Page 130 of Sparks Fly
Kicking Nora’s shin under the table, she hisses before her and Rue are bursting into laughter.
“Idiots,” I grumble, finally lifting my head and relieved to see Creed sitting at the table with Glenn and Pascal. My eyes roam around the room but there is still no sign of Royce and Kai.
We finish breakfast and take our plates to the counter before we disperse in different directions. I need to get some content of the build-up and Nora has to make sure Royce and Kai keep their selves in line.
“So, what’s the plan?” Rue asks as she walks beside me.
“I need to have a quick meeting with my boss and team and then we’re free to go and get shots of our drivers and the car.”
“I like the colours of the car,” Rue says softly as I push into the meeting room to see Collin’s, Dave, and Maura, sitting waiting for me.
“Stands out, doesn’t it?” I smile as the door closes softly behind me, Rue takes a seat in the corner and the meeting begins.
We’re back walking down the corridors and straight back into the garage.
“Does your boss like you?” she says softly as I start setting up my camera.
“Probably not but I don’t really care. He comes at me with these silly reasons for some of my actions but I see no issue. I just don’t think he likes me.” I sigh and hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
“You.” I hear Royce’s voice. “Unlikeable?” I smirk as I twist to look at him. “Never.”
“Hmm, well seems the jury is against you.” He walks over and rubs his hand in my hair, messing it up and I swat him away.
“Royce.” I beam, turning my attention to Rue. “You remember my friend, Rue.”
“I do.” He nods, pushing his hand out to shake hers and she goes all giddy.
“You all set for the race?” I ask and he nods.
“Hoping to hold my position.”
“I have every faith.” I smile. “We didn’t see you at breakfast this morning,” I mumble and he shrugs.
“I was in a mood after my bollocking.”
“Oh.” My lips purse.
“Yeah.” He sighs but doesn’t seem fazed.
He is dressed in his race skins, light grey and white, covered in the Saint Onyx logo and all of the team’s sponsors. His racesuit hangs loose around his waist, arms swinging down to the side of him. The same light grey, white stripes are up the sides with fluorescent yellow specks over the top half.
“Eight more races to go. Do you think the team is gonna finish any higher than it is now?” I focus my attention on the camera and start snapping photos of the car.
“Probably not. I mean, the car is good enough but there are better teams and drivers out on the track. Red Force are dominating us at the moment, so is Montcroix. We don’t stand a chance.”
“That’s not the attitude to have,” Rue speaks up from behind us.
Royce turns his head to look at her, a boyish grin on his face as he eyes her up and down.
“What attitude should I have, sweetheart?” He is now fully facing her, and I straighten my back, turning in the same direction.
“A winning one.” She folds her arms across her chest, and he runs his tongue across his front teeth.
“Okay, let’s make a bet.” He steps towards Rue and her wide green eyes on him. “If I be more positiveandkeep my position, you’ll go out with me for dinner tonight.”
He takes another step so he is standing toe to toe with her and I push my tongue into my cheek as I watch on. I wait for her to back down or buckle under his intense gaze, but she drops her arms from her chest, rolls her shoulders back and stares him dead in the eyes.
“Deal.” She holds her hand out and he shakes it firmly. “But you won’t because you already have a shitty attitude towards it.”
