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My forehead was slick with sweat, the rain dampened my gear, and my bike’s motor sizzled under every drop when I turned it off.
Maddox looked at me and I looked at him, ready to fight—once again—for our place on the podium.
Maddoxgloated,andforonce, it made me smile. The track camp was even more crowded than usual, and my boy was celebrating his win. He’d been a moody son of a bitch lately, so it was nice to see him having a good time, even if it meant I had to place second to him.
Yeah, I was pissed he beat me, but damn, he deserved it. He rode hard, outmanoeuvred me, and earned that victory all on his own. Even though I wanted to knock that smug smile right off his pretty face, I liked seeing it there more.
“What’re you smiling at?” Nate sat down beside me, handing me a beer. “The old you would have kicked his ass for showboating like that.”
I cracked the can and laughed. “Don’t worry, I will. I’ll let him think he’s getting away with it and then I’ll knock him right off that high horse.” I grinned at Maddox across the fire pit.
“Things good with you guys?” Nate asked. “Xav said Madd’s been grumpy.” My brother looked at me with real concern, not prying, but honestly worried.
“He’s always grumpy. It’s Maddox.” I sighed because I knew something was up with him. “But yeah, we’re good. Just trying to figure out how to fit it all in.”
“Go home earlier at the end of the day, fuckwit.” Nate scoffed at me. “Make time for your man or he’s gonna leave your ass.”
Thatwas my worst fear, and it was worsening each time I messed up by staying at the shop too late. “Yeah, but you and Xavi live at the shop. I don’t want it to seem like I’m not pulling my weight.”
“Fuck off with that shit, Devon. You put in so many hours you basically live there. What’s the point in having a place with Madd if you’re never home?” he asked. “Plus, me and Xav aren’t tethered to the loves of our lives.”
“Love of my life?” I scoffed, but it didn’t have any heat behind it. Was Maddox the love of my life? How was I supposed to know? Ah, fuck it. I knew he was. “He’s still my biggest competitor. I can love him and hate him at the same time.”
“Hell yeah you can,” Nate agreed. “But to do either, you gotta make time for him. Stop being a selfish twat. The shop is fine, but your relationship won’t be if you keep this up.”
He had a point. I hated when he had a point. He got arrogant about it and threw it in my face, but maybe I deserved that. “I know. He’s more important.”
“Glad you finally figured that out,” Nate said, basically calling me slow. “Now go beat his ass for gloating.”
“Can’t,” I admitted with a grin. “He won, so he wins the bet.” I knew he was going to ask, so I just said it. “He bet me that if he won, I had to suck his dick on the podium.” I laughed. “Fucking prick.”
“Hop to it then, princess. Make him work for it, though.” Nate shoved me from behind, propelling me towards my man. Even my brother knew I was neglecting my relationship, and if he knew, Maddox must have been pissed all to hell with me for it. I’d do better.
But was I really so secure in this thing that I got comfortable putting Maddox second to the business? The sad look in his eyes, hidden under his rage, told me I was fucking up big time. It was time to make it right because I could survive losing just about anything, but not him. Anything except Maddox.
I took my beer and walked up behind him. Maddox stood in a group of people, but was talking to some guy I didn’t know. The guy was listening and Maddox was bragging, so naturally, I’d put a stop to that.
“You fucking cheated,” I snapped, pushing him from behind.
Maddox’s green eyes flared with the challenge when he turned to face me head-on. “How the fuck did I cheat, Sawyer?” Knew he’d buy into my bullshit—our bullshit. That type we thrived on.
“You cut me off on the south hill.”
“It’s not my fault you don’t know strategy,” he barked back.
“Strategy?” I scoffed. “You ride dirty as fuck, Kane.”
“Mhm.” He grinned at me. No one else could see it, but I loved that grin.
“Woah, Madd. Calm down.” The guy behind him tried to ease the tension, which made me tense.
Who the fuck did this guy think he was and why did he think he stood a chance at getting between us? And no one called him Madd except me and our brothers! Or told him to calm down. I was the only one allowed to say that to him! I raised an accusatory brow at my boyfriend, waiting to see how he wanted this to play out. I was one snapped string from knocking his buddy out, but it was more likely I’d take it out on Maddox just because I could. If he wanted to fight, I’d fight. I’d always be up for the rush of taking him on. But if he wanted to disappear from here and collect his winnings from our bet, I’d be up for that rush, too.
“This is Tom,” Maddox said, tilting his head at the young guy who spoke up without taking his eyes off me. “He works with me.”
Great. Another looker who got to spend more time with him than I did. I eyed this bastard up and tried not to be a complete dick about it. I was totally a dick about it, though. He was young, but not young enough to be innocent, which meant he immediately posed a threat to me. He looked like he worked out, and to be honest, I didn’t fucking appreciate that. Not one bit.
“This is Devon,” Maddox went on because I didn’t say anything. “The girlfriend you wanted to meet.” He grinned at this Tom asshole.
