Page 19 of Endurance

“You’re right on that front. It definitely shouldn’t have happened. The Sloan Atwood I know is better than that. You’ve got to get your shit together. You’re driving too fast on a dead-end road, brother. You need to change tracks completely.”

I sighed, knowing how right he was.

“Milo hired a firm to help me out. The PR rep showed up at my house this morning. They lined up some shit to clean up my image—whatever that means. That’s the reason I came here today. I haven’t been here in quite a while, and I wasn’t sure how it would feel coming back. Plus, the chick with the PR firm…” I trailed off, trying to find the words to describe what happened with Kallie. “She came by the house this morning. I’m not sure if she’s going to work out.”

“Why not?”

Before I could respond, I heard a thunderous noise coming from the track. I drew in a sharp breath and turned to see the cars moving into their starting positions. The rumble of their engines caused a quiver deep in my bones. I was instantly overwhelmed with jealousy and desperate longing. I wanted to be down there—not up in a box talking about bullshit with Colton. I craved the feeling of the tires roaring beneath my legs, the high that came during every turn, and the euphoric rush that was produced only when I hit top speed. I shifted my weight just enough to feel the dull ache in my hip—a reminder of why I’d never be behind the wheel of a race car again.

I bitterly tore my gaze from the track and turned back to Colton. I tried to ignore the pity in his eyes. He knew without explanation what I’d just been thinking about.

“She’s not going to work out because I don’t want her help,” I told him as if the answer were really that simple and not about the consuming need I had for the mysterious rainbow mermaid who’d taken up residence in my psyche from the moment I first saw her.

“You never were one to ask for help,” Colton said warily and shook his head. “All I can say is to give this woman a chance. PR is her thing, after all. Maybe she can help you get around the bend.”

“It isn’t about not accepting the help—I’m open to it. God knows I need all the assistance I can get right now. I just don’t wantheras my rep.” I paused and rubbed my thumb and index finger over my chin, thinking about all of the other ways Ididwant her. “She might not want to represent me anymore anyway. I may or may not have screwed things up with her this morning.”

“How so?”

Lowering my hand, I looked squarely at my friend.

“I kissed her.”

Colton’s eyes widened.

“You what? I mean, not that I’m one to throw stones, but didn’t you just meet her?”

“I guess you could say that. I saw her on the beach yesterday, but we never actually met until this morning. I don’t know what came over me. Hell, she isn’t even my type. All I know is that she was on the beach, then I couldn’t stop thinking about her. When that very same woman showed up at my house this morning, I was shocked to see her there. It felt like too much of a coincidence. We talked, and before she was about to leave, I realized I didn’t want her to go. So, I went all caveman-like, grabbed her, and kissed her. I can only imagine what she thinks now.”

Colton started to laugh.

“Ballsy move. Did she kiss you back at least?”

A slow grin spread across my face as I recalled the memory of her petite hands curling around my neck.

“Oh, yeah. She definitely kissed me back—at first. Then she seemed to remember herself and pulled away. I think I caught her off guard. Supposedly, Milo gave her a file on me, and I’m pretty sure the file didn’t list presuming playboy as a character description.”

Colton let out a low whistle.

“Fuck, man. Now what?”

“I told her I’d meet her here tomorrow morning. I guess I’ll find out then. She’s got something set up with Corporate Cares. I’m not sure if your wife has anything to do with it.”

“Rylee mentioned she would be here tomorrow for a photoshoot with the boys. I didn’t realize it had anything to do with you, though. What’s the name of this PR agent?”

“Kallie.”

Colton scratched his chin contemplatively.

“Hang on. I have a better idea, one that might make things less awkward—you know, soften Kallie up, so she gets to know you a little better before tomorrow. I mean, I know how much you like your women, but you aren’t a total dick.”

I frowned.

“Okay. So… what’s your idea?” I asked hesitantly. I wasn’t sure where Colton was going with this.

“It makes sense to get her and Rylee together since they’ll be working together tomorrow. I think the four of us could all have dinner tonight—you, Kallie, me, and Rylee.”

“I don’t think I can call her up and ask her to dinner at this point,” I said with a laugh.

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