Page 114 of Need You Now

But Seth ignores him. “If I win, you pack your shit and get out of here. You don’t bother finishin’ out your time with the band.”

Beau’s eyes flash with interest. “A wager. Interestin’. But what do I get?”

“A song.”

Now, all eyes swivel to Griff. Seth’s included. “I’ll put you on my next album.” He doesn’t look at Alabama, who’s wincing beside him.

“Ain’t such a bad deal.” Jace arcs an eyebrow. Pretends to closely evaluate the ATVs. “Although, I don’t know. Think Seth’s rig might have you beat.”

“Jace.” Luke’s warning is sharp.

“No,” Beau interjects. He grins, the challenge irresistible. Better yet, the fact that it pisses off Luke. “I dig that. We race.”

They shake on it.

Griff exhales. “Hell, yes.”

Lacey frowns, not bothering to keep the tremble out of her voice. “You’re being stupid, Seth.”

“Lacey’s right,” Sal says, linking her arm through her sister’s.

The women stare at him, their brows wrinkled with worry.

Luke twists to face him. “You ain’t doin’ this,” he says to Seth, his voice low, deadly serious.

“You’re outvoted, Kincaid,” Griff says, taking Seth’s side.

Luke’s jaw clenches. Irritation flashes furious in his eyes. Seth knows it’s killing Luke that he doesn’t have a say in this.

Griff meets Seth’s eyes. He’s just as eager to get rid of Beau as Seth is. Crossing his arms, his tattooed biceps bulging, he lifts his voice so both Beau and Seth can hear. “You race from the end of the lake ...” His tawny eyes scour the snowy horizon. “To the old stop sign there. You stay in your lane, you aim straight. First one through wins.”

Seth clocks the track Griff’s detailed. About seventy yards away. A clear, icy shot.

“Fine by me,” Seth drawls.

“Let’s do it,” Beau says with an almost smile. Then he turns on his heel and strides for his ATV.

Jace drifts to Seth’s side and squeezes his shoulder. “You got this,” he tells him.

Seth gives Luke a lopsided grin, wanting to reassure him. “Relax, Luke. This is what the country is for, ain’t it?” He swaggers, brushing past his brother. “Raisin’ hell?”

Luke relents, but the worry on his face doesn’t.

“Oh Lord, I don’t know if I can watch this,” Emmy Lou moans as the women gather in a loose huddle. Alabama and Lacey wear the same scowl. Fierce. Unhappy.

Before he can climb into his ATV, Griff pulls him aside, his expression grim. “You win this, but you don’t get hurt either.” A gruff edge stains his voice. “Keep it straight to the stop sign, no turns, no tiltin’, you hear me? Because you’re gonna go fast.”

Seth grins. “Fast as fuck.”

Griff’s eyes swivel to Beau. “Kick his fuckin’ ass.”

Seth’s gut twists as he climbs into June. He props his feet on the pegs, eyes ahead. He knows what he’s doing is stupid as hell, but if it’ll get Beau out of the contract, sign his fool self up. Even if he is going to get his ass chewed out later. He saw the group as he passed them by. Luke stone-faced. Lacey’s glare so fierce she’s going to light him up on the snowbank when he’s done.

Beau, behind the wheel, flips a wave, an unlit cigarette in his mouth. “Good luck, kid.”

“Good luck.” Seth faces forward, pulling on his helmet. “Asshole.”

Griff steps in front of them, raises his arm, and then they’re off.

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