Page 28 of Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

My distaste toward the idea isn’t because I’m jealous. Pretty boy Elías looks like he can offer Elena everything someone like her deserves in the first place. An easygoing life with laughs, positivity, and a shit ton of other happy words I can’t begin to name, let alone experience myself.

Okay, I sound slightly jealous. But so fucking be it.

I try to ignore Elena the best I can, but I steal glances every now and then. The push and pull between us is damn near intoxicating. My dick pulses to life in my race suit as I stare at her from across the garage, becoming distracted by the dress she wore today. It looks like it was made for her, hugging her in all the places I want to touch.

Elena walks up to me, ruining my idea of evading her. “Hey, you. How do you feel about today’s race?”

“Excited to ruin the competition.” My lips lift at the corners as I picture Elías watching me from the podium’s sidelines.

“The smile on your face should worry me.”

“This one isn’t the one you need to worry about. That’s a whole different look altogether.”

She rolls her eyes. “You don’t scare me.”

“Then what scares you?” What the fuck are you doing? Stop trying to get to know her, you stupid fucker.

“A couple of things. But most of all is regret.” She clutches onto her iPad tightly.

How does one word sit heavy against my chest? I cross my arms and she startles, the cloudiness in her eyes dissipating. “Deep shit, Gonzalez. Meanwhile, I’m afraid of spiders. Nasty little fuckers with beady eyes and the potential to jump.” My answer pulls an awkward laugh from her.

She brushes her dark hair aside, hitting me with the smell I’ve come to know as distinctively hers. “I don’t know if I would’ve ever pegged you as someone who’s afraid of spiders.”

I tap my chin pensively. “Probably because your assumptions of me couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“Are you saying you’re better than my idea of you?”

“No. I’m so much worse.”

Her head tilts back, hitting me with soft eyes and a small smile. “All y

ou’re missing is the dark sky, a lightning strike, and ominous thunder to complete your villain montage.”

I clap my hands together. “Now you’re getting it. I’ve always been one for making a hell of an entrance.”

“And now I’m here so you don’t make one hell of an exit.”

I let out a whistle. “I’m impressed by your level of clap back.”

Elena beams. “Thanks. My abuela taught me well.”

I definitely should be apprehensive about the way my dick twitches when Elena switches from English to Spanish. “She sounds like someone I’m afraid to meet. If she’s the queen, what does that make you?”

“The pawn.”

“I think you need to brush up on those chess references, love. No one wants to be the pawn. But I guess it fits. You look weak and untouched by true adversity, not strong enough to play with the big boys on the board.”

“Comments like yours are exactly why I like the pawn. It’s the most underestimated piece.” She looks up at me, goading me with her smile.

Screw her and her sparkling eyes, specks of brown and gold reflecting the lights above us, entrancing me. “Then why do you want to be one?”

“Because in real life, we don’t start out as the strongest. It’s about surviving the little battles. Once the pawn makes it to the other side, it can turn into a queen. That’s who I want to be. The person who comes out stronger than when they started.”

Her words hit deeper than intended. I can’t fight the temptation to learn more about her. “And what happens when you become the queen?”

She lets out a soft laugh. “What happens when anyone becomes a queen? They rule the world. Well...my world that is.”

I look away, growing uncomfortable at the idea of enjoying her company more than I should. “You’ve proven yourself a worthy opponent.”