Page 2 of Torqued

“Nothing. I’m pissed you’re messin’ around with the Shifters. Stay away! They’ll ruin you, Rush.” She growls through gritted teeth.

I move closer to her, bumping her shoulder. “Smile, dammit! We won!”

“Yeah, it’s a good win.” She slips her arm around my waist. “She passed inspection, it’s official.”

I kiss the top of her head. “Thanks, babe.”

I lay my arm over her shoulders, pulling her close to me. We tend to get tongues wagging any time we do this, but I don’t care. Margo is a five foot nothing, curvy brunette, with the attitude of a pit bull.

She knows cars better than any other mechanic out here and she happens to be the first female crew chief in all of the series. I’m damn proud that she’s my best friend. We grew up together in Cherry Grove, where we’re from and call home.

“Getta room!” Crank yells from across the pits as he approaches us. He’s another person that’s been by my side for years. I met Crank, Chris Marks is his given name, my first year on the dirt tracks, and we’ve been together since.

They’re family, but don’t let my mom catch me saying that. I come from a great home, with an even better family. My parents have been in love since high school, and I arrived later in life.

I’m also their only child, so I’m spoiled. My cousins and I happen to be the hottest tickets in town. Boone, Creed, and I are separated by two years each. I’m the youngest and most handsome.

But while I’m at the track, these two are my family. We stick together and I know they will always have my back. Margo is the best mechanic I know, besides her cousin Mack. She’s helped me get here, and she’ll stay right here with me.

“Why? You won’t be able to watch if we do!” Margo sticks her tongue out at him. Not a good idea, but I can’t tell the woman a damn thing. “Besides, it’s the best defense to hold off the grease monkeys.”

“Don’t you think you’re a little tough on your own kind?” I cock my brow, waiting for her to respond. Margo is a really cool dude with boobs. I’ve never thought of her any other way.

She levels me with a glare. “Are you trollop hoping?”

“Excuse me?” I clutch my shirt, affronted. “Do you see anyone hanging on my arm?”

“No, but it doesn’t mean they’re not tied to your bed!” Her head sways with every word as she drives me down to attitude city!

I gape, batting my lashes. “Well, I have never!”

“For the love of sweet tea, you sure the hell have! You probably have one waiting now.” She narrows her eyes at me. I stand my ground as Crank begins to shrink into the shadows.

“I think it’s terrible the way you’re slut-shaming your own sex.”

She opens her mouth, snapping it shut. When she starts to say something this time, it’s well thought out. “You’re right. I should apologize to the women that know you’re a man-whore on two legs and will take anything to bed with a muff!”

“So what you’re saying is, they’re making their own decision concerning their sex life and you’re okay with that.”

She tilts her head, sizing me up. “Why do I have a feeling you already have a lady in waiting?”

“I don’t have a clue.” I feign innocence, knowing it aggravates the hell out of her, but that’s what I do, and she falls for it every time.

She leans past me, watching Crank sneak out the other way. “When the day comes that you have a standing ovation going on in your pants, don’t come to me to get you the medicine to clear it up!”

“Huh?” My face twists in confusion.

She holds her hands out, smacking them together. “The clap!”

“Eww! Why do you want to spoil my fun? Do I tell you when to order a new dildo? No, I do not. To each her own and don’t come looking for batteries later tonight!”

Her eyes widen before searching to see who might’ve heard us. “Run! Or I’m going to drown you in a vat of battery acid!”

“This is why we can’t have nice things, dear.” I slowly start to back away. “If you need me, I’ll be buried in a redhead or a blonde, or if I’m lucky, both!”

She rears back, throwing an oil filter at me as I run away. This is us; Margo has had my back since we were five years old and no matter how many times the men around here give me shit for having a woman on my team, I’ll back her until I take my last breath.

I hit my stride jogging through the pits toward my trailer. There should be two beauties waiting for me and I’m pumped. My turn is just ahead when I notice a group of people talking.