Free #Swag (GearShark #3) by Cambria Hebert Page B

it as Trent.
    I felt myself exhale.
    I followed along behind Hopper, noting the deep-blue color of his jeans and the tension in his back muscles. The wrist at his side was wrapped in the dark-brown leather bracelet he always wore. There were dull-gold studs all around it with something else of the same metal in the center. I’d never actually looked at it close enough to see what it was even though he wore it every single time I saw him.
    He led me to a small area where Emily and Lorhaven were already seated. Before stepping out of the way, he turned to face me, placing a steady hand on my upper arm. “You okay, Joey?” he murmured low. “If you’re done, we’ll go.”
    “No,” I put my hand over his. “I’m good, but thank you.”
    He studied me for one second longer, then nodded and stepped aside. Jace and Emily came into full view. The only vacant chair was beside him. He didn’t even glance at me when I sat down.
    I felt my hackles rise.
    “One forty-five you say?” Emily purred. Her voice grated on my nerves.
    He nodded and sat back as if he owned the chair. “I can push her faster.”
    “I’ve never gone that fast before.” She pouted.
    Oh, good Lord. If she had a dick, she’d probably pull it out and ask him to suck it for her.
    “Maybe I’ll take you for a ride sometime,” he replied. The smooth tone of his suggestion made vomit bubble up the back of my throat.
    “Could we begin?” I asked, blunt. “I have somewhere I need to be.”
    Lorhaven’s stance in the chair didn’t change; if anything he lounged back farther. I didn’t look at him. If I did, I’d probably punch him.
    I didn’t like being played with.
    “Of course.” Her eyes cut to me, and a look I recognized well shone in their depths.
    So this was how it was going to go, eh?
    My hands gripped the armrests.
    For whatever reason, she saw me as a threat. I knew jealousy when I saw it. I knew when a cat had out its claws. I could eat this little reporter for breakfast.
    But I was full.
    Lorhaven saw to that.
    “I’ll just ask you a few questions, and then I can do the rest of the interview with Lorhaven.”
    I couldn’t help it. I glanced at Lorhaven. His eyes flashed up at mine, then away.
    There was a brooding quality to his eyes, perhaps because they were so dark?
    Because there’s a lot more beneath Lorhaven’s surface. Like a Jace.
    My back teeth snapped together, and I pinned little Miss Pencil Skirt with a hard look. “Oh, just a few questions? So you can relegate me to the back page with just a couple lines of text.”
    Her eyes widened. “Of course not.”
    “Wouldn’t be the first time.” I went on. “ GearShark seems to have a reputation for being a good ol’ boys club, one that has a No Women Allowed sign front and center.”
    “I’m not sure I know what you mean?”
    “Of course you wouldn’t,” I spat. “Because you flirt and do as you’re told.”
    Her eyes lit with anger.
    I held up my hand. “I apologize. That was rude.” I wasn’t really sorry. But I pictured my dad bursting a vein in his head if what I said to the “press” got out. “I’m just a little… bitter,” I admitted. “The last time I was mentioned in the magazine, I got one line of stats. All the other racers got bios with headshots.”
    “So you think you’re discriminated against because of your gender?” The reporter brushed her hair back and looked at me with interest.
    Well, maybe a couple of the crayons in her box still had some sharpness after all.
    “I know so.”
    “Most people would laugh or scoff at that. This is the twenty-first century. Women’s rights were in place a long time ago.”
    “So were rights for gays, people of different races…” I replied without heat. “But my best friends are hated on for loving each other. The news reeks of injustice against all races.”
    “Touché.”
    “The truth is,” I said, blunt, “men don’t want women in racing. They just don’t. It ruffles their