Page 14 of Fueled Hate

“Hot guys and fast cars,” she grins.

“Does Parker know that?”

“Of course, but he knows I’m just enjoying the show.” Her expression tightens a bit as she glances around. “And he knows I need the money.”

“What?”

“I don’t always place a bet, but I have a few times when I needed some extra cash.”

I raise my brows, eyeing her, surprised she would actually gamble after fussing about the guys being crazy to risk their money on ‘amateur wannabe racers.’

“Don’t give me that judgy look, Sadie. It’s easy money, and there have been times I really needed the cash. And, as much as it pains me to admit it, Kyle is a damn good driver—even if he is a ginormous asshat.”

“You could’ve asked me for money. I don’t mind helping if you’re low on funds.”

“But I mind asking. Besides, the guys are dumb enough to bet their money, so I’m going to cash in and use it to my advantage.”

“All right.”

“So, why don’t you come. I’m not gambling on the race tonight, just going for the hot guys and fast cars.”

“Sure,” I concede, knowing I won’t get any studying done because I won’t be able to focus. It’s been the theme lately, so I doubt it’ll end soon. Besides, maybe getting out will take my mind off of other things. And I do miss going to the Dome sometimes. It was one of the few times I felt like I was partaking in my life. Kyle will be too busy to even notice me there, so I should be able to slip away before he wants to hang out afterwards. His victory spin usually goes well into the night in the form of drinking and bragging for hours with the crowd. Maybe we don’t need to run away to join the circus after all, we have one ready and waiting on us at the Dome. And Lord knows, some nights the racing scene is way crazier than any circus I’ve ever heard of.

9

Dylan

Swiping the card across the elevator’s keypad, it beeps, lighting up green as I push the number to the penthouse. It’s not a surprise that Bryce elected to go for the biggest, most expensive room available in the hotel.

The car doors slide open and I step out, walking to Bryce’s room. I swipe the keycard again and the door’s lock disengages. Pushing it open, I step into the main room, glancing over at Bryce. He’s walking around in a pair of jeans, his hair wet as he towel dries it.

“Did you not hear me say to lay low?”

“I am. Just not literally laying low. What’s lower than the highest, off-limits room in the hotel?” Bryce tosses the towel on the massive couch as he sits down.

“Was this really necessary?” I hold up the keycard envelope that has DYLAN (stripper) written on it.

“Nah, but I thought it was funny as fuck.” As he laughs, and I have no doubt he enjoyed every second of picturing the hotel’s concierge handing the envelope to me when I asked for it at the front desk.

“Thanks for that.”

“No prob,” Bryce says, amusing only himself because I’m unable to find humor in anything around here. “You know, there’s plenty of room if you want to stay here instead of that miserable excuse for a crash pad you have.”

“The apartment is fine.”

“Okay. Well, when you change your mind, just use your stripper key.” Bryce jumps up, disappearing from the room as he walks through the doorway into what I’m guessing is a bedroom.

From the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, I look out over the small town, noting the university off in the distance, its football stadium in full view. There’re lights on at the stadium, the field is lit up but empty.

“Not a bad view, right?”

“Nope, not bad at all.” It’d be a great one if I were here for any other reason. “You almost ready? We need to get to the Dome soon.”

“How’d you score an invite so fast? I figured it’d take a while for them to warm up to you.”

“Nah. I found my in pretty quick.”

“Of course you did. Who can resist that hot stripper bod.”