Page 111 of Love Collided

It didn’t matter. No matter what happened now, Scout was right. I couldn’t have this life and have her.

THIRTY-ONE

CHASE

My bag was already packedfor Vegas when I picked up my phone and called Ash.

“If you’re calling to explain what the hell happened the other night, I’m listening, because Scout is not talking. If you’re calling because you think I’m somehow going to make Scout not hate you again, you might as well hang up now, because there is no use,” Ash said, but I could almost hear the smile in her voice.

I laughed. “At least you picked up the phone, so I might still have a chance. I was calling because I need a favor.”

“Alright, what is it?”

“I know you are all going to Vegas, and I want to get a ride with you.”

“You think showing up unannounced on her race week is the best option to not piss her off? Maybe if you tell me what exactly happened, I could be more helpful.”

“I can’t wait another day waiting to hear back from her, so this is currently my only option. And no, I won’t be saying what happened, but let’s leave it at—she saw me being an asshole and called me out for it.”

“As she should. I really want to demand for you to tell me more, but I think the less I know, the better. The plane takes offin an hour, so hurry up. My dad got a private plane for the teams, and I think we have an extra spot. I’ll text you the address. A quick heads up, if she doesn’t want you on the plane and sends the guys to take you off of it, there will be no putting up a fight. This is my dad’s business, and some of his partners are coming. We can’t have a fight going on.”

I grabbed my keys and bag and was already heading out the door. “That’s all fair. I’ll be there shortly. And thank you, Ash. I owe you.”

“And I will be holding you to that. Just try to get yourself on the plane before you promise anything more.”

I laughed and thanked her again before heading out. My Porsche had been mysteriously delivered yesterday. The last way Scout cut our ties. I had been mad when I first saw it, but it didn’t matter. I didn’t need her around to fix my car.

I sped up. The address Ash gave me was about thirty minutes away, and I would need to get there with plenty of time to get on and stay on.

It was clear where I could park when I got there. Two of the crew’s cars were parked in the small parking lot. My heart rate picked up when I got out and grabbed my bag. I wanted to think I could be relaxed about this, but if Scout tried to tell me to leave, I didn’t know if I could go as easily as Ash told me I would have to.

I stepped onto the plane, Kye and Jax greeted me immediately, and the rest of the crew turned to chime in. Everyone seemed fine with me coming, but when I turned around, I came face-to-face with my beautiful little ankle-biter.

And she looked ready to fucking bite.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes wide as I set my bag down.

“Going to Vegas.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to see you race.”

Her eyes rolled hard, and her hand flew to her hips, the stance only helping her angry glare. “I think you made it clear that you don’t want to do that.”

“Do you want to talk outside for a second?” I asked, leaning down to whisper the rest. “Because some of the things I want to say will make what’s happening between us very clear.”

“No. I don’t, and there is nothing between us now,” she hissed. Her foot tapped a few times before she looked up at me, her face not giving away even a hint of emotion. “You’re seriously trying to come with us?”

“Bags packed, and I’m here, so yes.”

She stared at me for a few more seconds before turning on her heel and going to sit down. The plan was set up in clusters of seats, and she sat off on her own, the rest of the crew packed around with Holt.

They were shutting the doors, and she didn’t kick me off, so I took that as one win. I wasn’t sure how fast I could push it, but I was going to see. I needed to know how upset she was before I could figure out how to fix this.

I headed over, sitting in the seat next to her. Her headphones were in, and she still wasn’t smiling. I knew I couldn’t expect it from her, but it felt like I put us right back at square one. My arm pressed against hers, and I leaned back, closing my eyes. After days of chaos, that calm feeling she always brought into my life finally returned, and I leaned in more to revel in it.

“Gummy worm,” she said, making me sit back up.

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