PROLOGUE
Iknow I’m pouting, but honestly, he deserves way worse. Noah has been avoiding me for weeks—no, months, since our drunken kiss at the after-party. He keeps pretending like it never happened, that or he was so drunk he forgot. I don’t know which is worse.
Noah smiles into the camera, Skylar beside him, as he introduces our plans to try for the world championship title. “Starfire is excited to announce they will be joining some of the best teams in the world to compete for this year’s title,” Noah says. The crowd goes crazy, cameras flashing as we stand inside the garage, which has never been so clean.
“Skylar, Mackie!” When the audience calms down, Noah nods at a reporter, who stands. “What are your feelings on this? Will you work together again as a duo?”
“Absolutely,” Skylar responds. “Mackie is the only one who can keep up with me.”
The crowd laughs, and the reporter turns to me. “Mackie, you’ve been quiet. Do you plan to stay with Starfire in the long run?” Every head swings to me.
“I’m a driver for Starfire,” I respond with a forced smile, “and I’llbring the title home for them, even over Skylar. We’ll see if he can keep up with me.”
Skylar acts wounded, and Noah fields the rest of the questions. “And that’s all we have time for. I have to get these two back into training, but I hope you follow us on this new, exciting journey.”
We follow Noah back into the staging area of the garage, which has been sectioned off, leaving the staff to assist the news crews out. He turns to us once we’re out of earshot. “You both did well. You can take the rest of the day off then return here bright and early tomorrow for training.”
“Oh, come on, old man,” Sky whines. “Can’t we sleep in? The qualifiers aren’t for three months.”
“That means you have three months to become better than every driver in the world.” He glances at me then quickly looks back at Sky. “No exceptions.” He spins on his heel and marches off to his office as Sky grumbles.
“Noah!” I try to catch him, but he’s already gone, leaving me staring after him. I was hoping we could talk. I feel awkward, like I don’t know where I stand, especially after he gave me the best kiss of my entire life then acted like it never happened.
Skylar’s arm slings around my shoulders. “Never give up,” he murmurs.
“I’m starting to think I should,” I mutter as I shove his arm off and head to the locker room to change. I need space to figure out what I want to do about all of this.
Should I keep pushing Noah, or should I let him go?
Does he feel anything for me, or am I just a fool?
ONE
A week later . . .
“Again!” the photographer, Art, barks. He’s supposed to be the best, hence the astronomical fees I paid to have this done. If we want to be taken seriously at the world championships, then we need to look the part. I’m not sparing any expense when it comes to new racing portraits, videos, gear, and cars.
Mackie frowns but nods. He’s posed before a white backdrop in the garage. Art took all morning to set it up, so we are behind, but we have already finished Skylar’s shoot.
Art and Mackie don’t seem to get along at all, and I can see Mackie is nervous. This is a big deal, and he doesn’t do well in front of cameras. It’s why I try to keep him out of the spotlight as much as I can, but this is important, and he did it for me and the team.
He poses in the way Art directed, and the camera starts snapping.
I meet Mackie’s eyes for a moment, and even from this distance, they implore me to talk to him, so I avert my gaze to the screen that displays the photos.
Art drops the camera, checks the screen, and mutters to himselfwhile Mackie stands there awkwardly, looking around before meeting my and Art’s gazes.
“I think we need to loosen up a bit,” Mackie calls. “We look too stiff. I know these need to be professional, but it isn’t us. We shouldn’t pretend to be something we aren’t.”
“If you want to be taken seriously, you will listen to my direction,” Art snaps. “Now, chin up. How many times have I told you already? You’re attractive but not too bright.” Mackie’s jaw drops open, but I’m already on my feet and in front of the camera, glaring at Art.
Nobody disrespects Mackie—uh, my team.
It’s my job to protect them, and they shouldn’t be harassed or insulted at work.
“Enough.”
Art pales, all his bravado disappearing, and I advance until his camera is pressed against my chest.
