Page 4 of Revved up & Ready

“Cowards,” I scoff, accidentally blowing foam off the head of my beer onto the freshly wiped counter.

Luke glares at the dissolving bubbles, then walks off to help another knock-offRace Nakedguy.

My phone buzzes, reminding me of the hundreds of posts I’ve been tagged in tonight.It’s fucking surreal.That video went viral months ago, and it’s still making the rounds. I scroll through the posts while I wait for Luke to get a lull in his line.

First up—someone with a highlighter and sharpie smiley face safety-pinned to a pair of tighty-whities.

Next—a girl in a bicycle helmet, jeans, and a smiley-face t-shirt.

Then—Oh wow.Someone who really did commit to thenakedpart of the costume.Good for them.

The next few are photos of people inRace Nakedt-shirts they bought off the website I threw together in a rush when this whole thing started.

Finally, I land on one I haven’t seen anyone else post—a blonde babe with her hair in space buns. She’s wearing a pink t-shirt that saysShow Me Your Willie, the fabric drenched like she spilled a drink on it. She’s holding a red plastic cup, leaning toward the camera with a laugh.

I scroll through a few more posts but find myself going back to hers again and again—her smiling face, her tight, wet tank top. She even has dimples.Fucking adorable.

Sadie

Six years ago, an overrated steakhouse– Portland, Oregon

“I thought you’d be excited,” Jared says, stepping in front of me and placing his hands on my shoulders.

“I was—I am. I just—” I stumble over my words, not wanting to sound ungrateful. “We’re celebrating my new job, and you said you’d plan something special forme.”

“And I did, sweetie,” he says, his voice hurt despite my attempts to soften the blow. He runs his fingers down my arm and squeezes my hand. “These weren’t easy reservations to get.”

A woman in a cocktail dress squeezes past us, making me realize we’re blocking the entrance to the restaurant. I step aside, pulling Jared with me.

“I just—That Italian place is my favorite. You said you’d get reservations there,” I half-whisper. “I don’t really like steak.”

“Isthatwhat you’re upset about?” He smiles, rolling his eyes likeI’m an adorable little idiot.“I’m sure there’s pasta or something here.”

“It feels like you picked a place for you—like what I wanted was an afterthought.” I search his face for some kind of recognition, but he just stares back. “Can you see how I’d feel that way?” I ask.

He throws up his hands, impatience flaring. “We have reservations here.”

Stunned, I gape after him as he turns and walks into the restaurant without me.Where did that come from?It’s unlike him to snap at me. Did something happen today that upset him?Is he angry with me for wanting him to eat at my favoriterestaurant? Maybe I am being ungrateful. I shouldn’t have said anything—

“Going in?” a deep voice asks.

Looking up, I find a tall man with bright red hair flashing a huge grin. He’s standing between me and the restaurant door. His black button-up conceals the bottom half of the tattoos crawling up his neck—a roaring cheetah, traditional roses, and a checkered flag with the number207.Holy shit. It’s theRace Nakedguy.

I always thought he was good-looking, but in person? He’sunreasonablyattractive. It’s hard not to stare at how perfectly his features come together. His chiseled jaw and high cheekbones ground his almost-too-large mouth, and his nose, which has clearly been broken at least once, adds character. Tattooed fingers sweep through deep copper hair that falls onto his forehead, revealing intense blue-green eyes locked on mine.

My stomach gives a little flip.Get it together. This man races motorcycles. More importantly—your boyfriend is inside. Even if Jared’s being an ass for some reasonI don’t understand, I can’t stand here and drool over Cameron Hacker.

Cam

Six years ago, an overrated steakhouse–Portland, Oregon

The gorgeous blonde blinks up at me through glassy, caramel-colored eyes, her cheeks flushing deeper with every passing second we stand here.Does that little brown-haired fucker who just went inside have her on the verge of tears?Normally, I’d break the silence, but I don’t want to rush her, even if it makes me late to meet my agent.

“Um, hi,” she says, and it’s been long enough that I’ve forgotten what I asked her in the first place.

I introduce myself, and she stares at my extended hand for a moment before shaking it.

“Yeah, my boyfriend loves your videos,” she says, offering a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

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