Chapter 26 Is This Guy Using Cheat Codes?
In the lead SUV, Jason grinned into the radio.
“The destination’s in the group chat. First one there gets waited on all day. Last one runs the grill.”
He chuckled.
“We’ll even throw in a case of beer. Something to enjoy while you’re cooking.”
Beside him, a muscular man in a tight black tank top laughed.
“So he’s our cook?”
“That’s the plan. He doesn’t even own a car. How good can he be? I talked to the others. Everyone else in this group can drive.”
“Dirty move.”
“He’s trying to take my woman. He deserves it.” Jason’s grin faded. “After yesterday, I’m going to enjoy watching him humiliate himself.”
“What happened yesterday?”
With a friend, Jason saw no reason to hide it.
“Remember that infection? The doctor told me to stop drinking and having sex during treatment. I lasted a month. Now it’s worse. Something to do with hormone production.”
His jaw tightened.
“Ryan told Chloe’s entire family. Announced that I couldn’t get it up. You should have seen her parents. I wanted to kill him.”
His friend burst out laughing.
“In front of the future father-in-law? No wonder you’re angry.”
Then he frowned.
“Why does Chloe want him? She has money. What’s she doing with a guy like that?”
“Who knows? Sometimes I think she’s only using him to keep me away. The whole thing might be an act.” Jason’s expression hardened. “Either way, I’m not giving up.”
“Marry the Bennetts’ only daughter, and the family fortune comes with her.”
“You’re getting ahead of yourself.” Jason smiled. “Though with her face and body, she’d be worth marrying anyway.”
They were still laughing when a black SUV appeared behind them.
Jason blinked.
“Marcus. Is that Chloe’s car?”
Marcus Stone looked back.
“He caught up?”
“Not for long.”
Jason pressed the accelerator, and the heavy vehicle surged forward.
For several miles, he pushed through traffic, watching every gap. By the time he eased off, his nerves were stretched tight. One mistake out here could cause a serious crash.
He checked his mirror. Chloe’s SUV was nowhere in sight.
“Lost him.”
“On your right!” Marcus shouted.
A black blur swept past.
Chloe’s SUV moved around the car ahead, changed lanes again, and pulled away with a roar.
Jason hit the gas. In his haste, he carried too much speed into a lane change and nearly clipped another vehicle.
Both men broke into a sweat.
By the time he recovered, Ryan was disappearing into the distance.
“Fuck!” Jason slapped the wheel. “Is he using cheat codes? Where did he learn to drive like that?”
“Maybe he drove for the military.”
“I wanted him stuck at the grill. Instead, I handed him a chance to impress her.”
Marcus flexed his wrist.
“I’ll handle him when we get there. Two veterans having a friendly spar. Nothing unusual about that.”
“Not yet.” Jason’s voice was tight. “Hurt him immediately and she’ll feel sorry for him. She might blame me. First we embarrass him. Give her a reason to regret bringing him.”
He glanced at Marcus.
“Then you take him apart.”
“Fine. I’ll start with a handshake.”
Jason understood and smiled.
“That I’d like to see.”
“Driving is one thing. Strength is another. He won’t be strutting around for long.”
Far ahead, Ryan guided the SUV through traffic with easy precision.
“You like racing?” he asked.
It wasn’t much of an interest of his, but neither was spending the day cooking for Jason’s friends.
Chloe held a hand near the open window, feeling the air rush past. Her face shone with excitement.
“I love it. I’m just not good at it. That’s why I wanted you to drive.”
She turned toward him.
“You’re incredible. They can’t even see our taillights.”
“I do all right.”
“Jason planned this to make you look bad. You should see his face now.”
She laughed, delighted.
“So, want a reward?”