Page 34 of The Player Penalty
“Matteo Diaz?” Jake asks.
“The very one. He’ll be in the garage today,” I say. That’s Pete’s territory, and Matteo could use an ally if Boone leans into his asshole nature. “You should put him in a truck or more. See how he does.”
Boone’s black eyes lock on to mine. “Seems he’d have the courage to ask directly than send you in his place.”
“Seems I’m the right one to do it, as I also worked with him for nearly two years. I’ll spot for him, too,” I shoot back.
“Let me check him out,” Jake says, thinking he’s playing referee. “If you want additional feedback, let me see what he’s got.”
“You still owe Derek several races this year,” Pete says for the first time. Jake’s shoulders stiffen at the mention of his old spotter. Boone hired the man out from under him while they were in the middle of their ridiculous feud, both of them thinking they were gaining the upper hand when they were both idiots. “Might be we only need to field one car, save us some costs.”
Why the fuck not? “Throw me in the mix while we’re at it. I’d enjoy racing in more circuits.”
“Julian, do you realize you’re fourth in points right now?” Boone asks.
I thump my chest. “Nothing but raw talent in this room. You two might learn a thing or two from me.” Jake laughs while Boone glowers. “As for Matteo, have Sarah join us for his next race. I’ll ask Lily, and we can make an evening of it.”
I don’t relish her meeting the man again; otherwise, she’ll enjoy herself.
∞∞∞
“We’re not done,” Pete says to me once the meeting ends. He indicates my chair with a sharp glare, and I slink right back into it.
Jake gives a sympathetic shoulder slap on his way out the door.
“Nothing is going on between me and your daughter,” I say once we’re alone because it’s beyond fucking obvious what he wants from me.
“Keep it that way, or I will personally ensure your engine catches fire during every race from now until the end of the season. I brought her intoRMSto support her, not for you to use her in a round of Humpty-dumpy in between all the other floozies you go gallivanting off with. Do I make myself clear?”
“Like a perfect piece of crystal.” There are many things I’ve expected in life. Being accused of Humpty-dumpy by a sixty-five-year-old man with thinning gray hair and deep wrinkles is not one of them. “There’s nothing going on between us; you have my word.”
“Your word matters as much to me as used oil from a busted-up Ford. Lily says the same, and as long as it stays that way, we’ll let it be. I think she might even be a good influence on you. It’s now several weeks in a row with you showing a hint of skill behind the wheel. See if you can keep it up. Now go.”
Rather than go, I scram.
∞∞∞
Sweat pours down my back and chest. After Pete’s lecture, if that’s what it was, I decided an extended workout session would relieve some of the stress running through me.
Besides me, Boone runs on his machine while also doing a remarkable job of pretending I don’t exist. He’d make a fortune at it if he could take the act on a world tour.
“You knew what he would say.”
Boone doesn’t smile because he never does, but he can deliver the occasional smirk. “I had an idea. Don’t worry; your contract is safe. Pete knows you’re worth keeping around, even if he makes your life hell.”
It’s the first time Boone described my contract as a done deal. “I meant what I said in there. More circuits and more time working talent.”
Boone doesn’t even slow. “You have existing commitments to keep.”
“And I’m keeping them.”
“For now.”
Adrenaline is flowing in me, which makes me want to do something dumb. I pause the machine. “We just pointed out my performance this season.” It’s the best of my career.
“Let’s hope it continues.”
“Fuck you, Boone Rivers.”
