Page 24 of Torqued

I adjust my stance, moving away from Lynn’s clutches. “She sure in the hell is.”

“Good morning, Hatcher.” Spencer winks, before hugging Margo. “Love the logo, Margo.”

“Gotta look the part, ya know.” Margo cocks her brow as Lynn gapes. “Lynn Shifter, this is Spencer Woods of Woods Brothers. Rush’s sponsor.”

Lynn curls her lip. “A tad overdressed for a garage, aren’t we?”

“Possibly, but I do like to leave a little to the imagination.” Spencer smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. Mine, on the other hand, is having a tough time looking in hers. “I’m here, Rush.”

“Without a doubt, damn.” I waggle my brows.

Lane saunters up behind her, drawing my ire. “Can I help you with something?”

“No, thank you.” Lane narrows his eyes at me. “Lynn, dad’s waiting on you.”

“I wish you would stop ratting me out, you’re a friggin’ adult.” Lynn huffs, storming away.

Lane moves to Spencer’s side. “It’s good to see you again, Spencer.”

“Lane, I was wondering if I’d see you today.” Spencer smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. A heavy feeling settles in my gut, weighing me down like lead. No, it’s not jealousy. I may not know Spencer well, but I do understand body language, and hers isn’t cool with Lane.

Lane cuts between us. “Have you thought any more on my proposal from the other day?”

“I have, but until we’re not so wet behind the ears around here, I think I’m going to stay close.” Spencer wrinkles her nose with a wince. I fist my hands, readying to pop him in the back of his head as I grit my teeth.

“You’ve said your piece, now get the fuck outta my garage.”

Lane twists his upper body toward me, grinning. “Still competing for pole position, Hatcher?”

“I don’t come to compete, I come to win.”

Lane chuckles. “Spencer, you have my number.”

“She won’t be needing it.” I snap. He’s grinding on my nerves, and she needs to put a stop to it. It’s like she’s enjoying this or something—anger ripples through me when he leans in, pressing his lips to her cheek.

Lane murmurs. “We’ll talk later.”

“Good to see you, Lane.” Again, Spencer offers him a placating smile. Her expression is closed off when she cuts her eyes to me. What? Is she upset with me when she’s got this asshole’s lips all over her.

I cross my arms in a huff, waiting for her to explain. Nothing. She says nothing. “What in the hell was that about, Spencer? I warned you about him, didn’t I?”

“And he, in turn, warned me about you too.” She spins, walking away from me. My mouth drops, and I chase after her. As I catch up to her, I slide my hand to the small of her back.

“Care to explain to me why you’re angry with me when we both agreed he’s toxic?” I growl in her ear, eliciting a shiver from her.

She inclines her head, pursing her enticing red lips. “Can we take this to a more private and appropriate place?”

“The hauler.” With the slightest pressure, I guide her to the left and away from prying eyes. Yes, and Lane Shifter. His damn name itself gives me the creeps, but here Spencer is embracing it.

Spencer grips my wrist as we step over the storm drain, sending an electric shock to my heart. My pulse ramps up and I struggle to not pick her up and toss her over my shoulder so we can be alone much quicker than her heels can carry her.

“I wanted to change out of these, but I thought it was best to get here first for your run.” She grumbles, opening her stride to stay with me. I silently admonish myself for pressuring her.

“I could always go caveman on you and throw you over my shoulder.”

Her head whips around, and she snaps. “Don’t you dare!”

“Trust me, I won’t.” I clutch her to my side, lifting her over the next storm drain in the road. “I’d be too tempted to smack your ass.”