Page 16 of Heartbreaker

“I’m racing in a giant sheep. And?” Seth and Drew look to one another, confused, and admittedly, that same confusion rings in my own chest. I step in to alleviate the unnecessary awkwardness.

“No, I know what they’re saying. You’re a real racer. Like, you’ve done Indy and have won the championship here before. I’m just having fun,” I say, trying to stick up for my brothers and smooth things out.

“What are you doing?” he asks, looking to me with genuine confusion. “Weren’t you the one putting Jordan in his place for saying something like that?”

“That was different—” I start, uncomfortable with attention on me like this. Something crosses Rome’s face, the flash of disappointment mixed with something that can’t be protectiveness, but looks like it all the same, before his hand moves to my shoulder, pulling me into his side and directing his glare to my brothers.

“You’ve never seen her on the track. She’s amazing.” My heart flutters, fills, and overflows with his words. “Give her a couple more weekends, and she’ll be giving all of us a run for our money.”

“Well, uh,” Archer starts, clearly a mix of embarrassed and starstruck. “Well, of course. She’s our sister. She’s the most badass woman we know.”

“Person,” Rome corrects, and despite everything, warmth moves through me, settling in my bones and warming my belly.

“I’m sorry?”

“She’s the most badass person you know.” Everyone stares at Rome, including myself, and I’m even more confused when I see his face is completely sincere. “Now, it looks like she’s starting to get a line, and Courtney might blow a gasket if I don’t get back to her.” I roll my eyes at his dramatics, but step away when he lets me go.

“What’s that look for?” Rome asks, entertained.

“You don’t have to make me feel better. I don’t have a line,” I mutter under my breath, but he tips his head and lifts one eyebrow. Then he puts his hand on my shoulders and turns me, dipping until his mouth is next to my ear.

“You sure about that?” he asks, voice low. The heat of his proximity slides through me, muddying my thoughts, but it’s quickly whisked away by shock as I see he’s not wrong.

There is now a line of four small groups waiting to meet me.

“That’s for me?” I ask, voice still quiet as I look over my shoulder at him. His face is soft, a smile on his lips.

“Sure is. You’re making waves, heartbreaker,” he says. I stare at him for a moment, and he returns it before he shakes his head and steps back. “All right, well, I’ve got to get back to my adoring fans. See you later, Lana. Nice meeting you guys,” he says to my brothers before winking at me. In a moment, that soft, protective look is gone, the playboy mask slipping back into place, but I just got confirmation that what he shows everyone is just that: a mask.

And I’m not completely sure what to do with that information.

Rome spends the rest of the meet and greet closer to me than before, his line inevitably much longer than mine, but after Ella and her mom, I continue to have a small line of my own. Women and girls line up to take photos with me and my truck, telling me how fun it looks and how excited they are that a woman is in the lineup.

Even more so with his proximity, it’s impossible to ignore the way Rome watches me, even as women drape themselves over him for photos, getting so close it’s nearly inappropriate.

When the pre-show event winds down, we head inside for a short break before the show starts. I’m walking down the main hallway, keeping an eye out for Demi, when Courtney stops me.

“Hey, thank god. I was looking for you,” Courtney says, looking harried as always. “There’s a reporter who wants to talk to you.”

“Me?” I ask, confused, and looking around. Rome is walking past, headed for the men’s locker room, but pauses as Courtney and I talk.

“Yes, you,” she says, seemingly irritated that she has to clarify. “A reporter saw your interaction with the little girl and wanted to ask you some questions about how you got into the sport and how you feel about being the only woman here, that kind of thing. Are you free after the race?” I bite my lip nervously. Press isn’t a part of the plan. Sure, I’ve been posting on social media as part of the regular driver contract and going to the mandated events, but this is putting a direct spotlight on me.

“That’s amazing,” Rome says before I can decline, crossing his arms on his chest. “You’re the perfect person to talk to about that. You’re here to bring in more of a female demographic, right?” If I didn’t know any better, the words would sound like a challenge, as if he didn’t completely believe my cover story. My stomach sours, and I realize I can’t exactly say no without raising suspicion. Instead, I shrug and nod.

“Okay, yeah,” I acquiesce, and Courtney sighs with relief.

“Amazing. There’s no press conference today, so just find me after you clean up, and I’ll bring you to her. Thanks for this, Lana.” Then she’s off as quickly as she came, her out-of-place flowered dress flowing behind her as I stand there a bit in awe. I turn to Rome, who is watching me with a wide grin.

“Am I going to regret this?” I ask, a bit exasperated.

“Probably,” he says. “But it’s good. You could really be a role model for girls.”

“I don’t know if that’s really a necessity,” I say with a laugh, trying to brush it off, but his expression is sincere and knowing, no humor at all.

“I do. Wouldn’t you have loved having a strong woman to look up to when you were that little girl’s age?” I would have, but I don’t know how to tell him I’m not that person without blowing my cover. Thankfully, before I have to say anything else, one of the crew approaches and tips his head toward the arena.

“They’re looking for you guys out there.”