Page 73 of Whispers and Wildfire
Because I didn’t want to rip Jenna’s clothes off.
But why?
It was not because of—
No, I wasn’t even going to think her name. This was not about her.
Brooding and frustrated, I headed toward my place. Part of me wanted to detour through the Timberbeast to have a drink or two. But I was too likely to run into one of my brothers. That was the last thing I needed. I didn’t want to admit that I’d turned down a perfectly good “come inside” offer. A couple of drinks, and I might even admit why.
Even worse, if they’d decided to stop for a drink after dinner, I might run into Melanie with that dumbass.
Damn it, Melanie.
Right as I pulled into my driveway, my phone buzzed with a text. I glanced at the notification.
Kyle:We’re on tonight. You in?
Fuck yes, I was in. Speed was exactly what I needed. If Idrove fast and hard enough, maybe I could outrun the shitty feeling brewing inside me.
I sent a quick reply, then went inside to change.
The night air sparked with tension and adrenaline ran hot in my veins. The track was packed with people and cars—some there to race, others to show off their rides. Bets were placed, money seemed to be everywhere, and with the summer weather lingering, everyone was dressed like we were enjoying an afternoon at the beach.
I didn’t care about any of it. I just wanted to drive.
Usually, I went into a race night ready for the wave of speed and adrenaline to make me feel alive again—chase away the emptiness that threatened to consume me.
But that night was different. I was amped up, seething with frustration. I didn’t want to race to feel something more, I needed an outlet for my anger.
What was I even mad at?
Myself, for turning down Jenna? Or maybe for taking her on a date in the first place?
And Melanie. Fucking Melanie Andolini looking like a goddess with her dark hair spilling over her shoulders and that dress accentuating every curve. With her angry eyes and shiny lips.
I’d hated it. Hated seeing her dressed up for another man. Hated seeing her sitting with him, chatting with him, smiling at him. It had been all I could do to keep my eyes on my actual date, and not on her. I didn’t know how Jenna hadn’t noticed, but she’d seemed oblivious to my distraction.
And my anger.
But out on the track, in the middle of the night, with the smell of dust and gasoline in the air, I couldn’t stop thinking about how pissed I was at Melanie.
“You okay, man?” Kyle asked, a look of concern on his face.
“Fine.”
“How you feeling tonight?”
My eyes moved to meet his. “Fast.”
A grin spread across his face. “That’s what I love to hear. Make me some money tonight, buddy.”
I looked away without answering, got in my car, and shoved on my helmet.
It wasn’t long before they’d cleared the track. Cars were in place, drivers ready, engines revving. I curled my hands around the steering wheel, my jaw clenched, eyes on the road. My heart thumped hard in my chest, but instead of the beginnings of an adrenaline high, I just felt rage.
The gun went off and I slammed my foot on the gas. Tension rippled through my body as I pulled out ahead of the pack, heedless of how hard it would be to hold the lead. I didn’t give a shit. I was still going to win.
I sailed around the first turns, hugging the S-curves. But I wasn’t smooth about it. I wrenched the steering wheel, forcing my car to obey. Another car pulled ahead, but I floored it on the end of the last turn and took back the lead.
