Page 53 of Commander in Briefs

She takes a long look at me. I guess she is satisfied with what she sees, because she nods. “Okay, go get ready.” And with that closing order, she swats my behind, startling me forward.

We pull up to a freaking speedway.

Theo pipes up from the front seat, answering my unasked question. “This guy, Callum, I know from college, has a thing for street racing. His kid was arrested more times than he could count, so instead of paying out bail money, he invested it in a speedway. The kid now drives for NASCAR.”

The car continues around a winding drive. I know a bit about racing and the lack of grandstands tells me this is a training track. One that’s used regularly, by the tire marks and dead grass around it. I can envision kids lining their cars alongside the edge of the pavement, cheering for their racer.

It’s thrilling. I feel like a little kid about to witness his first race.

Anniston elbows me in the ribs with a smile. “You going to get out, Gorgeous? Or just sit here and watch me whoop Theo’s ass?”

Theo slams the door as he hops out with a laugh. The car is parked in front of a massive stone garage. I’m talking, ten fucking car garages.

I get ready to ask what we are doing here when a shaggy-haired blond guy steps out of the garage as the doors rise. “My man!” he bellows, clapping Theo on the back in a man hug. “Callum told me you were coming. Good to see you, man.”

Theo says something in return that I don’t hear before Shaggy takes notice of Commander.

“Damn, girl!” He rubs his chin as he approaches her, raking his eyes up and down her body slowly. “You get hotter and hotter every fucking time I see you.”

She laughs and swats his chest, stopping him from getting too close.

“It’s good to see you, Wes.” she states simply, giving him a friendly hug.

“You ever get tired of Theo, you give me a ring, yeah?”

I look at Theo, who is tossing something up in the air and catching it in his hand over and over. He’s glaring at Wes and looks to be about to hurl whatever he has.

Thad, already anticipating mayhem, snatches the object, which turns out to be a pack of gum, and pockets it.

He approaches Wes and interrupts his flirting with Anniston. “So, Wes, think we can go for a spin?”

“Sure. Shit man. I didn’t even see you there.” Wes genuinely looks ashamed.

I feel sorry for Thad, always in Theo’s shadow. Thad gives his appreciation and we are quickly ushered into the garage where a row of race cars await.

Anniston reaches for my hand and pulls me inside.

“Here, suit up.” She hands me a jumpsuit and a white cover for my head, along with a helmet.

I look the gear over, eager and anxious at the same time.

Anniston suits up while Theo and Thad talk to Wes about which cars we’ll want to drive.

I am already sweating by the time we finish gearing up. The sun has set and I worry about the visibility of the road.

Wes pulls out the first car, the roar of the engine startling me.

“You okay?” Anniston asks, her hand a soothing presence on my arm.

I nod my reassurance to her and push down the nerves.

“We race as teams,” Anniston tells the group.

Theo groans but doesn’t argue.

Walking out on the speedway is nothing short of incredible. Wes has turned on the lights and the whole place is lit up like an actual raceway. My heart starts pumping fast, chasing away the need to expel energy in a run.

Smiling to myself, I half listen to Wes give instructions about what to do and what not to do. Essentially, don’t wreck. Don’t crash into each other. And don’t die. You know, the basics.

---