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“Yeah, Jim. What’s up?” I wipe my hands on the rag hanging out of my pants.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors or seen the headlines?” Jim sighs as he leans against the car.
“Fuck,” I mutter as I ball my hands into fists. “No, but I can’t only imagine. I was out with some friends,forfuck’s sake.”
“Hey, you don’t need to explain yourself to me. As long as it isn’t illegal, what you do in your private time isn’t my business. What’s even harder for you is the rep that just won’t quit following.”
I study Jim for asecond,wondering where this understanding is coming from. Usually, he’s ripping me an ass over this bull.
“No shit. I feel like I’ve been outrunning it mywhole life.”
“We’ve all got our demons. You’re a good guy, though, Luca. And a badass driver. Coach Darryl taught you well.”
I freeze at the sound of his name. Few people mention him. And in the few years I’ve known Jim, he never mentioned him before. The question sits on the tip of my tongue, yet the words don’t form. I swallow over the lump in my throat thatsuddenly appeared.
“He talked about you all the time. We were friends, had the occasional beer together. Great guy. Miss seeing his face around.” Jim stands straight and takes a deep breath, his arms falling to his sides. “Anyway, just be careful, alright?”
“What have you done with Jim, my crew chief? Because you are certainly not him.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Let’s just say I’vehad a change of heart. Have a good day, man.” Jim pats my back and disappears out the door.
I’m frozen still, trying to wrap my head around our entire conversation. He knew Coach D? And what headlines? I didn’t see any headlines this morning, but then again, I never checked. But shit, he knew Coach D? I need to find out more.
The memory of paparazzi from Saturday night jumps into my head. I can just picture the headlines now.Luca out partying, two different women on his arm. When will the party boy ever stop?
Or some horseshit like that.
I don’t have to wonder for long because the door to the garage swings open and hits the wall behind it with a loudbang.Theclick-clack, click-clackof heels tapping come next, the high pitch noise echoing off the surrounding walls. Andbam, a newspaper slams onto the counter in front of me. I don’t have to turn around to know exactly who it is. Her smell is enough.
Shit, why does she have to smell so damn good?
“Care to explain?” Neveah snaps, and I spin around, wearing a huge shit-eating grin the size of Asia plastered across my face.
Hmm, maybe these headlines aren’t so bad after all.
I don’t even bother to look at the paper. I couldn’t fucking care less. “Care to explain what, boss lady?”
She narrows her eyes into slits, and it takes everything in me not to bend her over this counter.She’s so much hotter when she’s mad.“You know what, Luca. And don’t fucking call me that for the millionth time!”
I rub a hand across my chin and smirk, our eyes burning into each other’s. “Don’t quite think it’s been a million.”
“Whatever. Just answer the damn question!” Neveah shouts as she throws her hands into the air. A murderous look rests on her face, worse than I’ve ever seen.
Oh, this so bothers her more than she’s letting on.
“I don’t need to answer questions regarding my personal life. I’m allowed to go out to dinner and have drinks with friends.” I cross my arms and legs as I lean back against the metal counter. I’m enjoying every glorious second of this.
Neveah snorts, her hands flying to her hips. “Yeah, sure looked like dinner with friends. I don’t fucking care what you were doing, but stay out of the headlines! I told you from the beginning that shit doesn’t fly around here.”
“And you think it flies anywhere? No, but unfortunately, unless I want to turn into a hermit, I can’t get away from it.” I shrug. I know I probably should fly under the radar, but why can’t I fucking enjoy my life just because of my chosen career?
“You can’t sacrifice for the sake of your career?” Neveah’s eyes grow wide and her head snaps back like she can’t believe I won’t.
“I shouldn’t have to. Is there anything else you needed to say? If not, I’ve got shit to do.”
“You can’t just blow it off like it’s nothing, Luca. We expect more around here. Our standards differ from others. I don’t know where you learned yours, but it definitely shows.”
Her attitude is nasty, disappointment and judgment coming off her in waves as she eyes me up and down. She makes atsktsknoise with her mouth before sucking on her bottom lip and popping it back out again.
