Nibbling the inside of her bottom lip, June stares at his outstretched hand for a solid three seconds before accepting it with the smallest touch of her fingertips. “J-June,” she repeats.
“Nice to meet you.” He snatches her fingertips and brings her hand to his mouth, kissing the back of it as if he’s a gentleman fromBridgerton, then lets her go. “Do you like street racing?”
“I, uh, I’m not sure,” she answers. “This is my first experience.”
“And what do you think so far?”
“It’s…” She looks around the crowded airfield, then lifts one shoulder. “Kind of crazy.”
“Beautifulandperceptive,” he praises.
Hawke scoffs, but Ford ignores him, giving his big brother the middle finger without taking his eyes off June. “Want to ride along?” he prods. “You can sit in the passenger seat while I show you the ropes.” He leans closer. “I’ll even let you pick the music.”
“What a gentleman.” Lexie rolls her eyes. “Come on, June. Let’s go find Ethan before Jeep starts panting.”
Like a wisp of smoke, Hawke’s amusement vanishes, and he steps in front of my best friend, preventing her escape. “Your brother is here?”
She folds her arms. “Is that a problem?”
His jaw locks, but he doesn’t respond, choosing to share a look with Ford instead.
“Speaking of brothers,” Ford interjects. “Have you seen Jagger yet?”
“Not yet, why?” I ask.
“Just curious?—”
“Ford!” Roman calls from across the street. He’s surrounded by people, most of whom are waiving around wads of cash like they’re creeps at a strip club. Seriously, how do people have so much money?
“Looks like there are a few more takers,” Ford announces. “Any of you want to place a bet before I go?” His gaze falls on my new roommate again as he says her name like a caress. “June?”
Nibbling on the edge of her thumb, June looks down at the ground, and asks, “What are the rules?”
“Pick a car and put down some cash on which one you think will cross the finish line first. If you’re right, you split the pot with the driver and the rest of the winners. If you’re wrong, you lose the money. Pretty straightforward.” He bends closer as if telling my roommate a secret. “Hint. You’re going to want to bet on green.”
She peeks up at him through her thick lashes, the same flush of pink hitting her round cheeks. Damn. The guy is laying it on thick, and because the girl’s so innocent, she doesn’t know how to handle it. I fight the urge to come to her defense, and I can tell Lexie’s doing the same. She looks close to grabbing June and slapping a chastity belt on her to keep her from being sullied by the guy.
“I, uh,” June shies away from him, tucking her chestnut curls behind her ear. “I think I’ll just watch this time. Thank you, though.”
“Sure thing, new girl.” The same boyish grin practically splits his face in two as he steps back, giving June some room to breathe. With a mock salute, he adds, “Ladies,” then turns on his heel and jogs toward the crowd of gamblers.
“Shouldn’t you run along, too?” Lexie asks Hawke.
Hawke’s eyes thin. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying,” she quips.
With a bored expression, he surveys the crowd over her head, so I do the same. What is he looking for? The old airfield is littered with people clumping in their little groups as they wait for the race to begin. A few of the girls shiver in their mini-skirts and high heels while I slip my hands into the pouch by my stomach, grateful for the comfortable heat.
“You can go now,” Lexie pushes.
Ignoring her, Hawke continues watching the crowd. “Pretend I’m not here.”
“That’s a little easier said than done.”
His gaze snaps to Lexie’s. “Is it?”
Damn.
