Page 60 of Crash Course

“But given the stakes,” he continues, “it’s only fair the drivers pick their engineers and not the other way around.”

“Since you’re supporting this, did you have an engineer in mind?” Vogel’s voice is far away. So’s the rest of the class.

Jameson’s gaze locks on me, carrying the same intensity it did when I was telling him about Ghost Mode.

When he speaks, it feels as if he’s reached down my throat and grabbed me by the heart.

“I want her.”

18

Shay

“Need a hand, New Girl?”

My breath collapses as I straighten from where I’m bent over a car at the ARI garage later that night.

“Theo.”

He takes his time crossing to me, his jeans and a button-down rolled up at the elbows looking more rumpled than usual.

Keane’s in the high security part of the garage on the other side of a locked door, but three other mechanics are working on their own vehicles. Each of them glances over to see the younger Ashford, two exchanging uncertain looks.

“I haven’t been here in a long time.” Theo scans the garage as he walks. “Probably since I was in karts. Dad used to let me come in on weekends.”

“And you decided this was the time to come back?” Just my luck he’d stumble in here and blow my cover.

Since Dad and I struck our fragile truce about me attending the academy, he seems less suspicious of my after-hours activity.

Probably because he figured—understandably—that attending school was my only secret.

Theo runs a hand over the car I’m working on. “I was in the neighborhood and recognized your car. Made me curious. And I wanted to talk to you after Jamie picked you for his team.”

“I would’ve been on your team, but you didn’t go for my idea.” I fold my arms, streaking grease across my skin.

He rubs a hand through his hair, embarrassed. “You could’ve given a guy a little notice.”

“I did! That whole picnic we had, I was talking about this idea. Ring a bell?”

“I remember the part where you kissed me.” His lips curve, and now I’m remembering how good they felt on mine.

“Pretty sure you kissed me.”

“Either way, there were mouths, and intentions.” He grins.

Having one Ashford on my brain was a lot. Two is impossible.

“Jameson didn’t need any notice.” It’s probably unfair to say, but it’s also true.

Theo doesn’t seem offended. “Jamie has always wanted what’s mine. At least, it feels that way.”

Is it true Jameson’s only interested in me because Theo is? The possibility shouldn’t matter, but it does.

No, I decide. Jameson’s too strategic for that. There’s no way he would saddle himself with me given the stakes of the next three races if he didn’t believe I could help him.

But a flicker of doubt lingers in my mind, one with sharp edges that slice at my pride.

“You want to tell me what you’re doing here?” Theo’s hard right drags me back.