California Nights (Rich Boys of California Duet 1)

Her ripped t-shirt was cropped, barely covering her breasts.

Actually you could see the bottom of her breasts.

She definitely was not wearing a bra.

For a moment I was totally intimidated by this spectacle. And then I realized how ridiculous she looked.

I mean, stiletto heels seemed a bit much for the local race track.

Everything about her was a bit much.

“Oh hey, Shannon.”

The girl tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder.

“I’m waiting for Jace.”

My stomach did a little flip flop. Her… and Jace? How could I compete with that? I mean, give us an aptitude test as I was pretty sure I’d win. But if she was his type…

“He’s busy tonight, Shannon. But I am available.”

He wiggled his eyebrows at her. It would have been cute if I hadn’t heard him say ‘busy tonight.’ The word literally echoed around my brain.

Tonight… tonight… tonight…

What did I expect though really? That he was a monk? I was the only freakishly inexperienced person in a hundred mile radius.

“With her?”

The blond’s incredulity stung, and not just a little.

“You’re a little chubby for him, doncha think?”

My mouth opened. I would have given a million dollars to have a good comeback line at that moment. Instead I just stared at her in horror. I felt it was fifth grade and I was Fat Frannie all over again.

But then I remember who I was. Like Nevada told me over and over again. I was Frantastic, darn it.

What a bitch.

And she kept going, cataloging my faults. I heard her saying something about my hair in a daze as she tossed her silky, long, blond hair over a toned, extremely tanned shoulder.

The shot rang out suddenly and the noise of the cars drowned out whatever bile Shannon was spewing now. Thank God for small favors.

Very, very small favors.

I watched the race through blurry eyes. Flannery put his arm around me, which warmed me up a bit. It was also the only thing keeping me from getting up and leaving.

Not that I could walk home from here anyway.

But I was seriously thinking about trying.

I’d never been so humiliated in my entire life.

The race was almost over by the time I started paying attention to it. Jace was in the lead, neck and neck with another car. They banged against each other, sending my heart to my throat.

Even if he was just having fun with me, I didn’t want to see him get killed.

Seconds later he screeched over the finish line, pulling ahead at the last moment.

The crowd went absolutely berserk.

I stayed in my seat, watching as Jace was swallowed up by a group of screaming fans. He waved at me as he was pushed toward the table set up with the money counters. He collected an envelope and grinned, holding it up in the air.

That’s when Shannon kissed him.

She actually threw herself into his arms and kissed him.

Jace pushed her away just as fast. I saw him wipe his face off and say something to her angrily. He didn’t like it, I guess.

Maybe cheap blonds weren’t his type after all.

He brushed past her, making a bee line for me.

“Congrats, man.”

He nodded at Flannery, shoving the prize money into his hand.

“I’ll see you at work. You can give me my half tomorrow.”

“Yeah, okay. Goodnight, Frannie. Very nice to meet you.”

I was numb as Jace pulled me off the bike, brushing the hair off my face.

“Are you mad?”

I shrugged. What could I say? It’s not like we were together. Even if it felt like we were.

“I’m sorry about that. She’s a little crazy.”

He stared at me, his green eyes serious. I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t his fault that she’d thrown herself at him. But I didn’t have to like it either.

“Listen. I’m here with you.”

I sighed and nodded.

“Take me home, please.”

Chapter Sixty-Three

Jace

I parked my bike in front of Frannie’s place and followed her to the front door. Damn if she didn’t look good on my bike. My heart had turned over when I saw her there waiting for me before the race.

She’d been smiling at me, excited.

Fucking Shannon had to come along and fuck things up.

Frannie should have been mad at me. Instead she just looked tired. Smaller somehow.

Defeated.

Her eyes were impersonal as she looked up at me. I wanted to kiss her until she was happy again. Smiling.

And as turned on as I was.

Yes, even now my little soldier was ready to march.

“Can I come up?”

She stared at me, looking unsure.

“I’m kind of tired.”

“I just don’t want to end the night like this.”

I waited, doing my best impersonation of a puppy dog.

She laughed finally and nodded.

My hands were practically itching by the time I was sitting on her couch. I wanted to touch her that badly. Fuck, I wanted to do a lot more than that!

Easy boy.

She handed me a glass of water and I drank it slowly, watching her over the rim. She was looking around the room, at her lap, the ceiling. Anywhere but at me.