Page 1 of Throttle

Saint

Saturday

“Who is the new driver coming in to the team?” Neil asks as the entire pit crew and I sit around a high table at the bar.

I shrug my shoulders. “I’m not sure. I don’t know if it was announced yet. All I know is that it’s some kid of a well-known stock car driver.”

Mac nudges my arm, and I turn to look at him. “I heard it was a female.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” I question him, taking a swig from my beer.

“I don’t know. Rumors, I guess, but Bud hates women in racing,” Mac replies, and I nod in acknowledgement.

“He is rather sexist,” I mumble under my breath. I glance around at the other men at the table. Jack, Dan, and Eric—our tire changers—are conversing about something among themselves. Todd is watching a few girls play pool. Neil, Mac, and I are just sitting here on our side of the table.

“Are you excited about the new season?” Neil, the team mechanic, questions.

“I guess so. Wish we knew what was going on, honestly. Hunter is usually a lot more open about new drivers, and he always has those big publicity events. This year, it’s a secret. I just don’t get it.” I take another swig of my beer and signal our server for another one.

Mac hits my arm again and points to a table across the bar. “I thought RK racing wasn’t hanging out here after last time?”

I huff as I see the pit crew for RK racing’s golden boy smirking in our direction. “We are not engaging with them tonight, understand?”

Mac nods and slowly glances back in their direction.

“Mac? Understand?” I question again.

“Yeah, Saint. I understand. Doesn’t mean I like it,” he huffs back as the server arrives.

“Hey, Saint,” her southern drawl hits my ears as she angles her body towards mine and places her hand on my arm. I shoot her a quick glance, and she removes it. “What can I get you guys?”

“Another round of beers would be good, Angela,” I reply dryly and turn my attention back to my men. I mean, they aren’t really my men. They are under Bud’s control so to speak. He is the crew chief. I’m just the car chief. But they are my friends. We’ve spent the last four racing years together. One cohesive team. Neil and I are closest as he is the team’s mechanic.

My job is to take the data and the specs from the races and set up the car, under Bud’s guidance of course. Our last driver, Ken McDonald, retired last year after a mediocre performance. He claimed the team didn’t mesh, which was bullshit. He didn’t mesh with us. Too much of a preppy, rich kid. I’ve grown up around tracks my whole life. These kids and drivers come and go, walk around like their shit don’t stink.

“Earth to Saint,” Mac says hitting my arm again.

“Dude, hit me again and I’m going to lay you out—” I stop mid-sentence as I see what has his attention.

“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Mac asks as I nod. I am watching the tire changer for RK racing slip something into the drink of a girl sitting with them. I clench my fists at my sides.

“Go get Smalls. He’s going to want to stop this before I rip his head off,” I instruct as I stand up from the table and head towards captain asshole.

When I get to the table, I feel Mac and Neil behind me. Asshole looks up at me as the girl is about to drink. I rip the glass from her and throw the liquid into Kurt’s face.

“Hey!” the girl screams as she stands to slap my face.

I turn my face to hers. “Honey, I just saved you from a world of hurt. This pathetic excuse for a man drugged your drink,” I state as Kurt and his buddies stand up.

“That was stupid, Matthews,” Kurt warns as he looks to the crew around him.

“No, what was stupid was for you and the crew to show up again in our bar. Then add in you trying to date rape some tire chaser…” I trail off as I see him lunge at me at the last moment. I’m pulled out of the way and watch as Kurt’s body flings forward crashing onto the table. “You want a fight, asshole, I’ll give you one,” I warn as I cock my fist back.

“ENOUGH!” Smalls’ voice crashes through my rage, and I see him step between us. With a quick nod, he dismisses me. “Go outside and cool down.”

I continue to stand there and wait as I eye Kurt.

“Saint, I told you to go outside, NOW,” Smalls instructs again, and I feel Mac’s hands grip my shoulders. I jerk him off me and head out the front door with Mac in tow.

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