Racing Hearts (Hollows Garage Book 3)

It was barely five hours later, but I still forgot where I was as I opened my eyes. The warm blankets wrapped around me were cozy. This wasn’t even close to the same lumpy bed I had at home, and the woodsy pine scent was nothing like the lavender scent I usually smelled. The only normal thing to bring me back was Riot’s nose inches from my face, as he stared at me.

“Stop being a creep.”

He whined.

“Yeah, yeah. Give me a minute.”

I got up, finding the coffeemaker, but no coffee grounds, and the only thing in the fridge was flavored water and energy drinks. I think him saying that he didn’t cook much was a huge understatement. I snooped through the rest of the cabinets before realizing he really had the bare minimum.

A scribble of my name on a notepad caught my attention. Jax had already left and was heading to get the truck. There was also a horrible drawing of a truck and a wrench that I stared at a full minute before laughing.

Jax seemed nice enough, and for going home with a strange guy, he hadn’t tried to make me feel uncomfortable yet, which was a shock. I had honestly expected him to suggest we share a bed or make a joke that I pay him back sexually, but so far, all he had done was feed me and agree to get my truck. I didn’t really know what to make of it.

I had slept so hard that I had no idea when he left, but it was well past nine now. His number was written across the bottom of the note and let me know that someone would be taking me to the store.

My stomach rolled at the thought. What was worse than having to go home with a strange guy because you have nowhere else to go? Having to go out with his friends that you didn’t know. All the while making sure I didn’t run into anyone that I did know.

Jax had made it clear that him and his friends were in the street racing world, and I knew the type of people that went with that. Disgusting, crude guys, and mean, bitchy girls. Men that wanted to grope anything that moved and women who would yell at you for getting groped by their boyfriend. It was repulsive and exhausting, and I wasn’t sure I could take anymore of that right now. There was no world that I was going to get along with girls that hung around with street racers.

“I was kind of looking forward to us being alone today,” I said to Riot, who only stared. “Now we have random women coming here to interrogate me. I wouldn’t be surprised if I somehow stepped on someone’s toes by sleeping here last night.”

I couldn’t imagine at least one of Jax’s friends not having a crush on him or having a relationship of some sort. The guy was hot enough to make me look more than twice. There was no way these other women weren’t noticing.

“I hate this,” I mumbled. “I hate meeting new people, especially if they might already hate me.”

I grabbed his harness, clipping it on and heading out for a walk to hopefully clear my head.

As for the number, I had left my phone behind when I ran off. There was no way I was going to be found only because I wanted my phone, so his number didn’t help me much.

Not that I had any use for it anyway.

When I stuck my head out the door, I didn’t see or hear anyone, but I was still quiet as we stepped out the door and crept down the stairs. The entire place wasn’t that big, but I was surprised at how well they did turning the old brick building into their very own apartment complex. A set of stairs led up to another landing with two apartment doors, and the other brought me down to two more doors before I could turn right and go to the garage that we came in last night, or take a left and go outside.

We walked around the block a few times before heading back in. Riot seemed to be having a good time, but I couldn’t stop looking over my shoulder, worried Slaughter or Tristan’s cars would show up any minute. Worried that somehow the world would turn against me one more time and lead one of them right to me.

I was quiet heading back in, slipping inside Jax’s apartment without passing anyone. When I turned to the kitchen, my heart dropped as I screamed.

“Whoa!” the small red-headed girl said, turning and raising her hands.

The other two jumped back and yelled out.

Riot barked and pulled forward, more surprised at my scream than by them.

“Sorry! I’m Quinn. This is Ash and Scout. Jax said you needed to go to the store and we all do, too. We didn’t mean to scare you!” she said, her eyes going wide as she yelled over Riot’s barking.

“Usually it’s the guys getting this reaction. I’m not quite sure what to do,” the blonde girl, Ash, said as she shut the fridge. “I mean, you are Carly, I assume?”

“Yeah, that’s me. Sorry, I was outside and got myself all paranoid, and I wasn’t expecting anyone here.”

“We knocked but didn’t hear anyone, and we were dying to meet the random girl that Jax brought home in the middle of the night,” Ash said, wiggling her eyebrows. “But then we were starting to worry that you left.”

“No, Riot has a very strict schedule for himself, so I had to take him for a walk,” I said, trying to relax.

They all looked at Riot, who was now sitting and panting, a smile across his face, looking ready to jump all over them.

“Sorry, he’s not a big fan of men, but seems to think every woman will fawn all over him. Do you guys mind if I let him go?”

“Not at all,” Quinn said at the same time Scout’s eyes went wide.

“Is he friendly?” she asked, the shock and horror in her tone making me stifle a laugh.

“Yeah, he’s a big teddy bear. Like I said, it’s men he doesn’t like much.”

Ash dropped down and Riot bounded over, nearly rolling into her lap.

“We can all agree on that, buddy.”

Quinn got down to pet him, but Scout stayed on her stool.

“If you’re scared of him, you can ignore him. He’ll get the hint.”

“I mean, I’m not scared of him, maybe a little…wary.”

I smiled at her hesitancy. “Understandable, but he really is a big baby.”

He was on his back, taking the attention and basking in the petting.

“So is Scout. You two will love each other,” Ash said, sticking her tongue out at Scout. “I saw that Jax has quite the selection here. Do you want coffee or food or anything before we go?”

“Actually, coffee would be great. It looks like he has none.”

“I have plenty downstairs. We’ll get some and then head out.”

“Already?”

“Yeah, we all have to get to the garage later this morning, so now is best.”

“Of course. That will give me time to cook, anyway.”

I went to change, pulling on leggings and a shirt, trying not to think about how pretty his friends were. It wasn’t that I was jealous. I liked how I looked most of the time, but some part of my brain could never stop comparing myself to other people. No, not other people, other women. It had become a habit, always comparing myself until I felt bad. It wasn’t their fault, it never was, but I could bring myself down so far that I ruined my own day. I couldn’t let it happen this time. I needed to force myself to stop before I let it get out of control.

Luckily, they started pulling me downstairs to another, similar apartment before I could spiral. Ash talked about who was in what apartment and more about the garage as she made us coffee, and then I was being pulled further downstairs to the garage to head to the store. I was happy they didn’t expect me to do much talking about myself. They seemed fine filling in the silence, telling me about themselves and the garage.

“My family owns Holt racing,” Ash said. “So we can go to the track if you ever want to. I’m not sure if you like driving and all that.”

“Oh wow,” I said. I had been staring out the window, taking in their excitement and stories. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

She flashed a smile. “No one ever is.”

“That’s really nice, but I don’t really like driving fast cars. More of a slow truck kind of person, which I hope will be done before I have time to even go to your track.”

She shrugged. “You never know. It’s a lot of fun when you’re on a track. And not nearly as scary as the road.”

“I might have to try it one day,” I said, not really meaning it. Not believing that I would be around long enough to do that. I was pretty sure after today, I would never see them all again.

AFTER SHOPPING, we got back into Scout’s little green car. I had come to hate these fast cars, but she seemed like a better driver than most people I had known, so I tried to keep my mouth shut and not complain.

“So, I have to ask because I’m not quite sure what the entire dynamic is here. I’m not causing any problems staying there with Jax, right? None of you have a problem with it and are planning on punching me or anything? I want to clarify that I’m sleeping on the couch, not with him.”

They all looked around and laughed.

“I’m already dating one of his friends, Ransom, and so is Ash, who is dating Fox. As for Scout, what do you think? Any feelings towards Jax?”

“I will pull this car over and kick both of your asses if you try to convince her that I do,” Scout said. “No, Carly. The only feelings I have, or have ever had, for Jax are the annoying older brother feelings. I love him, for sure, but there’s no romance there, promise. There’s no romance for any of the guys.”

I nodded, relieved that none of them seemed to have a problem. I didn’t want Jax, but I also didn’t want any of the girls coming for me.

By the time we made it back from the store and they dropped me off, I even felt a little more comfortable about the idea of having to sit and eat with the entire group later.

I was surprised at how nice they all were. I mean, they joked and gave each other some shit, but it seemed to all be friendly. It was so different from what I knew. I gave up on friendships, on any type of relationship, and learned to keep to myself. It had become easier than trying honestly, and it felt so much safer than handing over any part of myself to someone.

After walking Riot again, I went right to work. I started with making the pasta and prepping dessert before I would start putting it all together when the time came.

I lost myself in cooking, not paying attention to the time or to my worries. It was one of my favorite parts of it all. I had too much to focus on in these moments to worry about my life. I could turn on music or a podcast and be zoned out for hours.

The door shut, and I froze.

“Hello?” I asked, the edge to my voice sounding annoyingly nervous. I liked to think I was tough, but I didn’t feel that way right now. I was so nervous that every little thing seemed to put me more on edge.

“Only me,” Jax said, walking in and throwing his stuff down. “How’s it going?”

“Oh damn. What time is it?”

There was no clock in the kitchen and without a phone, I was useless at keeping track. Although, to be honest, even with the phone, I was terrible.

“Almost five. Everyone will head home to clean up, then come over. Is that fine?”

“Fine? Like an hour?” I wasn’t nearly as ready as I wanted to be. I mean, the food was ready, but I wasn’t. I wanted this entire dinner done and over with, then I could at least make it to the next town before midnight then, and hopefully avoid any extra small talk.

Jax only laughed. “I’m going to shower quick and then I will help you.”

“No, you don’t have to do that. You worked on my truck all day. Dammit, you did get my truck, right?”

“I did. I figured you would at least text, but here.” He turned his phone around, showing me a picture of the truck in what I guessed was their garage. “We’ll talk at dinner about its diagnosis, but it’s locked up there now.”

“Thank you. It really means a lot that it’s at least safe.”

He grimaced, but shook his head in agreement. “I’ll be back in a few.”

The next hour went by fast as I put the food together and tried to push Jax out of the kitchen.

“The whole point is I do this in exchange for the truck getting fixed, so stop helping. Shouldn’t your friends be here soon?”

“Yeah, they should. I get you are trying to kick me out, but do you think I need to wait at the door and greet them?” he asked with a smirk. “You did meet the girls, right? There’s no formalities here. They will just let themselves in. I can help you in here.”

As soon as he said the words, the door burst open, a line of people filing in.

I could only step back, the apartment getting smaller as one after another came inside.

I hated get-togethers, hated parties. Honestly, I hated anything that had more than two people around me lately. I would be content here alone for weeks if I had Riot, fun food to cook, and a few books or movies.

Not only that, but big tattooed street racers made me nervous after hanging around Slaughter and Tristan, their illegal activities always bringing some sort of trouble around. Their gross, inappropriate friends always coming around to drink and grab at me. I could barely hide away in my room without them bothering me constantly.

 Now I seemed to be in a room full of them.

“You okay?” Jax asked, stopping to look me over.

His hair was still damp, his shirt clinging to him in all the right places and making me forget what I was worried about. I could see more of his tattoos now, a band around his forearm, a few others littered on his biceps. They weren’t overwhelming, each one smaller and well done. I assumed there was more, but none that I had a chance to see yet. I, surprisingly, really wanted to see if there was more.

“Carly?” he asked again, pulling my attention back to his face.

“Yeah, I’m not great with groups, and yours is a bit too familiar and intimidating.”

“Damn, yeah, I forget that all of us together can be daunting. They are really great, though. They won’t give you too much shit or anything. What do you mean, familiar?” He was still smiling, stealing bites of food where he could.

“I already know all of your types. I know what they will give me,” I said, straightening my shoulders. “It’s fine. It’s only a dinner. Can you help me carry everything out?” I asked, trying to tell myself that I’d made it through many dinners with these types. One more wouldn’t kill me.

“Whoa, whoa, hold on. What are you talking about? You know what they will give you? Who?”

“The racer type. The street racer type. I know the rude, gross comments, and grabby hands. I can handle it for one night,” I said, trying to give myself a pep talk more than actually explain it to him.

His eyes went wide. “None of my friends are going to be grabbing you. That’s wild that you would even think that would be okay with us. I will personally hit anyone who thinks they could grab you when they want. As for the rude, gross comments, unless we are talking about open wounds or something, there should be none of that, especially if you’re insinuating it would be sexual. I don’t know if you could tell yet, but Fox or Ransom would quite literally get their asses kicked if they said something like that. You really were hanging around shitty people, huh? Just give them a chance for the night and then make your decisions.” A scowl came over his face as he looked back at the crew and then at me. “Where you were before, did they…hurt you?”

The clear concern on his face was surprising… and cute.

“No, nothing like that. Aside from a smack from my mom once in a while or a twisted arm from my sister, I was okay. Luckily, I’m rude enough that no one crossed the line into anything too extreme. But it made me hate groups of people like this.”

He leaned back on the counter, furrowing his brows. “So you have to tell me now. Who are you running from, exactly? I’ve been wracking my brain all day, but I can’t place the guy I hit last night.”

I could only stare, not knowing what to say. Telling him could have two outcomes.

One, he knows them and hates them too, so he would understand why I left.

Or two, he wants to send me right back, and have no involvement with them.

I guess the third option was that he actually likes them and will be on their side of this all.

He was still staring back. “I don’t know how long you can stare at me, but I will sit here all night waiting for your answer. Your eyes are beautiful anyway, so it’s really no problem for me.” His smile grew as he wiggled his eyebrows.

I could feel the heat creeping up my neck and looked away fast. He didn’t need to see how red that was going to turn my cheeks.

“I am running from Tristan. The guy from last night, but it’s more that I’m running from Slaughter. He’s kind of the leader of the group, and my stepdad.”

“Slaughter?” The shock in his voice made me look back over.

“You know him?”

“Unfortunately. I know of Tristian too, but I haven’t had the honor of meeting him formally. You’re kind of related then? Why are you running from him? I mean, aside from him being an asshole.”

“Slaughter is my stepdad, so please don’t consider us related. Tristan is his best friend, right-hand man, and is dating my sister. They want my help. Or more like he wants me to join whatever dumb gang they think they are starting so I don’t ruin their plans. Right before I left, I was with my sister and we went down to their garage. I always try to stay away from it, but my sister is with Tristian and she wanted to stop by, so I agreed.” I was quiet, thinking through it all. It was barely two days ago and it had changed every second of my life since.

“I’m assuming there’s an ‘and’ attached to this?”

“And I got a glimpse of what was actually happening. They are taking cars and tearing them apart to sell.” I didn’t want to add how I had been kind of helping them, and that I had taken the laptop.

I still needed to look at it, but was almost getting too scared to actually see what was on it.

“Damn. And what? They wanted your help or wanted to keep you quiet?”

“Both? They obviously don’t want me to rat them out, but they also want my help to grow their operations.”

“And you refused?”

“In not so many words. I just ran away instead,” I said with a tight smile.

“There was no way to stay and not help more,” he said, more as a statement, but I still felt guilty enough to elaborate.

“No, I would be locked in my room until I was on their side.”

His blue eyes were trained on me, and I was struggling not to stare again, but then he gave a tight smile. “Looks like we have a bigger problem than I thought. Come on, let’s eat and figure this out.”

“Figure out how to get me out of here faster?” I asked, with a small, nervous laugh.

He stopped and turned to me, grabbing the platter of food I had picked up. “No, just figure out how to help you. Now relax and come on before all of this gets cold and I pass out from hunger.”

I watched him go, trying to wrap my head around his words. What I told him didn’t seem to faze him too much, maybe a bit surprised but no anger, no outrage that I didn’t say anything sooner.

Now he only wanted to help me more?