Page 83 of Burnout
I was prepared for Brogan to talk shit, but Archer? I make the sign for asshole where Avery can’t see.
She doesn’t miss a beat, clearly enjoying messing with me as much as they do. “Oh, phew. I thought this was the best Valley had to offer. What a relief.”
My brothers are laughing, and Jane is admonishing them while trying to keep a straight face.
I sit forward and drop a hand to her thigh. My fingers splay out over her smooth skin and squeeze. She jolts at the contact and bites down on her lip.
Leaning my body toward hers, I brush her hair back from her neck and whisper, “Careful, princess. I might be inclined to show them just how much you like my hands on you.”
My heart thuds in my chest as she pins me with her big, blue eyes.
“Promise?” she whispers back, taunting me and batting her lashes.
Damn she makes me crazy. I can’t get enough.
Maybe I’m not the best guy for her long-term, but it feels too good to walk away yet.
I don’t know when I decided that I wasn’t interested in girlfriends or relationships. It wasn’t one moment that I can pinpoint. In theory, I know people can make it work, but I guess avoiding it felt like the best way to ensure there was one less area where I might turn out like Dad. Besides, I have all the responsibility I can handle here, taking care of my brothers.
Because it’s not something I’ve ever wanted, I haven’t spent a lot of time wondering what it would be like to have someone in my life like Hendrick has Jane. But I don’t have to think hard about it to know Avery is the kind of person I would want by my side if things were different.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Avery is smilingas I ride over to her. She had a day off practice and came to the track after classes to watch. This old dirt track isn’t much to look at. It’s tucked back away from the main road where there’s nothing but desert land to be seen each way you look. It’s peaceful out here. All the travel during the summer, racing on tracks around the country, this one is still my favorite. It’s where I learned to ride, and that makes it feel like home.
I pull my helmet off and plop down next to her on the tailgate of my truck.
“What’d you think?” I ask.
“The videos I watched made it look so easy, but in person, it’s a lot scarier.”
I laugh and bump my shoulder against hers. “Says the girl who flips around on a balance beam and launches herself off a vault.”
“It’s not that high.” Her smile falls into a smirk. “You’re all dirty.”
I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. “Dirt track will do that.”
“It looks good on you.”
I recognize the look in her eye. If I weren’t covered in sweat and dirt, I’d be tempted to get her naked right here. Instead, I lean in and brush my mouth against hers, nipping at her full bottom lip and wishing I’d blown off riding today and spent the day in bed with Avery.
When I pull back, Colter is parking next to me and Brooklyn drives up next to him. It’ll only be a few minutes before the rest of the group is here to start practicing.
“Hey,” Colter greets us both, smiling a little bigger when he spots Avery. “I was just at your dorm.”
“I know. I heard you before I left.” She wrinkles up her nose.
Colter just laughs it off. “How was riding today?”
“Good.” I start to get down to help him unload but Brooklyn waves me off and steps in instead.
They get both their bikes unloaded and then Brooklyn takes off to warm up.
“So, you two.” Colter waggles a finger between us. “Are you like together now or what?”
Fuck. Leave it to Colter to need to define my relationships for me.
“We’re just hanging out,” Avery answers quickly and rolls her eyes like maybe she was having the same thought as me.
