Page 33 of Throttle

“You have no right to anything that I’ve done at all. My success was not due to you by any means,” I retort.

“You owe me, Haisley. It can be money, taking me back, or some other way. Be smart in your choice,” he warns. “I will get what is due to me.”

“Go fuck yourself, Drake,” I snap as I head out of the garage. I turn the corner to see Saint standing there. Fuck! There is no way that he didn’t hear that conversation at all. I continue to walk towards the introduction stage, not wanting to acknowledge what he may or may not have heard.

I pull out my phone and send Elle a text message.

Me:Drake confronted me.

Elle:When? What did he say? Did he hurt you?

Me:He said I owed him, and he will get what is due him. I told him to fuck off. But he’s the one that told Hunter about who my father is. He used the notoriety as his way into the job.

Elle:Fuck. Where are you now? Anyone else overhear?

Me:I’m by the stage, and Saint was standing outside the garage.

Elle:You okay?

Me:No, I'm not. I’m about to get into a race car and drive 200mph. I am not okay currently. Shit, Saint’s walking towards me. Gotta go.

I place my phone back into my pocket and turn around pretending to not see him. It doesn’t work. I can feel Saint’s presence behind me before he lowers his mouth to my ear.

“What was that about?” he whispers.

“Nothing,” I answer, not moving.

“I doubt that. You need a clear head on that track.”

I turn to face him. “I’m very aware of what I need. I don’t need anyone, especially a man, to tell me what the hell I need.”

Saint shakes his head curtly. “I’m looking out for you. You will explain what that was,” he demands.

“I will not. Excuse me, I have introductions to partake in.” I walk away, further into the crowd to gain space from everyone and everything. This is not what I need at this moment. I do not need this head game. I must push it out of my mind and focus on the race. All of this will still be here when the day is done.

I listen to the announcer call my name, and I plaster on a fake smile, something I find myself doing a lot of, and exit the curtain to the stage. Fans are below on both sides of the stage. I wave as I take the path to the other side. I see Elle waiting behind the stage to the right. She probably dropped the VIPs off in the suite and hauled her ass down here.

“I’m fine,” I mouth as I finish the introduction stage and head towards her.

“Are you sure you’re fine?” she questions as she walks next to me to pit road.

“I have no other reason not to be. I have a race to focus on, and if I'm not mentally prepared and focused, then all hell breaks loose, right?” I ask as we arrive at my car. Mac and Neil are reviewing something as I stand next to it for opening ceremonies.

“I knew he was up to something,” she whispers as we see Drake walk by. He offers a smile, and I glare at him.

“What he is up to is the question. I don’t trust him,” I reply.

“What did he say to you exactly?” Elle inquires.

“Exactly what I texted you. That he was the one that told Hunter about my father, and that I owed him, and he would collect one way or another.”

“What the—” She is interrupted by Saint.

“Haisley,” he interrupts.

I look up at him. “I’m not discussing anything right now,” I argue back. “Don’t even try.”

“I’ll be on the headset today. Here’s your helmet,” he informs me as he hands me my helmet and walks back to the pit box.

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