Page 7 of Wrecking Boundaries (SteelTrack Racing #2)

Rivers Motorsports Headquarters, North Carolina

I bite my lip to keep another silly smile away. There are thousands of horror stories about online dating. If Boone found out, there would be lectures about stalkers, serial killers, and worse. That’s true, but sometimes you get lucky.

Martin: Sports? I’m the only guy in North Carolina who can say he doesn’t care. Is that weird?

Sarah: Not at all. Many people don’t follow them, including me.

Martin: Are you still looking for a job?

Sarah: I received a form email this morning from one of them. They said I was not a suitable candidate, which makes no sense because I exaggerated my resume.

Martin: That’s the trick. You have to lie outright. Entry-level job? Then, you were the junior vice president and also in the executive training program.

I snort. We haven’t even talked in person yet, and he still makes me laugh during every exchange.

Sarah: I handle expense reports.

Martin: See, that’s the responsibility of the executive director of international finance and tax systems.

Sarah: I don’t know what that is.

“Can you do me a favor?” Maddie asks as she walks through my open door. “It’s a big one.”

“Yes, but only for you. How can I help?” I say without hesitation.

“You haven’t heard yet.” She sits in the chair opposite me and leans her head back. “I’m tired.”

“Do you want me to turn the light off so you can nap?” That’s an excellent idea. “We both could.”

“That’s lovely, but not the favor. It’s Rebecca.” She works in marketing and handles much of the on-site work during races. “She had a death in the family and won’t attend the next two races.”

My heart sinks. “You want me to take her place?”

Maddie’s apologetic smile tells me she searched for other options first. “I would fill in, but Boone…”

“Yes, I know. My brother has always been incredibly selfish, with no care or regard for his younger sister.” I shake my head and throw in a dramatic sigh. Maddie ignores it like she always does. “I could convince Julian to go clubbing with me in Vegas.”

“You’ll do it?”

“Of course. Rebecca can take the time she needs, even longer than two weeks. Family first.” I make a note to check with HR so flowers are sent to the funeral.

Maddie claps her hands and stands. “You’re the best.”

I can handle two races; it’s not a big deal. I’ll spend all my time with drivers and their crews, leaving none for Jake.

Martin: Are you still there?

Sarah: Sorry! My actual job got in the way.

Martin: You want to hear a funny story?

Sarah: Always!

Martin: My younger sister is in school to be a teacher. Do you know those blow-up dinosaur costumes? She wore one to a class yesterday, and the little kids mobbed her. They insisted she show them her dinosaur family and dinosaur home .

That’s an odd coincidence. Jake has a younger sister who is also studying to be a schoolteacher. Did he ever say what age range she wanted to teach? I can’t recall.

Sarah: That’s adorable!!!!!

Martin: If their dinosaur dreams can come true, you’ll find your dream job. Okay, lunch is over. I need to sign off.

I drop the phone on my desk and lean against the chair’s headrest. Maddie is the only other person who knows about my online dating efforts. Amongst the sea of dick pics, Martin appeared to ask me about books, and we’ve been chatting ever since. I don’t sense we’re fated for eternity or anything so dramatic, but he’s enjoyable and content to go at my pace.

“I need some womanly advice,” Julian says, taking the seat previously occupied by Maddie. Julian might be the hottest man in NASCAR with his auburn hair and bright blue eyes. He’s also a hopeless flirt and self-proclaimed man whore. “Which set of flowers screams, ‘I know I rocked your world, but please never call me again’?” He shows me a nearby flower shop’s website.

“Unless there is a dead flower bouquet, then none of these. Who was it?” Julian wouldn’t bother with flowers unless it mattered. “Please don’t say you forgot.”

He raises a hand, and I glare. He lowers it. “Sally.”

“Sally, the head of NASCAR’s charity arm?!?!” Unbelievable.

“And I was a charity case.” His smile charms even me.

I grab another Post-it note and start writing. “Don’t send flowers. Meet her in person and apologize for being a jackass. I’ll poke around to see if there’s gossip to worry about.”

“I’ll pay you back soon.”

“This weekend, in Vegas,” I say before any hopeless mooning over Jake develops. “Your job is to keep me entertained. ”

“You’re traveling again?” he asks, surprised. “I thought those days were over.” I explain about Rebecca. “Then you need a distraction from him.”

“Who?”

Julian rolls his eyes. “Everyone thinks I’m dumb. Jake. It is Jake Knowles, right?”

I bite my lip. Maddie wouldn’t tell anyone, not even Boone. She doesn’t know about Martin yet since he’s still my secret. “How did you know?”

“I saw you two talking once last season. You both gave off that slept-together aura.”

We absolutely did not. “Don’t tell, Boone.”

“I won’t need to because you’ll figure it out.” Julian snorts. “You got me here, didn’t you? Plus, you got Boone and Maddie together. You’ll get this one too.”

Julian drove for another team until two years ago when its company folded because of a scandal. He’d be out of the Cup Series if I hadn’t convinced my father to take a chance with him. It’s paid off many times over like I knew it would.

“Maybe I should find someone for you.” I meant it as a joke, but he pales. “I’m not serious.”

Or am I? Julian deserves to be taken down a couple of notches.

His cocky grin reminds me of Jake. “I’m busy living my best single life.”

Liar.

“See you at the slot machines,” I tell Julian as he leaves.

I go back to my job search, staring at a resume for so long the individual words blur and run together. Julian spoke in jest, but he had a point. My successes stem from assisting others.

Sarah: Do you have a minute? I need a project idea. Someone who needs help I can direct my energy towards.

Martin: …

Martin: …

Martin: An animal shelter? Give me time to think.

Welcome to my world. The phrase ‘Give me time to think’ will be etched on my gravestone when I die. Beneath it, in tiny letters, you’ll find ‘She died failing to think of something.’

Sarah: I’m going to do some research. Talk later.

My cell phone rings, and I send it to voicemail after seeing the name. One day, I’ll block Jake’s number.

My office line rings a minute later. “What do you want?” I ask in my best surly voice.

“Hey, Princess. I missed you in Atlanta last week.”

A pang of guilt pricks me. Jake’s team was penalized during the pre-race inspection, so officials had him start at the rear of the pack. It was an innocent mistake, but rules exist for a reason. He ended with a mediocre finish.

“I heard about your penalty. How do you feel?”

“It’s one race, not a big deal at all. Plenty of racing left in the season.” Jake sounds like he’s smiling into the phone. I would know because it’s a trick I employ.

That’s all true, yet I don’t quite believe him. “Even so, I hope Vegas goes better for you.”

“Are you free tonight? I want to see you,” he says.

“We’re not together,” I say.

“Message received. It’s not about that. This is business.”

Is he somehow able to read my mind? His timing is eerie.

I glance around my office for a hiding place or safe room. Everything still looks normal. “What kind of business?”

“Stop being suspicious,” he says, reading my mind again. “ It’s for me. I need business advice from someone I trust who also knows the industry. There’s a project I’ve been working on, and taking it from an idea into action hasn’t gone well.”

“I’m intrigued.” Incredibly curious. Filled with wonder.

“You free for dinner tonight?”

We finalize plans and hang up.

It’s funny. This isn’t a date, yet we somehow chose a place filled with intimate booths and a dress code.

Should I be suspicious?