Page 26 of The Player Penalty
“I’m not, Julian,” she says, and I believe her.
“He’s good, isn’t he?” I say, taking her hand and changing the subject. “He’s ready for more. Not Cup; he’s not nearly ready for that. Trucks next, I think. We should see how that goes.”
The nearby dirt track is convenient. It helps me follow Matteo’s progress, which I dutifully report back to headquarters.The races are also genuinely fun to watch, made all the better by the companion next to me.
“Neat,” she says with clear disinterest.
“Did I tell you he started out street racing? It’s completely illegal, of course, but Matteo built up a good-sized reputation.”
Lily perks up, and her hand falls from mine. A shine falls over her eyes that stirs something in me. “Really? So, he’s an outlaw.”
It’s stirring jealousy. Yeah, I don’t like that. “It’s not nearly as dangerous as it sounds. He was decent, not great.”
“Well, he’s about to win this race, so street racing did him some good.”
Sure enough, the 41 crosses the finish line first, with the pack of cars trailing after.
This may be the last time I take Lily to the dirt tracks.
∞∞∞
We wait until the stands clear out and the teams are ready to go before seeking out Matteo.
“Are we allowed?” she asks.
There’s hardly any security, and officials won’t stop a Cup driver. Only I don’t say that because it would make me sound like a dick. “We’re expected.”
“But he doesn’t know me.”
“He knows me.”
“Yes, but he might be busy.”
“He’ll make time for us.” I pull her to a stop in the middle of the grass field. No one pays us any attention. Lily’s worries are rearing up, which means another concern is coming. I can keep swatting them away or find the right combination of words to set her at ease. Matteo is a stranger to her, and experience tells her his negative opinion will only grow worse. “I need to be here and want you to be with me. Let’s concentrate on that.”
Lily nods, and her grip on my hand relaxes. Her trust in me overrides her anxiety, and damn if that doesn’t make me feel good. There are times I’m struck by how much I enjoy taking care of her.
“Hey, my man. Did you see me?” Matteo kisses his fingers. “A god amongst mere mortals.”
My lips twist. “I’m not sure you’ve achieved deity status yet.” The man can’t even be bothered to confront Boone Rivers, Chief Executive Asshole. “Still, that was incredible racing tonight. You’re getting better.”
“I’m already better,” he argues.
He’s developing a professional racer’s ego; I’ll give him that. “Are you ready to move up? Say when, and I’ll talk to Boone.”
Matteo’s smile drops. “His name is forbidden.”
“Still need to talk to him. I fly out tomorrow, so it’ll be another week at least. Get another performance in like tonight, and he’ll agree. C’mon, don’t let your dislike for one man stop your career before it starts.”
Take it from me. One fuckup from my dad and I nearly made the same mistake. A phone call from Tom Rivers is the only reason I still have a ride. Lily’s admonishment earlier this evening comes back. I’m not speaking up, either.
“Another night like tonight, and you can go to him,” Matteo says like he’s the one doing me a favor. Deciding we’re done with our conversation, he finally notices Lily. His demeanor shifts, and the flirtatious side I’ve seen way too many times at the local clubs comes out. “A beauty for the champion.”
He offers a hand, and Lily accepts. Except, instead of a handshake, he kisses her palm. My eyes roll so hard they nearly pop out. Oh hell, he’s pulling out the seduction bullshit.
Lily pulls her hand back and looks at the ground. “Thank you,” she says. It comes out only a little above a whisper.
“How come you’ve never introduced us before?” Matteo asks me.
