Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
TESSA
We didn’t get first, second, or third, but I’m still going to celebrate because the race ended so much better than I thought it would. It started rocky with Rome unfocused and agitated, but the more the car moved beneath him, the smoother things became.
Vinny's reckless driving didn’t deter Rome but, instead, encouraged him. It’s nice to know that he can manage his temper when it really matters.
I swipe out of the overly encouraging texts from my dad, his attempt at making sure I know he’s proud of me regardless, and move back to the sibling group text.
Beck changed the name of the group: It’s BahRaining Shots
Beck
Uber is arriving in 5 minutes.
I quickly type while shoving my foot in a heel.
Me
I’m not ready!
Noah
A raise of hands for who is surprised that Tess isn’t ready.
Graham
Who are you trying to impress?
Noah
Vinny?
Beck
My stomach knots.
I exit out of the group text and pull up a number I was forced to save in my phone. I click on Rome’s name.
Me
Did you tell my brothers about Vinny?
Just when I think we’ve turned over a new leaf, he goes off and does something like this?
Rome
No hello?
I clench my jaw.
Me
Hello.
Me
Now answer my question.
I’m sweating.
I grab a tissue and blot my face to keep my makeup in place.
After the race, there’s usually some type of sponsored party exclusive to the drivers and their teams, including any plus-ones. It’s frowned upon if you don’t show, even if you perform poorly.
However, we’re all about to skip it if my brothers know about Vinny’s unwelcomed groping. It won’t end well, and I’ll be damned if the very first race without my father in charge, one of them gets arrested or, worse, fined.
Rome
I didn’t say anything, but I love having something to hang over your head.
Me
Rome
Better watch it…I could always tell them if provoked.
Me
You watch it. Your career is in my hands every time you step onto the track.
Rome
And their careers are in mine. What would they do to him if they knew that he touched Vanstone’s Princess?
He makes it sound like I wanted him to touch me, which was not the case.
I switch back to the family group chat and quickly get caught up on the messages I missed.
Graham
Better not be trying to impress Vinny. He drove like a rat today.
Noah
I don’t know. My brotherly senses are tingling.
Van
What did I miss?
Beck
Everything, Van. You miss everything.
Noah
Vinny is always staring at her.
Graham
Everyone stares at her.
I type aggressively while I pace my room in heels.
Me
I am not trying to impress Vinny!
Beck adds Rome to the group.
I stop breathing.
What the hell is he doing?
Beck
Welcome to the Halston sibling group chat, Rome. We still don’t trust you, but I have a question.
I can’t swipe out of the group text fast enough.
I click on Rome’s name.
He beats me to the punch with a message.
Rome
For Christ’s sake.
The group chat has messages coming in one after another.
Noah
I have a question too.
Beck
Is there something going on with our sister and Vinny? I saw you two exchanging pleasantries before the race. Then Vinny looked over at my sister like you two were discussing her.
Beck is much more observant than I give him credit for.
My stomach is on the floor as I wait for him to respond.
To keep myself busy, I snap a picture of the dress Quinn forced me into buying, and the new shoes to match, and fire it off to her. I’m in desperate need to talk to someone who shares the same chromosomes as me for stability.
Quinn
DAMN YOU’RE HOT
I smile and swipe her message away.
Rome is typing, and I’m dying a slow death.
My phone vibrates, and I stop pacing.
Rome
Vinny was giving me shit for stealing a girl out from under him a while back. He’s still bitter.
I make a face of disgust.
I go back to our message thread.
Me
Is that true?
Rome
Why? Jealous?
I roll my eyes and go back to the group message.
Noah
My turn.
On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it to work with Tess?
My lips flatten.
Really, Noah?
Van
Is the Uber here?
Beck
Oh, shit. I forgot. brB.
Noah
Well?
Rome types, and I have half a thought to storm over to his room so he can see me roll my eyes instead of sending the eye-roll emoji over text message.
Rome
There is no scale large enough.
I move over to our own text thread and type: The feeling is mutual!
Beck
I ordered a new Uber. Room for all of us. Even Rome.
I really don’t like the idea of Rome becoming friendly with my brothers.
He’s already practically adopted into the family, and now my brothers are starting to kid around with him?
What happened to none of us trusting him? Sure, we work together, but that doesn’t mean we have to trust him off the track.
Me
I’m riding to the bar alone. You’re all jerks.
Rome texts me separately.
Rome
You’re not getting into an Uber by yourself in a foreign country.
I snatch my purse and head to the door.
Me
I don’t know if you realized this or not, but I’m a grown woman who can make her own decisions.
I order an Uber for myself and head toward the elevator.
Rome
Trust me, Princess. I’ve noticed.
What does that mean?
I thrust my finger onto the button and wait while the numbers climb. Once the elevator arrives, I step inside with my heels clicking after me. I press L, but before the doors fully close, a hand jolts in between them.
No.
His spicy cologne fills the tight space, and I glare at his mischievous glint in his eye.
My lips part with annoyance. I cross my arms and growl quietly, looking elsewhere.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch his head bob as he drags his attention down my body.
I’m in a simple, long-sleeve black dress with see-through mesh for the arms. It hugs my curves, but the length hits several inches beneath my butt.
It’s classy but still hot.
At least that’s what Quinn said.
Rome snorts.
I whip toward him with warm cheeks. “What?”
If I thought he was attractive in a race suit, then what on earth is this?
He has the first three buttons of his dress shirt unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up to show off his incredibly toned forearms, likely from manhandling his car.
His black slacks are a perfect fit, likely professionally tailored for his long legs, and instead of his hair being messy from his helmet, it’s styled with gel yet still looks effortless.
I catch him eyeing me up and down once more.
“You’re definitely not riding in an Uber alone while wearing that.”
I look at my dress. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
He turns to face the door instead of speaking directly to me. “I’m half tempted to throw my jacket over your body to cover you up.”
The elevator dings.
I step out into the lobby. “I’m wearing more clothes than half of the women you are found taking pictures with.”
“Have you been looking me up online, Princess?”
I shoot him a look of disgust. “Absolutely not.”
He gets closer to me, a grin etched into his chiseled face. “You’re a terrible liar.”
I flip my hair over my shoulder and ignore him. I glance past some members from other teams and ignore each and every one of them.
My brothers have probably already set off on their way without Rome and me, but I’ve got news for Rome. He’s not riding with me.
I wave to the red car up ahead and step forward.
For good measure, I glance behind me with my hand outstretched toward the handle and grin, only for it to be swept away a second later.
“How does it feel to be on the losing end, brother?”
Beau Pierce stands with half his team, all who share the same arrogant smirk, in front of Rome.
His fist flexes beneath the suit jacket draped over his arm. “We’re not brothers.”
I put my finger up to the Uber driver and move toward Rome. I latch onto the end of his sentence. “ –and even if you win, you still lose.”
Beau steps forward, about to start something, but I quickly dart in front of Rome. He immediately grips my waist and pulls me backward, away from his stepbrother.
Beau’s eyes flare with excitement, but it fades quickly when one of his crewmembers tugs him away.
Rome vibrates with anger behind me, his hand still locked onto my hip. He makes no move to stop glaring in the direction of Beau, so I grab his arm to pull him toward the Uber.
“Looks like you’re getting your way,” I huff. “Get in.”