Page 34 of Never Date A Player
“I work with Zach. He’s a friend of Lewis’s.”
Mr. Sallee nods and studies his son, who’s staring at me. “Well, if you want to learn about the race and how to survive it, there’s no one better to talk to than Lewis.”
Lewis leads me into his office, a cleaner, more orderly version of his father’s.
Mr. Sallee is Lewis’s dad. Crazy.
That night at the taco dinner, Zach said Lewis worked for his father’s construction company. And Zach knew Sallee Construction built the obstacles. Why didn’t I put it together?
Because I was distracted by the horoscope thing and, before that, just about everything else that’s been going on, from my argument with Cali to what I’m going to do about Drake.
Lewis sits behind his desk, tipping his chair back with an ease that belies his expression. “So what’s going on? Why are you doing the mudder?”
He could have opened with “How are you?” but that would require a certain level of friendliness. I thought we’d gotten past the stoic Lewis. He hasn’t acted this way since before the club. And after what happened with Drake… But then I ran from him when he tried to comfort me. How do I expect him to act?
Fine. I like this Lewis better. He’s easier to handle than the one who makes my mind go blank and my mouth gasp orgasmic moans. “Because I want to. Do you have a problem with that?”
Lewis doesn’t answer right away.
I sigh and look around. The degree of responsibility he seems to have within his father’s company is impressive for someone his age. Certificates of accomplishment I can’t read from where I’m sitting frame the walls, along with a whiteboard with a dozen dates and project headers.
“The Alpine Mudder is dangerous,” he finally says. “You could get hurt.”
Is he serious? I squint and talk slowly, like I would to a small child. “That’s why I’m doing it.” I shift in my seat. “I don’t want to get hurt, but… I’m looking for a challenge.”
“Are you bored? You can’t find anything else to occupy your time?”
My jaw drops before I can clamp it shut. What the hell is his problem? Why is he being so rude? “No.”
He stares and his eyes dip a fraction before skipping back up, as if he won’t allow anything beyond eye contact.
That makes it easier. Better if he’s not interested.
His gaze narrows. “Why are you really doing it?”
I glance away. He’s better at this stare-down stuff than I am. “Everyone thinks they can trample me. That I’m weak and vulnerable. I’m not.” Or at least, that’s what I’m going to prove.
I let out a sigh. I didn’t want to get into this with him. “Forget about it. I’ll find another way to train for the race.” I stand and walk to the door.
This town is too small. I hate that I run into Lewis everywhere.
“Wait.”
My hand is on the knob and I’m not letting go—it’s my escape—but I look over my shoulder because I can’t help myself.
He looks to the side absently and rubs his jaw. “I could… help you. Train, that is.”
What? Him?
No way.
He leans forward and rests his forearms on his knees. “Zach and a few of us did the race last year. We’re training together again this year. Adding you to the group is no big deal. It would be better if you were a part of a team. People who race alone don’t finish. Especially girls.”
My back stiffens and I breathe in, eyes flaring.
He smiles.
Damn him. He knew that would piss me off.
