Traction (The Driven World)

“Talk it out,” Colton tells us. “If you have any issues, you’re welcome to bring it to my office. Other than that, get kitted out and get out there.” He turns and leaves us both staring at his retreating form. I want to cry. I’m not sure why, but I feel like this isn’t going to work.

I know Kayden will never respect me. There’s nothing I can do to change his mind short of growing a dick, and that’s not happening. Frustration burns through my veins, and I’m the first one to make a beeline after Colton.

In his office, he glances at me, arching a brow as he waits for me to state my case. “I can’t do this. Kayden made it very clear he doesn’t like me, and I can’t work with someone like that. I may be female, but I’m just as good as any guy out there.”

Colton nods. “I know you are, but that’s why I teamed you up together because he’s the best at what he does, and you need to up your game. Seeing as you both need each other, I suggest you find a way to prove to him that you can do this.”

I let out a wry laugh. “He’ll never respect me.”

“He will,” Colton affirms with a nod. “Just give it time. It’s not easy for a guy to lose to a female. And trust me when I say, it’s not that he doesn’t like you. It’s just that he finds it difficult not being first all the time. You have to remember something—you beat a driver who has never lost once in his life. It doesn’t matter if you were male or female. He would’ve lost his mind all the same yesterday.”

“I just … I don’t know if I’m cut out for being judged.”

“Everyone judges someone at least once in their life. You most probably judged him from his reaction to you yesterday, but do you know why he reacted like that? Do you know what he was going through in his personal life to have him in a bad mood?” He holds up a hand when I open my mouth. “I’m not making excuses for him. What he did was wrong, I do not deny that, but what I mean is, we’re all judged. It’s time to take a chance and allow him to teach you things you need to learn. Use him for his knowledge, and you’ll be better for it.”

Colton’s words hit home. They settle in my chest, and I take a breath. Nodding slowly, I smile. “Fine. But if he’s an asshole, he can train someone else.”

He chuckles at my retort, amusement brightening his face as he settles in his office chair, and I leave, making my way back to the garage. I don’t have a choice. I have to do this. Let’s just hope we don’t kill each other in the process.

When I reach Kayden, he’s leaning against the wall, watching the mechanics work, but he’s changed from his formal clothes into a pair of tight blue jeans that hug his muscled ass and thighs.

He glances at me from over his shoulder, his gaze causing me to squirm under the scrutiny. “Ready, speedy?” he quips, the corner of his mouth tilting into a sinful grin. I don’t want to notice, but I can’t not. It’s an expression I certainly don’t want to like, but I fucking do.

“Let’s make something clear—I want to be treated like an equal.” He doesn’t respond, merely grunts, and walks off toward the waiting car. I’m handed a pair of keys, and I have no choice but to follow him.

Inside the small, confined space, I’m more aware of the manly scent of his cologne, which makes me want to lean in and inhale him further. The silence is deafening as I slip the key into the slot and twist. The engine roars to life, rumbling with the promise of a fine ride, and I wonder how it would feel to have a lot of them racing behind and in front of me.

“Head onto the straight. I want to see how you handle the turns,” Kayden orders gruffly, and I have to grip the steering wheel tighter to keep from twisting around and slapping him.

Focusing on the asphalt ahead, I make my way down the straight, picking up speed, enjoying the feel of the pedals underfoot, and the way the car feels as if it’s flying. When I reach the left bend, I gear down, but I fuck it up with my shaking hand, and I curse myself.

“Slow. You need to focus on your footwork while your hand is gearing down,” Kayden says coolly, but there’s a hint of amusement in his tone. Yesterday when I raced him, I didn’t make this mistake. He knows it because if I did, he would’ve been able to overtake me.