Jerking away from him, I turn to run but he catches my wrist. ‘I’m just playing, Gianna. It’s an old, abandoned building. It just makes noises.’
‘If it’s abandoned, then why is there security?’ I hiss, leaning against the wall as my legs threaten to give way. Wereallyshouldn’t be in here.
‘The speedway’s been here since the 1950s. It’s a heritage site. It was passed down from generation to generation until a few years ago, when the boards went up and the crowds went home for good. I think there was an accident, but can’t be certain. No one knows who even owns it anymore. Dellenty’s probably here to keep it free from graffiti and shit, especially with The Prank on this week.’ Ryker reaches for my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine and guiding us back down the hall. ‘Now stop dicking around. We don’t have much time left.’
I want to ask, ‘Left for what?’ but my breath is stolen from my lungs as he drags me along until we enter a room full of monitors. The place smells like coffee and stagnant air.
He releases my fingers and goes toward a control panel. ‘Here it is.’
Tapping away at the keyboard and moving the mouse, he clicks around until the cursor moves on the top right security monitor, showing the speedway’s front gate which is now shut and the white sedan nowhere in sight. I watch asRyker sifts through files and deletes footage of us at the front of the building. He presses a few more buttons, making the picture freeze. He’s paused the live feed.
‘How do you know what you’re doing?’ I ask.
‘I have my own rocks.’ He points to his temple.
I frown, biting back a laugh. ‘Having rocks in your skull isn’t a good thing.’
He waves his hand dismissively. ‘Semantics. I have my own way of making things happen.’
Returning to task, Ryker clicks a few more times. In the centre screen, the gate to the track opens. After a final check of all the monitors, he pulls his phone out and checks the time again. ‘Alright, now it’s on, Little Suspect.’
* * *
‘Your chariot awaits.’ Ryker swings the driver’s side door of his truck open, motioning for me to get in.
‘What do you mean?’ I take a cautious step back.
I waited by the track entrance and watched as he drove it to the starting line of the track, but I didn’t think he was planning this.
Ryker winks at me. ‘You’re gonna take this beast for a lap.’
‘Of the speedway? Are you kidding? Ryker, I don’t know how to drive!’
‘Perfect time to learn.’ He beckons once more.
I open my mouth to protest but he reaches out and grabs my hands, bringing me closer to the vehicle. I shake my head, lost for words.
My eyes bounce from the truck to the racetrack and back again. Panic sets in. Deep. I’ve had a handful of lessons andI don’t think driving is for me. Besides, Booker Bay is a small town, and I’m comfortable enough walking everywhere.
We reach the door and I pull back, digging my heels into the dirt. ‘Ryker, no.’
He feigns a serious expression, mocking mine. ‘Gianna, yes.’
He dips down and picks up my legs from underneath me, gently placing me into the driver’s seat and closing the door. My palms instantly become slick with sweat.
Ryker climbs into the passenger seat with a shit-eating grin that makes my heart stall. There’s something about that slight gap between his teeth that mesmerises me. Probably because it belongs to him.
‘Press on the brake.’ He raises his brows and jerks his chin.
I don’t, shaking my head instead.
‘Just follow my lead,’ he gently assures. ‘You trust me, remember?’
I take a deep breath, holding it before letting it out in a slow stream. Actions always speak louder than words, so instead of answering, I go to press the clutch in, but my feet are far away from the pedals. They just kick air. I pull the lever. Ryker places a hand behind my seat, helping adjust it as far forward as possible.
Breathing deeply, I briefly close my eyes, coming back to the feel of that warm, safe Ryker hug. When I open them again, I press down on the pedal, and he reaches over to press the ignition button. The truck rumbles, the vibration making my stomach tighten and tingle. I glance over the dash, taking inventory. I know cars. Pa taught me all about them.
I know everything about them except how to drive them.
