Chapter 10
Hadley
“Come. On!” I slam a fist onto the steering wheel.
Turning the ignition once more, I hold my breath, eyes closed as I pray she starts. Just growls to life like always.
Nope.
Nothing.
Nada.
Not a fucking chance.
Of all the times and all the one-horse towns to crap out in... this would have to be the worst.
I’m last to leave.
The grounds went from a thriving hub of entertainment with a sea of pickup trucks and other vehicles to a vacant span of grass and yards where the wind tousles the stray trash left behind across the main arena.
The place is a ghost town... ghost grounds?
I try the old girl again, turning the key over as I hold my breath.
Nothing.
“Fuck.” My forehead hits the steering wheel.
I close my eyes, uttering every curse word I can round up, hating the fact that my inability to upgrade my truck is now affecting my earning capacity.
Dammit.
I need to get to the next event. I need another ride under my belt. Every event counts. The points need to increase steadily as the year progresses to make the finals.
If I’m honest, I—we—need a win soon. Or the payment that’s due in three weeks on the ranch is going to fall through.
Which will make three solid months of not making the mortgage.
A tap on the window sees me jerk up from the steering wheel. Rubbing a hand over my face, I glance at the person standing on the other side of the door.
Maggie.
I roll the window down, the glass groaning as it lowers. “You alright?”
Her green eyes are soft as she takes in the inside of my old truck. “Areyou, Jones?”
I huff a pained laugh. “Yeah, not really. She won’t start.”
Her face falls under a frown as she glances at the hood. Sucking in a breath, her face twists up in a tentative smile. “You can ride with me, if you like.”
“No, that’s . . .”
“You have a better offer?” She raises an eyebrow, gaze sweeping the empty grounds as if driving home her point.
I clear my throat. “I don’t want to put you out.”
“You won’t.” She tugs the door open, not leaving me any choice. I grab up my belongings and lock up before she wanders back toward her van that’s idling not too far from where she was parked earlier.
