Adrenaline

I rolled my eyes as I followed Dalton out of the bus. He spun around and held up his index finger. “One rule. We had one fucking rule about the women. No fucking them on race day before a race. I walk in and see some knock out sitting on your damn floor. Are you kidding me?”

Right on cue, Autumn and Ashley walked up. Both of them looked between us as I pushed my hand through my hair.

“She’s not some girl I’m fucking. She’s a . . . a um . . . well she’s . . . ah.”

All three of them leaned in closer to me. “She’s what?” Dalton asked.

“More than that.”

Autumn and Ashley screamed as they raced past me and onto the bus.

“Great,” I whispered as I turned back to Dalton. “At least she was before those two showed up. Now she’ll be running away from them for her dear life.”

Dalton held up his hands and motioned for me to stop talking. “Wait. She’s more than that? Are you dating this girl?”

“No.”

He gave me a hard stare. “No?”

“No,” I repeated.

“Sleeping with her?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “No.”

His eyes widened. “What’s wrong with her?”

“Nothing,” I said with a chuckle.

“So, let me get this straight. You’re not dating nor are you fucking her and all because she is . . . more. You’re doing exactly what with her then?”

I shrugged. “I have no fucking clue. I’ve only seen her four times since I’ve met her, and all I know is I want to see her more.”

Putting his hand to his chest, Dalton acted as if he was dragging in air. “Oh. My. Fucking. Hell. You finally fell for someone?”

“No, I didn’t say I was falling for her. I said I wanted to get to know her. She’s not like all the other girls I’ve met. She’s . . .”

“Different,” Dalton said with a smile. Pushing out a fast breath, he waved his hands around. “Fine, whatever. I just need your head in the game. Is your head in the game?”

I nodded. “It is.”

“All the way? Dude, I can’t have you day dreaming about Presley.”

“Paislie.”

“Whatever. I think I liked it better when you fucked them and didn’t know their names.” I glared at him as he turned and headed back to the garages. “Head in the game and get your ass down to the garage. Now! And leave Preston with your sister and Ashley.”

Laughing, I called out, “Paislie!”

“What the fuck ever!”

THE DOOR TO THE BUS flew open and two women came rushing in. Standing, I watched as Deuce jumped up and made a beeline straight to them. They each pushed one another out of the way as they walked up to me.

“I’m Autumn, Malcolm’s sister.”

Feeling slightly at ease, I reached my hand out for hers. “Oh, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Paislie . . . a friend of Malcolm’s.”

His sister looked me over quickly. “Uh-huh,” she said with a wink.