Donavan Racing is formidable and always has been. I’m just glad the press is following him and not me.
Finding the O’Donohue team tent, I make my way inside and then shake hands with the sponsors while exchanging “good luck” and “see you after the race” comments.
Luckily for us, we placed second, fourth, and fifth during qualifying, so our pits are pretty close to one another. With KJ leading the team right behind Zander, I’m hoping to get at least one or more of the cars in the top three at the finish.
I make my way to Kyle’s pit first. He’s starting in fifth, which he isn’t happy about, but I told him it’s his first race in the big time. He did an outstanding job in qualifying. We talk a little strategy about the drivers ahead of him. While Franco and KJ have worked together, Kyle hasn’t been in the groove with them. My team, though, has made great progress melding together.
Franco is standing next to his car, talking with his crew chief, Rex. “Hey, Rex, you ready?”
“Yeah, Declan. The car’s perfect. And well, you know how Franco drives.”
“Full tilt, baby,” Franco answers as they fist bump.
I cringe inside as my anxiety ramps up. “Just go full tilt safely, okay?”
They both give me a smirk. Shit, I hope I make it through this.
Gus Sawyer is in third place between KJ and Franco. He’s a bit of an aggressive driver, so I’m not too happy he’s behind KJ.
“Hey, Declan!” KJ yells from the other side of her car.
Jesus, how can she make her fire suit look so fucking sexy? Her golden hair is tied up in a high ponytail. I immediately envision pulling it while I have her bent over the pit wall. I quickly chastise myself for the thought.
“KJ, everything good?”
She nods. “I’m so excited. I’ve missed being behind the wheel for the last few months. We had to change some gears due to the weather, but I think it’ll help.”
I glance in front of us at Zander. “What are your thoughts about taking Zander?”
Her eyes light up. “He goes high in the corner three or four laps in. I don’t know why he does it, but I will capitalize on it if I can.”
I smile, hearing her in race mode. It’s a turn on—not that it takes much where she’s concerned.
“I look forward to watching you get the checkered flag.”
“Thanks for believing in me—in the team, Declan. It means a lot to us.”
I get a little choked up, so I just nod and head back to my spot to watch the race. Maureen is back in the room watching it on TV. The noise and the crowds make her nervous.
Less than an hour later, the green flag is waved, signaling my official start as team owner. I’ve already taken several antacids because my stomach is on fire. Quickly my thoughts go from the acid eating a hole in my gut to standing on my feet as the drivers come across the finish line for the first time. Since this is a race through the streets, I can’t see the whole thing at once unless I watch it on the screen in front of me.
Positions haven’t changed. It’s a long race, one hundred and ten laps, so I don’t expect them to right away. As I listen to the chatter between the crews and the drivers, I think about my brother. He said he’d watch, and I hope to make him proud today. He left the team in good shape, and I don’t want to let all his hard work go to shit.
On the fourth lap, KJ makes her move on Zander. She was right. He went high on a corner, leaving her space to pass him. Her pass was smooth, but unfortunately, Sawyer went around Zander too. I was hoping Zander would put some distance between the two of them.
Twenty laps to go, and KJ is still in the lead. Kyle is now in third with Franco in the pits with a steering problem. His day is over.
I have to hand it to both KJ and Kyle. They are racing well and not making any dumb mistakes. But I’m on the edge of my seat with Sawyer gaining on her.
With five laps until the checkered flag, I notice Sawyer is gaining on KJ. He attempted a move to go underneath her in the last turn, but she was quick to cut him off. I let out a cheer, scaring the crew member next to me.
One lap to go, the white flag is waved. They come around my turn. KJ takes the corner high but holds Sawyer off. I’m on my feet as I watch the cars go around for the last time. I have to switch to the monitor to see, but just as I relax, my stomach plummets watching Sawyer tap the back of KJ’s car, sending her spinning into the barrier.
All I can think is Not again.
KJ
It happens in slow motion, just like people say. I make a mistake on the last turn and go high, but thankfully I stay in the lead. But it doesn’t last long. As we come through the last turn before the finish line, I feel a tap in the back, sending me and my car into the safety barrier.
With a jolt, I’m hurled from side to side with a searing pain in my shoulder.
Deep breaths. I remind myself. I’m okay, just bruised probably.
The safety crew makes their way to my car as I use my good arm to unbuckle my safety harness. Jesus, it hurts.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just my shoulder got jammed is all. I can get out on my own.”
Protocol says I need to get checked out for a head injury, but I know it’s just my shoulder. They transport me to the medical area, and I hold my shoulder close to my body as I make my way to the exam room.
While the medical personnel check me over, I hear yelling from outside. It’s Declan, and he’s on a rampage.
“My boss,” I tell the person who’s setting up the X-ray.
“He’s not happy,” he responds.
I try to make out what he’s saying before lying back on the exam table, but I can’t. Just as they are about to bring the machine over, the door bursts open. I don’t even have to look to know who it is.
“You can’t be in here, sir,” the medic announces. Apparently, he’s never met Declan.
“Fuck that,” Declan yells back as he rushes to my side.
I look up at his worried face, my heart in my throat.
With his hand, he smooths my hair. “Are you okay?” he asks with a heaving chest.
Then it hits me. His parents were killed in a car accident. “Declan, I’m all right. It’s just my shoulder.”
He runs his hand through his hair. I notice he’s shaking.
“Hey, I’m okay, but I need to get the X-ray done. I’ll meet you outside soon.”
Declan hesitates but nods. I notice he doesn’t apologize to the medic before leaving, so I do for him.
An hour later and a diagnosis I don’t want to hear, I make my way outside.
Declan, Kyle, and Franco rush to my side. “What did they say?”
With my arm in a sling and my shoulder taped, I fill them in. “I have a bone contusion on my shoulder. The doctor says I’m out for at least a month, maybe two. I’m sorry, Declan.”
“Shit, I don’t care about that. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
I see the relief on his face. Kyle’s and Franco’s too. “I’m physically okay, but I’m beyond pissed at Sawyer. He knew what he was doing.”
My teammates exchange glances.
“What?” I inquire, but neither tell me what’s going on.
“Nothing,” Declan answers as he ushers me out of the medical area. “My sister has been calling me. She’s worried about you too.”
Aw, Maureen is the best. “Please tell her I’m fine. I just need to go home, take some pain meds, and fall asleep. Who won the race?”
“I did.” Kyle smiles. “After they disqualified Sawyer.”
I grin at the thought of both the disqualification and my teammate winning.
“Congratulations, Rookie!” I wince in pain at my over-exuberance. I refused a pain pill until I get home.
“Come on, KJ. I’ll take you home,” Declan offers.
“Andi’s here. I’m sure she’s waiting for me.”
“Humor me, will you, KJ? I just want to make sure you’re okay. I don’t need to leave for Mid-Ohio
until Tuesday. I told the crew to load the haulers and head out.”
I don’t have the energy to argue with him.
Kyle heads to the media tent after we say goodbye and Franco walks with us to the pits. His face lights up when he sees Andi. For what it’s worth, she looks like she’s relieved to see us.
“Oh my god. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a contusion on my shoulder, but I won’t be able to race for maybe two months.”
Declan informs Andi he’s taking me home. I cringe, waiting for her response. She doesn’t get a chance to say anything because Franco stops her. “I can take you wherever you need to go.”
Declan, Andi, and I exchange glances. Before she can respond, a tall redhead with her boobs billowing out of her top makes her way over to us.
“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you,” she purrs as she sidles up to Franco.
Andi takes in the fence bunny. Disappointment crosses her face, and Franco looks like he wants the ground to open and drag him in. If it were anyone else besides my bestie, I’d laugh at the situation, but I know Andi has feelings for Franco.
“Looks like you have your hands full,” she levels at him. “Call me when you get settled, KJ. Jacob and I will come over and take care of you.”
I nod before she quickly leaves.
“Come on, let’s get you home and comfortable,” says Declan.
I say goodbye to Franco, who looks like he’s begging me to get him out of this situation. Teammate or not, Andi has been my best friend since third grade. Franco can try to fix this on his own.
Declan
My heart is finally beating at a normal rhythm. When I saw KJ hit that barrier, thoughts of losing my parents came rushing back. I immediately realized just how much I care about KJ, not just in a professional capacity.
I phoned my sister to let her know I’d return to the hotel later. Of course, she wanted me to come to get her to see for herself how KJ was. Instead, I had her do a quick video chat. I love my sister, but knowing her, she’ll want to take care of her new friend.
“You don’t have to stay, Declan. Andi is on her way over. She and Jacob are going to spend the night.”
“I’ll wait,” I confirm as I read a text message from my assistant. It seems Sawyer didn’t waste any time making threats to sue me. I don’t know how I will tell KJ I pulled Sawyer from his car, ready to beat the shit out of him for what he did. I expect they’ll fine me for my behavior, but I don’t care. All I could do was picture a lifeless KJ.
I glance over at her while she’s relaxing in her reclining chair. She took one of her pain pills about thirty minutes ago, and I can tell it’s starting to take effect. Her eyes are closed, but she isn’t asleep.
“Declan?”
My attention turns to the beautiful blonde. “I’m still here.”
“Thank you for taking care of me,” she says, her speech a little slow.
“No thanks needed, sweetheart.”
Calling her sweetheart slips out, but it just feels natural. It doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I like it when you call me that. I like it when you kiss me, Declan.”
Ah shit. She won’t remember this tomorrow, so I admit I like kissing her too. She smirks.
“I know you do. I can feel how hard you get when your lips meet mine.”
Jesus. This is a dangerous game.
I don’t deny her comment. It’s true. She turns me on more than a woman ever has before.
Tilting my head, I notice her breathing has evened out. She’s asleep, thankfully. The last thing I need is for this conversation to go any further.
Twenty minutes later, Andi and her son show up with their overnight bags. I give them a quick rundown of what KJ needs before heading back to my hotel. I hate leaving, but I need to tend to my sister.
Thankfully when I arrive, Maureen is working on a crossword puzzle. Her spirits are better after seeing KJ on the video chat. I have to be honest, I was worried the stress of seeing the crash would make my sister regress.
“I ordered room service for us, Declan. I figured you’d just want to relax after the race.”
“Thanks. I’m going to shower first.”
Twenty minutes later, Maureen and I sit down to a meal of lasagna, salad, and warm Italian bread. She hasn’t said much. I’m sure she’s waiting for me to explain what she saw on the TV. Namely, me going after Gus Sawyer. Yes, it was recorded, and it’s playing on a loop. Instead of giving the rookie the spotlight, the networks talk about the hotheaded O’Donohue Racing team owner.
I’ve been ignoring Patrick’s calls. I text, though, telling him we’d speak about it tomorrow.
“Patrick never lost his temper like that when one of his drivers was spun out by another,” Maureen quips between bites of her meatball. She doesn’t look at me, satisfied to push the food around on her plate.
“That asshole deserved it. It pissed him off KJ was going to win, and he tapped her on purpose. Now she’s out for at least a month, maybe two. Tell me why I shouldn’t have gone after him.”
“Well, for one, you’re going to pay a hefty fine for that. And two, you did it because you like her. When I say you like her, I mean more than just as your employee. I’m not dumb, Declan. I may forget some things from time to time, but I know it when I see two people who are more than fond of each other.”
I sigh because Maureen has always seen through me.
“Deny it, Declan. I won’t believe you.”
“Okay, what do you want me to say? Yes, I’m attracted to KJ. And yes, she feels the same way. But that’s it. Nothing can happen between us as long as I’m her boss.”
“Declan, I love you. But if you and KJ have feelings for each other, perhaps you should explore them. She’s a great woman. Is there anything in your contract with the drivers barring you from having a relationship?”
I hadn’t even thought to investigate that. Instead, I relied on social norms dictating the way I should act as her boss.
“I don’t know, Maureen. But even if there isn’t, what would everyone think? I don’t even know if KJ would want to be with me.”
I have an idea she would based simply on what happened that night in Miami. The way she responded to me. It was like she couldn’t get close enough. I know for sure that’s how I felt. Could a relationship with KJ be in my future? Should I take a leap of faith and try?
What happens next answers that very question.
KJ
I can’t believe my eyes when I watch the footage of Declan going after Gus Sawyer. Why didn’t he tell me what happened? I have it on replay in my brain.
It’s been two weeks since my accident. I finally sent Andi and her son home, promising to take it easy. My shoulder feels slightly better, but driving is going to be questionable, according to my physical therapist.
I’ve never been good at sitting around doing nothing. At least I’ve knocked out four books on my “to be read” list. I watched the Mid-Ohio race last week. Franco won, and I was glad for him. Andi watched with me even though things are not settled between the two of them.
I try to hide my grumpiness from her, but I can’t help it. The Indianapolis 500 is this weekend. I talked to the guys, and my heart broke when they told me they’d race for me. I don’t know what I will do with myself over the next four days until the race comes on.
Thumbing through the rest of the race schedule, I see the race in the Poconos could be my return. It’s a month and a half away. I figure if I work hard at therapy and rest it when I need to, there’s a chance for me to return to racing.
I email my therapist with my new goal just as there’s a knock at my door. I’m not expecting anyone and Andi’s working. When I open it, my stomach flips. Declan is standing on my porch in a blue tailored suit that hugs his body.
My confusion tempers the excitement of seeing him.
“Come in,” I say as I move to let him by me. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
He looks unsure of himself, and it’s kinda sexy. Declan O’Donohue is a hot AF alpha, but he looks like he wants to crawl in a hole right now.
Declan rubs his hand over his forehead. “I thought maybe you’d like to come with me to Indianapolis for the race. We can hang out when I don’t have to be at the events.”
I’m stunned, so I don’t say anything right away. It feels like he’s asking me to go as his date. At least that’s how I feel, even though he hasn’t come out and said it.
“I don’t know, maybe this was a stupid idea,” he says as he turns to leave.
“Wait!” I grab his arm. “I’d love to go with you. I’m just shocked you’re here, is all.”
“KJ, can we sit for a minute, please?”
Sudden nervousness takes over, but I contain it and sit across from him at my kitchen table.
“I need to explain why I’m here. I should’ve done that before I asked you to accompany me to Indy.”
“Go ahead, Declan,” I say with uneasiness.
He clears his throat before he begins, which only makes me more worried.
“I need to know how you see me, KJ. I know we talked about what happened in Miami and said we should forget it ever happened, but I can’t. That night at my place, well, it took all my strength not to keep you in my bed. I’ve wanted you ever since that, hell, ever since that night in Atlanta last year. When Patrick asked me to take over, I almost said no because of you. I thought that by becoming team owner and thus your boss, I’d never have a shot at being with you.”
I let out an audible gasp. Thoughts of that night come back, not that they’ve been very far from my mind. But I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I know how much I want Declan. I need to hear from him what he really means.
“Please just say what is on your mind. I want to make sure I don’t misinterpret what you’re telling me.”
“Look, KJ, I know this isn’t right, and you could sue the fuck out of me, but you’re all I think about. I want to take you to Indy not as my driver but as my woman.”
Owned: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) Page 9