Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

I flip him off. “Do you know how much I hate you?”

“If by hate you mean love, then I already know.” Liam flashes me a shit-eating grin.

“How do you know?”

“It’s a feeling I get inside, all warm and tingly. Kind of like heartburn after spicy Mexican food. And speaking of Mexican…”

I run my hand across my face. “Oh, no.”

“Oh, yes. You may have diverted me earlier, but I see through you.” Liam makes a ridiculous I’m watching you motion with his fingers.

“There’s not much to share except I’m now under house arrest.”

He snaps his fingers together. “Like Ant-Man?”

“More like Disturbia.”

“Your common knowledge of Shia LeBeouf movies is a red flag. Actually, I take that back. You’re a red flag. A big, walking, talking, red flag.”

I smile at him. “And I’m going to wave it loud and proud.”

My phone rings twenty minutes later, interrupting

my round of catch-up with Liam. I excuse myself, telling him I’ll meet up with him before the race tomorrow.

“Hey, Dad. How’s it going?” I exit Liam’s suite.

“Better than expected.”

“And Mum?”

“Hanging in there after everything. But also important, how are you doing?” My dad’s serious voice pulls a smile from me. He intimidates everyone but Mum and me, seeing as he treats us like his most cherished belongings.

If people think my crappy attitude is because of bad parents, they’re sadly mistaken. The Kingstons are all about the feels and shit, with me having weekly movie days while growing up and family pizza nights after my kart races.

I exit Vitus’s motorhome. The sun beams down on me as I lean against the side of the temporary structure, away from prying eyes. “Everything is fine and dandy.”

He chuckles. “Wow, no wonder you’re such a pro in front of the cameras. Now tell me how you really feel, minus the bullshit, please.”

I let out a loud breath. “It sucks arse being away from home. I feel guilty about competing while you’re both in London, dealing with doctors and checkups.”

“We all need to act normal for your mum’s sake. She couldn’t bear thinking you’re changing your life for her. I only ask that you keep her in mind when you think about doing stupid shit like what happened over break. It affects her the most, especially when she knows you’re hurting because of her.”

How is it possible to feel his disappointment from thousands of miles away? My hands begin to shake, and I clench them to stop the movement. “I have someone to help keep me in line, so I don’t think this issue will happen again. At least not to the level of what happened before.”

“And you think you can keep yourself together for the foreseeable future? Your mum has enough going on, and I love you, but her health is the priority right now. I can’t worry about the two of you at the same time.” My dad sighs. I imagine him squirreled away in his gym, hiding this conversation from Mum.

The sharp pain in my chest grows stronger. “Yes. I can be better. For you and her.”

“I didn’t call to give you a hard time about your mistake because I know the team will do it for me. I wanted to let you know that maybe you should give your mum a call. She’s been having a rough day and it would mean a lot to her.”

My hands tremble more as I fight to get air in my lungs. “What happened?”

“You know some days are harder than others. Your phone calls bring a smile to her face, so if you can make time in your busy schedule, I’d appreciate it.”

“Of course. I’ll give her a call as soon as I can.”

“Thanks. And congratulations on your great qualifier. We love you lots and are proud. This is going to be your year. We know it.”