2. Chapter 2
Chapter two
“ H ow the hell do I post a link and keep my blurb to one hundred and forty characters?” I say to myself as I once again rewrite the tweet I want to send out for Smoke and Mirrors.
I’m trying to share a shop tour video I made, complete with music and text. I had Ryan, the shop mechanic, help me film it when I wanted to be in certain shots. Of course, I am wearing my cropped logo tee and booty shorts, a prerequisite for anytime I am on camera. People like skin as much as they like the cars I’m recording. Sex sells, and if I can show some skin to help this team, I am down to do it.
I need them to need me.
“Oh, thank God, finally.” I get my wording just right, tagging the American Drift League and other drift accounts, and share the link to the four hundred and seventy-three followers Smoke and Mirrors has. The last few days have been filled with more photo shoots, thankfully uninterrupted by Griffin the asshole, and me learning my way around the shop and familiarizing myself with the team via write-ups and Google searches.
I am slowly settling into the tiny, sparsely furnished apartment procured for me by S&M. I shake my head thinking of how Paul shortened Smoke and Mirrors. The abbreviation is just too much, but everyone calls the team that. I will hopefully find time to fully unpack once the first race is over.
I don’t want to go back to San Jose, at all. It was a dead end for me, living in Daddy’s NASCAR shadow. As long as I stayed with our shop, I would always be his pretty daughter and nothing more. I’ve called home every night and spoken to Henry, but Dad still won’t talk to me. I know he’s hurt that I just up and left them hanging without a shop manager for this gig. I didn’t think he would be this pissed, but he’s holding onto his stance that I prefer being a piece of meat to be dangled to the fans over the family business. Sometimes that’s what it feels like, when I am wearing next to nothing and sexualizing everything from tires to wrenches, but this job is more than that. And now that I have a legit place with the team, I feel like this is an even better opportunity than being the brand ambassador.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
“Hey, Shelby, did you get the video uploaded?” Ryan asks as he leans against the doorway of the shop office.
I look up from where I am sitting cross-legged on the ratty old plaid couch with my laptop balanced on my knees. I put jeans back on, but my midriff is still on display along with my tightly encased boobs, which Ryan is having a hard time avoiding. Guys. I grab my hoodie and slide my arms into it so I’m completely covered. The look of relief that eases his almond- shaped eyes and his ability to look me in the face says more about his comfort levels with my “uniform” than my own, that’s for sure.
“Yeah, just tweeted it out.” I switch tabs on my browser back to YouTube and see we have already gotten a few views. “Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. I would much rather have a real person handling a camera than have to get one of those stupid selfie sticks to use.”
Ryan laughs loudly, his deep brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “I can just imagine you holding out a camera on a stick and talking to yourself. Oh man, that would be rad to watch.” He walks into the room and leans against the desk across from me while looking at his scuffed shoes.
“The couch is old and probably hasn’t been cleaned in years, but it’s decently comfortable if you want to sit down. I don’t bite.” I indicate the empty half of the couch next to me.
He just shakes his head and stays where he is, but finally meets my eyes. “I heard about how Griffin treated you at the first photo shoot. Paul said you handled him pretty well, so we shouldn’t worry about you too much. You must have a spine of steel and hiding some balls to match to have stood up to him like Paul said you did. I really wish someone had caught that on video so I could see you knock Griffin on his ass.”
My cheeks burn with the memory, but I manage to smile. He’s trying to make me more comfortable. I gather my hair into a messy bun on top of my head and wrap an elastic around it while I think of how to approach this.
“I get why he was mad. I know it was dumb to sit on the hood. I’m not some stupid blonde with no concept of the intricacy of the builds that go into race cars. I’m quite aware of what you have to do to make it ready for races and how delicate all of that can be. I was extremely careful and I wouldn’t normally just crawl up on something like that if I weren’t being told to.”
Ryan smiles a little as he looks back down at his feet. “You don’t have to defend yourself. Griffin blew up unnecessarily. That’s typical of him during the season when things don’t go his way, but he shouldn’t have gotten all crazy on you.” He removes his baseball hat, combs his fingers through his shaggy, nearly black hair, and resettles it on his head. He runs his fingers over his short black beard and finally settles his roaming hands against the desk behind him.
“How does anyone stand him?” Thinking back to the brooding, hulk of a man set on a mission to destroy me for touching his car makes me hot all over, and not just from anger. Damn him for being such an ass. And for having such pretty tattoos that I want to examine. And for being incredibly sexy while focused intently on his car. My core heats as I remember how he forcefully pulled me back to him when I tried to walk away. I shake my head. Stop it, Shelby. Thinking lusty thoughts about a teammate is so off-limits.
“He’s actually a great guy. He’s lots of fun and often cracks jokes. He’s just super protective of the cars and the team.”
That’s the second time I’ve heard that excuse for his behavior. What is this guy, the black knight of S&M? “It seemed like he was more worried about being the focus of the team. I guess bringing a girl in to be the face of the company isn’t high on his list of priorities.”
Ryan chews the hoop circling his bottom lip, making me wonder if it hurt to have it pierced. I have a little metal body art myself, but would never pierce my face .
“No, definitely not. Griffin is old-school. He thinks the team’s focus needs to be on the drivers, to show off the talent, rather than divert the focus to some tits and...uh, you know.” Ryan quickly looks away, rubbing the back of his flaming red neck. “It was all Paul’s idea to bring in a spokesmodel. Since he finances the team, there’s not much room for argument.”
“Do you all resent me being here?” My stomach twists with nervous anticipation. I need them to want me here. My future depends on it. My present does, too.
“Oh, hell no! I think it’s a great idea. I understand what Paul is thinking. You can bring in a different audience for the shop and the team. It doesn’t matter how well Griffin and Wyatt drive, there still needs to be a hook. You’re it.”
I smile at him appreciatively. He may be awkward as hell around me, but he’s still determined to make me feel better. That’s more than I can say for the rest of the team. They have resolutely avoided me, or at least haven’t been in the shop while I’m here.
“Well, I plan to be the hook, line, and sinker for this team, catching whatever attention and sponsors you need to make it successful.”
A bubbling noise comes from my laptop, capturing my attention. I look down and see a notification on my Twitter feed. “Holy shit, look! Network D just retweeted the video! They are freaking huge in the action sports field and have over fourteen thousand followers.” I flip my laptop around and beckon Ryan closer to show him the screen.
“Damn, girl, you’re magic. Paul has been posting stupid shit on there for months and never got any traction. You know what that means, right?” His grin tells me it’s good but I don’t know what he’s fishing for. I shake my head and wait. “You just earned your paycheck today.”
I laugh and turn the laptop back around. “Well, that’s good. Now, I need your help with something else. We have to keep the momentum going or we will lose it.”
“This is insanity,” Ryan calls from across the garage.
“I ran it by Paul. He said it’s fine. We just can’t break anything.” I turn the keys in the electric blue Nissan 350Z. The engine growls to life, the seat thrumming as the idle settles. It feels so good to be behind the wheel of a powerful machine again. Henry hadn’t yet put the finishing touches on Project Black Sheep, my own drift car, when I left, so I still haven’t had any time driving it.
I run my hands along the sleek steering wheel and mentally thank Paul for this moment of bliss. I was surprised he agreed to let us use the Nissan for a little video, but I’m thinking he wants any attention for the shop he can get. I didn’t dare ask to use the Supra for fear of Griffin’s wrath. Paul was just as thrilled as Ryan said he would be when I told him about Network D sharing our video. When I proposed another video, he was on board. I may have downplayed my role in this little adventure, but it was a small omission.
“I’ll do a burnout and pull the car into the back lot for a little fun. Get a good shot the first time and we don’t have to do it again. ”
“Are you sure you can handle it? That car is wicked powerful. Don’t get crazy. It’s my job to fix anything you break, and it won’t make you more popular with the team.”
Ryan fiddles with the GoPro I gave him for this adventure, unable to meet my eyes. When I told him what I planned to do, he balked. Having Paul at my back, and maybe even because I batted my eyelashes at him and asked pretty please, he agreed to help me out.
I tip my head back against the seat and fight to not roll my eyes. This reaction isn’t new. Most guys don’t trust me, or any girl, when it comes to their expensive toys. If only they knew I was doing burnouts in my daddy’s cars before I could legally drive, they might not worry so much. I guess access to powerful cars and the freedom to play all I wanted is one plus of being the daughter of a NASCAR legend-turned-successful shop owner.
“Yeah, got it, Ryan. Now get out of the way and make sure you hit record.”
I wait for Ryan to step outside the garage bay and give him a minute to get situated. “Hit it,” he yells from beyond the bright light that separates the dark garage from the outdoors.
I know the soft concrete floors of the garage will be easy to roast the tires on, so I keep the clutch pressed firmly to the floor for a second before I heel-toe my right foot on the gas and brake, quickly bringing the RPMs up high. The responsive roar of the engine blends beautifully with the immediate squeal of the tires. I feel alive in this moment, holding this beast of a car steady, letting the power build and the turbos spool. I monitor the gauges, watching the PSI climb as wisps of smoke float through the open windows, bathing me in the scent of burning rubber and creating a theatrical background. This is what makes me feel alive. Having this kind of power at my fingertips and knowing I can use it is a thrill that will never get old.
I slip the car into second gear and release the brake, modulating the throttle to shoot through the open garage door and out into the sunshine. The swift change in lighting only fazes me for a second as my eyes quickly adjust. I press the handbrake a few times in quick succession while turning the wheel hard to powerslide the car into a drift. Ryan appears right where I told him to, standing hesitant but steady as I circle him. The wind sends pieces of my hair sliding across my face and around my neck, whipping it out the window as I let the wheel spin through my hand and reverse my slide. This car is so responsive and perfect. S&M did such a great job with the power and tuning. It makes me excited for the season ahead.
I spin to a stop a few feet away from him and light up the tires again, building more smoke. The euphoria of being in a powerful car has a giddy smile breaking my face in two before I let off the gas and bring the idle back down. Ryan walks toward my open window, still holding the recording camera.
I hope I placed the car correctly to capture the Smoke and Mirrors shop sign behind the car. I look straight at the little wide-angle lens and purse my lips. “Listen up, American Drift League. Smoke and Mirrors is coming to collect your California Championship titles this season. Look for this hot Nissan and our Supra on the circuit and know we’re set on total annihilation.” I hold my stare for a second, then motion for Ryan to stop. He hits the button and then his hands are ripping his hat off his head and grasping his hair.
“What the fuck, Shelby?” he says, his eyes wide as a jubilant laugh barrels out of him .
I turn off the ignition and climb out of the car. “I think that was decent. Do you think we should try it again just to be safe?”
“Decent? That was freaking insane. Where...how’d you learn to do that?” Ryan looks me up and down, like he’s expecting the answer to be written on my clothes.
Oh. I bite my lip and studiously avoid his gaze. I haven’t mentioned Daddy or running a shop to the team. I want them to see me, Shelby Elise, not Shelby Jensen, daughter of Hank, like everyone else always has. I may have to explain myself after all of that.
“I like cars,” I try, turning around to check out the freshly laid rubber in the parking lot.
“You like cars? Shelby, that’s like me coming out in full drag and saying I like makeup.”
I clutch my sides as I giggle at the thought of barrel-chested, pierced, and bearded Ryan in drag. “We can totally arrange that. I have a ton of makeup you can use, but you won’t fit in my clothes, that’s for sure.”
I do my own up and down perusal of him. He’s a good few inches or so taller than my five foot six, and wide through his shoulders and chest. He’s good-looking in a grungy, unsuspecting way. The lip piercing and thick plugged gauges in his ears give him a bad boy vibe, but getting to know him over the last few days has shown me what a softie he really is.
“No, seriously, how did you learn to do burnouts and stuff? Most girls don’t even know how to work a clutch, let alone how to rip a car around like that. It was fucking hot. Uh, the car, not you. Shit. You’re hot too, but...oh, fuck me. Jesus! Not like I want you to fuck me, just...shit, I’m done talking.” Ryan scrubs his reddening face and looks away. He sure blushes a lot for someone with a dark olive complexion.
I sigh, sobering as I work out a way to hide my identity while giving him a satisfactory answer. I pat him on the shoulder and hope he’s not too embarrassed by his verbal diarrhea.
“It’s okay, I get what you’re saying. I grew up around cars. My dad and brother are really into them, and I guess I was sort of like the second son and brought along for the fun.” I mentally pat myself on the back for only lying by omission. I can totally make the truth work—if I edit it slightly.
“Well, that makes you way cooler in my book.” Ryan finally looks my way, the red in his skin creeping slowly back down his neck. “I guess you’re not some stupid blonde, huh?” He throws my comment from earlier back at me as he pulls me under his arm and gives me a side hug. “I think we better save judgment until we really know you.”
“You better. There’s more going on in this package than just tits and ass,” I say, squeezing him back and returning his own foot-in-mouth comment.
“Could you just forget I ever said anything embarrassing, please? Now, let’s put the car away and I’ll get us something to eat while you get this video ready to upload. There’s a good taco place around the corner, if you like Mexican.”
“Deal,” I say, ducking under his arm to run to the Nissan. I back it safely into the garage with Ryan guiding me and hand him the keys in exchange for the camera.
When Ryan returns with a greasy sack of chips, guacamole, and a bunch of tacos, I have the video edited and ready to show him.
“You did a good job framing the shot, but I cut a few frames out here and there that went wide. Do you think this Banks song, Beggin’ for Thread , works? I added more of my shop tour and pictures to the beginning to give some of the car specs, then pieced the burnout into the video where the chorus drops. I love how you captured the last bit, with me putting the ADL on blast. I’m glad you got the shop sign in the background.“ I’m bouncing on the couch in the office, unable to control my excitement.
“Whoa, kick back, killer. Let me take a look at your newest masterpiece.” He hands me a taco and takes the laptop from me while I bite into it ravenously. “Now, I’ve got a word of warning for you. If you put out a lot of media this fast, Paul is going to expect this kind of work from you all of the time. You might do better to let your handiwork trickle out. It’s under promise, over deliver, and it works wonders with Paul, trust me.” He laughs at my pinched expression.
“Oh, shut up and just watch it,” I say around my bite of food, smacking his shoulder playfully and pressing play on the queued up video.
Instead of watching the video, which I have seen repeatedly over the last forty-five minutes, I watch Ryan for his reaction. I looped the slides and donuts in slow motion a few times to make the video longer and it looks pretty good. I bite my lip and hold my breath as the video comes to an end and I hear my voice. I didn’t realize it until I was editing, but I sound husky and sexed up, probably from being so happy to be driving the car. Even the look I give the camera is pure “come-hither and rail me”.
Ryan’s Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows and his tongue darts out to wet his lips. Okaaay. Maybe I went a little overboard and may have gotten more of a reaction than I was hoping for. I guess I’ll stick to modeling and leave acting to the professionals. I sit quietly when the video ends, purple text splashed across the screen with all of the S&M social media links and website. Ryan doesn’t say anything for a minute. Finally, he clears his throat and looks over at me.
“Damn, girl. You just made a video that will be porn for gearheads. Hot car, even hotter chick, and a badass couple of high-level maneuvers. I’m at half-mast myself, and I filmed that damn thing.”
I burst out laughing and launch myself at Ryan, giving him a bear hug he can’t possibly reciprocate with me pinning his arms to his sides. “I think that was intended as a compliment, so thanks,” I tell him as I sit back and let him have his arms again. “And thanks again for filming for me. I know you probably have better things to do than help me with my job.”
“Do you see any other techs here? Or cars other than the team’s? There is no work for me to do. I was kind of hoping you’d fuck something up so I’d have a project to work on.”
“Are you serious? You mean Paul doesn’t have any business right now? I just thought the shop was closed for a few days before the start of the season.” That’s a sobering thought. S&M needs to have cars coming in to fund the team and pay the bills. I won’t have a job for long if the team folds from lack of funding.
“Bingo. Paul had to let the other mechanic, Ezra, go because he couldn’t afford both of us right now. He also pays all of the race fees, travel and expenses for the entire team, including you, now. It was a risk to add another team member, but Paul thought it would work in our favor. I’m starting to see his thinking, now that you’re putting together video content that is going to get us noticed and make the shop name familiar to fans who want work done on their own cars.”
I tug my lower lip with my teeth and look out into the nearly empty garage. The Supra and the Z are the only cars I’ve seen in the three days I’ve been here. Ryan is the only person working on the cars and keeping busy in the shop. He also keeps me company while I’m here and not shooting promo, and Paul has only shown up to work with Ollie and I or shut himself in his office to do who knows what. I haven’t seen Griffin, the asshole, since the first shoot, and I still haven’t met the other driver, Wyatt.
“We really need this video to get out today, then,” I say as I click upload on my laptop. “We’re going to make a presence before we even hit the circuit.”
“I like the way you think. Now, what can I do to help you on this devious mission I see brewing in your head?”
“I guess you can share the video with every car forum you belong to and tell all of your friends. It’s weird to say it, but I hope everyone who sees this reacts the way you did.” I wrinkle my nose and smile at Ryan so he knows I’m okay with a bunch of car guys at half-mast thanks to this video.
Ryan shakes his head and chuckles. “You’re...really interesting. You keep me guessing what’s going to happen next. So what are you doing after this?”
I groan. I’m bored to tears from staring at the blank white walls of my new apartment and watching bad TV. This is the first time I’ve lived away from home, and it’s lonely. “The usual. Pick up a salad from the deli on the corner, watch reruns of The Big Bang Theory, and think lonely thoughts. ”
“Jeez, way to throw a party. How about you meet the rest of the crew tonight? Paul and his wife have the team over for dinner a few nights a month, and it’s about time you met Mama Marny. She’ll love you.”
My heart beats a little faster thinking about meeting the rest of the team. And seeing Griffin again. I don’t know how that stupid jackass will act this time. Yeah, sure, that’s all you’re worried about. But I can’t say no to free dinner and getting to know the rest of the team.
“Definitely. Let me know what time and give me an address. I’ll use trusty Google maps to find my way.” I pull my phone out of my back pocket and get ready to input the info.
Ryan looks at me like I’m crazy. “Why would you need to do that? I’ll take you, dork.” He elbows my shoulder and turns to leave the office. “We can head over whenever you’re finished here. Marny normally has us eating around seven, but we can get there a little early.”
I smile at his retreating back. I think Ryan has taken me under his wing. It’s kind of nice to have someone looking out for me. It makes me miss Henry. Especially when Ryan called me a dork. I laugh to myself and check the video upload and shoot the link out to the S&M social media channels. Hopefully this gets a few hits tonight and I have something to show for my first day of non-promo girl work.