Page 52 of Torqued

His arm is around me, hauling me to him. “I can’t believe how much I’ve been enjoying this mouth, all for it to turn on me this morning.”

Margo shoots water out of her mouth and nose, nailing Crank in the side of the face. Rush, and I can’t help ourselves, bursting with laughter. Margo’s eyes grow wide as she reaches over and lays her hand on his face to wipe it.

“It’s time,” I whisper in Rush’s ear after checking the alarm on my phone. I set it yesterday evening on the way here and fixed it to vibrate so we wouldn’t be interrupted.

“Let’s go.” He turns to the door, taking a step before pausing. His head drops, staring at our hands. My fingers lace with his, holding on to him. His eyes snap to mine as a smile inches across his face.

I raise my shoulders, letting them fall easily. “Is it okay?”

“You damn well better believe it is.” Rush kisses me, and opens the door, leading me out to the garage, holding my hand all the way.

That’s until Lane steps into our path. Crank moves to the front, placing himself between Rush and Lane. Margo begins texting someone, trying to keep her sights on the business at hand.

Lane zeroes in on our hands, his eyes becoming mere slits. “So, congratulations are in order, I see. Way to go, Rush. You bagged yourself a sponsor.”

“Shift it, Lane. Security is coming now.” Margo seethes.

“Ha! You got yourself a little guard dog.” Lane points at Margo, laughing but not for long.

Before Rush can grab him, Crank rears back and knocks the fuck out of Lane. Lane crashes to the ground, and Rush grabs Crank, pushing him back away from him.

“I’m filing charges! This entire team will be fined!” Lane’s men help him from the ground. He starts dusting himself off when Margo takes a step toward him.

I hold my hand out, stopping her short. “You’re right, the team will be fined, and Crank will face charges. I’ll get a lawyer, and I’ll always remember the day you got knocked the fuck out. They can bill me.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna marry her.” Rush beams, clasping my hand as we step around Lane and his cronies with Margo and Crank close behind us.

15

Rush

In the weeks after we clashed with Lane, he stayed out of our way. Or so we had thought. After winning my last six races, I’m poised to win Rookie of the Year. My late start made it impossible to bring home the big trophy, but I’m thrilled with this one.

We take Richmond by storm, and MAXCAR officials have finally warmed up to me. Spencer, on the other hand, is sizzling hot and has settled into ownership well. But Bristol brings with it all-new situations, and I can feel a shift coming.

And not one I wanted either. With seven races remaining, it looks as though everything we’ve built the last several months might be for nothing. We continue to be plagued with motor issues, fundamental operating problems.

“So, what are you looking at?” I roll my shoulders, leaning against the wall waiting for Margo to explain.

She throws a wrench across the shop, smacking the opposite wall. “An entire new motor, Rush. All the fucking work we did to get here this week is gone. I’ll have to stay up all night, but we can get it done.”

“Wait… what’s happening?” Spencer saunters into the garage. She left earlier today when I told her we were having issues.

“Oddly enough, there’s a substance in the motor.” Margo flexes her hands, cracking her knuckles. Yeah, she’s angry as hell.

Spencer walks over, joining me, pressing her side into mine. “Are we on the same page here?”

“No one is implying anything, there’s no reason to worry.”

Margo stares at me, saying everything I’m thinking but not out loud. “Right, we just need to get busy. If not, you’ll have to qualify with this POS, and that’s not happening.”

“Really?” Spencer pushes off of me, headed out of the garage area.

Margo now glares at me. I roll my eyes and nod. “Well? Go tell her.”

“She’s just going to worry, and I don’t want that.”

“So not telling her will keep her from it? Men can be so clueless at times.” Margo hurls a towel at me, hitting me square in the face.