#Junkie (GearShark #1)

by Cambria Hebert

  I gave Drew a WTF look. He never told me about any money.

  Lorhaven swung the shadowy depths of his stare completely on Joey. She lifted her chin in challenge.

  “You still around?” he snarled.

  “I’m welcome, unlike you, apparently,” Joey quipped.

  I smiled.

  “You’re going to need to leave,” Earl told him.

  “The track isn’t even open,” Lorhaven said. “I’m just here ‘cause I’m hearing there’s a new division of racing, one for the indies.”

  Drew stepped forward and glanced at Earl and his partner. “Can he hang out a few minutes? I’ll fill him in, then send him on his way.”

  Again, Drew surprised me. What the hell was he doing, asking Lorhaven to hang around?

  Earl and company looked like they were about to argue.

  Emily cleared her throat. “I’d like to hear about the rivalry.”

  The photographer spoke up. “I can take a few shots of the Corvette for the magazine.”

  Lorhaven looked at Drew. “They’re with GearShark?”

  Drew nodded.

  Lorhaven played it cool, but I knew he was one sip of water away from pissing his jeans.

  “Fine.” Earl sighed. “Only a few minutes, then you’re out. Don’t come back here again, Lorhaven, or we’re calling the cops and havin’ ya removed.”

  When they turned back, Lorhaven gave them the finger.

  Drew turned his attention to Emily. “Interview is over by the trailer?”

  She nodded.

  “Cool. I’ll be there in just a few.”

  “I’ll be ready.” She turned and walked away, and the photographer followed.

  “Why the fuck did you just help him out?” I asked Drew as soon as they weren’t in earshot.

  “He tried to run us off the road, Drew,” Joey put in.

  “Are you fucking kidding me!” I snapped. I glared at Lorhaven, my chest heaving.

  Drew put a hand on my shoulder, effectively stealing my attention. I couldn’t even be mad when he was touching me. I settled for giving him an irritated look.

  “That’s my way of extending an olive branch,” Drew said, and I wanted to punch something. “I won that race fair, and you know it. You just got your panties in a wedge because I showed you up on your own turf.”

  Lorhaven stiffened. “Is that an apology?”

  “I don’t have shit to apologize for. But I ought to send you a bill for the bodywork the rear of my Fastback needs.”

  He told me he hit a tree. I knew he’d been lying. Son of a—

  Drew squeezed my shoulder and then pulled his hand back. He glanced at me long enough that promised he’d fill me in later.

  “I’m not paying you shit,” Lorhaven growled. “You brought a fucking pro onto my turf. A damn woman no less.”

  “So I guess I’d be less threatening if I had a dick between my legs?” Joey interjected.

  I laughed out loud. I liked this girl.

  Drew laughed, too, but Lorhaven just scowled. “Pro drivers are posers,” he spat.

  “Why don’t we take it on the track, and I’ll show you how much of a poser I really am?” Joey stepped up.

  “Which track? The one your daddy bought you?”

  “Hey.” Drew stepped forward and shoved Lorhaven. “She’s off-limits. This is about you and me. It’s about indie drivers getting their chance to be legit on their own terms.”

  “Don’t touch me.” He advanced on Drew.

  I made an angry sound, but Drew shook his head. I got he was his own man, and he was almost as big as me. But I didn’t care. No one threatened him.

  No one.

  “You wanna hear this or not?” Drew ground out.

  “Talk.” Lorhaven crossed his arms over his chest. Arrow stepped up from the small crowd standing several yards away, watching us.

  I still couldn’t believe that kid was Lorhaven’s brother. Poor guy.

  “I met with Ron Gamble a couple weeks ago. Basically auditioned for him to sponsor me.”

  Lorhaven looked like he was about to explode with that nugget of information. Drew pretended not to notice and just kept talking.

  “They thought I was too inexperienced and too green to drive pro.”

  Lorhaven snorted. “Of course they did. Fucking pro snobs.”

  Well, that was interesting. Lorhaven had a prime opportunity to crack a joke about Drew’s failure, but he didn’t. Instead, he seemed mad on Drew’s behalf. Like he, too, knew what it felt like to not be good enough.

  Joey bristled nearby, and I moved over and draped my arm over her shoulder. “No hard feelings,” I whispered in her ear.

  She giggled.

  Lorhaven glanced over and gave me a look like he might be constipated but then turned back to Drew.

  “Before I walked away, I said something that ended up sparking a conversation… and led to all this.” Drew gestured to everything going on around us.

  “A new division of racing,” Lorhaven said.

  “Good call having your little bro spy on us for you.” Drew glanced at Arrow, who frowned. “But next time, just ask me if you want to know something.”

  Lorhaven stared at Drew levelly. “Fair enough.”

  Drew explained a little more about the new division and that today was sort of the official announcement about all the shit to come. When he was finished, Lorhaven was practically frothing at the mouth.

  “This is open to all indie drivers?”

  Drew nodded. “Yep. Through a set of preliminary races, the drivers will be narrowed down. The best of the best will move on to a series of division races. The best of the best will graduate to a championship race at Gamble Speedway. Winner walks away with a TBA amount of prize money.”

  “And respect.” Lorhaven finished.

  “Exactly.”

  I guess Lorhaven wasn’t all that different from all the other drivers we knew. He wanted respect just like the rest of the indies.

  Drew was offering him a chance at that.

  “Why are you telling me all this?” Lorhaven asked, suddenly suspicious of Drew.

  “I’d like to know that, too,” I said. Beneath my arm, Joey nodded.

  “Because when I win, I want to know it’s because I deserve it. You’re an asshole, but you can drive. Stop all this petty ‘my turf’ shit and trying to run drivers off the road when they beat you.”

  Just the mention of that again had me seeing red.

  Drew held up his hand like Lorhaven was going to protest. “Save it. I know I’m not the only driver you try and keep out of your races. Time to put your money where your mouth is, Lorhaven. I’m calling you out.”

  Lorhaven lowered his chin and stared at Drew. “You’re calling me out?”

  “Yeah. You’re all pissed because the pro circuit is snobby and indies always get the shaft? You think you’re the best? Bring it. We have an audience now.” Drew held out his arms. “Get some sponsors, pick a car, and you and I will settle this on the track. Let everyone see we indies aren’t as green they think. We might be a little wild, but that’s just part of our charm.”

  I grinned.

  “Can I quote you on that?” Emily said.

  We all turned. She was standing nearby with a notebook and pen in her hand. I hadn’t even noticed her approach.

  “Sure.” Drew nodded. Then he looked back at Lorhaven. “What do you say? We both want respect and we both wanna drive. I can turn this world on its ass without you, but something tells me it will be a lot more interesting with you around.”

  Lorhaven studied Drew for a long minute. Everyone stared between the two men like they were deciding whose side they were on.

  Except for me. I knew exactly whose side I would always be on.

  I fucking loved that he just called out this clown. Lorhaven wouldn’t turn him down. Pride meant too much to someone like him.

  “All right, Forrester.” He stuck out his hand between them. “I’ll see you on the tra
ck.”

  Drew shook his hand, and the clicking of the photographer’s camera caught it all.

  Emily turned to him and gestured toward the white Corvette. “Get a shot of him with his car.”

  The photographer looked at Lorhaven. “You game?”

  “Let’s do this,” he said and glanced at Drew one last time.

  “See you at the track.”

  Lorhaven smirked. Before he walked off with the camera guy, he glanced at me, then Joey. “Better not stand too close to that one.” He pointed at me. “You might get fleas.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “I have all I need for the rivalry details,” Emily said. “Now if we could just do the interview, we’ll be finished.”

  “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?” Drew asked her, guiding her with a hand on the small of her back toward the trailer and the snack table.

  “The coffee here is free,” she pointed out, amused.

  “Oh, well, then have a double. On me.”

  Her laughter floated back to us, and I stepped back from Joey.

  “That guy is a piece of work,” she muttered and stared after Lorhaven.

  “That’s one way of putting it,” I mumbled.

  “He really got kicked out of here for illegal betting?”

  I nodded. “Don’t trust that guy, Joey. He’s exactly the kind of guy your father warned you about.”

  “He’s a good driver,” she said.

  Lorhaven was a good driver. It’s why Drew called him out. Drew never backed down from a challenge, and this was no different. It was smart because it essentially put a spotlight on Lorhaven along with Drew. Now he had less opportunity to be shady, because he knew people were watching. I didn’t say all that, though. All I said was, “Drew is better.”

  “I know.”

  And after the championship race this season, everyone else would know it, too.

  Drew

  Lots of questions.

  That’s what an interview is.

  I didn’t mind the questions about racing, cars, and what we were starting up here with the new division. Personal questions were another matter.

  It wasn’t that I minded talking about myself. Of course people were going to be curious about the man who was basically the face of the indie driving revolution. Especially after what Emily saw between Lorhaven and me. It was a human-interest story. It was sports, and it was new.

  Oh, and there weren’t many rules. People were naturally going flock to it.

  What was hard about personal questions was trying to decide how much to let people see. How much to keep private.

  Maybe I wouldn’t have thought about it before. Before my sister brought up my image. Before Trent.

  I didn’t exactly know where T and I stood with each other, but I did know one thing. I wasn’t ready to talk about it, especially to the press. I could only imagine how the public would react. How Ron Gamble would react.

  It seemed like I used to be more of an open book, but now I was a lot more guarded.

  It seemed like now I had a lot more to protect.

  I still got the job done. Emily liked me; that much I could tell. I read women well. I knew when one was into me. And she definitely was.

  She wasn’t bad-looking either. Her hair was long and wavy and was this deep golden shade that wasn’t brown, but wasn’t blond either. Her eyes were blue, and her face was made up to accentuate it. The royal-blue top she had on was low cut, and her skirt was tight.

  I could have had her number in seconds.

  But I didn’t want it.

  Not even a little. In fact, as I sat there answering questions and chatting her up, my eyes wandered several times off in the distance, where Trent and Joey were. The pair leaned up against her Skyline, talking. At first, they looked kinda intense, and I wondered if they were getting along. But now they were laughing and smiling. Trent was checking out her car.

  Emily was checking out me.

  Trent was checking out the car.

  And I was checking out T.

  I liked the way his jeans hugged his narrow hips and cupped his butt. I liked the long strides he took when he walked. He was powerful-looking, almost intimidating.

  His heart was kind.

  His lips were soft, and I liked the feel of his skin against mine.

  He was basically everything I could ever want in life rolled up into a single person.

  It made me feel embarrassed I didn’t want to talk about him in an interview.

  “Thank you for your time today. The feature in next month’s issue is going to be really great. A lot of people are going to be excited for this.”

  “I hope so.” I smiled. “Thank you for coming out here to talk to me.”

  “It was a pleasure,” she said, sitting forward in her chair as she got up. She bent a little lower than needed to give me a view of her chest.

  Sorry, you just don’t have the right equipment.

  I pushed out of the seat and stuck out a hand. She looked between me and my hand for a few seconds and then slid hers into mine.

  “Can I ask you a question, off the record?” Emily asked.

  “Depends on the question.” I winked.

  She smiled. “Why did you lie about being in a relationship with someone?”

  She caught me off guard with that one. Of all the things she could ask, that was what came out of her mouth?

  “Um, what makes you think I lied?”

  “I’ve been sending you signals all day. I even gave you a full view of the goods.” She gestured toward her girls. “Either I’m totally off my game today, or you’re already involved with someone.”

  “Well, aren’t you direct?” I rubbed a hand over my jaw.

  “I’m a reporter. I talk to people for a living. It’s what I do.”

  “I didn’t lie. I’m not in a relationship,” I said.

  “But you’re involved with someone.” She pressed.

  Trent was walking toward us; he likely thought the interview was over.

  “I think that’s enough questions for the day,” I said and turned to walk away.

  “Is it because you’re afraid everyone will find out you’re involved with another man?” she asked quietly. I was the only one close enough to hear.

  I stopped and turned. “What?”

  She glanced over my shoulder toward the direction Trent approached. “The way he looks at you.” She glanced back at me.

  I felt my stomach drop.

  “It’s the same way you look at him.”

  “Which is?” I played dumb.

  “Which is the reason if I offered you my number, you wouldn’t take it.”

  “I’d take it.” I disagreed.

  “You wouldn’t use it.”

  “That doesn’t mean I’m gay,” I said point blank.

  She shrugged. “No. It doesn’t.”

  I knew the second Trent was within touching distance. My skin tingled a little and the air around me became a little more electrified.

  “Finished?” he said, stepping up to my side.

  “Yes,” I answered, staring at Emily.

  “It wouldn’t be the big deal you’re thinking it would be.” She went on.

  Okay. This woman needed a muzzle. She had no idea when to shut up. Clearly, this was why she was still single.

  “What are you talking about?” Trent asked.

  “Nothing,” I said. “Let’s go.”

  “It could actually work to your advantage. It’s almost trendy these days. You’d get more press, and your career would probably benefit. We could spin—”

  I silenced her with a slash of my hand in the air. “You said this was off the record.”

  She inclined her head. “It is, but—”

  “No but. You’re way off base here. If I even hear a whisper of this conversation in the media, I will sue you for defamation of character.”

  “I didn’t mean to insult you.” Her eyes widened.

  “I’m not insulted.�
�� I protested. “I just don’t like it when people I don’t know make assumptions and try to tell me how to handle my career.”

  “I’ve overstepped.” She fidgeted.

  Trent, who had been listening to the exchange with quiet interest, gave me a look. “What the hell is going on?”

  “I look forward to reading your article.” I lied.

  “As soon as the draft is complete, I’ll email it to you.” She offered.

  “Great. Thank you. Have a safe trip home.” I turned and walked away.

  Trent appeared at my side a few seconds later, his long legs having no problem catching up to me. “What the fuck happened?”

  “You have the keys to the Mustang?”

  He pulled them out of his pocket and held them up. “Drew.” Trent grabbed my arm.

  I stopped walking and pulled back. “She asked me if we were in a relationship,” I said low and fast.

  Shock flickered over his face. “Are you serious?”

  “She wanted to break the story. She thinks me being gay will benefit my career.”

  Trent laughed, but it was a hollow, empty sound. “How the hell did she figure it out?”

  “I didn’t stare at her tits or take her in the back room for a quickie,” I replied, harsh. “So of course I’m gay.”

  Trent rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and swore beneath his breath. “I’m sorry.” Regret laced his tone. “Wait.” He glanced up. “She hit on you?”

  Amusement coursed through me. “Who’s the possessive one now?”

  He looked sheepish. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”

  “Fuck that,” I spat. “She was just nosing around for a story.”

  “A lot of reporters are gonna do that.”

  Frustration welled up inside me. So much frustration. I wished this were easier.

  “You gotta go to class this afternoon?” I asked.

  “Not if you don’t want me to.”

  “I don’t want you to,” I whispered.

  There it was again. Sparks, currents of attraction between us. It was a force all its own, so tangible if I had a spoon, I could likely scoop it out of the air.

  “C’mon,” T said, able to break free first. “Joey promised me a ride in her Skyline.”

  “Sounds good.” My shoulders relaxed, and I smiled what felt like my first real smile in almost the entire day.