Savage grins, and I know that whatever he is about to say will piss her off more.
“Was. Crashwasyours,notanymore. He belongs to someone else.”
Val’s face gets red in anger and I swear if she had a knife, she would have slit his throat. Instead she spits her words, and folds her arms, popping a hip in her ridiculously short skirt.
“Oh, but does he, though? He has spent the last few days with me, not her. If they were together, surely, she would be here with him.”
“Shut it, Val.”
“Bitch, you and that trashy mouth need to fucking watch it,” Savage growls.
Her face loses some of its color because Savage sounds inhuman when he growls. I know he is doing it to knock her down a peg or two.
“Whatever,” she huffs, leaning against me again.
We ignore her for a time, talking about cars and people I have raced.
Her body stiffens a little, then she steps closer to me. I have to fight not to pull back when her mouth moves close to my ear. Why the fuck did I agree to pretend to be her man for the night?
Fucking stupid, if you ask me.
“We can celebrate after you win. Like old times.” Her hand touches my forearm.
I go to speak but movement catches my attention when someone calls ‘sorry sweetheart.’ I turn to see Stevie standing there, looking like I just ripped her heart out.
I shrug off Val, who fucking giggles, and it fuels my anger. Storming toward Stevie I am pissed that she is here, when she could be in danger. I hated when she used to come to these things back in high school. It was fucking dangerous back then but it is even worse now that Val has put a target on her back.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“W-what?” she stutters, blinking rapidly at the harsh tone of my voice.
Tears fill her eyes, but none roll down her cheeks yet. It fucking guts me but I know that the 749 and Val are all watching.
“You shouldn’t be here.” My voice is deep, showing my anger. My tone makes Stevie stiffen, and her heartbroken look vanishes, replaced with rage.
“Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?” A tear rolls down her cheek. “You do not get to say shit about my life anymore, you lying piece of shit. You are a coward, Crash, a fucking coward. All you had to do was fucking tell me that you didn’t want to be with me anymore. That would have hurt less.”
I wince at her words, her anger washing over me. My fists clench at my sides, fighting the urge to pull her to me and take her away from all of this bullshit.
“Some shit has been happening and I will explain later. Please go.”
“Oh, fuck you, Crash.”
“Stop.” It pisses me off that she is using my road name.
“No,” she snaps back. “You hurt me; you made me feel like a fucking fool. Well, I hope that you and your bitch girlfriend had a good laugh at my expense. That is all you will get from me.”
My anger boils hearing her swearing; Stevie never uses swear words unless she is angry and hurt. Clearly, she is both right now, but it is warranted.
“You need to leave,” I snarl
My tone makes her eyes widen, and she takes a step back. I fucking hate doing this to her, but she needs to leave so I can protect her and find out who the fuck tried to hurt her.
Her arms wrap around her middle, her gaze dropping to her feet. My heart is pounding in my chest at hurting her but she needs to leave; I do not want any more attention on her. I will make it up to her when this shit is over.
Stevie’s gaze comes back up to mine, the pain in her eyes that stares right at me, almost makes me drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness. I want to explain everything to her but I hold firm.
“Good luck with the race, Crash.” Licking her lips, she delivers her parting words. “We are done.Ifwe were ever anything. Stay away from me, or I will have my cousin arrest you.”