Page 39 of Love Collided

“Telling me how terrible my boyfriend has been lately is the right thing?”

“I’m not telling you. I’m reminding you. You’re just pretending you don’t already know it. I’m telling you to remember you’re here doing something thousands of other people would kill to do. If you’re standing around crying about him, they are going to take it from you. It’s up to you and how much you want it to decide if you’re going to sit down and let them.”

Tears brimmed my eyes. He was right, and I hated that. Every single person here today was fighting for a place on a racing team, and I was here nearly in tears over someone who didn’t even show up.

“I wasn’t crying for him.”

“Then why the sad look?”

“I wanted him to step up and be this person. How does he know me for so long and not think I’m worth it?”

“Because he’s not worth it and not willing to get better to match your worth.”

I could only scoff, my mouth dropping open as I looked at him.

“You’re going after what you want,” he continued. “You’re going after something huge that he should have made time for. If he doesn’t make time for it, then he isn’t the person for you. You said it yourself, these guys would never miss a day like this for any of these girls. If he was right, he would show.”

“I guess there could be some truth to that.”

“Would it help if I take over his job duties and kiss you?” He asked, the quiet, playful whisper sending a shiver through me.

“No.”

“Are you sure? I think me kissing you could probably make you forget Jesse even exists.”

“I doubt that,” I said, still trying to catch my breath. He was so close now, I could feel the light press of his body against me and part of me really wanted to lean in and test out his theory.

“I don’t. I wouldn’t stop kissing you until it worked. Until you couldn’t even remember whose air you were breathing.”

“I think that would take a while.”

“Who said I had a time limit?”

He leaned in closer, and I was starting to think I was leaning in too, but then a car started. The engine revving so loud the ground shook, and I jumped back.

Chase’s smile fell as he looked past me to the crew. “You have something more important to focus on, and he is not worth you messing this up.”

“I’m not going to mess this up.”

“Based on how upset you look, I would bet I could beat you out there today.”

“You wish.”

“You already know I could,” he said, a hand reaching up to move a stray lock of hair through his fingers. “I’ve already beatyou twice and I would bet my car I could do it again. I guess if you are too upset, I could take your place today.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“I don’t know. If you’re going to let some stupid man ruin your race, might as well let a different stupid man step in and win this thing for you.”

“Chase.”

“Yes?”

“You’re fucking with me, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. Now, go focus on your race. If you let any one of these guys beat you at this race today, I’m kicking Jesse’s ass.”

“How is that fair?”

---