Page 6 of Refuel

A thin smile edged his lips.

“The real question is why you continue dealing with her,” he said.

“Kash! Kash! Are the rumors true?” a reporter called out, and I decided it was time for me to get out of dodge before Colton heard about this.

I threw my shades back on and dapped fists with Tennessee before sliding out the side door toward my car to head home and prepare for my upcoming race.

3

Arianna

I stood at the window of Pierce Motors prepared to talk with my cousin when I glanced and saw the cars drafting around the track. I saw number twenty-five almost spin out of control, but he recovered the wheel in time.

I walked into Jackson’s office with Essence behind me as support. I wasn’t leaving without an answer today and now that the news got out with photos of me in Vegas, I needed to make my case for why I deserved a spot as a driver.

“Hi, cousin,” I said, walking forward. I wore my best suit and had my hair freshly braided up in case I got to do a few laps. Jackson glared, put the newspaper down on his desk, and tapped his finger on the call button. I was already imagining the attitude I’d end up dealing with, but I tried to avoid him until it was necessary.

“I wanted to talk alone,” I said.

He pointed at Essence standing next to me.

“Essence doesn’t count,” I commented, and Jackson grunted.

“Where is she?” I heard Malik call out over the intercom.

“Calm down, Malik. Come to my office if you can control your temper,” Jackson reminded him.

Essence patted my shoulder for moral support.

“Fine,” Malik stated.

“You’re the talk of the town, Arianna. Not for the right reasons I must say.” Jackson was older and considered me a little sister. At least he gave me breathing room to make mistakes, unlike my brothers and father.

“I know, and I apologize about that. I was celebrating with friends, and things got a little out of hand.”

“More than out of hand, Arianna. You’ree on the front page with your tongue down Kamden’s throat. New York Style is talking about you two as the new ‘it’ couple. They have you guys getting married and having kids secretly,” Jackson fussed.

“Jackson, you know more than anyone how the media spins things,” I answered, and the door popped open with Malik coming inside.

“I don’t want to hear it, Malik,” I said, ignoring his harsh glare.

“You need to hear because you’re acting reckless, Ari.” He called me by the nickname he gave to me when I was younger. He was the only one who got away with calling me Ari in our family and friends.

“Jackson, I want to race,” I started, getting down to the point of this visit.

Malik and Jackson peered at each other, then burst into laughter.

Appalled, I jumped up with my hands on my hips and pointed my finger between the two.

“Arianna, you are not driving for Pierce Motors or any other team. It’s too dangerous,” Malik said.

“I’m talking to Jackson, the owner and CEO,” I spat, then sighed at the disappointed look on Jackson’s face.

“Arianna, you’re too young to be racing,” Jackson told me.

“I’m twenty-three, and most of your guys who race are twenty-one. So, that’s no excuse, and you’re only saying no because I’m a girl.”

Malik shrugged his shoulders, and I stepped over, facing Jackson and blocking out Malik.

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