Page 4 of All That Glitters (Endurance #1)

Immediately after the wreck, we’d heard from other drivers and team owners, manufacturers, sponsors, racing execs… Some were looking to protect their interests, some were gauging his mental health, and some were genuinely concerned for Hale the person.

One thing that had always been true was how small the racing community was, no matter if it was a series based solely in North America or one that raced from one side of the world to the other, and it was an even smaller community when there was such a horrific wreck that involved a championship driver.

“Do you want me to be here tomorrow when he comes?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I?—”

I was interrupted by the ringing of my phone. When I saw the name on the screen, I couldn’t hide the wry smile. Talk about timing.

“Hello?”

“Hello. Helen?

“Mrs. Glitterati. How are you?”

Hale turned his head to the side, telling me without words that he was listening in and didn’t intend to leave the room.

“I’m doing well, thank you. Do you have a few minutes?”

“Of course.”

“Well, first of all, how many times have I told you to call me Francesca or Frannie?”

“Pretty much every single time we talk. I’ll try to work on that.”

“I would appreciate that. We’re all adults now. It’s the new year and a new season. I’m working on plans for my annual season starter dinner. I wanted to be sure you and Hale would be able to attend?”

Francesca Glitterati threw the best dinner parties. They were casual, usually full of laughs and video games and racing egos. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

She knew exactly what I was talking about.

“They have to in the same room at some point, Helen. They can’t avoid each other forever.”

I didn’t tell her that Ashton was planning to see Hale in less than twenty-four hours. I wasn’t sure we’d be invited afterward. Then again, maybe she already knew.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“So, I can expect you both?”

“I’ll speak with Hale, but for now, yes, of course.”

“What about your parents?”

“No, I’m afraid they won’t be arriving until the day before the race.”

“They won’t be here for the Roar?”

“Not this year, but you know they’ll want to have a little get together so they can show off their pictures from their latest adventures.”

“Where did they jet off to this time?”

“Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania.”

I tried to hide the wistfulness in my voice. I hadn’t taken a vacation in years, not a real vacation, at least. A few days here and there didn’t count. Our parents took every off season, from right after Thanksgiving to the week before the 24HRS of Daytona to travel somewhere together.

There was an executive team that managed the day-to-day operations of Troye, LTD , of which I was a part of when my father wasn’t available, on top of my marketing department job.

“Oh I imagine they’ve been having a lovely time.”

“Yes, I imagine they have been.”

I wouldn’t know, really. They didn’t keep in regular touch with us. They sent a photo from time to time, but I hadn’t heard either my mother’s or my father’s voice since they left.

“Well, I won’t keep you. But… Helen? You’re still welcome to join us even if Hale wishes to decline.”

“That’s very kind, Mrs. — Francesca. One or both of us will be there.”

“Wonderful. Friday evening. Eight o’clock. And bring an appetite. I think there’s going to be enough food to feed every driver on the circuit, their crew members, and their families. I might’ve gone a little overboard.”

I laughed softly at the image she painted. She always went a little overboard. “We’ll arrive with ravenous appetites. Thank you for inviting us.”

“You’re both always welcome in our home.”

We said our good-byes and Hale turned to look at me. “The annual dinner before the green flag?”

“Yes.”

He offered a stiff nod. “I’m not going.”

“Hale… I know it’s going to be hard. You haven’t seen anyone since the end of the season until recently. You’ve stayed at home. You haven’t done anything you normally do and other than talking to Craig and me, you’ve become a hermit. Avoiding everyone isn’t going to make it easier.”

“I’ve been virtual racing,” he said defensively. “I’ve been talking to people.”

I tried not to roll my eyes.

“You haven’t hung out with friends. You haven’t taken weekend trips with the guys.”

“Don’t you think sides have been taken?”

“Not in the way you’re thinking they have. You can’t keep hiding, Hale.”

“I’m not hiding. It was barely two months ago when we were in Atlanta. Maybe I just needed a break from everyone.”

I didn’t believe him. He usually went camping and golfing with a few of the drivers and crew members between the end of the season and Christmas. He did none of that this time around. “Maybe seeing Ashton tomorrow will be a good thing.”

“You don’t believe that, do you?”

“Maybe. And why not? You said a few minutes ago that he’s your best friend.”

“Don’t use my words against me. I have no idea what he’ll be like and neither do you.”

Hale was afraid that Ashton blamed him and he could be right. Maybe Ashton would want some sort of revenge, to take his anger out on Hale, but that wouldn’t do either of them any good.

The only revenge to exact would be on the track and that could get Ashton suspended from the sport and injure one or both of them.

Of course, Hale never voiced any of that. It was just that sixth sense twins had that told me what he was feeling more than anything.

I had to believe that Ashton was looking for an explanation from Hale, looking for Hale’s side of what happened, especially since all of us had grown up racing together and there’d never been any kind of accident like the one between them back in the summer.

“Do you still like him?”

The question caught me off guard and I turned wary eyes on him. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t even… And you’re blushing.”

I shut my gaze away from him and shook my head. “Shut up.”

“Tell me.”

“Hale…” I sighed and slumped back on the couch. “How did you know?”

“I’ve always known. Brax has, too. Mom and Dad. Probably even Ashton.”

I groaned and covered my face with both hands. I knew it was a possibility that Hale and Brax would see it, figure it out… But my parents? Ashton?

“Will you ever tell him?”

“No.”

“You should.”

“No.”

“Now who’s scared?”

“Damn straight. I will take how I feel about Ashton to the grave.”

“Why?”

“Because you know how he is with women. The same one never makes it to the next race.

“Maybe there’s a reason for that.”

“There is. Ashton Glitterati is a slut and has been since y’all lost your virginity to those three women in Vegas. So, let’s just drop it, okay.”

I felt his eyes on me, his surprise. He didn’t think I’d known about that weekend.

“Now who’s blushing?”

He lifted his hands in surrender.

“Okay. We’ll drop it. For now.”

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. I would hide away from him and this topic as much as I would hide away from showing or telling Ashton anything about my feelings for him.

“What do you think about a couple of pizzas tonight and a movie marathon?”

One eye opened and fixed itself on him. “What kind of pizza?”

“Taco? Barbeque? Buffalo chicken?”

“One of each. And you’re buying.”

“Then you’re picking the movies.”

Ugh. I sucked at picking things to watch, but if it would keep Ashton Glitterati off our minds for several hours, I would give movie choices my complete and total attention. “Fine.”