Page 2 of Formula Freedom (Race Fever #3)

Christ… that was a low blow, and I immediately regret it.

I’m not a petty or vindictive man, and I have no right to be this way.

I’m the one with a successful career in Formula racing whereas my brother flamed out four years ago.

He can’t handle that I’ve excelled and he hasn’t, and I’m often on the receiving end of that bitterness.

I should cut him some grace, I suppose, but fuck if he doesn’t like to make my life hell.

Plus, he got the girl and that makes me pissy.

Lance smooths out his features. “Yeah, not quite as flashy as spraying champagne on the podium, but hey—someone’s gotta keep the lights on.” His arm goes around Lara’s waist. “Besides… I got all I need right here.”

Fuck… that’s the lowest of blows.

The tension is thick and I focus on Lara, trying to soften the moment. “Hey, Lara. You look… great. Doing okay?”

Lara attempts a bright smile, her gray eyes smoked with resolve. “Thanks, Reid. It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, I don’t get home too much these days to visit. You been traveling with work?”

What little light her eyes held dies. “Mostly sticking close to home. I’m able to work remotely, but I have to travel to Sydney once in a blue moon.”

Lara graduated college with a degree in architecture and from what I understand through the grapevine—meaning our mums—she’s very good at what she does.

Lance looks down at Lara, his tone patronizing. “We decided it was best for her to stick closer to home, especially after the wedding.”

I don’t know what the fuck that means, but I can see Lara’s eyes darken with sadness. She’s clearly not on board with that, but it’s not up for me to interfere.

I mean, I’d like to interfere. Punch my brother in the nose because he’s an ass and Lara deserves better, but she’s his and not mine.

It’s a reminder that I need to make an escape.

“Well, glad you’re here. Hope you enjoy the race.

” I look around, desperately seeking Carlos, but he’s nowhere in sight.

I do see a woman, however, that I very much would like to meet.

“Actually… if you two would excuse me. I need to talk to Nash for a moment.”

I cringe when Lance’s eyes land on Nash and glow with predation. “Great, I’ve been meaning to introduce myself to him. I’m trying to land a deal with Titans Racing and it can’t hurt to bend his ear.”

I can’t say no but I’m already very sorry for bringing this salesman to Nash’s doorstep.

After Lance didn’t get a contract renewal down in FI3 racing, he floundered for a bit.

But his determination to make it back into racing was undiminished.

He simply doesn’t have the talent, but he thinks hobnobbing with the best will get him back in.

I could give him some brotherly advice and tell him not to bother because he doesn’t have the talent to make it, but who am I to crush such tender dreams?

I move toward Nash and the real person I want to meet, the Titans’ chief strategy engineer, Bex Toliver. She’s making waves in the racing world and I’ve heard her intellect and foresight are beyond compare.

“Nash,” I call out, and he turns my way. I’m aware that Lance and Lara are following me.

Grinning, Nash offers his hand. “Good to see you, man. Have you met Bex yet?”

“I have not, but that’s the reason I beelined over here.” I turn to the pretty Brit. “The new Titans’ strategy mastermind. You’re the talk of the circuit these days.”

Bex’s laugh is husky. “I’m not all that interesting, but it’s great to meet you. I’m a big fan.”

I’m painfully aware of my brother behind me and I need to make introductions. I angle my body, sweeping my arm. “This is my brother, Lance, and his fiancée, Lara Candlish.”

More handshakes and, once again, Lance pulls Lara into his side, an obvious show of possession. I hate that I notice the look on Lara’s face—she’s clearly uncomfortable—but I hate it even more that she doesn’t do anything to break away.

“Having fun tonight?” Nash asks.

I glance back over my shoulder, see that Gunner is still talking to Brita.

I toss my thumb that way. “Trying to escape a woman who doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.

” My eyes cut briefly to Lara, but she shows no expression.

It’s like she’s disconnected. “She’s handsy and won’t leave me alone. ”

Nash nudges me in the shoulder. “Come on, mate. It’s a perk of the job, right? To get as many track kittens after you as possible.”

Bex’s eyes twinkle. “How about you just tell her you’re gay? That should nip it in the bud.”

I bark out a laugh. “That’s a great idea. If she approaches me again, I’m going full-on gay mode. Guess those big strategy brains of yours are good for more than just winning races.”

We lapse into race talk and I’m fascinated by Bex’s knowledge.

I try to include Lance in on the conversation because, while he wasn’t that great behind the wheel, he knows the sport.

He wanted an in with Nash and I’m providing it, but he’s weirdly standoffish.

Instead, he seems to be glaring at me, but I shrug it off.

“I need to use the restroom,” Lara says, and my stomach bottoms out when she looks up to Lance quietly… as if… asking his permission?

No fucking way. Lara is her own person.

Bex steps toward Lara and takes her hand. “So do I. Come on, let’s go find it together.”

Lance’s eyes narrow as Lara pulls away from him and we all watch as she follows Bex through the crowd. I’d expect that would be a good opening for Lance to talk to Nash, but instead, he says, “If you’ll excuse me,” and then he’s off following Lara and Bex.

“Your brother isn’t the friendliest.”

I turn toward Nash, sighing. “It’s complicated.”

“Let me guess. He’s jealous of your success.”

My eyebrows rise over the conviction in that statement. “Yeah… how’d you know?”

“Only a lucky guess, but it’s usually the cause of strife in most sibling relationships.”

“He races too but never could make it out of FI3.” In fact, he was tossed out just as my star was rising in FI3 and he’s never forgiven me for it.

“But he came here to support you?”

I can’t help but snort. “He’s here to make contacts. Thinking he can talk his way onto a team, but honestly… he’s washed up and has a bad reputation for being too inconsistent to take a chance on.”

“His fiancée seems nice, though,” Nash says lightly.

“Yeah… Lara’s the best. The three of us grew up together in Torquay, been surfing since we learned to walk.

Lara’s quite good. Better than me and Lance.

” I glance toward the bathrooms but can’t see my brother.

Not wanting to talk about him anymore, I ask Nash, “So, how does it feel to be back in Formula, and do you miss Indy?”

Nash is the hottest topic in racing these days.

After walking away from a fiery crash a handful of years ago, he never came back to Formula racing, instead making a career in Indy.

However, the new Titans Racing owner, Brienne Norcross, apparently swooped him up in a deal that has him back in the big leagues.

“I don’t miss it at all, but I guess I could ask you the same… do you miss rally?”

I grin at the question, but I don’t answer right away.

Do I miss rally? Yeah. Parts of it. The chaos. The grit. The way your heartbeat syncs with the hum of tires ripping over gravel, not knowing what’s around the next bend until you’re already halfway through it.

But my path here wasn’t exactly typical.

I started in karting like everyone else—small circuits, bigger dreams. But instead of jumping straight into open-wheel like most of the guys on this grid, I veered sideways.

Literally.

Took a sharp left into rally. Dirt tracks. Forest stages. Mud. Breakneck speeds. I spent years in it—earning every inch with nothing but instinct and a white-knuckled grip on the wheel.

It made me fearless. Maybe reckless.

Eventually, someone noticed. I was twenty-one when I got my first shot in FI3. From there, it was a grind—FI2, then finally here. Formula International.

“Nah, mate. I cherish those experiences, but I don’t miss it at all. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

“That’s how I feel too,” Nash muses.

Bex appears out of nowhere and throws her thumb over her shoulder. “Reid… your brother said they were going back to their hotel and he’d catch you sometime tomorrow.”

“No worries.” I don’t know why the thought of him and Lara leaving abruptly bothers me so much, but it does. I’m uneasy, but I try to slough it off. I wonder if I can catch up with them, make sure she’s okay.

I clap Nash on the shoulder, tell a little white lie. “I see someone I need to talk to. It was great catching up with you.” I then turn to Bex and kiss her knuckles, giving her a playful wink. “Bex… it was an absolute pleasure to meet you, and I hope I’ll be seeing you around.”

I move through the crowd, eyes peeled for my brother and Lara. I don’t know why I’m doing this. Lara hasn’t been a part of my life for a long time and while I’ve seen her here and there over the years on the few occasions I’ve been home to visit, I haven’t been overly drawn to her.

But something about tonight claws at me. There’s something off and I’m worried.

And the truth settles like a stone in my chest—I’ve never stopped wanting her or caring about her.

And seeing her belong to Lance…

That might just be the most unbearable thing yet.