Page 9 of Narrow Margins

“I said yes. For fucks sake, calm down.” I huff, exasperated with my manager.

“Good, stop wasting your time and get back out there. Y’know the team want you back, too?” Manny sighs.

“No! They dropped me without even talking to me. Fuck’em, if ten years of me was that easy to forget then I don’t want them.” I’m still so pissed that, if I ever get back to racing, it sure as hell won’t be with them.

“Okay, okay! No need to shoot the messenger. So, yes, to De’ath of You, you’re finally going to get your pretty face out there.” Manny sniggers.

“Tell me why I keep you?” I snarl, wandering around my room as I collect clothes to pack. I’ve been offered a place to stay while I’m over at the De’ath of You headquarters. Troy Ballantyne has been relentless in his pursuit to get me to work for them, but I needed to get my head straight. The whole trial was hard to forget but it was Corrie that hurt the worst. His face was so strong and handsome as he sat and told them how that evening went down. He could even prove the time we exchanged numbers and his cab ride away.

My memory hadn’t done him justice, he’d been working out more; I could see how much his gait had improved. You wouldn’t be able to tell he has a prosthesis. I wanted to speak to him but I couldn’t, not until the trial was over with and then I couldn’t bring myself to call him. I doubt if he’ll ever want to see me again and now, with this move, the chance of seeing him again is zero.

I still can’t work out what it is about him that gets me so hot. I’ve been to a few gay bars since the trial and I saw other men who were attractive. The muscles, the tattoos, the confidence they exuded; it ticked all the right boxes for me, but I didn’t feel the heat and magnetism I felt with Corrie fucking Deschamps.

“Hey, dickwad! Are you listening to me?” Manny’s voice breaks through my thoughts.

“What? No, not at all. What are you going on about now?” I throw my washbag into the suitcase.

“I said, try not to be a cocky bastard. However much they want to meet you, if you act like a dick, they will turn you down. You won’t get a second chance, Ballantyne and Angeles are tough; they are the ones every guy in the US wants to be like. These two can do no fucking wrong. If they don’t like you then nobody else will either.” Manny rants. “I wish you’d let me come with you.”

“Chill, Manny. Jeez, you’re going to work yourself into an early grave. Quit whining and let me get there. I’ll call you when it’s done.” I end the call before he can pick on any other negative traits I have. I shake my head, laughing, as I zip up my case and head out.

Loading up the Shelby, I remember the way Corrie stroked the hood. Christ, I have got to get over this obsession. I chose to ignore him, I’ve blown any chance of ever getting near him again. I couldn’t even bring myself to make eye contact with him. I knew, if I did, I wouldn’t be able to hide my desire for him. Locking up the house, I turn and climb into my car. The drive is easy although a long one. I look forward to the sunshine and heat; I’ve had enough of the cold.

Stopping for a coffee and gas, I check my cell. A message from Troy confirms my meeting. I fire one back, agreeing and giving him my ETA. Smiling, I gun it the rest of the journey. I’ve booked in at a hotel so I can grab some sleep before tomorrow.

As I navigate the city, following the GPS to get me to the hotel, I see it’s a good place to live: plenty of open spaces and the marina looks awesome. Fifteen minutes later, I hand my keys over to a very happy valet and enter the hotel. Grabbing my key card, I head up to my suite.

I decide to play nice and keep my manager informed.“Manny, I’m at the hotel. I’ve confirmed the meeting time for tomorrow, so I’m gonna crash now. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

“Thanks, Griff, and good luck. I only nag because you’re worth it, man.”

“I’m not sure about that, but thanks anyway. Later, man.” I end the call and head for the shower. Standing under the hot spray, the image of Corrie comes back to mind and I’m instantly hard. Sliding my hand down my stomach, I grip my cock and stroke it. The image of his face when he stares down at me as he pumps slowly inside me, fuck! That’s all it takes, and I come over my fist, my head resting against the tiled cubicle as I ride out the aftershock of my orgasm.

I’m in the parking lot outside De’ath of You Headquarters and check out the cars. There’s some fucking money here: there’s a sleek, black Ferrari parked in one of the front bays, as well as BMWs and Mercedes’. These guys sure are the big boys. For a moment I feel anxious, maybe Manny should have come with me. I shake my nerves away and remind myself they want me, they have courted me and waved the possibility of some big bucks.

Here goes nothing. Walking in, I notice a woman standing by the reception desk, smiling broadly at me.

“Mr. Broderick, it’s lovely to meet you. Would you like to follow me, I can take you to Mr. Ballantyne? He has gathered a few other members of the team for you to meet, too.” She turns as my face blanches, “You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Broderick.”

Mere minutes later, I’m shell-shocked. Not because of the group of stunningly handsome and powerful men, but because Corrie sits opposite me. It hits me how badly I hurt him when he says he’s out and stalks from the room.

I hear him call out my name, I want to turn to him. There are so many questions I want answered, questions that run through my mind when I can’t sleep. But now he’s here, in front of me, I want to escape. He gains on me but still I don’t make a move, maybe he’ll simply walk past me. Leaning back against the wall, I close my eyes.

“Corrigan, Corrie, I’m sorry.” Griff stands in front of me when I open my eyes, his face pale. He looks stunned. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Yeah, I gathered that. Look, Griff, go back to your meeting. They are offering you something too good to turn down. I know these guys; you won’t get a second chance.” I glance over his shoulder, expecting to see my brother appear any moment.

“Yeah? How do you know this?” Griff’s eyes suddenly fill with mistrust.

“Raff McMahon is my brother, it’s a long story. So, I’m family, I knew they were after someone hot but they never mentioned any names.” How did I not know who they were talking about?

“Okaaay,” Griff exaggerates his word, “I’d better get back.” He turns but peers back as he gets to the doorway, “Would you like to have dinner with me?”

“No, thanks.” I can’t believe he wants to talk to me, why now?

“What do you mean, no thanks?” He seems shocked. As if we are old friends catching up.

“I mean, I don’t want to have dinner with you.” I move towards the elevator but Griff is back and grabs my arm. I gaze down at it and wait for him to let go. “Why do you want to?”

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