His smile falters. “No way in hell.”
I sniff the air. “Is that fear I smell?”
His eyes narrow into slits. “Being afraid would mean I think I’m going to lose. I’m not.”
I shrug, still smirking. “Then I guess we don’t have a problem.”
He smirks back. “I guess we don’t.”
We stare each other down hard until someone clears their throat, startling us both, as if we forgot other people are here.
Raking his hands through his hair, Blaise steps away from me. “All right, you want a duel, then let’s duel.” He digs his keys out of his pocket. “Meet me at the turnout in twenty minutes. I have to pick up Rhyland’s car first.”
“Okay.” Even though I’m clueless as to where the turnout is, I don’t give him the satisfaction of asking. I also try not to reveal my panic over the mention of Rhyland’s car.
Through all the smack talk, I forgot about Rhyland’s awesome ride and didn’t take a moment to consider how Blaise would more than likely race it.
Blaise pauses, observing me. “You have a problem with my ride?”
“Nope.” When I return his obsessive stare, he grins then climbs into the SUV.
Rhyland turns to me, sighing heavily. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting into?”
“You’re the one who suggested I start racing in this town,” I remind him, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“I know, but …” A frown etches into his face. “I’m not sure you fully understand what you’re getting into.”
I shrug. “Doesn’t really matter since I’m not going to lose.”
His frown deepens, then he shakes his head and slips into the front seat of the SUV while Jaxon clambers into the back seat.
Alex makes no move to get in, smirking at me instead. “You’re going down. You do realize that, right?”
Smiling sweetly, I pat him on the shoulder. “I guess we should say our goodbyes now, right? Since soon you’re going to have to leave us alone. Although, I don’t even know why you are bothering us to begin with.”
“I have my reasons,” he sneers, then gives me a pat on the arm. “And just know that, when you lose, I’m going to add a list of favors of my own to Blaise’s list. So, have fun with that.” Then he turns and hops into the back seat.
Shaking my head, I hurriedly usher my sisters into my own car where Payton is waiting.
“What’s going on?” she asks the instant we hop in.
I rev up the engine. “I’m getting us off the Porterson brothers’ radar.
“Well, either that, or you’re putting yourself on their radar even more.” Londyn violently fastens her seatbelt. “What were you thinking, Hadley? Agreeing to do Blaise favors? And to kiss him!”
“What?” Payton cries, her eyes huge.
“I was thinking that I rarely lose a race, so none of that’s going to be a problem.” I push on the gas and drive forward.
Londyn huffs an exasperated breath. “You’re always putting us first, and this time, I think you’ve gone too far.”
“Doesn’t really matter what you think.” I offer an apologetic look. “What’s done is done.”
“And if you lose?” she asks, giving me a pressing look. “Then what?”
“I won’t lose,” I stress, crossing my fingers that I’m right.
If not, my life is going to get a hell of a lot more complicated. And considering my dad just buried a bag of who knows what in the backyard, the last thing I need is more complications.