Page 37 of Torqued

I swallow past the rage knotted at the base of my throat. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Do not provoke, nor engage with him. Do you understand?” Her eyes are mere slits. Man, the last woman I saw this angry at me was my mom, and that still stings thinking about the talking to I got from her.

“Yes, ma’am,” I mutter through clenched teeth. I’ve messed up, and this could cost me everything. Most importantly, I could lose Spencer before I ever get the chance to show her who I am.

Spencer takes off toward the hauler, leaving me with a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. I deserve it. I know I do. She’s asked me multiple times to walk away.

“Rush, Lane, they’ll see you both now.” I wait my turn, giving him plenty of space and time to walk into the meeting. As I enter the room, I spot Lance Shifter in the far corner of the room.

This is bullshit. I smash my mouth closed, already fighting the urge to tackle Lane’s ass and wail away on him. I suppose daddy’s here to make sure I take all of the blame.

“Gentlemen, this ends now. You’re both here as rookies, and this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. No excuses, no more chances. You endanger the lives of every person out there with actions like those from today.” Dale Elliott is the top official in MAXCAR. “With that being said, you’re each to pay the sum of twenty thousand dollars. Your team owners have agreed to pay fines if you have a team after this show of intelligence. That’ll be all, gentlemen.”

And just like that, we’re dismissed without even asking us what transpired. Daddy Shifter probably fixed that for Lane. Can’t let the golden boy get into trouble. I shake my head, exiting the opposite side of the building.

I march through the garage area and past my crew. Margo jogs over to me with Crank on the other side. Neither says a word. They’re simply here for support. My temper gets the better of me, and I can’t keep my mouth shut to save my life.

“Can you believe this shit? I get fined, and Spencer humiliates me in front of the asshole by demanding I come straight to the hauler.”

Margo wraps her arms around herself. “This isn’t Spencer’s fault, and you know it.”

“Yeah, Rush. You shouldn’t blame her, she warned you.” Crank shoves his hands in his pockets.

“So, you’re both going to side with them? Great! This makes me so happy.” I bite back the bile that’s licking at my throat. This is bullshit, and they know it. Spencer should have never agreed to any of this.

Margo yanks on my arm, pulling me around. “Hey! I have been on your side my entire life, but this time you’re wrong!”

“Why should he get away with everything? Lane’s the one that bumped me all over the track, I fought for position, not to pay him back.” I yell in the face of my best friend over a needle dicked asshole. If I were playing baseball, I’d be batting a thousand.

Crank steps between us. “Don’t talk to her like that, you’ll regret it later, and you know you will.”

“Is it I’ll regret it, or she’ll make you feel bad for not sticking up for your girlfriend?” I growl at Crank, making him flinch under my ire. He doesn’t deserve this either, but here I am, being an equal opportunity asshole.

Margo shoves her finger in my face. “Stop it! You do not get to decide who we date, not when you’re doing such a shitty job with your own love life.”

“Love life? Hell. I haven’t had a life since I turned eighteen.”

She blanches, turning her face as if my words hit her. “What do you call of this? I thought this was your dream?”

“I don’t know if it’s worth it anymore. I sure as hell don’t like who I’m becoming while chasing this dream.” I run my hand over my face. That’s when I spot Colton standing outside of the hauler, waiting on me to get there.

“C’mon, she’s not as mad as you think.” Margo hooks my arm, dragging me with her.

I narrow my eyes at Crank. “By the way, I saw you two. All loved up and keeping secrets. That’s bullshit that neither of you would tell me.”

“I wanted to, I’m damn proud of Margo, but it was her decision.” Crank snarls at me, looking a little scary as he sticks up for Margo. I like it, but I’m not telling them yet.

“And you…” I whip my head around, peering down at her. “how could you keep this from me?”

“You’re kinda an asshole right now, and love isn’t your strongest suit.” Margo chides me, jabbing me in the side. She’s right, I’m no good at telling someone how I feel—pretty much about anything.

Colton stands at the door of the firing squad that awaits me inside. “You ready?”

“I wish y’all wouldn’t act like I’m going to my death, geez!”

“I’m not asking, Rush. I’m telling you to listen to her, give her the respect you want Lane to give her.” Colton’s words fall hard like concrete in my gut. If someone can tell me how to do this without wanting to kiss her, that’ll be great.

“I’m not planning to raise hell, guys. Give me a little credit. In case you weren’t watching, Lane did this to us.”