Dad, and now it’s gone.”
“Hey.” Sam pulled Parker into her arms. “I miss him too. But there are plenty of fond memories of Dad to remember. I think of him every morning when I wake up. Remember how he used to go bellowing through the house in the morning waking everyone up? I still hear him saying ‘rise and shine, Samantha Jane. It’s time to get up and change the world.’”
“He did say that.” Parker dabbed at her eyes. “I wonder what he’d say about me quitting the police force to become a private investigator?”
“He’d be proud of you for going your own way. Just like I’m proud of you.”
“I know it sounds silly to cling to a car, but it’s like a part of my identity.”
“It was a pretty snazzy ride. I’m going to miss the fuzzy dice and that sixties vibe.”
“Fear not, the fuzzy dice and a few things were saved from the wreckage.”
“Then Blue Steel isn’t really gone, now is it?”
She hugged her sister. “Thanks for making me feel better.”
“Not a problem. Know what else will make you feel better?” Sam put her arm around her. “Spaghetti and meatballs.”
“Maybe.”
“Dad would have been proud of you. Getting Riley’s stuff back before those idiots sold it to heaven-knows-who was a good reason.”
“I thought so at the moment.”
“Remember the Carson motto. Duty first, tears later.”
Parker laughed.
“Have you started shopping for a new one yet?”
“Just window shopping so far. I hope you don’t mind me borrowing your spare car from time to time?”
“It’s yours if you want it.”
“Thanks. Right now Riley and I are sharing his car.”
Sam smirked.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“It works out.” Parker shrugged.
Parker did a quick check of her reflection in a passing mirror as she continued down the hall with Sam. It felt good to get that pent-up stuff out. She now knew she wasn’t really mourning the car, it was about missing her dad. Blue Steel may have been the biggest reminder of him, but she had other things that belonged to him that could give her the same sentimental feeling. And her brothers looked just like him. She could see it each time she saw them.
She looked at her sister and smiled. They did have a strong resemblance to each other. She’d hated being told that when they were younger, but lately she’d been thinking it wasn’t the worst thing in the world. They may not have been lovey-dovey-type sisters, but there were times when only Sam’s soothing words could comfort her. After all, she’d been a daddy’s girl too. And being Deacon Carson’s baby girl would always be one of the most cherished memories of her life.
* * *
Riley sank down into the bucket seat of the Corvette and caressed the gear shift. He loved fast cars with big engines and sleek designs. The new-leather smell coupled with the fancy tech dashboard display screamed raw power and speed. As soon as he walked into the dealership with Wyatt and saw the car in the middle of the room, he knew it would be the perfect car for Parker. He didn’t mind driving her around, but it was only a matter of time before she’d get frustrated about it.
“Do you think it’s possible to live in a car? Because I could live in this car.” Wyatt caressed the leather armrest.
“That would be a hell of a start to married life.” Riley chuckled. “I don’t think Avery’s going to go for that.”
“It’s impractical, I know, but a man can dream.”
“So you like it?”
“I think I’ve died and gone to car heaven,” Wyatt said.
“Do you think she’ll like it?” he asked Wyatt. “She did visit the website but complained about the price and moved on.”
“She won’t want to at first. You know Parker loved that blue Camaro of hers. She’s had it since high school.”
Tim, the salesman, approached. “How do you like it, champ? I can’t believe I’m going to sell a car to Riley Sloane.”
“What’s the safety rating on this thing?” Huh? Did he just say safety rating? His previous prerequisite for purchasing a car was speed and horsepower.
“Excellent. There’s not a better car to crash in.” The salesman grinned.
Riley and Wyatt looked at each other.
“You sure have a way with words, Tim,” Wyatt said.
“I meant it’s an incredibly safe car. The safety airbag ratings are stellar. You could do movie stunts in this car.”
“Believe me, she’s going to try.” Riley swiped at his jaw. “I want the top-of-the-line model of this car. I want all the bells and whistles.”
“Whatever you want, champ.” Tim beamed. “I’ll throw in two years’ worth of maintenance for free.”
“I appreciate that. You do have this in Electric Blue, right?”
“Yes. Excellent choice.”
“One more thing.” He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. “I’ll need these modifications as well.”
The salesman’s eyes widened.
“Is that a problem?”
“No. I’ve just never been asked for such a detailed customization before.”
; “How soon can you get this done?”
“These kinds of bells and whistles usually take a little longer, but we can put a rush on it.”
“I want it done right. There’s going to be someone coming from Regency Private Security Group to inspect the additional work once it’s done. If they give the OK, you can deliver the car.”
He’d had a long talk with Rafe about the specs for the car. They both agreed Parker should have additional safety features like bulletproof windows and puncture resistant tires.
“Oh, and I forgot one thing. I’d like to get a vanity plate.” Riley took the piece of paper back, wrote BRUISER on it and gave it back to Tim.
“We’ll get right on it.” The salesman rushed off to his office.
“Damn. You’re not fooling around,” Wyatt said as he got out of the car.
Riley got out too. “Well, with Parker, every extra bit helps.”
“You might want to get a priest to bless the car while you’re at it.”
“Believe me, if I thought it would help, I would.”
He felt good about the car. He just hoped Parker would be receptive about receiving the gift. He hoped a new car would get her mind off her old car as she geared up to compete on the show.
* * *
The day of the competition, Riley drove her to the studio. He didn’t know if it was the nervousness she felt, but he liked the feel of Parker squeezing his hand. The atmosphere was electric as they stepped into the waiting area for the athletes who would be coming on the show tonight. There were toned bodies everywhere as the athletes checked each other out. From what he’d seen on the show, the perception of friendly competitiveness was just an illusion. He knew what controlled disdain looked like, and there were plenty of those plastic-smiled expressions everywhere. No matter the arena, competition brought out certain characteristics in people, and these people were playing to win.
No matter what the outcome was tonight, he was already proud of Parker. It had been a rigorous two weeks of training for the contest. He liked coaching her. Prepping for the show consisted of binge-watching the show and creating a workout routine that would best benefit the types of obstacles she’d have to face. It made him feel closer to her. They were both fitness nuts, but it was nice to be the coach for a change. She’d cheered him on throughout the football season and been his biggest source of encouragement.
Parker stepped up to the registration table. “Parker Carson.”
“Hi, Parker, I’m Jen. Welcome to the Ultimate Champion universe.” The assistant perused the list, put a check mark on the paper, then handed her a packet. Jen glanced at Riley with a hint of recognition in her eyes but kept talking. “Yes. Here we go. There are a few things in there for you take a look at when you have the time, such as the next steps if you go forward in the competition. There’s also some promotional merchandise in there like a T-shirt, pens, and stuff. I see Jeremy recruited you.”
“Tall guy with muscles who loves to flirt?”
“Flirt?” Riley raised an eyebrow. “Did he flirt with you?”
“No. Bridgette was flirting with him. He was passing out flyers.”
“Don’t pay Jeremy any mind.” Jen waved a hand. “He flirts with every woman within a fifty-mile radius. You’re going to be contender number twenty tonight.”
“So late?” Parker grimaced.
“That’s perfect. It will give you a chance to warm up and get the lay of the land,” Riley said quickly.
“It’s really fast-paced. We have over sixty competitors,” the assistant said in a lower tone. “So being number twenty means you could be up within the first hour.”
“Wow. I didn’t know there were so many contestants.” Riley said.
“The preliminary rounds always have a lot of newcomers for the new season. To be honest, most people wipe out after the second obstacle. A lot of people overestimate the complexity of the course. We get a lot of Monday-morning quarterbacks.” Jen smiled at Riley then got up and rounded the table. “But you’re not one of those. You’re the real deal. Aren’t you?”
There was no point in denying it. “I’m Riley Sloane. Parker’s boyfriend.”
“I knew it!” Jen said excitedly.
Riley put his finger to his lips. “But I’d rather that not get out. Tonight is Parker’s night, and I don’t want to overshadow that.”
She nodded and turned to Parker. “Jeremy said you were something special. He boasted about finding you at the mall that day. And you’re dating Riley Sloane. You’re going to be ratings gold.”
“Like Riley said, let’s keep it quiet,” Parker asserted. “A lot of people took a chance to try out for this on national television. I don’t want any extra attention on me to take away someone’s spotlight.”
“Absolutely,” she gushed. “Parker, since you didn’t return the intro video to us in time, we’ll have to shoot one of you now. I’ll go tell the cameraman.”
Once Jen was out of sight, he moved Parker away from the crowds for one last motivational chat.
“Video?” Parker bit her lip.
“We saw the videos on their website. Remember?”
“Yes.” She rolled her eyes. “I must have blocked it out because I don’t want to do it.”
“Babe?” Riley looked in her eyes, and he could tell when the storm within her began to subside.
“Yes?”
“Remember, you got this.” He caressed her arms. “We both know from watching the show that people expend too much energy showboating. Be mindful of the clock but use safe, even strides. It will help you keep up your energy so you can get to the goal post.”
“I will.”
“If you get nervous, just focus on me. I will be on the sidelines cheering you on.”
She grinned. “Thanks.”
He kissed her. “Good luck, Bruiser.”
Parker watched as Riley headed toward the bleachers. She’d seen him gear up for a game a thousand times and never fully understood how he dealt with the pressure. She’d credited it to his super healthy ego and athleticism, but now she was beginning to see it was something else. He had great courage and liked to face things head on. It was one of the things she loved about him because it balanced some of her tendencies to hide from things every now and again. Like her car. Riley’s compassion and having a good cry with Sam over her car had helped her move on. But she still wasn’t ready to replace it yet.
She pushed those thoughts away. She looked around at the contestants who were warming up. It was an interesting cast of characters. She’d opted for a comfortable and stylish workout outfit and a tight ponytail for her hair. But there were plenty of women here that opted for the sexy look. But they weren’t the only ones preening. Some of the guys, who’d decided to stand out, had on crazy outfits that weren’t practical for running the course. The show was known for spotlighting unusual people with artistic flair, but this felt more like a high school talent show audition.
“Parker, we’re ready for you,” Jen called out from a tent.
She went inside to find camera equipment and a screen already set up. Someone instructed her to sit on the stool.
“We just need you to give us a one-minute synopsis of who you are and why you want to compete on Ultimate Champion. Here’s the disclaimer we need you to sign in the event that we air it. Let me know when you’re ready.”
She hated cameras. She’d damn near dive under a table whenever someone was trying to photograph her and Riley. Sam wouldn’t have this problem. She always looked stunning when she was photographed. She sat up straight and channeled her sister’s confidence. She speed read the document and scribbled her signature on the paper. “OK. I’m ready.”
“And action.” The cameraman pointed at her.
“Hi, everyone. I’m Parker Carson, a born and bred Texas girl who loves keeping active with activities that stimulate the mind as well as the body. I’m a consultant who loves to be on the go. I want to compete on Ultimate Champion because it’s an awesome
, entertaining show that showcases the talents of the everyday person. Everyone can reach their fullest potential if they’re just given the chance.”
“That was fantastic,” the cameraman said.
“Thanks.” She hopped off the stool and walked out of the tent.
“Whew!” someone yelled out.
Parker turned and moved out of the way when one of the contestants decided to do impromptu successive backflips in preparation for his turn. By doing so, she knocked into another woman.
“Sorry,” Parker said. “They should have a call out system for spontaneous acrobatics.”
“I know what you mean,” the woman said. “I almost got hit on the head by the nut in the jeans shorts and firefighter hat jumping off that pole.”
Parker laughed and extended her hand. “Parker.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Melissa. Is this your first time competing at an event like this?”
“Yes.”
“I hear some of these people are semi-pros in different sports. I’m glad I’m not the only newbie.” Melissa looked around.
“Well, I see a few weekend warriors who are in over their heads. A few people who are clearly here on a dare.” Parker discreetly pointed to the people she was talking about. “And then there are the ones that think this will lead to some sort of stardom, regardless of whether they win or not.”
Melissa scrunched her nose. “How do you know that?”
“The weekend warriors are too hyped up. I wouldn’t be surprised if those two guys over there slapped each other before they do the course.” She pointed at two guys who were dressed alike.
“Total workout bros,” Melissa said and motioned her head to a group of guys to their right. “Revenge of the Nerds?”
“Good guess.” Parker nodded. “They have ‘I’ll show the school bully’ written all over their faces.”
“Let’s not forget the glamour queens in full makeup. Sunny asked me to get her a bottled water. I told her I was a contestant too, and she looked at me like I was joking.”
Sunny was another longtime contestant of the show. She never broke any records, but she was someone else who the fans adored.
Hot Pursuit Page 5