Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(29)

He coughs as I struggle to get out of the cockpit. No doubt my ass is on display from my jean shorts, a poor choice for today’s activities.

Liam and I walk through the pit lane before I snag an unsuspecting Albrecht crew member.

“Hi. Can I borrow you for a few minutes? It’ll be quick, I swear.” I drag our new helper toward a small pit table away from any watchful eyes.

The poor gentleman attempts to protest as his alarmed brown eyes scan Liam and me.

“I’d go along with it. She’s kind of stubborn.” Liam passes us ten plastic cups and a couple beers.

“Well, excuse me,” I scoff. “You know how to play flip-cup?” I look at my new competition.

The stranger nods. We set up the game, except since it’s only two of us, I have to chug multiple cups myself.

By the last one, I’m gagging from lukewarm beer.

“You’re shaming my culture.” Liam laughs as I cough into the camera.

“Sorry, my bad. I didn’t know Bud Light came from Germany. Forgive me for my expensive taste buds.”

Liam laughs as he turns off the video.

“Okay… I’m going to head out now. Thanks for the beer.” The Albrecht crew member practically runs away without me saying goodbye.

I nod in the direction he left in. “Shy guy. He barely looked at me.”

“I think that’s because he was too busy watching your lips wrapped around the rim of the cup.”

“That explains his terrible performance. He barely got past the second cup. I didn’t think I was that distracting, but I’ll take it.” I purse my lips.

“So fucking distracting.” He huffs under his breath. “That and the way your throat bobs from chugging beer like a champ.” Liam winks at me.

My cheeks heat on command. Do I distract Liam, too? I ignore my impulse to ask him. “Quit flirting with me. You’re sidetracking me, and we have other items to complete.”

We snag an unintended golf cart from a random security officer. Liam drives it toward the Bandini pit so we can show Maya our completed item.

I stop recording the short video of Liam driving. “You know, we don’t make a bad team.”

“If only you’d agree to working together on a different set of items.”

“Ha. Ha. Hilarious. Have you been saving that all day?”

“Yes. I can’t help it when you chose a list that I can’t get out of my head.”

While his tidbit is interesting, I carry on. “If you had to choose a few items for your own bucket list, what would you pick?”

“Is time travel on the table?” His eyes darken as he stares straight ahead, focusing on our destination.

“I think bucket lists usually have to include items you can actually accomplish.” I hide my surprise at his question.

“Then I don’t think I have anything I want to do.”

“Oh, bullshit. There has to be something you want.” My question is interrupted by Liam’s phone ringing.

He tugs it out of his pocket. I catch the name Lukas before Liam presses the ignore button, shoving it back into his jeans.

“Who’s Lukas?”

“No one,” he half growls.

Whoa, where did that attitude come from? “Um, okay then.”

Liam drives us silently for a minute. “I’m sorry for talking to you like that. Lukas is my brother. I don’t talk to him too often, and I’d much rather spend time with you, to be honest.” Liam stops the cart and looks at me with an unfamiliar expression, almost as if in pain.

Something about his sad eyes makes me drop the topic of his brother. “You’re forgiven if you tell me five facts about yourself that I can’t google.” I tap the wheel for him to keep going.

Liam lets out a relieved sigh. “If I find these online later, I know who to blame. I’m currently rereading It by Stephen King for the second time. Don’t ask me why, I just want to. I like to sleep naked. And yes, before your jaw drops, I mean completely naked. The one older woman I helped cross the street berated me about feminism and how men think women always need help. Fourth, I walked in on my parents having sex once, and I’m surprised I can still appreciate doggy-style after seeing them. And lastly, I still play Pokémon Go even though probably only two other people in the world play it.”

I don’t know why the last fact has me throwing my head back and laughing to the point of my lungs burning, but it does.

Liam looks at me as if he’s seen an alien.

“What?” I attempt to regain air to my lungs.

He shakes his head. “Nothing. Let’s finish up this list.”

I’m actually having a good time with Liam. No sex, no complications. Just time spent getting to know one another.

Can Liam have a few flaws, please? Anything besides his part-time job of screwing women.

We take a break to grab a water back in Bandini’s garage.

“Okay, I have to say this. I’m a little disappointed at how oddly normal you are,” I blurt out.

“I won’t lie to you. That’s possibly the best compliment I’ve heard in a while.”

I let out a laugh. “That’s kind of sad. But really, no offense, but your reputation sucks. I was a bit afraid to be your friend.”

“Your level of honesty is refreshing. Please boost my ego a little more while you’re at it.”