Page 50 of Formula Chance

I don’t respond, just hold her gaze as the music swells around us. There’s a connection here, something unspoken but undeniable. For a moment, I forget about everything else—the past, the future, the walls I’ve built around myself.

When I dip my head to look at her, I muse, “I wonder how much trouble we’d get in if I just kissed you right now.”

Bex glances around. “I imagine it would shock some, others not so much.”

It’s true. While Bex and I are careful not to display affection while we’re working, no one can mistake the easygoing relationship we’ve established, the pointed looks exchanged that we can read without words being spoken, the bantering that extends beyond the normal working relationship. People likely suspect, but they don’t know exactly what’s going on between us.

Hell, neither do I.

The song ends but we don’t break apart. I’m loath to let her go, for someone else to step in and put their hands on her.

Before I can say anything, a voice cuts through the crowd. “Nash!”

I turn to see Reid Hemsworth approaching, his easy Aussie smile firmly in place and that bleached-blond surfer hair sticking up in a million different directions. Beside him is a tall, broad-shouldered man with a slicked-back hairstyle and who looks so similar to Reid, there’s no doubt they’re brothers. With them is a woman with flaming red hair and gray eyes that seem shuttered with worry.

Reid and I shake hands, and I introduce him to Bex. He pumps her hand vigorously. “The new Titans strategy phenom,” he exclaims. “You’re the talk of the circuit these days.”

Bex laughs it off. “I’m not all that interesting, but it’s great to meet you. I’m a big fan.”

Reid turns to the couple with him. “This is my brother, Lance, and his fiancée, Lara Candlish.”

We all shake hands and I don’t miss that after I break apart from Lara’s soft grip, Lance pulls her into his side with a hard squeeze to her waist. So hard she winces, and I glance at Bex who saw it too.

Reid doesn’t and launches into a story about one of the sponsor’s daughters who’s been hitting on him all night, and not in a good way. “She’s all handsy and won’t leave me alone. In fact, I think we’re going to bug out early.”

Even though he’s clearly distressed about it, not wanting to offend the sponsor who controls the purse strings, I can’t help but tease him. “Come on, mate. It’s a perk of the job, right? To get as many track kittens after you as possible.”

The minute the words are out, I regret them. They were nothing but banter, but I’m immediately reminded that it was a photo of me at a party with scantily dressed women that was the catalyst for the demise of my relationship with Bex. I glance at her, and she’s clearly transported back there as well, if the dullness in her eyes is any indication.

She catches my look and immediately shakes it off, putting a bright smile on her face. “How about you just tell her you’re gay and that should nip it in the bud.”

Reid barks out a laugh. “That’s a great idea. If she approaches me again, I’m going full-on gay mode. Guess those big strategy brains of yours are good for more than just winning races.”

We continue talking, Reid, Bex and I lapsing into race talk. It’s not meant to exclude his brother though, and I attempt on a few occasions to include them in the conversation. But his brother is standoffish and his fiancée is eerily quiet, and I wonder what the story is.

“I need to use the restroom,” Lara says, looking up at Lance, and it feels like she’s asking for permission. That makes my hackles rise.

Before he can answer, Bex steps in. “So do I. Come on, let’s go find it together.”

Lara’s expression is nothing short of grateful and she doesn’t look at Lance as Bex leads her away. He watches her closely, glare narrowed and unapproving. “If you’ll excuse me,” he says, not looking at either me or Reid.

He takes off following Lara and Bex through the crowd.

Never one to sugarcoat things, I glance at Reid. “Your brother isn’t the friendliest.”

Reid’s expression is guarded. “It’s complicated.”

“Let me guess,” I say, tucking my hands in my pockets. “He’s jealous of your success.”

Reid blinks in surprise. “Yeah… how’d you know?”

“Only a lucky guess, but it’s usually the cause of strife in most sibling relationships.”

“He races too but never could make it out of FI3.”

“But he came here to support you, right?”

Reid laughs without a hint of amusement. “He’s here to make contacts. Thinking he can talk his way onto a team, but honestly… he’s washed up and has a bad reputation for being too inconsistent to take a chance on.”

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