Page 15 of Wrecking Boundaries (SteelTrack Racing #2)

Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TX

I’ve never envied Boone or Maddie’s happiness, and I still don’t. They’re a great couple and perfect for each other.

Despite this, watching the two of them snuggle on the RV’s sofa can make a person feel like a third wheel, and by person, I mean me.

Maddie is wearing a tight-fitting t-shirt with Boone’s name and number written across the front. Occasionally, Boone glances at it and gives a possessive, wolfish grin.

Like I said, it’s not their relationship I’m jealous of. It’s their openness.

“Can you do it?” Boone asks me.

“Help you drive? Sorry, big brother, you’re a lost cause.”

Maddie clamps a hand over her mouth before a laugh can escape. She’s regularly caught in the middle between us and is brilliant at defusing our little tiffs.

“At least I didn’t almost flunk out of Algebra.”

Is he really bringing this up? “That was more than ten years ago.”

“Some wounds never heal, Sarah. We want to help you, but you need to ask for it. The first step in your recovery is the most important one.”

This is ridiculous. “Maddie, please make him stop.”

“You flunked Algebra?” she asks instead .

“Oh, hell. No, it was one quarter and a long time ago. He flunked Economics.” I point at Boone.

“I kept cutting class to go racing, so if you think about it, that was long-term strategic thinking.”

Maddie grabs some cookies from the mini-kitchen and hands them to both of us like we’re children. “What were you saying about Lily again?”

He eats one in a single bite. “I’ve been talking with Pete about a new position. He’s interested, but the increased travel worries him.”

“He’s been traveling his entire career,” I point out. “He’s at every race because you’re at every race.”

Pete Webb started his career with our father, Tom Rivers, and continued with Boone. He’s crisscrossed the country, from one track to another, for years.

“His daughter is finishing school. He’s refused to elaborate, and you know how he gets when you push him on anything personal. Pete says he needs to be with her, and I don’t have a solution for him.”

Pete clams up whenever his personal life comes up. All I know is his wife died in childbirth, and he raised Lily on his own. I met her a few times when she was a little girl. She would stay in his RV during a race, never expressing interest in socializing or meeting any of the other children. She disappeared after that, returning only once to throw her father a surprise birthday party, and that was a year ago.

I consider the options. Boone’s correct; Pete is a great asset we can use better. For whatever reason, he’s also concerned for his daughter. “He can bring her along.” I glance at Maddie, hoping she’ll support my next idea. “We can offer her an internship.”

Boone chokes on his cookie .

Maddie pats him on the back and says, “That’s not a bad idea. There’s always work to be done. What are her skills?”

All three of us stare blankly.

I twist my hand right-side up to show its empty contents. Lily was a shy girl, and that’s all I know. “I guess we’ll find out,” I say.

“If you can’t convince him otherwise, we’ll find a role for her. That solves his problem and yours.” Maddie says, agreeing with me.

Boone stretches his long legs across the RV’s narrow space until he taps at my feet. “It’s worth a shot, especially considering the news from BP Racing .”

That statement raises the hair on my arms. Jake is meeting with his boss to discuss his contract, or I would be with him now. From his reports, it’s been typical business for the past two weeks.

“Pass the gossip,” I say, hoping it sounds casual.

Maddie’s lips tighten. Otherwise, she stays quiet. I owe her big time for keeping all my secrets.

“Pierce Boylan isn’t expected to make any more appearances this season. He’s said to be busy with other projects, which is a glaring sign he’s losing interest in his NASCAR business. BPR does well, but they won’t make it without his support. If they go under, we’re going shopping,” Boone says

Boone’s eagerness twists my stomach. If he had a mustache, he’d be twirling it.

I’ve been managing the conflict between Rivers Motorsports and Jake so far. The competition on the track doesn’t involve me, so that part is easy to rationalize. Jake also doesn’t own anything, at least not yet, so it’s all separated—nice and neat.

It won’t stay that way, but that’s a problem I can deal with later.

Boone and Maddie are back to cuddling, and envy hits again.

“What are you shopping for?” I ask. My voice sounds like a croaking frog.

He lifts one shoulder and gives a self-satisfied smile. Boone’s dimples come out, too. He’s the only member of our family to have them, and I was mad with jealousy as a teenager. Now, listening to him salivate over Jake’s future, I hope he chokes on them.

Well, no, not really. But maybe a little?

“They have some good technical staff. That new rookie is still green but has potential. Matteo isn’t ready yet, and if a charter comes up, I won’t hold it for him. It depends on how it plays out, especially considering there’s no announcement. A rumor is just a rumor.”

“Are you considering that new rookie?” I ask. My stomach twists with horror. I don’t want him around, and I don’t want to tell anyone. Jake knows most of the story, which is enough tale-telling for me.

“He has potential,” Boone says, oblivious to my distress. “He’s worth talking to, at a minimum. Past that, it’s a matter of timing and scouting what’s out there.”

I cautioned Jake to drive straight at Bristol, and he did it, giving his team another top-five win. Now, I want him to ram straight into Joey Fisher, back up, and ram straight into him again, except I won’t because no one knows about him and never will.

“I’ll do some scouting with reporters and see if anything else drops to the ground. There might be more than rumors,” I say. Relief fills me as the phone buzzes in my hand. “Hold on.”

Jake: Are you safe to talk? I have my contract offer .

Sarah: I’m surrounded and can’t get away. How bad is it?

Jake: One year. LOduckingL.

Sarah: Did you sign?

Jake: You said not to. I was a good boy and did what I was told, so that should earn me a treat. My treat should be naked. Hint. Hint.

Sarah: It doesn’t, and the hint is rejected. Very sorry. Come to my room later, and we can negotiate.

Jake: You’re amazing, Princess. See you soon.

I set my phone down and look up to see Boone watching me.

His curious eyes only deepen my guilt. “Is there something wrong?” he asks.

I could write him a list, but it would be a thousand pages long. “Nothing’s wrong. Text messages are a constant part of my job.”

Boone’s stare makes it clear he’s unsatisfied with my answer.

To be safe, I send Julian a quick text. His answer is almost immediate.

Julian: The rookie’s team is complaining right now. The new guy has treated them like shit. Also, playing detective is a complete blast. Please send me undercover. We’ll bust this scheme wide open.

You don’t need every puzzle piece to know what the finished image will look like. This one is looking very clear. All that’s left is figuring out how best to solve it. Only, I’m missing a corner piece and the primary image to use as a reference.

That doesn’t even make sense.

Sigh.

∞∞ ∞

I rub my eyes and face as the hotel room door opens.

“Are you tired?” Jake asks. He’s wearing a bowler hat and an obvious wig. Last week, he chose a giant gray beard.

“That fake disguise is more obvious than you in normal attire.”

“You would think so, but I’m world famous. Packs of rabid fans follow me everywhere.”

I roll my eyes and drop the pen onto my nearby notebook. Writing isn’t necessary, but the act keeps me focused and improves my memory. “Sorry to correct you, darling. They were running away in fear.”

“You called me darling,” he says. I glower, bringing out one of Jake’s smiles. “Also, you never answered my question.”

“I was cyber-stalking Pierce Boylan based on something Boone told me.”

Jake’s expression turns serious as he sits on the edge of the bed and leans back on his arms. “What did your brother tell you?” I give him the update from both Boone and Julian. “He’s losing interest,” Jake says as a guess.

“He may not be,” I say, wanting to give hope while not believing it. “Boylan is the primary investor in some new start-ups. He’s also put his house on the market, and it’s rumored he plans to relocate.” Pierce Boylan already lives in North Carolina, which means a physical move would take him away from BP Racing . “You can expect leaks to appear in the media soon. There’s nothing yet, but there will be. You need to be ready for questions.”

“What do I say?” Jake’s arms give out as the impact of what I said grows over him. He falls back on the bed with a loud huff. “This explains my one-year renewal. I mean, what the fuck is that?”

“Say your focus is driving the best that you can, and you’re proud of your team’s performance. No matter what, doing your best is where your energy goes. Refer people to Public Relations. Pretend to be ignorant.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t have an answer yet.”

“You will.”

“Not yet. How close are you and Bert? Does he think of you as only an asset or more?” Jake draws back, trying to understand my question. I try again. “Do you trust him to be honest with you? Will he give you a rehearsed line that all is well, or will he care enough to give you the truth?”

“He would be honest with me,” Jake says, with a hint of doubt. “I think he would. He cares about me; I’m sure of that much.”

If Boone were asked about the future of Rivers Motorsports , he’d turn surly and intimidate the person until they retracted the question. My father would use magic words until the questioner felt embarrassed for asking. “You need to ask Bert. Don’t approach him like an employee worried about his job. Go to him like he’s a trusted mentor.”

“He is a trusted mentor.”

“Good! Use that. He’s someone you care about, and you’ve heard a few things. You want to reassure him as much as the reverse. You’re on his side but also want to know the truth.”

“I’m not that good of an actor,” he says.

I launch a crumbled-up piece of paper at him. Jake catches it.

“You could charm NASCAR officials to hand you a win when you don’t finish. You can do this.”

Jake beams at my backhanded praise. “That’s true, I could. Okay, I’ll ask, and then what? ”

“You’ll give me all your financial information, and I’ll tell you what’s possible.”

“All of it?”

“Even the change in your piggy bank.”

“I spent that on rent years ago.”

“That’s good. It makes my job easier. Pennies always get so dirty.” I rub my fingers together, pretending to wash them.

“You’re enjoying this.”

He’s correct, but I will not admit it. “You asked for my help, and I’m following through. There’s nothing enjoyable about this.”

Jake slowly smiles. “You’re always sexy, even when you aren’t trying to be.” He flattens his hand, presses it against his chest, and then raises it over his head. “Then the prickly princess side of you comes out, and I find you even sexier. Admit it, you like this. You like working with me.”

“I do not.” It’s true. He’s made work fun again, even if challenges remain to be solved.

“We make excellent partners,” he says. My frown only encourages him. “You want to keep working with me.”

“Your ego is bigger than this hotel.”

“It’s even bigger, closer to the size of a superspeedway. Come over here next to me.” Jake indicates the spot next to him with his chin. “I’m going to take your clothes off.”

I don’t move, which only amuses him.

“Oh, it’s like that. You think we’re negotiating,” he says. Jake’s cocky smile tells me I’m about to lose this battle. “Not this time, Princess. We’re doing what I want.”

He stands, and quicker than should be possible, I’m moving through the air, landing on my back in the middle of the king-sized bed .

Jake straddles me, and I cup his thighs.

“You’re going to wear one of my shirts. None of this bullshit.” He taps the Rivers logo on my polo shirt. “It needs my name on it so everyone knows I claimed you.” Jake traces one of my nipples through the cotton material until it puckers, and he switches to the other one. “Or maybe I’ll keep you naked in my trailer. You’ll be on the bed, waiting for me to return after a race.”

He nuzzles at my neck, so I call his name. Jake nips my chin before pulling himself up. I shake my head and lick my lips. He smiles, aware of what I’m about to say.

“Undress. Now.”