Page 22

TWENTY-TWO

TRENT

“How’s the race going?” After five minutes of making sure the light was just right for the interview, Ashley stood behind a small handheld camera on a tripod.

Kit and I sat on the picnic table, squished against each other and angled slightly to the right to avoid the glare from the sun. I rested a hand on the table. My forearm brushed her back. I tried not to let the contact distract me.

“Fine,” Kit answered with a tight smile. “Other than losing our route book. Thankfully, another team let us take a picture of theirs so we haven’t missed any stops.”

“And what would you say is the most challenging part of the rally so far?”

“So far? Gas station food,” I said, knocking my shoulder into Kit.

Her lips slanted into a wry smile. “I was going to say Trent’s podcast selection.”

“I guess that means you’re getting along a little better than day one?”

“We got along fine on day one.” Kit rolled her eyes.

“You said we weren’t friends,” I said, my mind racing off to the night before, outside the bar, the taste of cherry on Kit’s lips.

“Alright, maybe we’re getting along slightly better than day one.” A splotch of red bloomed on her cheeks. “I’d say we’re friendly acquaintances now.”

“And we’ve been having a blast, working our way up the rankings,” I added.

“I think everyone is a little surprised by how well you’re doing. Think you’ll place in the top three?” Ashley asked.

“First.” I placed my palm on Kit’s waist. “Definitely first.”

She wriggled away. “We’re just happy to be racing. But if Trent is hellbent on winning, I’m sure he’ll find a way.”

“He’s generating quite a lot of chatter. We’ve gotten more traffic on our website this week alone than we have over the last five years.”

“How does your counterpart feel about that?” I asked, already reading the answer on her face.

“He’s warming up to the idea of having an NFL player on the rally.” She dropped her voice. “Or at least that’s what he’s told the rest of the racers. Now, back to the interview. What’s been your favorite stop so far?”

Kit glanced over at me, inclining her head. “The Land Time Forgot?”

“Absolutely,” I agreed.

“I remember that picture. Trent coming out of his shell. So adorable,” Ashley gushed, but my mind focused on holding Kit in the moonlight. The charged air between us and the way her frizzy brown hair grazed my face and the sound of her laughter.

“Kit likes the offbeat stops,” I said, shaking away the memory.

“So, you’re not a fan of the quick stops?” Ashley asked Kit.

She shook her head. “Nope. The world’s biggest peanut does nothing for me. I want an immersive roadside attraction.”

“Which is probably the reason you’re doing so well in the rally.” Ashley adjusted the phone on the tripod. “Even if there’s been some not-so-supportive press.”

I tamed my expression, not letting a frown cross my face. Sure, Ashley and Tom weren’t reporters. They also weren’t gossip columnists. They weren’t probing for a gotcha moment, but I still kept my guard up. “The press is part of my job. It’s wish they’d give me a break during the off-season, but obviously, I generate a lot of interest. I’m flattered, but not paying attention to any of it.”

“Even stories about?—”

Kit interjected. “None of it. We’re having a great time and we’re focused on winning. Whatever stories are being circulated on gossip columns really aren’t our concern.”

Her clipped tone put an end a quick end to Ashley’s line of questioning. Normally, my agent was the only one shutting down interview questions, but Kit did it with ease. Standing up for me when she didn’t have to.

Ashley raised an eyebrow, her eyes meeting mine. I held up a hand, holding back a smile. “I agree with my partner.”

“Why don’t we talk a bit about the car?” Ashley cleared her throat. “How’s it holding up? Kit, I heard you wanted to sell the Mercury Cougar at the end of the rally.”

Kit bit her bottom lip, mulling over the question.

“You want to sell the car?” I whispered under my breath.

“We could get a plane ticket home.” She shrugged. “It’s for sale. I’m not really sure anyone is interested, but yeah, I think I’ve had enough of the Cougar for one lifetime.”

“We can list it, you know?” Ashley paused the video with a swipe. “Just let me know and I’ll put it on our socials. Team Hasbro and Christine’s Revenge already have offers in place.”

Kit nodded with a tight smile. “Sure. I’ll let you know.”

Ashley restarted the recording. “And which upcoming stop are you looking forward to?”

“Comedy bus,” I answered quickly. “That’s tonight, right?”

Without our guidebook, I couldn’t be sure.

“Comedy bus?” Kit wrinkled her nose. “When?”

“The bus takes off at nine, and it’s a two-hour tour around Birmingham,” Ashley said. “So, tonight’s check-in is at 11 pm. But if you decide to skip that stop, Tom will be at the bar. I’m guessing you’re not as excited for the comedy bus, Kit?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t know about it, and I’m certainly not excited. Trent has been taking care of finding the stops, so I’m just as surprised as anybody when we pull up.”

“So, you’re not looking forward to anything in particular?”

“A walk across the solar system, I guess.” Kit waved to the giant statue of a sun off to her right.

Ashley nodded, the hint taken. “Well, I think that’s all I have for questions. We’ll catch up with you both tonight.”

I thumbed through our new guidebook, empty of all the notes I’d written about upcoming stops. Hopefully, I could delve into my browsing history and find them easily enough.

“So, what’s this about a comedy bus?” Kit asked, peeking at the book over my shoulder.

I’d had the number for the tour company scribbled in the margin of the day four page, but the website didn’t allow online sales, and I hadn’t called. A quick search for “Birmingham Comedy Tour” pulled up the company. Kit took the guidebook while I dialed the number.

“Great Views Birmingham. This is John. How can I help you?” A chipper voice answered the phone.

“Hey, John,” I said, cupping the phone against the breeze. “I’d like two tickets for the comedy tour tonight.”

He sucked in a breath. “Oh, bad news. We’re actually sold out tonight. Can I get you tickets for tomorrow?”

“Afraid not,” I groaned inwardly. “We’re only in town for the night. You sure you don’t have a couple of tickets?”

“Nope. I can get you on the ghost tour, though.”

In any other town, a ghost tour might get us some extra points, but the comedy tour was on the list. Tom wouldn’t reward us for not buying tickets ahead of time. “That won’t work either.”

John hummed on the other end of the line. “Maybe show up and see if someone bails? It’s a long shot, but it happens. There’s a country bar just across the street if you don’t end up on the bus.”

“Thanks, man.” I hung up the phone, wiping away the frown on my face before facing Kit.

“We good?” She leaned against the hood of the car, the door open but not inside yet.

“We’re on standby,” I lied.

She studied my face, the corner of her lips dipping down before she climbed into the car. I slid into the passenger seat, glad she hadn’t pressed.

“Where are we going next?” She cranked up the car, face falling slightly at a light rattling from the engine. She shook her head, dismissing the noise.

I consulted the book. “A muffler man, a mystery spot, and a giant loom.”

“Thrilling.”

“The fun never stops.”