And I have too much to accomplish before that day comes.
Wylder reaches over the center console and grabs my hand, squeezing it tightly in his in silent support.
When they came out to the garage, both he and Roman were tense and refusing to even glance at each other. Nothing’s changed in the last twenty minutes, either, making me glad we’re almost to the track.
Roman clears his throat from the backseat, leaning his head forward just enough for me to see the outline of annoyance lining his features. “Are you just going to ignore me, Little Moth?”
I narrow my eyes in confusion and shoot a look over at Wylder. “Little Moth? Where the hell did that come from?”
Roman’s breath fans against the back of my neck as he chuckles into my ear, the dual sensations sending a sharp shiver down my spine. “Answer my question and I’ll answer yours,Little Moth.”
Moving my head away from where his breath still hits my neck, I turn the wheel and pull into the long dirt driveway that will take us to the track. Mud splashes up and makes small dinging sounds as it hits the outside of the car, the bright lights working to combat the dark shadows cast by the tall Colorado trees.
I’ve raced at more tracks than I can count and won most races I’ve participated in, but this track is my favorite. It’s set up on a friend’s clear acreage in the Rocky Mountains, meaning lots of mud and lots of danger.
Roman’s going to shit himself.
I pull into a spot away from the temporary lights the property owner has set up and put the car into park, immediately turning around to level Roman with a glare.
My voice is pure venom as I decide to acknowledge Roman’s earlier question. “What does it matter to you where I got the car?”
He sits back in the seat; arms crossed over his chest as he smirks at me. He looks at me like he knows something, like he knows too much. “It’s just odd a woman like you would not only know about andparticipate in illegal street races, but do it with an old Maserati.”
I nibble on my bottom lip, watching his face for a hint of anything other than genuine curiosity. Problem is, I can already tell he’s a better liar than I am, so I don’t know if what is showing on his face is truth or just a front. Just like he’ll never know with me.
“The car belonged to Abel’s father. When he left, I kept the car.”
His head tilts to the side. “Left?”
Curious. Too curious.
I turn and open the driver’s side door, stepping out and taking a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. I love it out here.
Wylder’s voice comes through the still open door, “I told you not to bring him up.”
“And I told you – “
I slam the door closed before I can hear the rest of Roman’s rebuttal. I don’t care to hear it.
“There you are! I was wondering if you’d ever show!” My head pops up just in time to see Viv’s arms wrap around me, squeezing me with more force than you’d think she would have in her wiry frame. “How’s it going?”
“As could be expected.”
She pulls away with a knowing look in her eyes before they swing over to the car at the sound of slamming doors. “Well, look what the cat dragged in. Can neither one of you stay away from my girl?”
I roll my eyes and backhand her on the arm, but that doesn’t slow Viv down one bit. She walks over to Wylder and envelops him in a hug, whispering something in his ear just as she did me. I see him shake his head before darting his eyes over to where Roman stares at the two of them with an odd look inhis eyes.
Wylder gently pushes Viv back and walks over to Roman, “What the hell is your problem now, asshole?”
I can’t tell if Roman is brave or stupid, because he smiles. “I just can’t wrap my head around it. First, you get pissed because I say I’m interested in Eve and now, you’re hugging up on her bestie like you do her on the side. Have you no shame, soldier boy?”
Wylder shakes his head a few times and I see his jaw lock down just a second before the first swing comes. Viv jumps out of the way with a shout as blood splatters onto the black paint of the Maserati.
Roman turns his head back to Wylder, his busted lip leaking blood off his chin as he laughs. “Thank God, I was getting bored.”
Roman rushes toward Wylder, faking a move to the left before lunging over to the right and slamming his fist into Wylder’s jaw. Wyld stumbles back a few steps before righting himself and going back to Roman for seconds.
Viv joins me a few feet away, “Don’t you two have court on Monday?”
