Page 62 of The Player Penalty
“We were getting ready for dessert. You want some?” Boone pulls a carton from the mini freezer. “It’s raspberry sorbet.”
“No, thank you.”
“How much for you?” he asks Madelyn, and his voice drops, growing softer.
“Only one. It’s very sweet.”
Why is Boone so unusually polite?
I take in the intimate scene, especially Maddie, who watches him scoop raspberry sorbet into matching bowls. He’s spending an evening with his wife, creating a little oasis in the middle of a race track.
Boone Rivers is a prickly ass. He never smiles and often appears irritated, even when he doesn’t mean to be. He’s changed a little since Maddie came into his life, with his decision to delegate being one of the more striking changes. Boone would never have agreed to me mentoring Matteo Diaz before. He would make annoying comments about the stink of women’s perfume rubbing off on his drivers and then decide my help would only make Matteo worse. I would know because my first year working with him was spent in similar scenarios.
Maddie doesn’t merely make Boone happy; she makes him mellow. Is that what married life does to a man? It didn’t work with my father, so maybe not.
“I’ll be brief. Matteo did well tonight. He needs more experience, but he’ll get there,” I say.
Boone and Maddie share a look before he says, “I want you to do the same for the rookie, too.”
“Sam?” Samantha Edwards is the other driver underRMS.Her first year in the Cup series, with a lot of talent and even more raw nerves. We’ve barely shared words since the season started, mostly because she’s spent time with Boone and her crew chief. “She worries about mistakes and never makes a move.” You can’t move up the track without taking on at least some risk.
Boone nods. “She’s defensive. Let’s see what you come up with.”
A woman. Pete will appreciate that. “Is that the only reason you sent Pete?”
“Do you remember Harriett Blackwood?” Maddie asks me.
“Your old boss; she is difficult to forget.” Maddie worked for Harriett before her new job as Boone’s assistant. “She’s going to be here tomorrow, isn’t she? You’re breaking the bad news in person,” I guess.
Their returning expressions confirm it.
“She gives us money,” Boone says.
“I want to know the best way to handle it,” Maddie says, interrupting Boone before he insults me. “She’s mentioned you a couple of times, so if there’s a relationship there, or was a relationship there, this is a heads up. Would it be better if we kept her away?”
I slept with Harriett once and successfully avoided her since. “I can be professional.”
“It’s not your behavior that worries me,” Maddie says. Her diplomacy is appreciated, as it always is. No wonder Boone left this part of the conversation to her.
“Don’t worry about it. I can handle it.”
“Are you sure?”
No. “It won’t be a problem.”
Lily will be there, and Harriett does not recognize boundaries.
Great.
23-Lily
“I’m glad you’re here,” Julian says.
It’s almost noon, and the company’s hospitality tent is busy. Everyone is stuffed inside, taking advantage of the fans and portable air. Several people hover over a buffet table while others stand by the open bar.
Usually, there’s no reason for me to come by, and there isn’t any reason for it now other than that Julian asked.
“You’re welcome.” I check out his dark khakis and company polo. The red highlights in Julian’s hair stand out against the gray shirt. His square jaw does, too, but that’s only because I find it sexy. “You’re dressed fancy.”
