Free Turn & Burn by Eden Connor

the answer. But then, you’re the one who brought my balls into the conversation.”
    I ached to slap the smirk off his face. Figuring he’d get off on the attention that would bring, I dug my nails into Jonny’s arm to help resist the urge and batted my lashes.
    “You’re so totally amazing at what you do.” I couldn’t believe he actually puffed up like a peacock. Didn’t he see it coming? “I just have to ask. Were you born an irredeemable imbecile, or did you have to practice?”
    Kolby looked like he was trying to figure out if I’d complimented or insulted him. Jonny took another sip of water, then pointed the rim of his bottle toward Kolby.
    “And FYI, when addressing a lady who’s about to graduate from an all-women’s college, bragging about being a misogynist is never the way to go.”
    I spied Mom in the doorway, searching the crowd. “Excuse me, I still haven’t gotten to speak to my mother.” I hurried away before I sat on Jonny’s lap and told him every little thing he’d never want to know about me. The last thing I needed was to get involved with anyone in NASCAR. It didn’t matter if the guy swept the garage or swept to victory in every damn race. I wasn’t about to do anything to entangle my life with Colt and Caine’s.
    The red-jacketed catering crew busied themselves setting out stacks of dishes and covered steam trays while Mom worked her way around the gathering, introducing me to her friends. Glancing around, I noted that glasses and silverware had been set out at each place at the round tables. Two female servers moved around the room, filling glasses with ice water.
    With any luck, I’d soon be able to give my speech and get the hell out of here.
    I tuned into the latest introduction. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Roark.”
    “Oh, just call me Bliss.” She beamed and waved in that beauty queen manner I knew from the girls at school. “So nice meeting you, dear. Macy, what’s the status on your furniture?”
    Mom groaned. “That damn store manager has lied to me yet again. Now, they’re not coming until after Christmas. We have plenty of end tables and upholstered chairs, but no beds, so we’re spending Christmas in the old house.”
    “Sounds like I need to give them a call.” Bliss tossed her head. “This is an outrage. They might need to hear how many of us are thinking of redecorating.”
    Fuck me, can this trip get any worse? All along, I’d thought I’d have refuge from my stepbrothers in the new house, at least some of the time.
    “We’re sitting with the Ridenhours,” Mom whispered fifteen minutes later, steering me around the huge tree.
    Colt, Caine, and Dale were already at the table, along with Jonny. Caine jumped to his feet to slide my chair from under the table. I sank into the chair between him and Jonny. Talk about awkward.
    “Did you go in for the kill, Shelby? Is Kolby bleeding out in the garage?” Jonny whispered, gesturing to an empty spot beside the blonde at the next table.
    She had her arms crossed under those massive tits, making me wish I’d started a pool on how long it would take those puppies to burst free. Not even the women at her table were talking to her.
    “I think he’s waiting for FedEx to bring him a dictionary and a life preserver.” Jonny’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. I gripped my silverware roll to keep from reaching for his hand. “Why bring a date if he’s just going to ignore her?”
    A minute later, Richard strolled in with Kolby at his side. The pair stopped in the aisle, glaring at Jonny. Kolby’s neck turned that ugly, mottled red shade again. I realized, to my horror, that Mom had evicted Barnes and his date from the owner’s table. I caught her smirk and wondered if she’d found Doris’s private stash of crazy Kool-Aid.
    Rick went on tiptoe to whisper in Kolby’s ear. The cocky driver jerked out the chair next to the blonde and flopped down with a dark look that boded Jonny no good.
    I sent Harry