Page 23 of Happy Hour

I don’t know why I asked. I knew the answer just by the way they looked at each other. She was trying her hardest to flaunt her tits in his face and he was looking everywhere else he could to avoid her. Over the years, I’d seen this exact dance between him and nameless pit lizards.

Alley sighed. “I don’t know,” her tone was dismissive as it always was when speaking of Jameson’s encounters with women. “My contract doesn’t include monitoring Jameson’s sex life. They don’t pay me enough forthat.”

I was on the verge of tears when she turned in her seat and forced me to look at her. “I’m warning you.” Alley pointed at me. “Don’t do what you’re thinking.”

“I didn’t—” I began and quickly silenced by her murderous glare.

“I know you and I know what you’re thinking. You think if you sleep with him you can convince him he loves you.”

Am I really that transparent?

Trying to hold onto any remaining dignity her glare didn’t destroy, I didn’t say anything.

“Don’t do it.” She warned once more and then called the waiter over. “Pick something,” she tossed me a menu. “We’re getting drunk.”

Spencer, sporting a new spider man bandage above his eyebrow, sat down next to me and swung his arm around my chair.

“I suggest you remove your arm.” I warned grimly, my mood turning for the worst.

Screaming or crying, either one was a good option as I watched woman after woman throw themselves into Jameson’s arms. Trying to analyze his every move, I knew Jameson, and I knew exactly what he did when his interest was piqued. So far, he showed none of those signs; he actually appeared uncomfortable with it all.

“Spencer,” Alley voice brought me back around to reality.

Spencer, who’d been staring at the menu, flinched looking over at her but quickly looked the direction of the door when Alley mouthed something to him.

“What are you guys whispering about?” I asked scanning the room to see if I missed something. My eyes focused on the bar to see Jameson and a guy standing inches from his face.

He was around the same height as Jameson, dirty blonde hair, but I couldn’t see anything beside that with his back to me.

I did notice the tall blonde attached to his hip though that resembled Chelsea.

We watched for a moment but when Spencer rose knocking his chair to the ground, I realized that the conversation between Jameson and this guy was getting heated.

With a familiar cavalierly, Jameson set his beer down and stepped toward the guy. His eyes took on that dark glower I also knew well.

The woman, seeming uninterested, disappeared into the bathroom while the guy continued to talk to Jameson, waving his arms around as if he was explaining something.

Alley and I got up following Spencer over to the bar when we picked up what was being said. By now, the entire bar was listening.

“Just because your dad provided the ride doesn’t mean you’re hot shit, Jameson.” The guy said.

Once closer, I recognized him as Darrin Torres, driver of the number fourteen car that Jameson beat for the win tonight.

Darrin and Jameson had history dating back to their days racing USAC and had frequent run-ins so far this year—including a very public brawl after the Winston just a week ago.

Let’s just say these two werenotfriends, and never would be.

Jameson leaned back against the bar again creating distance, trying to appear as if he didn’t give a shit. He probably didn’t.

“Darrin,” Jameson spoke slowly shaking his head, his voice surprisingly calm—it sounded all the more threateningly that way. “Just because my dad owns the team I race for, doesn’t mean I can’t drive. Who won tonight?”

“By three tenths of an inch,” Darrin snorted with glib smile. “hardly a win.”

Jameson laughed darkly, the impassiveness remaining imperturbable. “Any way you want to look at it Darrin, I won.” he looked away from Darrin. With a nod, he motioned for the bar tender to get him another beer. “How’s second place feel?”

“How’s that fine of $50,000 feel?”

Jameson laughed. “Oh I don’t know...didn’t you hear?” his hand casually drug along the stubble of his jaw. “They dropped the fine.” His eyes then scanned Darrin. “Said the test came back inconclusive and nothing was found in the post race inspection. Try harder next time.”

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