Page 47 of The Player Penalty
“If your offer to act as his spotter is still there, we’re taking it,” Boone says, pulling me out of my trance. “He trusts you, andfrankly, he’ll take guidance from you much easier than he will from me.”
“The offer is there, and I’m accepting.” I take a swig of my beer and set it down. It’s already warm despite being full. “He’s good, and he’ll get better.”
Most of my coaching skills come from my father, which bothers me. He can train a person to race; I owe him that much. My approach differs from his in two critical ways: I don’t threaten or intimidate.
“So are you,” Boone says, and my neck snaps. “He’s premiering in two weeks, and I want you to do the same. You want to get back into an Xfinity race; this is your chance.”
The cars are a different challenge than the Cup cars, but no less difficult. “I’m taking it.” Lily doesn’t notice our conversation. If she had, I’m sure she would demand we celebrate somehow.
“We’ll be competing in all three series for the first time.” The pride in his voice creeps into me. It’s been Boone’s goal since he took over from his father. “I promised Derek he’ll get his chance, too. If you want to engage with that, I’ll take you up on it.”
Derek once worked for Jake before Boone hired him.
I pinch my chin so my jaw closes back up. “You know I will.”
“Good,” he says, standing up. “It’s nice to see this professionalism in you. Keep it up.”
There it is, asshole Boone coming out. “Same guy I’ve always been.”
He doesn’t hear me, and now Matteo is talking to Lily.
Fanfuckingtastic.
I head to the restaurant entrance to make a phone call.
Alone in the quiet parking lot, I dial a familiar number. “Dad, it’s me…”
“We’re sorry, this message box is full.” The female robot’s voice taunts me.
I’ve often wondered if he ever listened to my messages, and now there’s an answer.
∞∞∞
Will someone please explain why I’m the odd man out here?
Boone is busy flirting with his wife, which is great. He isn’t speaking to me, and he makes Maddie happy for some damn reason I’ll never understand. Lily and Sarah are still busy discussing whatever the hell they need to talk about, while Jake and Matteo are engaged in another equally useless conversation.
Lily turns, like she senses me spying on her, and flashes a smile.
“Are you two fighting?” Jake asks. “Not like I’m spying, but you two haven’t spoken a single word to each other all night. My advice? Apologize. Own up, then find her favorite dessert and feed it to her.”
“We’re just friends,” I stammer out. Plus, there’s a ten-year age difference between us. For all Boone said tonight, he’ll take it back if Pete Webb insists. Pete is the man who will build out his garage, and Boone trusts him more than he ever will me. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Nothing except fantasizing about taking her virginity while she wears that white dress or jerking myself off at the idea of becoming her teacher with her legs wrapped around my hips.
“If that’s true, why do you sit here and sulk? You want my advice?”
“Not particularly, but you’re going to give it, anyway.”
Jake smiles. “You got to press down on the throttle to win the race.”
“Racing analogies? Really?”
“You need to block your competitor when he goes for a pass.” Jake nods towards Matteo, who deliberately moves towards Lily.
“I got it, thanks,” I say before standing.
“You need to thank your teammates when they bump you into the lead,” he says, copying my movements.
