Chameleon Soul (Chequered Flag #1) (7 page)

“No, he’s not told me. I never liked her, though.”

Dustin was the silent, broody type, which I thought odd considering he was usually so chatty. With everything going on in my life, I didn’t have the energy to force him to talk. We’d developed a “don’t ask” policy. He didn’t quiz me about my nightmares, and in return I didn’t talk about Elora. We were just there for each other when we needed it.

Teo looked thoughtful, as if considering whether to continue the subject or not.

Finally he spoke. “Thank God his eye went down enough for them to clear him to race is all I can say. He doesn’t deserve to lose out because of Hattersey.”

“Did he really plan to knock you off the track last year to win the championship?” When I’d seen that crash, my heart had been in my mouth. Aston had nicked Teo’s back wheel and sent him spinning into the barrier two laps from the end. Both Dustin and me had been screaming in outrage at the TV.

“You saw that?” He sounded genuinely surprised, momentarily taking his eyes off the screen to look at me.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“We can’t prove it, but everyone knows he did. Aston doesn’t play by the same rules as everyone else and he stops at nothing to win.”

I knew that better than most.

Before I could stop myself, my hand was on his shoulder and squeezing gently. When he didn’t pull away, I left it there. “That can’t have been easy; to lose the championship when you were so close to getting your hands on that trophy.”

He clenched his jaw. “Losing the championship meant nothing compared to what else I lost that year, Raine.”

I let my hand fall from his shoulder, placing it on my lap. I didn’t dare glance up and see the look on his face. He was meant to have gotten over me by now. That had been the whole point of the plan.

“I’m sorry, Raine. I shouldn’t have said that.”

I peered up through my eyelashes to find Teo staring off into the distance out through the garage door. His hands were clutched around the edge of the cabinet I was sitting on by his side, the muscles in his arms tense.

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to apologise. I made the decision, and I have to live with what I did.”

When Teo’s fingers found my chin, I jumped in shock. I allowed him to tilt my head up, no urge to flee rising within me. When our eyes met nothing else existed. My lips parted involuntarily, my tongue gliding over them.

“It doesn’t have to be this way, Raindrop.”

His touch burned my skin and sent pleasant waves of heat surging through my bloodstream.

“What are you saying, Teo?”

An almighty roar ripped through the paddock, breaking the spell he’d cast. On the screen Dustin had passed the chequered flag and his mechanics were running out to meet him as he exited the car.

Teo hooked my chin and returned my gaze to his. “I’m not giving you up without a fight, Raine. You can shut me out, lie to me, or break down as much as you want; I’m not going anywhere. I’m also not getting on that plane again until things between us are back to how they should be. I should never have left in the first place.”

I gasped, my jaw dropping at his blunt admission.

“Do you understand what I was saying now? Things don’t have to be this way.”

I could only nod.

“Good. Then I expect you to come out with us and celebrate tonight.”

Teo backed away with a wink, not giving me time to complain, and then he was out of the garage and following Dustin’s mechanics, who were rushing to celebrate. I wouldn’t have put it past him to have figured out I couldn’t follow him. I’d chanced fate enough for one day.

Chapter Twelve

Raine

“I can’t do this, Dustin,” I whined, collapsing on his bed and throwing an arm over my eyes. I’d gone over every tiny detail of how the night could go and I was panicking.

The bed dipped beside me and then Dustin’s hand tugged on my forearm. I grunted in protest, burying my face further into the crook of my arm, and tensed so he couldn’t remove it. My strength was no match for his. He pulled my arm back with ease until I stared up into his forest green eyes.

“Can’t do what? Be around Teo or go out and celebrate?”

“Both.” Sitting up, I placed his pillow on my lap.

“Come on, Raine. I’ve won my home race and want to celebrate. Do it for me.”

“What about the paparazzi? It’s bad enough it’s dark.”

They were still camped outside our flat, their cameras poised every time I exited the building. There hadn’t been any more stories released—thank God—but their constant presence played on my mind daily. It was only a matter of time before they snapped a picture they could twist a story around. No matter how good at hiding I’d become, they always found me, and it left me in the insufferable position of either having to face them to see Teo or give him up again.

“What’s the worst they can do? You have to remember no one’s after you, Raine. You don’t need to spend your life hiding.”

“They make me vulnerable. The more pictures of me and Teo get out, the number of people who hate me will increase, and so will the number of people who want to get to me.”

Dustin placed a finger under my chin, tilting my face to meet his gaze. “Nothing, and I mean
nothing,
like that is ever going to happen again. You hear me? I won’t allow it and I’m sure if you told Teo the truth neither would he. Don’t let those fuckers ruin your life. You didn’t let them mess with Teo’s so why should they get you down?”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

Dustin sighed and dropped his hand. His eyes filled with regret. “I know. Believe me, if there was a way I could make all of this go away I would.”

“Do you think Teo will notice if I don’t show up?”

Dustin looked at me like I’d asked the most ridiculous question possible. “Uh…yeah. I think that’s a definite.”

I tried to figure out what could have caused Teo’s sudden change of heart. I could only come to one conclusion.

“Dustin, did you say something to him?”

“I say a lot to him, he’s my brother, so you’re going to have to be more specific.”

“Did you tell him what happened or tell him to be nice to me?”

“Of course not!” he answered too quickly, his tone too much of a protest.

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. “Dustin…”

“I may have pointed out how you’re both incredibly dense and still love each other, but I didn’t tell him anything he didn’t already know. If he’s changed then it’s on him.” He clasped my hand in his, and with a sudden movement tugged me off the bed. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”

“But—”

He dragged me through the flat. I knew I shouldn’t have gone into his room dressed for a night out; it made his job too easy.

Dustin paused in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Nothing’s going to happen to you tonight, Raine. I won’t allow it and neither will Teo, Zeke, or Flynn. The same goes for the guys on my team. Everyone loves you. You couldn’t be safer.” His gaze held mine, imploring me to hear the truth in his words.

“Zeke and Flynn are going to be there?”

I hadn’t seen them since I left Teo, and I didn’t know whether that made me nervous or excited. Probably both. Although I used to be good friends with them, I couldn’t predict how they’d react to me. I assumed their loyalty lay with Teo.

“Oh sure,
now
I’ve got your interest. Celebrating my win wasn’t enough to get you there, but they are,” he teased, false sarcasm lacing his words.

“You’re a close second. Don’t worry. Now let’s get out of here before I change my mind on this ridiculous idea.”

Dustin wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we exited the flat. “That a girl.”

Not once did Dustin remove his arm during the short walk to the local pub. He was the life jacket keeping me afloat in a sea of raging emotions all vying for prime position within me. Neither of us spoke along the way. I was trying too hard to keep my gaze from the shadows. It had been a cool summer night like this when everything had changed for me.

We stopped in front of the entrance and Dustin turned me to face him. “Remember, if things get too much, find me and we’ll leave. Even if it’s the slightest thing you tell me, all right?”

How I ever got so lucky to have a friend like Dustin is beyond me, because he genuinely meant it. Even so, that didn’t mean I would listen to him. This was his night and I refused to ruin it. I could always persuade Zeke or Flynn to walk with me if they didn’t hate me. I stiffened.

Oh god, what if they hate me?

Dustin stooped until his eyes were level with mine, misreading my flinch. “You’re going to be fine, Raine.”

I swallowed back my fear and nodded. Dustin opened the door and we stepped inside. He got a few claps on the back and cheers as he walked through the room, people raising their glasses at him. I shrank against his side even though none of the attention was on me. Knowing that allowed me to breathe a little easier as we made our way to the bar.

Well, when I said none of the attention was on me it wasn’t technically the truth. One set of eyes remained firmly focused on me. They didn’t waver once as we made our way over. A smile played on Teo’s lips when he saw us approaching. It was as if no one else in the room existed, his eyes boring into mine and making it impossible to look away.

“You came.”

“I didn’t really have an option.”

A familiar, slightly drunk, squeal came from behind me and arms wrapped around my neck.

“You’re here! You’re out in public!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, not bothered by the curious looks Nadine drew.

“Yeah, I am.”

She held up her pint glass to Dustin as if saluting him. “Way to go, magic boy. This is your best trick by far.”

He chuckled. “Nadine, you’re wasted.”

“It’s a party. I’m supposed to be wasted.”

I don’t think there was one person who didn’t roll their eyes at her.

“What? I speak the truth. Anyway, I’m going back to my date. I’m glad you’re here, Raine.” She hugged me briefly, the smell of alcohol on her breath forming a cloud around me, and then she was gone. When she’d disappeared back into the crowd, I returned my attention to the guys.

“What do you want to drink?” Teo asked me.

“Uh…orange juice,” I said at the same time Dustin said, “She’ll have a pint.”

I pursed my lips.

“Quoting Nadine, it’s a party,” he said. “You’re supposed to drink.”

My scowl deepened. “You’re pushing your luck, Coates.”

I didn’t hear his sigh over the noise yet I saw it. His shoulders raised and slumped while his chest heaved dramatically. He knew I only drank at home. When I was out I liked to remain aware of my surroundings.

“One pint isn’t going to hurt, Raine.”

“Neither is one orange juice.”

We remained locked in a staring contest until Teo handed me a glass of juice. I didn’t miss the smug look he threw Dustin. “Come on, we’ve got a booth over there.”

Teo took my hand, leading me to the back corner of the pub. We had barely reached the booth when two strong arms embraced me from behind. My body turned to stone at the restrained power behind the grip, and when I smelt the masculine aftershave I held my breath, paralysed. My grip on Teo’s hand tightened to a crushing intensity, grabbing his attention as I stared at him with wide eyes.

“Raine!” My body relaxed enough for me to exhale as I recognised the voice. When I noticed the black head of hair and devilish smile, I relaxed even further, relief flooding my heart and making it beat again. Zeke tugged me under his arm. “Hey, Flynn, it’s Raine!”

Flynn looked up, his baby blue eyes wide with surprise, but like Zeke they too held a friendly warmth. They were acting like nothing had happened and there hadn’t been a year since they’d last seen me. Immediately, Flynn was standing, stepping around the few girls who surrounded him in the booth. Within seconds I was in his arms too, awkwardly hugged around Zeke’s grip on my shoulder, and Teo’s grip on my hand.

“Hell, it’s good to see you again,” he murmured in my ear with his familiar Australian lilt, squeezing me so tightly I giggled.

“It’s good to see you all again too.” Everything about the exchanges felt natural and comforting.

“Okay, you lot. Get your hands off my girl.” Teo extricated me from their holds. My cheeks flared at his words and I dropped my gaze to the floor, but not before I saw their raised eyebrows and questioning stares.

Teo slid into the booth and dragged me in alongside him. His thumb ran circles over the back of my hand, and if he meant the gesture to be soothing he was failing. All it did was quicken my pulse and make everything else hard to focus on.

“So how have you been and what have you been up to? It’s not the same without you around the paddock. You were my unofficial mascot,” Zeke said, gaining a warning glare from Teo. Zeke had always liked to wind him up about our relationship even though we both knew he’d never try it on.

“From what I’ve seen you’re doing fine without me. Third in the championship and all,” I said.

“I could be first if I had one of your good luck kisses again.” He winked at Teo, who growled in warning. His hand found my thigh, clasping it possessively.

“Zeke, when have I
ever
given you a good luck kiss?”

He flattened his hands on the table, leaned across, and puckered his lips. When Teo shot him a warning glare, he sank back into his seat and said, “There’s a first time for everything. It seemed to work for Teo for a while.”

A pregnant pause surrounded the table, Zeke’s unspoken words—it’d worked until I left him—hanging in the air. I glanced down at the shiny wooden surface, not sure how to respond. I actually wished I’d listened to Dustin and gone with something stronger to drink.

“I’ll be back in a second. I need to go to the toilet,” I said in a hurry, not giving any of them time to question me. Grabbing Nadine on my way through the pub, I dragged her into the bathroom, needing the distraction from the discomfort and a minute to compose myself.

The second I returned and slipped back into the booth, Teo watched me with concern. “Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

Zeke and Flynn were more taken by their dates. Zeke placed kisses along a redhead’s neck while Flynn crushed his lips to those of the brunette he’d found for the evening. It was a sight I had become accustomed to around the guys, back when Teo took no part in it. Now it sent stabs of irrational jealousy through me. It killed me to know I’d made his new lifestyle possible.

I’d seen all of the pictures—how he acted with the grid girls at races—and heard the stories from the guys on Dustin’s team. At the time I’d told myself I had no right to be bothered by it, even though that didn’t prevent it from shredding my heart into even smaller pieces. I was the one who broke up with him, after all. Regardless, I couldn’t control the year’s worth of hurt rearing its ugly head.

“You don’t have a date tonight?” I asked with more disgust than I intended.

Teo watched me with surprise. “Of course I do. It’s you.”

That took me aback for a second. At no point in the day had I considered this a date. Sure, he’d asked me, but I’d arrived with Dustin and was there for him.

“If you’re looking for a one-night stand, you picked the wrong girl. Where were all of your usual skanks when you asked me?” I hissed, not even sure why I was getting angry or trying to pick a fight.

Teo’s eyes darkened, his jaw locking. When he spoke, a cold irritation laced his words. “Stand up.”

“Why?” I leaned back against the seat, not allowing him to pass as he slid closer to me. Everything about the situation should have triggered an attack, but I felt unusually in control. Even my hands were steady when I raised them to fold my arms stubbornly.

“Because I need to talk to you and I don’t want to do it here.”

“Why not? Are you ashamed of the amount of women you’ve slept with and don’t want everyone to know what a man-whore you really are? Because I think it’s common knowledge.”

“Raindrop, I don’t want to scare you by throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you out of here, but I will if you don’t stand up and follow me.”

I huffed and pulled myself from the seat. Zeke and Flynn glanced up momentarily, soon returning their attention to their girls.

Taking a step back, I allowed Teo to walk past me then I followed him out the front door, not even considering what time of day it was.