Page 13 of Torqued

Colton: It’s the best seats in the house.

Spencer: I’m sure.

The car comes to a stop in the front of the gates. When the driver opens my door, I step out and immediately regret my shoes. I grit my teeth and continue through the crowd, wishing my red bottom heels the adios.

By the time I’m in the thick of it, my clothes have beer on them, and my shoes have met an untimely death. I make my way out of the tunnel to find Colton at the end of it.

“Spencer, good to see you.” He leans in, pressing his lips to my cheek. Always the perfect gentleman. I miss them.

I return his gesture, keeping it friendly. “I’m good. My shoes, not so much.”

“The good news is you didn’t have to walk from the general parking section.” He holds his hand up, fixing his fingers. “Mud this thick.”

My eyes widen. “I’ll remember that next time.”

“Shall we?” He holds his arm out.

“Thank you.” I grasp his arm, clinging to him as we climb the multitude of steps up to the top. He helps me into my seat, and when I look up, I’m blown away.

“What?”

“Wow, this is incredible.”

He smiles as he sits. “Best seats in the house.”

“How long until our guy’s up?”

He glances at his phone. “Thirty minutes or less.”

“So, what’s the plan? I have everything ready you asked me to set up.”

“Good.” He hits send on a text. “Wife, kids miss me.”

The look on my face must say what I’m thinking. “Aww, that’s sweet.”

“You looked shocked.” He chuckles, holding his cell up. “Here they are, loves of my life. Rylee, Zander, and this is Ace.”

I take his phone, holding it. Their smiles could chase away the clouds. They all look so happy. Is it too soon to tell him I’m jealous? I want me a hunky driver, a great husband, and a good father for our children.

“They’re beautiful. You’re a lucky man, Colton.” I hand his phone back, watching him as he stares at it once more before putting it away.

“Thank you.” He smiles so wide, his entire face lights up. He’s so stinking in love. Yeah, I’m jealous.

The next half hour we spend going over our plan; the goal is to low ball him and pay him more once we see how he performs. Hatcher might be a good driver now, but the pro series is an entirely different race.

“Here come the first ones.” Colton points to the far side of the track. I crane my neck when I see a gaggle of women a little further to the right.

“Wonder what that’s about?”

Colton inclines his head before giving it a shake. “If I had to guess- “

“Don’t say it.” I grimace, knowing what’s coming.

“Rush Hatcher.”

I lay back against the stands. “I asked you not to say it.”

“Oh, come on. Look at it this way, he has a following. Which means less in advertisements and great merchandising.” Colton nudges me, grinning.