Page 98 of Rear View
“Don’t buy it, R.J.” Christian hissed. “He’s just backtracking.”
“Wait,” Trina said, scrambling. “What’s going on? You said you were on board with this.”
I flinched like I’d been struck.
X’s arctic glare darkened, turning to ice when it lifted to Christian’s. His fist pounded the counter, punctuating his words when he told her, “Thiswasn’t what we talked about, Trina.”
“Yes, well, after the incident with your uncle Saturday, some cleanup was required.”
His stare turned wild. “You said it was handled.”
“And it has been. This article is an attention-getter.”
“Itoldyou I have a girl. You met her, for Christ’s sake. Never mind that Alec’s fuckin’ engaged!”
Christian swallowed hard and paled.
“Alright,” Trina said. “And? I didn’t think that was serious.”
My blood turned to fire. Didn’t think? Or hoped?
Xavier’s eyes slid to mine when he told Trina, in a menacing growl, “You thought wrong.” He raised a palm and thumped his chest. “Our skill’s supposed to be the draw. Not our goddamn relationship status.”
Trina said something as I turned to Christian. “You should go.” I straightened my spine. “And it’s best you don’t come back.”
His eyes creased at the corners, and he scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck. His attention tracked toXavier, who chucked his chin toward the door, his message clear: “Fly the fuck off.”
Christian hesitated when he glanced toward it. He cursed under his breath, his shoulders dropping before he stalked out and slammed the door behind him.
“Christ, Trina,” Xavier snarled. “This painted us like we’re just some fuckboys.”
“Look, it’s fine, Xavier. The public eats this stuff up. There’s an illusion that comes with the image. Women need to think you’re attainable. That’s not possible if they believe you’re taken.”
No. She.Didn’t!My fingers itched to tear her pretty red hair out. She’d known. She’d known he wasn’t okay with that angle, and she’d run with it anyway.
He ground his jaw so hard, it was a wonder his teeth didn’t shatter. “Iamtaken.”
She huffed. “It’s just for show, Xavier.”
“For show?” He laughed, dark and heavy. “The shit you just stirred in my personal life feels pretty goddamn real.”
“With that girlfriend? I’d think she’d understand this is about your career—”
“Nah.” He cut his head to the side as he seethed into his phone, “You ain’t spinnin’ this on her. She don’t gotta understand anything. This isn’t what she signed up for. And I won’t treat my girl like some dirty goddamn secret.”
My lungs expanded for the first time since he’d left the night before.
“The WRC expects spokespeople who can grow their audience,” she said.
“I don’t gotta be single for that. You took some liberties with stuff you had no right to take. Figure out how to fix it. Now!”
“We’re trying to sellyou, Xavier. That’s where the big money comes. Going a different direction could be bad for your image.”
“I race, Trina. As long as I put on a show when I beat the clock, my career’ll take care of itself.” The “with or without you” was implied.
“You and Alec need to be featured,” she said, the words rushed. Panicked. As if she’d finally figured out that he held the power between them, and he wasn’t messing around.
“So feature us. Take your pictures, but if you position it like I’m available again…” He let the threat hang in the air. “Now, fix. It.” He hung up. His chest heaved and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of the counter.
