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Maddie’s lips tighten. Otherwise, she stays quiet. I owe her big time for keeping all my secrets.
“Pierce Boylan isn’t expected to make any more appearances this season. He’s said to be busy with other projects, which is a glaring sign he’s losing interest in his NASCAR business. BPR does well, but they won’t make it without his support. If they go under, we’re going shopping,” Boone says
Boone’s eagerness twists my stomach. If he had a mustache, he’d be twirling it.
I’ve been managing the conflict betweenRivers Motorsportsand Jake so far. The competition on the track doesn’t involve me, so that part is easy to rationalize. Jake also doesn’t own anything, at least not yet, so it’s all separated—nice and neat.
It won’t stay that way, but that’s a problem I can deal withlater.
Boone and Maddie are back to cuddling, and envy hits again.
“What are you shopping for?” I ask. My voice sounds like a croaking frog.
He lifts one shoulder and gives a self-satisfied smile. Boone’s dimples come out, too. He’s the only member of our family to have them, and I was mad with jealousy as a teenager. Now, listening to him salivate over Jake’s future, I hope he chokes on them.
Well, no, not really. But maybe a little?
“They have some good technical staff. That new rookie is still green but has potential. Matteo isn’t ready yet, and if a charter comes up, I won’t hold it for him. It depends on how it plays out, especially considering there’s no announcement. A rumor is just a rumor.”
“Are you considering that new rookie?” I ask. My stomach twists with horror. I don’t want him around, and I don’t want to tell anyone. Jake knows most of the story, which is enough tale-telling for me.
“He has potential,” Boone says, oblivious to my distress. “He’s worth talking to, at a minimum. Past that, it’s a matter of timing and scouting what’s out there.”
I cautioned Jake to drive straight at Bristol, and he did it, giving his team another top-five win. Now, I want him to ram straight into Joey Fisher, back up, and ram straight into him again, except I won’t because no one knows about him and never will.
“I’ll do some scouting with reporters and see if anything else drops to the ground. There might be more than rumors,” I say. Relief fills me as the phone buzzes in my hand. “Hold on.”
Jake: Are you safe to talk? I have my contract offer.
Sarah: I’m surrounded and can’t get away. How bad is it?
Jake: One year. LOduckingL.
Sarah: Did you sign?
Jake: You said not to. I was a good boy and did what I was told, so that should earn me a treat. My treat should be naked. Hint. Hint.
Sarah: It doesn’t, and the hint is rejected. Very sorry. Come to my room later, and we can negotiate.
Jake: You’re amazing, Princess. See you soon.
I set my phone down and look up to see Boone watching me.
His curious eyes only deepen my guilt. “Is there something wrong?” he asks.
I could write him a list, but it would be a thousand pages long. “Nothing’s wrong. Text messages are a constant part of my job.”
Boone’s stare makes it clear he’s unsatisfied with my answer.
To be safe, I send Julian a quick text. His answer is almost immediate.
Julian: The rookie’s team is complaining right now. The new guy has treated them like shit. Also, playing detective is a complete blast. Please send me undercover. We’ll bust this scheme wide open.
You don’t need every puzzle piece to know what the finished image will look like. This one is looking very clear. All that’s left is figuring out how best to solve it. Only, I’m missing a corner piece and the primary image to use as a reference.
That doesn’t even make sense.
Sigh.
