Page 9 of Start Your Engines

Ralf rolls his eyes with a grin that reminds me of days karting with Niki and my parents. Ralf could outrace all of us, but instead, he’d coast behind Niki and me and note how we could improve to give us pointers later.

“Of course I would, and he’d probably listen. A boss doesn’tneeda partner, but it helps. Your dad had your mum to support him. You have Jacs, but she has her own team to manage. You don’t even have Niki at the moment. Who else do you have to support you?”

“I don’t have the support you’re talking about, and I don’t need it.”

I’m not getting into this with my dad’s best friend. I have a vet in Australia who I see when I’m in town and need a hookup. The last time I saw him was after an argument with my dad. I don’t have relationships and never have.

I’ve only liked one guy enough to want a relationship, and that was a silly crush when I was seventeen.

There’s a knock at the door, and Connor walks in without my permission. My blood boils at his audacity, but I can’t help staring at his full lips and those damn grey joggers that hang off his hips. My gaze sticks.

No. I fix my jaw and glare.

My silly crush at seventeen ended the day I crashed because he didn’t care who he hurt. He was willing to do anything to get signed by a team and move from Formula Three to Formula Two. That’s what the other drivers told me when they visited mein the hospital, and he never explained otherwise, only blaming them and not apologising.

That’s when Connor went from the object of my affection to the person I hated. He’s why I’ll never have a relationship and why I’m all in to win the championship single-handedly.

Don’t show vulnerability. Don’t trust men who can break your heart. And don’t fall in love.

Connor Dane ruined my past, but I refuse to let him ruin my future.

CHAPTER 4

Connor

Senna’s avoidedme all week, but it’s the Shakedown tomorrow, and I need to know if I’ll be driving in the new car for its first time on a track. I always drove for that first session when I was with Vessa, but some teams don’t let both drivers try the car. And if I’m driving, I must prepare.

I’m terrified of getting in a car with everyone watching and having flashbacks of Niki on that stretcher as I grip the wheel and take on corners—something no one gets to know.

I need to sit in the new car and know it’s safe.

I clear my throat and take a breath as Senna stares at me, her eyebrows raised. Her blond hair shines under the lights of her new office. She’s so damn beautiful.

That’s when I remember my other task. As per Niki’s instructions, I need to check if Senna is okay. I’ve hung outside her office as much as possible, checking who comes in and who leaves. All I’ve learned is she stays until midnight every night, doesn’t eat dinner, and listens loudly to Harry Styles.

Niki owes me.

“What do you want, Dane?” Senna asks. She taps at her desk as if I’ve already pissed her off.

Before I respond with more than my pinching glare, Ralf jumps up and pats me on the back. He practically wallops me to the floor. “Connor, how’s it going? I hope you’re ready to ditch your showboating and risky driving now you’re finally with Coulter.”

“I can’t promise anything.” I chuckle as I hug the big man.

“And we wouldn’t have you any other way.” He laughs. “You’ll do great things with the team.”

Senna makes a noise that’s a cross between a guffaw and choking. I raise my eyebrow at her over Ralf’s shoulder, and her face flushes in a way that reminds me of when she was a teenager and Niki and I caught her spray painting “Boys suck” on Niki’s go-kart.

“I haven’t seen you in ages, including at my wedding last year.”

I do everything I can to avoid Senna’s stare. I was there but hid in the back. I ran out straight after the ceremony because of a certain blond-haired beauty. I can’t think about that now.

“He wasn’t there probably because he was too busy seducing his former trainer,” she grumbles.

“You heard that rumour, too? I thought you’d be too wise for idle gossip.” If only she knew what problems seeing her at that wedding has caused for me.

She flushes again, and I give myself a silent cheer. Score one for me.

She clenches her jaw. “So why are you here?”

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