Free Chameleon Soul (Chequered Flag #1) by Mia Hoddell Page B

entrance. It was normally only used by team members and all of Dustin’s crew should have been making their way back from the grid where they had been working on his car.
    “Raindrop?” Teo said when I didn’t respond, and my heart missed a beat at the sound of the old nickname he had for me. Teo was the only one I ever allowed to call me that.
    He clicked his fingers in front of my face, pulling me from my trance. Snapping my mouth shut, I ignored the wave of desire that prickled my skin as I took him in. It was the first time I was seeing him when I wasn’t in shock, panicking, or doing something equally mental and my body liked it.
    “What are you doing here, Teo?” I kept my voice low to avoid attracting attention. I didn’t need more pictures of the two of us together coming out.
    “I’m here to support my brother. What do you think I’m here to do?”
    “I meant here, with me. What do you want? Because there are plenty of free seats over there.” I jerked my chin towards the rows of seats set out for the mechanics and team.
    “I want to talk. Is that really so much to ask? Surely you can spare me a minute.”
    “There’s nothing to talk about.”
    “Oh, I can think of a few topics.” His voice deepened and his eyes darkened for a split second. Even though the expression was brief, it had me gulping back the nerves rising in my throat.
    I moved to slide off the cabinet. At the last second, he locked his fingers around my wrist. The restrictive touch should have sent jolts of fear through me, yet instead it sent sparks of electricity racing up my arm. The tiny hairs rose at the tingling sensation prickling my skin and a gasp escaped my lips. Even after a year apart, my body still recognised and reacted to his touch.
    “Teo…don’t,” I whispered unconvincingly.
    He slid off the cabinet to face me, his body too close. I could feel the heat coming off him as he stared down at me, the brown orbs of his eyes burning into mine.
    “Why not, Raine? Don’t I deserve some answers? Because I’ve gone over that night repeatedly, trying to figure out what I did, and each time I draw a blank.” He inched closer, his face angling down as his voice dropped. Raising one hand, he placed it gently on my jaw, his thumb sweeping out to trace my parted lips. Not once did his eyes waver from mine. When he spoke again, his voice barely rose above a whisper. “What happened, Raine?”
    I glanced around the garage nervously, checking to see if anyone was watching us. When I found no one, I turned back to Teo. “There’s…n-nothing t-to explain.”
    “Like hell there isn’t,” he murmured. His gaze darkened, the curiosity disappearing to be replaced by frustration.
    “We broke up, that’s it. There’s nothing more to it.”
    “Don’t give me that. You know it’s bullshit.” He took a step towards me, forcing me to move backwards. The cool metal dug into my spine painfully as he towered over me. When his arms began to rise to box me in, I finally reached my limit. He no longer felt safe or familiar. The action was threatening, triggering deep-rooted fear within me.
    “Please…T-Teo,” I stuttered, finding it hard to get the words out around my shaky, shallow breaths. “Please step back.”
    “What’s going on, Raine? Tell me what I just did.”
    “I can’t breathe. I need space. Please.”
    “Raine, take deep breaths and calm down. Explain to me what’s going on.”
    “Move.” I clutched at my chest, trying to ease the tightness squeezing my organs.
    At my growing hysteria, Teo rapidly widened the gap between us. With the space came an ounce of relief, but it wasn’t enough. I glanced at the door, wondering if he’d let me go this time and whether it was worth the risk.
    “Tell Dustin I’m sorry, okay? That I couldn’t do it. He’ll understand.” I made a break for it.
    “Raine, wait. Don’t go. Whatever I did, I’m sorry.” Like back at the factory, I could hear his footsteps trailing