#Junkie (GearShark #1)(79)

Joey bristled nearby, and I moved over and draped my arm over her shoulder. “No hard feelings,” I whispered in her ear.

She giggled.

Lorhaven glanced over and gave me a look like he might be constipated but then turned back to Drew.

“Before I walked away, I said something that ended up sparking a conversation… and led to all this.” Drew gestured to everything going on around us.

“A new division of racing,” Lorhaven said.

“Good call having your little bro spy on us for you.” Drew glanced at Arrow, who frowned. “But next time, just ask me if you want to know something.”

Lorhaven stared at Drew levelly. “Fair enough.”

Drew explained a little more about the new division and that today was sort of the official announcement about all the shit to come. When he was finished, Lorhaven was practically frothing at the mouth.

“This is open to all indie drivers?”

Drew nodded. “Yep. Through a set of preliminary races, the drivers will be narrowed down. The best of the best will move on to a series of division races. The best of the best will graduate to a championship race at Gamble Speedway. Winner walks away with a TBA amount of prize money.”

“And respect.” Lorhaven finished.

“Exactly.”

I guess Lorhaven wasn’t all that different from all the other drivers we knew. He wanted respect just like the rest of the indies.

Drew was offering him a chance at that.

“Why are you telling me all this?” Lorhaven asked, suddenly suspicious of Drew.

“I’d like to know that, too,” I said. Beneath my arm, Joey nodded.

“Because when I win, I want to know it’s because I deserve it. You’re an *, but you can drive. Stop all this petty ‘my turf’ shit and trying to run drivers off the road when they beat you.”

Just the mention of that again had me seeing red.

Drew held up his hand like Lorhaven was going to protest. “Save it. I know I’m not the only driver you try and keep out of your races. Time to put your money where your mouth is, Lorhaven. I’m calling you out.”

Lorhaven lowered his chin and stared at Drew. “You’re calling me out?”

“Yeah. You’re all pissed because the pro circuit is snobby and indies always get the shaft? You think you’re the best? Bring it. We have an audience now.” Drew held out his arms. “Get some sponsors, pick a car, and you and I will settle this on the track. Let everyone see we indies aren’t as green they think. We might be a little wild, but that’s just part of our charm.”

I grinned.

“Can I quote you on that?” Emily said.

We all turned. She was standing nearby with a notebook and pen in her hand. I hadn’t even noticed her approach.

“Sure.” Drew nodded. Then he looked back at Lorhaven. “What do you say? We both want respect and we both wanna drive. I can turn this world on its ass without you, but something tells me it will be a lot more interesting with you around.”

Lorhaven studied Drew for a long minute. Everyone stared between the two men like they were deciding whose side they were on.

Except for me. I knew exactly whose side I would always be on.

I f*cking loved that he just called out this clown. Lorhaven wouldn’t turn him down. Pride meant too much to someone like him.

“All right, Forrester.” He stuck out his hand between them. “I’ll see you on the track.”

Drew shook his hand, and the clicking of the photographer’s camera caught it all.

Emily turned to him and gestured toward the white Corvette. “Get a shot of him with his car.”

The photographer looked at Lorhaven. “You game?”

“Let’s do this,” he said and glanced at Drew one last time.

“See you at the track.”

Lorhaven smirked. Before he walked off with the camera guy, he glanced at me, then Joey. “Better not stand too close to that one.” He pointed at me. “You might get fleas.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I have all I need for the rivalry details,” Emily said. “Now if we could just do the interview, we’ll be finished.”

“Can I buy you a cup of coffee?” Drew asked her, guiding her with a hand on the small of her back toward the trailer and the snack table.

“The coffee here is free,” she pointed out, amused.

“Oh, well, then have a double. On me.”

Her laughter floated back to us, and I stepped back from Joey.

“That guy is a piece of work,” she muttered and stared after Lorhaven.

“That’s one way of putting it,” I mumbled.

“He really got kicked out of here for illegal betting?”

I nodded. “Don’t trust that guy, Joey. He’s exactly the kind of guy your father warned you about.”

“He’s a good driver,” she said.

Lorhaven was a good driver. It’s why Drew called him out. Drew never backed down from a challenge, and this was no different. It was smart because it essentially put a spotlight on Lorhaven along with Drew. Now he had less opportunity to be shady, because he knew people were watching. I didn’t say all that, though. All I said was, “Drew is better.”

“I know.”