Free Clutched (Wild Riders) by Elizabeth Lee Page B

tell him that my training was going just fine, Nick spoke up.
    “We did hire her a coach. Hoyt Travers. He's a miracle worker. Already shaved two seconds off her lap times.”
    Here we go...
    He'd shaved seconds off? How about I'd been busting my ass for two months and shaved them off myself. Hoyt had given me some suggestions... that was it. I was the rider, not Hoyt Travers. The only thing he was responsible for was driving me insane.
    “I'm working really hard,” I inserted myself back into the conversation. “I promise you won't be disappointed on race day.”
    Nick gave me nod letting me know that I was doing my part to uphold my duties. “Make the investors believe in you,” he'd told me. “They need to see that we are making good choices with their money.” I didn't see Hoyt out here making anyone believe he was doing a damn thing. The last time I'd seen him he was throwing back a beer with his brother over in the corner. I glanced over to where he'd been standing before. Yep. Same spot. He hadn't moved all damn night. He nodded when our eyes locked to acknowledge that he'd seen me.
    How gracious of him.
    The prick could nod all he wanted. Even if he did look like a dream come true in that tie, I wasn't going to nod back. After he'd raced me out on to the track and beat me at my own game, I was a little sour. He was not my favorite person, even if he did look ridiculously sexy riding that bike when he beat me at my own game. And now here he was looking equally as hot in a tie. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled and bunched up around his forearms. The way his shirt stretched across his chest looked like it would be a down right joy to unbutton. I hated that I was attracted to him almost as much as I hated that he didn't have to suffer this torture with me.
    “Would you like to meet him?” I asked. “The miracle worker?” If I was going to be subjected to all of these questions, I was bringing him into the mix. Misery loves company. I excused myself before anyone had a chance to object.
    “The investors would like to meet you and hear about my training,” I said when I approached Hoyt and Reid. The two of them were all smiles until I walked up. Hoyt's faded almost instantly.
    “Go on,” Reid said to his brother with a smile. “I'm ready to get out of here anyway. I made my rounds. They already know I win races.” He chuckled. “You ready, babe?” Nora was standing next to Reid looking about as enthralled as I was by the whole thing.
    “Absolutely.” She laced her fingers through his. The way they were with one another was a sweet reminder that romance wasn't completely dead. “We have to go back home to Illinois, but I'd love to have lunch or coffee when we come back to Texas, Chayse.”
    “That sounds nice,” I replied. I wasn't sure what it was about her yet, but I liked her. She had a fire in her eyes that I could relate to. Not to mention, she was the first female that I'd talked to in quite some time. It might be kind of nice to have a girl friend that understood this crazy motocross world. The two of them walked off and I turned my attention to Hoyt. “Ready?”
    “Yeah... let's get this over with.” I could see the concern on his face. What was this? The usually overly prepared Hoyt Travers was nervous. I tried to hide my amusement as I led him back over to where Nick was standing with Turnbold. The way he was pursing his lips deep in thought as we approached was almost endearing. I wouldn't let that take away from the satisfaction of knowing that he, in fact, did have feelings. He seemed so one dimensional that I was starting to wonder—like his brain was hardwired for motocross and nothing else.
    I introduced Hoyt and waited for him to choke on his words. Maybe this is why he wasn't a racer. Maybe he couldn't handle the pressure. He cleared his throat after Turnbold asked him what kind of regime he had me on.
    “We're in the gym five days a week and on the track six,” Hoyt