Page 8 of Refuel

“That will never happen,” I announced.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Rylee remarked.

4

Arianna

Once lunch was over, Jackson called me to come up to headquarters to discuss his expectations of my first race. I pulled into the parking structure and turned my car off, taking the key out of the ignition. Removing my seatbelt, I sat back, taking in the venue and smiling at what I was preparing to do. When I was younger, I’d always wanted to get into racing, but my family felt I was caught up in the hype of the glamour and riches of being famous. In my eyes, driving was an escape for me. A path to release all the stress of the world and let it all fly away, to focus on point A to B. Racing was a male-dominated world. I knew this, but I would never let my dream fade from my mind. Even if Jackson declined, I’d find another way to get on a team.

“Ready,” I whispered, opening the door and stepping out.

Rylee and Essence came around to the driver’s side as the paparazzi bolted toward me with flashes of cameras and microphones.

“Arianna Pierce, are you Kash Coleman’s fiancée?” one reporter asked.

“What!” I screeched.

“Arianna, let us have the exclusive interview with you and Kash,” a second reporter requested, and I pushed my way through the door.

“Nobody is getting married. Do your research, people,” Essence chastised, yelling at the security to do something. I walked over to the elevator and scanned my badge as we stepped on.

“You think he changed his mind?” Essence asked.

“I hope not,” I replied.

The elevator stopped on the twenty-fifth floor, and I stepped off, heading in the direction of his office. Waving to his secretary, I knocked on his door and waited for him to invite me in.

“It’s open!” Jackson yelled.

I turned the knob, walked inside, and froze when I saw the person standing near the corner of the window.

“It’s you,” Kash said, giving me a hard stare.

“What is he doing here?” I questioned.

“Colton, what’s going on?” Rylee asked. I noticed him in the corner with a wide smirk on his face, along with Malik and my dad. I hoped this wasn’t some type of intervention.

“Jackson called me because the media is getting out of hand with the reports on Kash and Arianna,” Colton answered as he grabbed her in a hug, kissing her cheek.

“We saw them outside. Are they at CD Enterprises, too?” I inquired, running a hand up my arms, trying to keep my eyes off Kash.

“They are, and I know you want to race soon, but I’m thinking we need to wait,” Jackson replied.

“Wait! She wants to race cars?” Kash inquired.

“Yes, I do, and the name is Arianna. I recall you calling it over and over again without any problems.”

“Ari, we don’t need to hear all that!” Malik shouted.

Kash licked his lips, not taking his eyes off me. I felt naked in his presence. Clearing my throat, I stated, “Uhm, Jackson, I want to go through with my race. It shouldn’t change if you keep them in a certain area so as not to interrupt anything. This is my big chance.”

“You guys can’t be serious to allow a chick in a race,” Kash remarked.

“They are, and it’s none of your business what Pierce Motors does, Mr. Coleman.”

“Kamden,” Kash replied.

“What?” I questioned, taking in a sharp breath.

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