Junkie(86)

“Excuse me. Is there a problem here?” Emily, the writer, injected herself in the conversation with the photographer hot on her heels.

“Just another example of how the new division of racing operates,” Drew said, glancing at Lorhaven. “No rules, but lots of rivalry.”

“This is a rival of yours?” Emily turned her dark eyes on Lorhaven.

Lorhaven straightened. “He’s just jealous because I drive better than he does.”

“I’m thinking the wad of cash he drove off with Friday night says otherwise,” Joey cracked, drawing all the attention her way.

I gave Drew a WTF look. He never told me about any money.

Lorhaven swung the shadowy depths of his stare completely on Joey. She lifted her chin in challenge.

“You still around?” he snarled.

“I’m welcome, unlike you, apparently,” Joey quipped.

I smiled.

“You’re going to need to leave,” Earl told him.

“The track isn’t even open,” Lorhaven said. “I’m just here ‘cause I’m hearing there’s a new division of racing, one for the indies.”

Drew stepped forward and glanced at Earl and his partner. “Can he hang out a few minutes? I’ll fill him in, then send him on his way.”

Again, Drew surprised me. What the hell was he doing, asking Lorhaven to hang around?

Earl and company looked like they were about to argue.

Emily cleared her throat. “I’d like to hear about the rivalry.”

The photographer spoke up. “I can take a few shots of the Corvette for the magazine.”

Lorhaven looked at Drew. “They’re with GearShark?”

Drew nodded.

Lorhaven played it cool, but I knew he was one sip of water away from pissing his jeans.

“Fine.” Earl sighed. “Only a few minutes, then you’re out. Don’t come back here again, Lorhaven, or we’re calling the cops and havin’ ya removed.”

When they turned back, Lorhaven gave them the finger.

Drew turned his attention to Emily. “Interview is over by the trailer?”

She nodded.

“Cool. I’ll be there in just a few.”

“I’ll be ready.” She turned and walked away, and the photographer followed.

“Why the fuck did you just help him out?” I asked Drew as soon as they weren’t in earshot.

“He tried to run us off the road, Drew,” Joey put in.

“Are you fucking kidding me!” I snapped. I glared at Lorhaven, my chest heaving.

Drew put a hand on my shoulder, effectively stealing my attention. I couldn’t even be mad when he was touching me. I settled for giving him an irritated look.

“That’s my way of extending an olive branch,” Drew said, and I wanted to punch something. “I won that race fair, and you know it. You just got your panties in a wedge because I showed you up on your own turf.”

Lorhaven stiffened. “Is that an apology?”

“I don’t have shit to apologize for. But I ought to send you a bill for the bodywork the rear of my Fastback needs.”

He told me he hit a tree. I knew he’d been lying. Son of a—

Drew squeezed my shoulder and then pulled his hand back. He glanced at me long enough that promised he’d fill me in later.

“I’m not paying you shit,” Lorhaven growled. “You brought a fucking pro onto my turf. A damn woman no less.”

“So I guess I’d be less threatening if I had a dick between my legs?” Joey interjected.

I laughed out loud. I liked this girl.

Drew laughed, too, but Lorhaven just scowled. “Pro drivers are posers,” he spat.

“Why don’t we take it on the track, and I’ll show you how much of a poser I really am?” Joey stepped up.

“Which track? The one your daddy bought you?”

“Hey.” Drew stepped forward and shoved Lorhaven. “She’s off-limits. This is about you and me. It’s about indie drivers getting their chance to be legit on their own terms.”

“Don’t touch me.” He advanced on Drew.

I made an angry sound, but Drew shook his head. I got he was his own man, and he was almost as big as me. But I didn’t care. No one threatened him.

No one.

“You wanna hear this or not?” Drew ground out.

“Talk.” Lorhaven crossed his arms over his chest. Arrow stepped up from the small crowd standing several yards away, watching us.

I still couldn’t believe that kid was Lorhaven’s brother. Poor guy.

“I met with Ron Gamble a couple weeks ago. Basically auditioned for him to sponsor me.”

Lorhaven looked like he was about to explode with that nugget of information. Drew pretended not to notice and just kept talking.