Page 35 of Torqued

“I was hoping the paper was the last thing you two would see today.” He cuts his eyes at me, waiting on my reaction, I’m sure.

I swallow hard, hesitating on what to say. “It’s not what it looks like. Similarly to the one I found Rush in this morning.”

“That’s not good.” Colton’s features cloud with worry. “Are you two, alright?”

I half shrug. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

“Are you trying to tell me there’s nothing between the two of you?”

“Between what two? Me and Lane two? Or me and Rush two?” I rear back with my brows raised.

Colton laughs, shaking his head. “I think you’ve confused me now.”

“Nothing is going on with either of them or myself,” I assure him with a plastered on smile.

“So, Rush had no issue with the photo of you in Lane Shifter’s arms on the front of Race Weekly?” Colton folds his arms across his chest.

I avert my eyes hoping he won’t see the hurt behind them as the image of Lynn in Rush’s arms crush me. “He took issue, but not for long. He found respite with… in Lynn.”

“Come again?” His arms drop to his side. I know he’s disappointed in both Rush and me, but right now, I can’t deal with it.

“I know,” I shift my feet, feeling completely off balance. “it’s a little bit of a mess, but I’m going to get it straightened out. I apologize for all of this. I never meant for it to reflect poorly on you.”

Colton reaches out to me, touching my arm to garner my attention. “Spencer, I’d be a fool not to understand how this world works. The tabloids, gossip, and the backstabbing that goes on are ridiculous. But none of that matters when it comes to you or Rush.”

“Thank you, I do think we’re okay. At least, for right now.” Again, I use my fake smile to get me through another disastrous mess. This just happens to be one I helped to create, and I loathe feeling this way.

“Well, then let’s get ready to race.” He smiles, and I swoon from being too close to all that is Colton Donavan. He has a sexiness that goes beyond all understanding.

“I’m gonna sit with Margo.” I point to the seats above the pit crew. “We were thinking, it might keep me outta trouble and Rush’s head in the car.”

“Good call.” He winks and motions for me to go ahead of him. “Shall we?”

“Let’s! I’m ready to race, Colton.”

Colton and I take our place on pit row. I felt being here would be better than anywhere else. This way, nothing can be misconstrued or mishandled in the press. I need to save face, and this is the best place to do it.

Team Brownwood Brothers and Rush Hatcher for the win. Let us pray, friends.

I slip into my seat beside Margo. The box sits on a stand by pit road to the shock and awe of many. There’s nothing like looking out across the track and seeing two women at the helm of a stock car pit.

“You look like you love this!” Margo yells.

I nod, grinning like a fool. “I am!”

The race started with Rush and Lane separated by three cars, now they’re side by side. In the weeks we were working on getting here, I took the time to catch up on all of my MAXCAR knowledge.

We watch sitting on the edge of our seats as the car speeds around the track. I grip my seat, holding my breath until I can spot Rush as they circumvent the mile-long race with turns as deep as twenty-four degrees.

Rush drives his ass off like we all knew he could. He’ll be a force in this series if he can just learn to walk away from Lane and people like him. It always blows my mind when people would rather see someone fall on their face than to succeed.

My body goes rigid as the sound of metal scraping against concrete echoes in the distance. The spotter comes across the head-set, warning Rush as to the road ahead. But that’s not what proves to be the problem for our team.

“He’s on the high side, be ready for him to come down.”

“I see him.” Rush’s words are curt and leave me with a sinking feeling.

Margo covers her mic, leaning into my ear. “Lane keeps checking up on Rush.”