Pedal to the Metal

Chapter 9

Meg

I was almost done with today. I didn't have a set schedule per say but more of a quality and quantity quota. The public had their favorites and I had to make sure to capture the best images of them, but I thought it fair to capture everyone in the league. I had been in the blazing sun for a few hours now. I was sure I had a sunburn and I was exhausted.

My camera hung around my neck as I walked around ‘pit row’ waiting for the next qualifier to finish.

Dawson Garrett was up and he was fast. His speeds rivaled that of Jude. Dawson was a bit younger than Jude but had that bad boy vibe just the same.

He pulled up on pit row and climbed out of his car. His helmet was pulled off of his head revealing blonde hair sticking to his head with sweat and heat. He was a handsome man but that was all I found attractive about him. His temper was noted in the media, and his attitude, and his age were another that was major turn off. He was only one year younger than me, but I had a thing for older men, mature men. I couldn't get behind the whole going for a cougar act.

He smiled at his crew as his feet hit the pavement and I raised my camera and snapped what I liked to call “The money shot”. He had a smile that could melt the panties off of any woman and his blue eyes were bright. He was high fiving his team, obviously proud of his number one qualifying position. He overtook Jude and I had a feeling Jude was going to be in a shitty mood later because of it.

The shutter on my camera clicked repeatedly. Capturing shot after shot of this moment for his team. Dawson looked up as I was lowering my camera and he pulled his ball cap out of his pocket and pulled it tight on his head.

He made his way towards me. I felt my stomach doing flips telling me to get out or get away. I was never one for big crowds or talking to people but I also hated being rude. Daniel used to hate it when I wasn't polite, cheerful and extroverted all of the time. I was expected to play the perfect trophy wife and hostess and if anything was out of line, I ended up paying for it later.

Dawson approached and snapped me out of my mini flashbacks.

“Howdy,” he said. His southern accent is ten times more deep than my own. That was as to be expected from a southern boy from Texas.

“Congratulations.” I said nodding towards the pole showing his time and position for tomorrow's race. He smiled and looked at it as well. A hint of pride showing in his expression.

“Want to go grab a few drinks and celebrate?” he asked and I froze. I'm sure my mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

“Are you asking me out? On a date?”

He smirked and it had an air of confidence about it. “What do you think? You're a beautiful girl, I'm a guy who just had a stellar day. What better way to end my day than me a bar with some drinks and a pretty woman by my side”

Oh, this casanova had moved, but they had no effect on me. It was like when a vibrator still works but the batteries are dying. The moves are sluggish and barely giving you any mph to get to the edge of a climax.

“You do know I'm older than you are, right?” I asked and he shrugged.

“And I have a child. One who's waiting on me right now to go and pick him up.” his brow furrowed and his eyes scanned down to my hands. My guess is looking for a ring, or the lack thereof.

“You seem nice and all, but there's plenty of other women who are interested in a night out with you. It's just not me.”

“No one has ever turned me down before…” he whispered in awe. “I kind of like that. Humbling as ever…” he led and I realized he was waiting on my name.

“Meg,” I supplied and he smiled.

“Well meg, it was nice to meet you. Word of advice though from a friend.” he said and I raised a brow.

“Oh, are we friends now?” I said and he shrugged

“I'd steer clear of Jude. He's nothing but bad news and will do anything to tear those around him down.” his jaw clenched as if thinking of Jude made him unbelievably angry. My son was with Jude. I had spent time with Jude. Hell, Jude saved my life. It was then that he brought it up and approached me because he probably saw the viral video that went around and tried to take what didn't belong to him.

Wait, I don't even belong to Jude. Stop it, Meg.

Regardless, I didn't want to be a pawn in anyone's game. I didn't want to be the catalyst that is used to one up the other or to hurt one another in this rivalry they've got going on. I refuse to put myself in that position.

“Look, you seem nice and all, but I don't think you know everything about him.” I offered and he scoffed.

“Oh, and you do? Look I wasn't trying to be rude, but I've seen countless women left heartbroken after nights with him. People close to me too. I know things some people shouldn't about him. About his past. About what happened to his…”

“Let me stop you right there. His past and his story are just that. His. It's his to tell and his to air out to the public if and when he chooses. I think it'd be wise if you took that statement and the thought you just had and shove it up your ass. It was nice meeting you, Dawson. Congratulations on today, but if this is how you treat people, then kindly f**k off and stay away from me.”

I walked away as quickly as I could without running and making a fool of myself. I've never stood up for myself let alone someone else. Someone I barely know. Of course, I would love to know more about Jude, but that is something that is up to him. If and when he feels comfortable enough in our friendship to tell me. I know how it feels to have your past aired out. I know how it feels to have people know everything about you and judge you based on your past and your prior mistakes in life. I won't do that to Jude. not when he's turning out to be someone I can trust.

Can I trust him? I guess only time will tell but I have a feeling he's going to be an amazing friend and someone I won't be able to live without. Much like Victoria is to me now. I couldn't even fathom living without her in my life. She has been my rock. My person. My best friend.

I found myself on the step to Jude's trailer in no time and looked around. There was no one in the garage but there was a ton of noise coming from inside. I opened the door, not thinking anyone would hear me knock and smiled at the sight that greeted me.

Jude, Beckett, and what looked like Jude's pit crew were all crowded in the living area. The bean bags were full, the sofa was covered in big hulking men and Beckett was sitting in Jude's lap with one of those mouthpieces from the “Whatchya say” game trying to speak out the sentence on a card.

I held my hand over my mouth to stifle my giggle and that's when Jude looked up and his icy blue eyes met mine. They were as blue as the sky on a cloudless day, the color of the ocean in the southern Florida keys. So blue that they nearly looked like crystals.

He was truly a beautiful man and I gulped. His eyes had not left mine and it was like there was a palpable connection spreading between us. It was tangible, it was vivid, it was practically alive between us and I was powerless to turn it off.