Junkie(32)

He soared past the yellow car and swerved out in front of it, taking the lead.

Hopper made a sound, and I grinned.

The two cars battled it out, weaving in and out of one another and pulling some tricks they wouldn’t be able to pull on a track full of cars.

We all stood there and watched until Gamble signaled for them to bring it in.

Drew slowed and brought the car to a sliding stop nearby, but the yellow car breezed right by and disappeared into the tunnel it came out of just a few minutes before.

It was just as well. I felt like decking the guy for his jerkwad driving.

Drew’s face was split into a wide smile as he jogged forward, and there was a distinct light in his blue eyes. He was totally high right now—on speed.

I jogged a few paces in front of the men and offered him a fist. “That was some tight driving out there.”

“Hells yeah,” he swore. He leaned close. “I think I tore up some shit, though. Gonna need some new parts.”

I nodded, already figuring as much. He would have had to in order to keep up with that Skyline.

“Mr. Forrester,” Hopper called, and both of us turned. He waved us over. “Let’s talk!”

“You talked to them?” Drew said softly as we walked toward them.

“Yeah. Haven’t made up my mind about ‘em yet.”

I felt him gaze at me out of the corner of his eye but didn’t say anything because we joined the men. After introductions were made between Drew and Hopper, Gamble took over the conversation.

I guess since he was the one with the money, the final say so went to him. Still, I had a feeling he and Hopper knew each other a long time and could communicate without saying much and stay on the same page.

“You drive well.” Gamble began. “I definitely see why your family speaks highly of you.”

“With all due respect, I don’t want to be here because Romeo put in a good word,” Drew said.

Gamble nodded. “Of course. A man wants to earn his way. Your family isn’t the only reason you’re here. The underground world of racing, or as some call it, the indie world, is growing.”

Hopper nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if within the next five years or so, the indie drivers break onto the scene and become just as popular as those who drive professionally.”

I bit down on my tongue. I couldn’t help but feel slightly offended. It’s like they were saying the indie drivers were somehow less professional because they didn’t have fancy backers and sponsors.

“I agree.” Gamble took up the conversation again. “You’ve been earning a name in the underground world, Forrester. That’s why you’re here. Romeo told me about you months ago, but I waited until you’d been in the state for a while. I waited until you had a track record around here.”

“I drove in North Carolina, too,” he answered.

Gamble nodded. “I know. I made some calls.”

I shifted impatiently, but Drew held himself still and waited for Gamble to get to the point.

“I like you,” he finally said, his eyes sliding to me. “I like your manager, too. He definitely won’t take shit.”

Drew glanced at me, and I wanted to grimace. I hadn’t exactly been… uh, an ass kisser.

“You’re fast, you handle a car easily, you clearly have a lot of guts, and sometimes you appear to be fearless. Plus, you have good taste in cars.”

“But?” Drew asked.

Gamble half smiled. “But you’re green. You drive like an indie. Without rules. Without care. I almost dare to say you’re too fearless.”

Drew laughed. “I’m pretty sure that’s not a bad thing.”

“Makes you reckless,” Hopper said.

I felt Drew bristle. Immediately, my attitude shifted to compliment his. He was on defense now, so I was on offense. That’s the way Drew and I worked, two sides of the same coin. If he was hot, I was cool. If he was mad, then I was reason.

Instead of arguing like I knew he wanted, Drew stuck out his hand to Gamble. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I know you’re a very busy man.”

Gamble looked between Drew and his hand. “That’s all you have to say?” he asked, lifting a brow.

Drew dropped his hand. “I don’t have anything left to say. My driving said it all out there on the track. I respect your opinion, and I will take everything you said into consideration as I continue driving.”

“Most guys would try and fight for their spot,” Hopper said.

Drew turned to him. “I’m not most guys.”

No, he isn’t, I thought.

“As you pointed out yourself, the indie world of racing is up and coming. It’s only a matter of time before we break onto the scene. All it’s going to take is one driver who gets a lucky break or one really rich eccentric who wants to throw in with the underdogs.” Drew shrugged. “I’ll just keep doing my thing until that day comes.”