“Let’s go guys. We’re causing a backup. If you want to get to the track, you have to move.” Dan claps his hands and the action wakes everyone back up from the despair I just brought on.

Nora’s eyes flicker alert and she spins around, walking steadily into darkness. Xavier gives Paige and I one more glare and then jogs to catch up to her.

After they’re out of my sight, Dan and his guys descend down the grass and I turn toward Paige. “I have to get my car going. You are welcome to join me in the garage.”

“Rob.” The plea in her voice doesn’t surprise me, but I can’t lose my shit right now. Which is exactly what will happen if I tell her who Xavier and Nora are. That they’re the brother and sister of someone who I have a very twisted past with. Carly and I both hurt each other five years ago and there will be a time when I’ll have no choice but to tell Paige, but tonight isn’t it.

“Please. Not now.” I blink and glare up to her, my own eyes begging her to let this go. If I were her, I’d tell me to fuck off and never speak to me again.

Her hand withdraws from mine and she clenches them at her sides. “Um,” her timid voice crushes me. I brought her here for a night of fun and that’s dredged up my haunted past. “Why don’t I grab us some food and I’ll meet you there?” She tries to smile and act reassured, but her mind is working overtime.

“Great. They have awesome burgers.” I dig in my pocket for my wallet, but she shakes her head.

“I got this one.” Her lips curl just barely.

Not wanting to piss her off, I don’t argue her paying, knowing I can take care of it before she gets to the bar. “Thanks.” There’s a lull and silence between us. For the first time, her presence makes me uncomfortable. She’s finding out too much about me, and I’m thinking I need to shut the gate before I lay it all out for her. “Don’t forget, garage four. If you need me, call, okay?”

She nods. “Don’t worry, I’m not afraid to ask where Wild Card is,” she jokes, lightening the mood between us. “You’ll have to tell me how you got that name.” She begins to leave.

“Would you rather I show you?” I call out to her and she flips around, walking backward.

“Maybe.” She shrugs her shoulders and my hand covers my heart when she circles back around again. I swear the girl knows exactly how to handle me. Just like Carly. My heart pinches and I step forward.

BY THE TIME I’m out of Rob’s view, I can barely breathe. I place my hands on the fence, taking deep breaths in and out. The situation was intense and more than some rivalry on who can be best in a damn drag race. There was an underlying hurt between the three of them and I’m positive it has something to do with whatever haunts Rob every day.

The bar is crowded by the time I make my way there. Standing in line, I wait patiently, acting as though I don’t notice the stares and hushed voices. I just want to crawl into a hole and disappear, but that’s not an option so I act as though I’m holding up just fine. As if I know what everyone else does around here, even if I’m in the corner of a very dark room, facing the wall.

“Hey, are you Wild Card’s girlfriend?” A petite blonde comes up to me and she can’t be more than eighteen.

“No.” She’s barely clothed with her half shirt and shorts that don’t cover her ass. Please don’t tell me this young girl has some sort of past with Rob. I’ll lose all respect for him.

A wide smile encompasses her face and a bubble pops out of her mouth. Snap. “Great. So you don’t mind?”

“Like I said, I’m not his girlfriend.” I interrupt her, hoping she leaves me alone. My eyes catch the guy and girl Rob just had the run in with. The girl stares over at me and I turn my head. There’s more than just them, a whole group of them surround three tables. Girls and guys chatting and laughing except for the girl. A leggy brunette sits in the guy’s lap and he tips his beer to his lips almost lost in thought.

I dodge to the side to know how many more people are in front of me. Two. Doable for me to grab the burgers and get the hell out of this bar. After a little ignoring the girl goes away, probably in search of Rob. He’s not mine; I can’t claim him. I just hope he has higher standards than jail bait.

Finally, I reach the front of the line and a girl takes my order. Then she cocks her head at the order again.

“Cheeseburger with extra cheese, add jalapeños, no lettuce?”

I double-check the order with the text Rob sent me. “Yeah that’s it.” She waves her hand in front of me in recognition of the order.

“For Rob? Wild Card?” Jesus, does anyone in this place not know who he is?

“Yeah.” She smiles, pushing my hand full of money back from the counter.

“He texted Deb and told her he’d come by and pay for it.” She points down and I follow her finger to a middle-aged woman chatting with Dan.

“Please let me pay for it.” I inch forward across the edge, but her head shakes.

“Nope. Deb was clear and we don’t cross Deb.” She cringes as though I should just let it go and continue on my way.

Dan lifts his hand and waves over to me, and Deb glances to find who grabbed his attention. She smiles and they whisper back and forth to each other. Deb does a second peek at me, her smile a little wider as she nods her head at whatever Dan is whispering to her.

“Are they married?” I ask the girl after she finishes announcing my order over the microphone.

“Yep.” The girl peers over my shoulder at the long line.

“Oh, sorry.” I stuff my money back in my purse, grab my number and slide to the side.

“Good luck with Rob, he’s a sweetheart,” she says and I tilt my head.

“Are we talking about the same guy?” I joke and she laughs. Seriously, I was wondering if she was being sarcastic, but I’m not going to bother her with such a long line.

I lean against the wall of the bar, waiting for my number to be called. It’s a cool place and their music choice is spot on. Maybe my dad would enjoy coming here, especially since they play his band along with most of his friends. Before I realize it, I’m singing the lyrics to myself and not paying attention to my surroundings.

“Hi.” The cute redhead from outside stands in front of me.

“Hi.” My eyes veer anywhere but at her.

“I’m Nora. Nora McConnell.” She twists her fingers, weaving them in and out with each other.

“I’m Paige Kensington.” I smile and she studies me for an uncomfortable second.

“I’m Carly McConnell’s sister.” My shoulders slump and this girl believes I should know who she’s talking about.

“I don’t know a Carly. Is she here?” The girl steps back and her eyebrows furrow.

“No. You’re Robbie’s girlfriend, right?” she clarifies and I wish she’d be more forthcoming in exactly what she wants from me.

“I’m his roommate.”

“Oh, I may have spaced out when I saw you. It’s weird seeing him with someone else.” Her words shock me because you’d think maybe she was an ex, but she’s too young. At least I hope so. She peers back to her table of friends and then back to me. “Do you mind meeting me outside after you get your food?” I narrow my eyes at her because I’m slightly terrified she has a secret plan to kill me. Damn that crime show spree I’ve been on recently. Makes my mind go crazy.

“Sure,” I agree. I desperately want more information about Rob and I’m pretty sure this girl’s got the info.

“I’ll be watching you.” Creepy as all hell, but she walks away. Back to the table. When she sits down, no one even notices she was gone, or acknowledges her existence.

Five minutes later, they call my number and the girl behind the counter hands the bag over to me. She leans over the counter and lowers her voice. “Tell Rob, he’s got this.” She winks and I’m wondering how much she knows of Rob. Then again, there’s no jealousy regarding me bringing him food.