Page 26 of Torqued

I rub the back of my neck, blushing. “She actually fell into my arms.”

“That’s probably when you got a handful of dat ass.” She rolls her eyes, knowing me all too well. Does it ever change with best friends? They know everything about you. Sometimes even before you know yourself.

“Pretty much,” I shrug, smirking. “but what I wouldn’t give to have more.”

“Have more of what?” Our heads jerk in the direction of Spencer’s voice as it echoes across the room.

I turn to Margo, mouth gaping. She plays it off. “Torque. He can never get enough.”

“I thought it was torqued as tight as it can get?” Spencer walks over to the car, looking under the hood. I stare at Margo wide-eyed and panicked. She shakes her head, rubbing her fingers together to let me know I owe her.

“It is, he’s nervous.” I whip my head in her direction, scowling. She half shrugs with a wink.

I run my hand through my hair and shove my hat back on my head. “I’m good, let’s get ready to roll.”

“I heard that!” Crank yells from the other side of the garage.

Spencer offers me a tight smile and a wave. “See ya out there, good luck.”

“Thanks.” The word was cold and fell hard like ice. Exactly the way I meant for it to as I walk away from her. I can’t do this now. Lane is in my head, and I have to get it right.

8

Spencer

Rush storms from the garage, rage rippling off him. I wanted to tell him everything, but right now, he needs to run his best time and forget everything else. Even if that means me.

“Is he going to be okay to drive?”

“Maybe.” Margo raises her brows. “Maybe not. He’s good at putting things in perspective, but Lane went too far this time.”

“Lane?” My stomach knots, churning with bile. “What did he do?”

Margo winces, scrunching her face up. “He might have insinuated that Rush was getting sloppy seconds.”

“From whom? His sister? Eww!”

Margo frowns, averting her eyes. “Umm, not exactly.”

“What?” I practically howl. I’m blinded by fury, as rage boils from the pit of my belly. So, this is what he’s up to? No, there has to be more to it. Lane didn’t have a clue who I was at first, it was Rush then, and it is now.

“Is there something wrong? Because the look on your face is telling me something is about to go down. Please tell me you’re gonna kick Lane where his balls are supposed to be. Are you?” Margo rattles off every thought that crosses her mind.

I hold up my finger. “Deep breath.”

“Alright.” She takes a deep, cleansing breath of air.

“First, I need to figure out how to keep Rush focused on the track.”

“I have an idea. You can always sit within the pits.” She blinks rapidly as if I’d think she was insane for suggesting it. I personally think it’s brilliant.

“I can do that,” I nod, wiggling my foot as I run through a list of things Lane could have up his sleeves.

Margo wanders to the other side of the car, evident that she’s not doing anything particular. “And maybe… not flirt so overtly with both of them.”

“Excuse me? I am not flirting with Lane, not even a little.” I blanch, my stomach revolting at the thought. “Wait a hot molasses minute! Does Rush think I’m flirting with him?”

Margo frowns, tilting her head. “Does he think you’re flirting with him, or does he think you’re flirting with him… him?”