Page 165 of Broken Breath
Luc rolls over to us, dirt streaked and grinning widely as he yanks off his helmet, sweat darkening his curls.
Like the rain did last night when he kissed me silly.
Heat blooms beneath my cheeks.
Fuck.
“Look who’s challenging me on my own track.” He laughs brokenly, still panting. “But it’s fine. I was just warming up for tomorrow.”
I laugh, too, shaking my head. “You talk a lot for someone who finishes behind me.”
“To finish first, you have to finish first.” Luc smirks like he just dropped wisdom.
“That’s so not the phrase.” I chuckle at how he’s butchered it.
“It is now.” Luc’s gaze flicks sideways, clocking Finn, then Mason standing on my other side. His smile dims when his eyes lock onto Finn. “Like I said, I can’t leave you alone for a minute or you get harassed.”
He says it lightly, but the implication lands, and Finn’s jaw ticks.
Luc tilts his head, a shitty little smile painted across his face. “What’s wrong, Greer. Didn’t like the view yesterday?”
Ah,shit.
Finn’s eyes flash. “I’ve fucking had it with you,Delacroix.”
Luc chuckles, but there’s a dangerous edge to it. He rolls his shoulders and then leans across the handlebars. “I’ve had it with you, too,Papi.”
Finn steps into his space, his chest brushing Luc’s, but he doesn’t budge an inch.
“Why don’t you crawl back to your fucking retirement home?” Luc snaps.
Finn huffs. “You’re all flash, no substance. Fake as fuck, and everyone sees it. Nobody even likes you.”
Luc’s lips curl into something feral. “Funny.PetitCrews seems to like me just fine.”
They’re not even trying to keep their voices down, and every racer still in the finish area is staring as well as some officials.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Stop,” I bite out. “We’re at fucking qualifying. Are you two crazy?”
Neither moves nor evenblinksat my words. It’s like I’m not even here.
They’re almost nose to nose, their gazes locked in matching death glares, muscles tensed like they are ready to drop gloves right here in the finish area.
Because of me.
If they fight, it’s on me. If they get disqualified, suspended, and if theyhateeach other from now on, it’s my fault. I’m the reason they’re close to ruining everything.
My chest clamps tight, the noise around me fades tostatic, the edges of my vision blur, and my hands start to shake.
Shit.
I try to drag in a breath, pressing my palm to my sternum. Just one would help, but it won’t come. It won’tfit. I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe.
A hand taps gently on my shoulder, making me flinch, but when I look up, Mason’s face is calm. He tips his head toward the tree line at the edge of the finish area in a silent offer.
