Free The Rookie (Racing On The Edge #7) by Shey Stahl Page B

from the heat of the day, and constantly running around after three kids.
    “Why’d he say that?” I asked sitting on the counter beside a tire iron. “Way to confuse the kid. He’s five.”
    “Yeah, well,” Lily continued to try to change Jacen’s diaper but he wasn’t having it and kicked and screamed. “He told him when he was four. He went through a stage after Jacen was born where he kept asking Axel if his balls were exhausted.”
    “And Axel said?”
    “You know your brother. He avoided the question like he didn’t ask. He gets really awkward when you talk about anything bodies or anything sexual in nature. Had a hard time even being in the delivery room with all of the boys.”
    “Oh I know. When I was fourteen and started my period his face turned red. Mom made him buy me tampons when he wrecked her car as punishment.”
    “The fuck you will!” I heard Charlie holler at Casten who was standing beside Shane, another Outlaw driver and Axel’s best friend.
    Charlie kicked dirt at Casten and turned around to walk away. Shane shook his head and walked away leaving Casten to walk toward us with my dad following him, laughing.
    “What’s the deal between you two?” I asked wondering why Charlie was pissed.
    “I don’t know.” Casten shrugged. “We had it worked out but then it all went to shit again.”
    Charlie was hard to get along with because he had, as did Noah, his own way of thinking.
    If by chance you didn’t agree, which Casten never did, they felt the need to make you see their side of things. I don’t even know where they got that from because Aiden and Emma didn’t seem like that. Maybe Emma did a little.
    “I don’t know why he comes to the track,” Casten sat down in one of the black canvas folding chairs. “All he does is bitch.”
    “What’s his problem now?” I asked watching Charlie walk away.
    “Casten stole his car.” Dad said, completely amused with himself and sitting down in a chair next to Casten.
    “What? Why?”
    Casten looked at me, as if it should have been obvious. “He stole my Transformer when I was seven.”
    “A Transformer and a car are a lot different. Why do you have to cause problems with him? And, damn, can you say hold grudges much?”
    “No they’re not and no I’m not holding a grudge, just getting even.” He sounded disgusted with me. Literally. Even made a face. “Let’s be clear here, a possession is a possession regardless of its face value. I was seven. Who’s to say if I had a car then he wouldn’t have stolen that. He’s shady.”
    “He’s your cousin.”
    Casten rolled his eyes not seeing the significance behind any of this. “Oh don’t be so dramatic. It’d be different if it was my brother. Maybe.”
    “Me? I’m dramatic?”
    “Yes, you. You’re overreacting.”
    I looked at my dad. “How does he do that?”
    “Do what?”
    “Twist a conversation so much that you have no idea what he’s talking about, or that you kind of agree with him.”
    “Got me, I’ve fucking wondered that since the little shit learned to talk.”
    Jack came up to us with his hands on his hips right then looking at Casten.
    “What’s wrong, buddy?”
    Jack looked at Casten, his eyes wide and confused. “I was in the bathroom and there was this girl in there and Tommy was touching her boobies. If your balls get a girl pregnant, what happens when you touch her boobies?”
    Casten looked at Jack and then me. “Poor kid. He’s stuck with dumb parents. It’s a good thing he’s got such a cool uncle.” He pulled Jack into his arms and onto his lap. “The only thing that happens when you touch their boobies is—”
    “That’s enough.” Dad said slapping Casten in the ear. “Stop confusing my grandson.” He reached for Jack and made him sit with him instead. “Don’t listen to anything Casten tells you. He fell on his head a lot when he was growing up and was diagnosed with the case of the dumb ass.”
    Jack scratched his head. “I