Throttled (Dirty Air Series Book 1)

“Today we’re here with Santiago since he gets jealous of all the attention I give other racers.”

My brother and I sit at a sleek bar top in the Bandini motorhome. I line up two shot glasses next to a bottle of tequila while Santi smiles at the camera situated on an adjacent table.

“Santi admitted he’s down about not making it on the podium the other day. So we are going to do an exclusive episode of Tequila Talks because we still haven’t learned tequila doesn’t fix our problems. I hope this episode goes better than the last one. I’ll ask him a series of questions where he has to take a shot whenever he refuses to answer. I end the show after four because he weighs a lot and I can’t pick his butt up off the floor. Blame their strict workout regimen and muscle mass.”

My brother flexes his bicep at the camera.

“Warning: I didn’t come up with these questions. I want to clarify since fans want answers to things I do not need to know about my brother.” My lips purse at the horny bunch of fans out there—way more than I expect, all tapping away in my inbox about these guys.

I exaggerate a shudder at his mischievous grin and stick my tongue out at him.

“Favorite thing about your sister?” I bat my lashes at him.

“Hmm, who came up with that question?” His brow lifts.

I shrug and fail to answer.

“I love her passion, fearlessness, and carefree personality.”

Aw, how sweet.

“Who knew you had such kind thoughts about me? Okay, next question. The worst part about F1?”

“Hands down the fact that I don’t sleep in my bed for months at a time. I miss coming home.”

Ah, the not-so glam side of traveling the world.

“What you really miss is your gym and bubble baths.” I smile at my brother.

“Bath bombs don’t feel the same in a hotel bathtub.” He pouts.

I suppress a laugh. “Best part of having a teammate?”

“The shared points you get together. Plus, personal tips and recommendations.” Santi genuinely smiles at the camera.

“Ugh. I hate this one. Your favorite sex position?”

He winks at the camera and knocks back a shot. Good answer.

“Glad that’s past us. Next, any special girl in your life?”

He flips his empty shot glass. “Not since high school.”

“See girls, boys are sensitive just like us. They get their heart broken once and it’s game over.”

He chuckles to himself. “See guys, girls are annoying as ever, no matter the age.”

Oh, burn. “Moving on—”

“What’s going on here?” Noah’s voice makes my stomach flip.

“Tequila Talks. Want to join?” My brother has loose lips after one shot.

Sure enough, Noah grabs the extra glass and fills it up. He sits in the seat next to me, ready for questions.

My eyes dart between Noah and Santi. “Wait, he can’t join. I don’t have questions for him.”

“Ask him the same ones.” Santi offers me a quizzical look.

“Lovely.” My jaw hurts from my teeth grinding.

Noah dares to look smug. All right, he asked for it.

“If you could go on a date with any celebrity, who would it be?” I give the camera a warm smile before turning toward the guys.

Noah coughs. I did try to stop him.

“Definity Taylor Hill. That girl is fine,” my brother blurts out.

My hands fidget in front of me, anticipating whatever response Noah comes up with.

He mutters a curse before speaking. “Hmm. Adriana Lima?”

If glares could kill, this man would be dead on the spot.

“If anyone from the VS fashion show is listening in, please invite these guys. It’ll make their year.”

My brother chuckles while Noah keeps quiet, pleasing me.

“Favorite F1 team besides Bandini?”

My brother strokes his chin as Noah takes it away.

“McCoy for me. I like the guys and their work ethic. They’re great competition, always pushing us to do our best.”

“I like Kulikov. That’s a given from our previous history. There’s no bad blood since I left. And the guys hustle.”

I move on. “Name five things you look for in your dream girl.”

“Attractive, smart, into F1…” Santi pauses. “Oh, family-oriented, and nice.”

Noah takes a few seconds to come up with an answer, his intense gaze warming me up inside. I become fascinated with picking at the label of the tequila bottle.

“Beautiful, both inside and out. Funny enough to get my asshole sense of humor. Someone who wants to have a family and likes me for me, rather than for fame. And a girl who will travel around the world with me because this job is constantly on the go.”

I think my ovaries explode but it’s hard to tell. Moving on.

“Best sex story?” Did the camera catch my cringing? I’ll have to re-watch later while I edit.

My brother takes a breath before talking. “Well, there was this one time—”

My elbow hits him in the ribs. Hell. No.

Noah winks at me before knocking back his shot like the Champ he is. Oh, what a simple wink can do to me. My lips tip up in a telling smile.

The game keeps going with questions taking a turn away from sex and love interests. Bless.

For the first time since Santi started at Bandini, he and Noah get along. It gives me hope that they can be friends after Noah and I come out about our relationship.

But you know what they say about the best-laid plans…