Page 34 of Torqued

“You’re not doing this,” Rush starts to turn away but stops quickly. “we’ll handle this later.”

Lane steps up to Rush, something I wouldn’t advise anyone to do right now. “Is that a threat? Are you saying you’re going to handle this on the track?”

“Eat shit!” Rush flips him off and storms to the garage with me right behind him. I scan the area and it looks as though everyone in the garage watched it all. My face is burning, I’m humiliated, but I also see red.

Margo’s mouth hangs as Rush stomps around the car, readying for the day. I ease over to the workbench, moving things around until I locate my clipboard Margo helped me fix.

I grab it, turning to slip from the place and out of the way. I have plans for today, and I’m ready to get away from everyone. My head is about to implode from the events already, not sure I can cram anything else in it.

“Listen, I think we need to clear the air.” Rush’s brows are pulled tight, forming a V between them. I can’t have this. He doesn’t need to worry about any of this right now.

I give him a placating smile, hoping to calm his thoughts. “No worries, we’re good.”

“But yesterday…” his frown deepens.

I step around him, shaking my head. “Seriously, it’s all good. Head in the game, so to speak.”

“You’re staying, right?” His fingers tangle with mine, sending a shock through me.

“Are you kidding me? I’ll be here, rooting for fifty-five and team Brownwood Brothers.” I wink, pulling my hand free as slowly as possible. Because breaking free of Rush Hatcher is proving to be more challenging than I ever dreamed.

A smile spreads across his face, sending chills racing over me before a car can even start. “Talk after?”

“Maybe, I’ll have to see what I have planned.” I toe the ground, adjusting my cap to hide the blush creeping up on my cheeks.

He taps the bill of my ballcap. “I like this, and your Chucks.”

“You’re just in shock. I’m not in a suit.” I giggle, trying to hide the fact my heart is thundering in my chest from the way he’s looking at me.

His eyes smolder with the drop in his voice. “Make no mistake Ms. Woods, I enjoy those too.”

“You are more trouble than you’re worth.” I grin, releasing his hand. “Do work!”

“That I can do, Ms. Woods.” He winks and all my lady bits tingle. He’s going to be the death of me because I haven’t forgotten I found another woman in his arms this morning, and that discussion awaits us both.

“It’s Spencer,” I back away slowly. “until further notice.”

He chuckles. “Oh, okay.”

I walk out of the garage, knowing his eyes aren’t the only ones watching my every move. Rush makes me nervous, but in a way that I’ve never felt before, and I’m not sure how to handle it.

This morning, I showed up determined that we’d talk and straighten out the basics until after the race. The thing is, I don’t want to wait for anything or anyone. For the first time in my life, I want something I’m not sure I can have.

A life with Rush Hatcher.

Even the mere thought sends my stomach plummeting, but when he smiles at me like that and touches me the way he did, I’m not scared of anything, except maybe Rush.

I release the breath I’ve been holding since he stopped me from my impending face plant with Lane. The track is up ahead, and I break into a smile just as the pit comes into view.

“Hey, there!” I double my pace, hurrying over to him.

He greets me with a side hug and a smile. “Is he ready?”

“Colton, if there’s one thing I know about Rush, it’s that he’s ready to race.”

“That sounds a little ominous.” Colton rubs his chin.

“Yeah, well, it’s been an interesting morning.” I start walking to the pits again.