Page 5 of Racing Hearts

Alek stares at her and then me. “You helped her?”

I nod, and he grinds his jaw. “Thank you.” It’s clear he hates saying that.

I shrug and look at Anders. “Get home safely, okay? If you ever need someone to walk you home from a late class, grab one of us from the photography room. We are always there.”

“Thanks, Evan.” She smiles brightly, unlike her brother who is glaring daggers at me and pulling her closer like I might snatch her away despite what I just did to protect her.

“You don’t need to do that. Just stay away from my sister,” Alek warns.

I roll my eyes as I step closer. “Why? Worried this rich prick will defile her?” I taunt him because his disdain for me is clear.

His nostrils flare as I keep moving until I’m pressed against him. Something about him really makes me want to push back.

“Or maybe you’re just a backwards homophobe?” I feel his heart racing in anger against my chest, and I know his sister is looking from me to him. “Don’t worry, asshole. I won’t corrupt your sister, but you on the other hand? Well, you are just too much fun.”

I step back as he reaches for me, no doubt to beat the shit out of me for daring to flirt with him because that’s exactly what I was doing without realizing it.

I nod at him and grab my bag, getting out of there before he pummels me into the ground.

I might be fast and trained, but Alek? Shit, I’ve never seen anyone move like him.

He was pure fury, and Lally was right.

I do like red flags.

THREE

Iwatch the rich boy, Evan, go in surprise. I thought he was a weak pushover, but I’d been in my car, watching for my sister, when I noticed him. He moved with purpose and intention, both fast and lethal, taking down the two guys almost double his size without even breaking a sweat. I was going to leave him to it until I saw my little sister huddling behind him. I didn’t know he had been defending her, but that only makes me narrow my gaze on his retreating back. No guy beats the shit out of someone without a reason.

Does he want my little sister?

He won’t get her. She deserves better than him, and anyone who can effortlessly kick ass like that has some serious training or anger issues like me and shouldn’t be around her.

“Stop it,” Alice scolds, elbowing me.

Yes, Alek Anders and Alice Anders. My mom thought it was funny, go figure.

“What?” I mutter, staring down at her while I ruffle her hair. She smacks my hand away as I smile, watching her fix it.

“He’s a nice guy, plus he just helped me,” she points out with a narrow-eyed look aimed at me. I glance at him once more before looking back at her. Sometimes, I don’t know how we grew up in the same house. She is so innocent, everything I’m not. That’s why it’s my job to protect her from everyone, especially rich boys like him.

“No guy helps a girl for free,” I warn her. “I don’t like it.”

“Trust me, I’m not Evan Shaw’s type.” She smiles knowingly, her eyes twinkling as she adds the next part when I just look confused. “You likely would be.”

I raise an eyebrow, but she simply rolls her eyes at my denial.

“Trust me, I’m just not. Now let’s go before you’re late for work again.”

I let her take my arm as we head to my car, but my eyes return to Evan’s retreating form, wondering what his type is and why I care.

I drop Alice off at home and park my car in my garage. Leaving my everyday car behind, I strip out of my tee and jacket, put on a clean new one, and toss the one I had on today in the laundry so oil doesn’t get all over my pristine place. My garage is my baby. I saved up forever to rent the place and gut it out.

The white walls are covered in graffiti and art from some friends, and my everyday car is parked to the left, with my race car to the right. My workbench is behind me with a TV and radio, along with all my paint tools. The LED lights I installed flash from red to blue in each corner as I head over to the bathroom and wash up, brush my curls back, and peer at myself in the mirror. I stare into the eyes I see in my little sister every day, and guilt assaults me for a moment. If Alice knew what type of work I was doing tonight, she would never forgive me.

She’s begged me time and time again to be careful, not to do anything stupid, but I do what I have to for her. My sister deserves the world, she deserves a better chance than I ever got, and I’ll give it to her no matter what it takes.

Shaking off the emotions I can’t afford to have, I turn off the sink, quickly drying off, and head back into the main room.