It was a bunch of horseshit.
I couldn’t wait ‘til the indies could prove themselves. No, we wouldn’t be driving against the pro drivers, because we were in a different division.
But maybe someday.
Until then, it would be sweet enough to make them share the spotlight.
I wondered about Gamble, if he was getting the ball rolling. I was anxious to get started. The sooner we could make this happen, the sooner I could get the hell out from behind this desk.
My babysitter was supposed to be here tonight. I knew nothing about him except his name was Joey. I hoped he wasn’t some stuck-up driver who thought he was better just because he was a pro.
If that were the case, it was going to be a long fucking couple weeks. Or however long he was supposed to be riding shotgun with me.
Trent knew the guy was coming today. He hadn’t said shit about it. Did he just not care anymore?
Maybe he’s just busy. Chill, dude.
God. I was acting like a goddamned woman.
He’d call when he could. He did have a busy schedule.
Ten minutes before quitting time, I shut down the programs I had open and powered off my desktop. I made a show of straightening up my paperwork and desk and thumbed through a few more pages of GearShark before the clock finally hit five.
I sprang up out of my office chair with more excitement than I’d showed the entire day, grabbed my suit jacket, and hot-footed it outside.
In the parking lot, I unknotted the tie and let it drape over my shoulders. After I unbuttoned the buttons at my neck, I rolled the sleeves up to my elbows and shoved my hands through my hair, messing it up a little.
I was feeling more like myself already.
The Fastback was parked near the building, and I paused to throw my suit jacket in the trunk, exchanging it for my leather.
Before I took off, I checked my phone. Still no calls or texts.
On the way home, I played the music as loud as I could stand and cracked the window so the cold air swirled around in the interior.
If it were summer, I’d have all the windows rolled down. Nothing better than an open road, loud music, and the fresh air whipping through the car. It was complete freedom.
When I pulled up to the house, the Mustang jerked a little, following my sudden reaction to the unfamiliar car in the driveway.
Unfamiliar in a familiar way that is.
The neon-yellow Skyline was unmistakable. I’d just raced it over the weekend when it appeared on the track out of nowhere.
And disappeared just as quickly.
No introduction. No greeting. Nothing.
When I asked about the driver, Gamble smiled and told me he’d be my mentor.
I couldn’t exactly tell him no, though I really fucking wanted to. The last person I wanted to learn anything from was some douche who thought he was too good to introduce himself to me. And he drove like an asshole.
A fast asshole, but one all the same.
Fine. The dude could drive. I could barely keep up.
He was probably arrogant about it, too.
Since I didn’t have a choice, I pulled into the driveway, around the Skyline (avoiding looking at it), and parked in my usual spot.
B’s sweet-ass fancy truck was in the driveway. It was spotless. I was pretty sure he still got a hard-on when he looked at it. It was a Christmas gift from everyone. When Ivy asked me what kind of truck would be good for her husband, I jokingly pointed to one that was rare, expensive, and badass.
I never thought she’d get ahold of one.
I really should’ve known better. All she had to do was go bat her eyes at Romeo and the truck appeared just like that.
Rome seriously had some pull in life. There wasn’t anything I’d seen him want that he didn’t get.
I glanced in the rearview and made out the shape of someone sitting in the driver’s seat. Clearly, they were waiting for me.
I resisted the urge to bang my head on the steering wheel and got out. I didn’t hurry over to the car (which was clearly well taken care of). Instead, I took my time, like I was taking a stroll.
The sky was twilight, daylight fading fast. In the next half hour or so, the sky would be totally dark.
I was ready for summer. Warm nights. Long days.
The door opened, and I stopped walking, bracing myself for this guy. A pair of small feet hit the ground, and my forehead wrinkled.
I watched, fascinated, as the person stepped around the door and slammed it closed.
My eyes traveled from the feet, up the black denim-covered legs, rounded hips, narrow waist, and my mouth dropped open when I hit the pair of perfectly globe-like tits.
“You’re gonna catch flies,” the stranger said, clear amusement in her voice.
Yeah. Her.
It was a woman.
I forced my eyes off her chest (which was seriously impressive) to her face. I blinked.
“You’re a girl.”
Her straight, white teeth flashed beneath pale, glossy lips. “Nice of you to notice.”
She had creamy skin, smooth and even. It wasn’t too pale, but it wasn’t very tan either. Her face was shaped like a heart, her cheekbones wide and high. Her chin was slightly pointy, but there was a faint cleft in the center.
She watched me with open humor through green eyes rimmed with impossibly dark lashes. Topping it all off was her hair. There was a lot of it and it was dark, not quite black, but way too dark to be just brown. It was long and curly, kind of wild, like she too liked to drive with the windows down.
Her long, shapely legs came forward, carrying her close. The woman was fairly tall, taller than all the women in my house. She was probably close to five feet seven. I stood there still stunned as she reached up and pushed up on my chin, closing my mouth, which was totally hanging open.
“I thought Joey was coming,” I said.
She smirked and stuck her hand between us. “I’m Josephine. Joey for short.”
I put my hand in hers and we shook.
“That’s your car?” I gestured to the Skyline.
“That’s the one.”
“You were driving the other day?” I asked, skeptical.
She smirked again. I was beginning to think it was a bad habit of hers. “Smoked you.”
I made a scoffing sound and yanked my hand back. “Like hell you did!”
She laughed, totally thrilled she pissed me off. “Don’t worry.” She patted my chest. “You kept up better than most. Even with a car that—”
I snatched her hand off my chest and growled. “You insult my car and I’ll kick your ass.”
She pressed the hand to her chest and batted her green eyes. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to speak to a lady that way?”
I rolled my eyes. “Something tells me you can handle it.”
“So, ah…” She gestured to my clothes. “Leather and dress pants. I like it.”
“I just got off work,” I grouched.
“And I can see the battle happening between your real job and the one you want.”
I bristled. “Driving is a real job. Just because I don’t have some fancy sponsor like you.”
“Down, boy.” She whistled. “I was kidding.”
“Real drivers don’t joke about racing.”
Her lips pursed, and she studied me. I stared back at her levelly. She was totally not what I was expecting tonight.
“He was right,” she declared.
“Who?” I demanded.
“Gamble. He said you have what it takes to pull in an entire fan base.”
I snorted. I learned it from my lovely snorty sister Rimmel. “And why’s that?”
“Passion. You have it. Lots of it.”
“And what do you think about the indie’s getting a chance at their own mainstream sport?” I challenged, lifting a brow.
Beneath her lip, her tongue slid over her teeth as she stared at me. “Honestly?” she spoke, and I prepared myself fo
r a total asshole comment. “I’m jealous.”
I blinked. That was not what I was expecting.
I seemed to be thinking that about her a lot.
“Come again?” I asked.
She shrugged. “A whole new racing division? No rules, starting from scratch to make it whatever you want it to be? Sounds amazing.” Her last words were spoken in a wistful sigh.
“I think most drivers would say your setup sounds amazing.”
“Yeah, nothing like being ordered to the other side of the state to teach someone how to drive that doesn’t need taught and who clearly doesn’t want you around.”
Damn. That was spot on.
I grinned. “You think I don’t need to be taught?”
She rolled her eyes. “You know how to drive,” she allowed. “But you definitely have things to learn. You’re like a wildcard behind the wheel.”
I took that as a compliment.
“Come on.” I motioned and went toward the front door. “I need to take off this uniform.”
I went ahead to open the door, and I totally felt her checking out my ass. “Enjoying the view?” I called out.
“I’ve seen better,” she answered.
I laughed out loud. At least she didn’t deny she was looking.
Inside, I kicked off my dress shoes (which were obviously designed by Satan) and motioned for her to shut the door. I hung my jacket nearby and pulled my cell out of my pocket, checking the screen for any texts.
None.
My palm settled over the back of my neck, and I rubbed the tension building there.
The sound of toenails clicking over the hardwood made me smile, and I pocketed my phone just as Prada (my sister’s Chihuahua) bounced into the room, wearing a pink tutu.
The second she saw Joey, she started barking and growling like she was going to eat her.
“Good girl!” I told her and patted her on the head.
“Funny,” Joey replied and crouched down, offering her hand to Prada.
To my surprise, the dog stopped yapping and approached her cautiously. “Animals love me.”
“Forrester, get in here!” yelled a voice from the kitchen.
I smiled. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to my brother-in-law.” He’d eat her alive, and it would be so fun to watch.
Braeden was standing in the kitchen with Nova in his arms. Looked like he just finished feeding her because there was food all over the counter and on him.
But there wasn’t a spot on the little angel in his arms.
“You need a shower,” I told him.
Nova grinned at me, her fat baby cheeks rounding out even more.
“There’s my girl!” I said. She leaned her body toward me, and I snatched her out of B’s arms. When the baby snuggled against my shoulder for a few long seconds, my heart felt full.
“Giving your daddy hell I hope.”
She lifted her head and looked up. Her eyes were blue like mine. I still maintained she got them from me and not her mother. They were lined with dark lashes, and the downy hair on her head was completely dark, too. She got that from her father. She had some kind of headband around her head. It was black and white striped and had a giant gold flower on the side. The pants covering her lower half were black and white striped and her T-shirt was white with a big gold hashtag in the center.
Clearly, Ivy had dressed her.
I kissed her cheeks loudly while supporting her head, and she laughed. B cleared his throat and glanced at Joey.
She didn’t wait for me to introduce her. Instead, she stepped forward and offered her hand. “I’m Joey, the driver here to school Drew.”
Oh God. Here we go.
“Aww shit!” Braeden guffawed. “Drew’s getting schooled by a woman?” he cracked and swung to me. “Dude. You’re getting schooled by a girl.”
I covered Nova’s ears and mouthed the words, Screw you, at him.
Braeden chuckled and glanced back at Joey. “I’m Braeden, married to Drew’s sister. Maker of that bundle of cuteness right there.” He pointed at Nova.
Joey smiled. “She’s definitely cute.”
“That’s because my sister made her.” I corrected. “Where is she anyway?”
“Filming a video for her channel,” Braeden answered, dumping the dishes he used in the sink. “She’s trying to get ahead so when I go back to training, she’ll have more free time.”
“What do you do?” Joey asked.
I laughed. “He’s a football player for the Knights.”
“Right,” Joey said. “I should have known that, I guess.”
“No reason to.” B shrugged. I knew without him saying he was glad she had no idea who he was. As a rule, we didn’t bring strangers around the house. Ever. It was too hard to trust people. Most of them just wanted a piece of him or Romeo. Or the girls.
At least now we knew it wouldn’t be an issue to have Joey around, since she would be for the foreseeable future.
“Hey, you mind watching her while I jump in the shower?” He gestured to his shirt, which was still covered in baby food. “Someone didn’t like her dinner.” He glowered at Nova.
She laughed.
“Sure, man, go ahead. After, we’re gonna head out.”
Braeden stopped in the doorway. “Where’s Trent been?”
I wasn’t the only one who noticed his absence. “Stuff going on at the fraternity,” I said.
“I texted him and he didn’t reply. Rome either.” He went on. “You better tell him if he don’t answer soon, we’re gonna ride over there and beat his ass.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything else. I didn’t know what else to say.
When B was gone, Joey spoke. “Trent is your manager, right? The guy at the track the other day?”
“Yeah,” I replied, going to the fridge for a water. I really wanted a beer. But that was a bad example for the little lady in my arms. Plus, we’d probably be out driving tonight.
“I’d like to meet him,” she said, sitting down at the island.
I handed her a water.
“Sure,” I said, perking up a little. “Soon as B’s done, we can drive over to where he lives. I’ll introduce you.”
I wasn’t really doing it for her. I was using her as an excuse to go over there. Just to see him.
Once I made sure he was okay, I could go back to avoiding him.
Trent
Week from hell.
Turns out Sunday was just the beginning of the shit storm brewing over my life.
In between classes and Omega duties, Con continued to act like a little bitch.
Well, excuse me. According to him, I was the bitch.
As in another man’s bitch.
He never said it when other people were around. He only taunted me with words my mother would have slapped the eyebrows off my face for using when I was the only one within earshot. When other brothers were around, he acted like nothing happened, like he never tried to overthrow me and like I never split his face open with my fist.
I itched to do it again. Except this time, I wouldn’t stop with just one hit. I’d freaking pound him until I felt better.
I couldn’t.
All that would do is give him ammunition to use against me. Beating his ass might actually give him something to go whine to the dean about. As much as I hated the guy, I would rather eat fresh shit (which was way worse than day-old shit) than give him the pleasure.
His words and taunts bothered me. Which, in turn, bothered me more. Usually I didn’t give two shits what anyone said to me. I was a confident guy. I was strong and silent. I was secure enough in myself that people’s words never hurt.
Being taunted about being gay shouldn’t bother me.
But it did.
Fuck, it felt like a scorching hot poker being driven right into my spine.
It stung because I wasn’t secure in this. I denied the way I felt for so long. I pushed the feelings down inside me because they scared me so much. Because I thought th
ey were wrong.
I couldn’t do it anymore.
I couldn’t keep lying to myself. It was tearing me up inside.
But just because I was admitting to myself that yeah, I was probably gay, didn’t mean I was ready to tell anyone. I didn’t want to talk about it. And I certainly didn’t want to be fucking taunted.
I knew people in the house were talking. Con’s plan to dethrone me might not have worked, but apparently, his accusation that I was gay wasn’t as hard to convince people of.
Some people treated me exactly as they always had. I felt a new appreciation for those people. Others looked at me with pity in their eyes, like I had some kind of horrible disease that couldn’t be cured.
That pissed me off.
Maybe I was gay. So what? I was still the same guy I’d been my entire life. I was still a football player. I was still Omega president. I still loved cars and hated romance movies.
That’s where the confusion came in. I was still the same. Irrevocably. Did that mean I really wasn’t gay? I’d dated women all my life.
Because that’s what you were supposed to do.
I liked sex with women.
Not as much as you should.
These feelings had just become harder to deny.
Because of Drew.
I pulled my Mustang into the lot of the frat house. Classes were over for the week, and I planned to lie low this weekend. I didn’t get out right away, though, even after I turned off the engine. I stared through the windshield across the wide yard around the stone house.
I was pretty sure I was in love with Drew.
Like in love with him.
I tried not to be. It was a losing battle.
When he showed up here earlier in the week with his new “mentor,” everything I felt about him became undeniable.
He was a she.
Gamble didn’t just send any driver. He sent a woman. She was a badass driver.
She was also incredibly beautiful.
The second she stepped out of the passenger side of the Fastback and smiled up at Drew, I was pummeled. It made me crazy to see them together.
Joey was basically a female version of Drew. His perfect compliment. She had long, dark, wild hair, sparkly eyes, and a body that wouldn’t quit.
I wasn’t attracted to her. I was too busy hating her.
#Junkie (GearShark #1) Page 12