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Chapter 25
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2022-04-29 14:06:38Related chapters
Hot Shots Chapter 26
"Jeff is my agent. I hope he's not calling just to chat about the television spot today.""You think he's upset because you turned it into a marriage proposal?""He'd better not be." He pressed the screen to call back. "Yeah, Jeff? What's so important it can't wait until morning?" he listened, his forehead scrunched up. Then a stunned look swept over his face. "What? What did you say? Can you repeat that?" His eyes widened. "Holy shit. Yeah, yeah, I can do that. But give me a couple of days to make arrangements. I'm bringing someone with me. Uh huh. Yes." He grinned. "Yes, I finally got my head out of my ass. Okay. I'll call you in the morning. What? Oh, right. Thanks. That's a help."He disconnected the call and sat there just sating at Liz, the phone in his hand."Well? Are you going to tell me? I'm dying of curiosity.""You won't believe this."She sat upright and grabbed his arm. "Tell me already, before I slug you.""Okay, okay." He swallowed. "Jeff says there's a foundatio
Last Updated : 2022-04-29Hot Shots Chapter 27
Part Two: Love on TrackThe Story EndsJosh Nelson swallowed the last of his coffee, crumpled the cardboard cup, and tossed it in the trash bag sitting on the floor of his truck. The asphalt ribbon of the interstate highway stretched endlessly before him, a reminder that for the moment he had no place to go and nothing to do.And whose fault is that, asshole?Okay, okay. So it was his. Sort of. But cut him a break, okay? It wasn't as if he'd picked up for no good reason and hauled ass out of Darlington, SC, leaving Andy Grant, his manager, standing there with his jaw dropped. He had a reason. And, as far as he was concerned, it was a fucking good one. He'd nearly killed himself, and what was it they said about near death experiences? He sure didn't want another one.Melanie hadn't been any damn help. How had he ever thought she was sensitive, caring and loving? She'd cared about his fame and wanted the money that came with it. Apparently she was willing to put up with him to get
Last Updated : 2022-04-29Hot Shots Chapter 28
Maybe this was a big mistake. Maybe the guy was a primo asshole who lived to make other people's lives miserable. But the alternative was to get back on the road to nowhere and alternate between feeling sorry for himself and dealing with panic attacks.Oh well, he thought. In for a penny. He opened the door and walked into the office. There was an empty chair next to the desk, but the man didn't indicate he should sit down. Once again he thought, oh well."I saw your sign outside advertising for a mechanic."The man looked him up and down with dark, penetrating eyes."You telling me you're a mechanic?"Josh nodded. "Started learning when I was ten years old.""You're not working now." The man frowned. "You get fired or something?"He searched his brain for an acceptable answer. "Just needed a change. My personal life got a kink in it."The man almost smiled, as if he could relate. He looked at Josh's truck in the parking area, maybe a little too shiny for a road bum."Nice tru
Last Updated : 2022-04-29Hot Shots Chapter 29
I really like horses. I really like horses. I really like horses.Kristin Kitts kept repeating it to herself as she headed back to Lucasville from her latest round of photo shoots at Lexington horse farms. The job had sounded like a dream in the beginning - go to Kentucky and take pictures for a booklet the state department of travel and tourism was putting together. Since she'd gone out on her own, she'd slowly been building her credentials, and this would give them a huge boost. She could thank her friend, Janice, for pushing to send the job her way. Right now, she was focusing on Lexington, known as the horse capital of the world. There were certainly enough horse farms to see.She cranked up the air conditioner a little and pushed her hair back from her face. Today, the temperature had soared past ninety and her clothing, which she'd thought so comfortable and cool when she dressed that morning, now stuck to her like wet tissue paper. Two of the farms she'd photographed today had
Last Updated : 2022-04-29Hot Shots Chapter 30
Kristin slid around on her stool, her jaw nearly dropping to the floor as she spotted the man who'd entered the pub. Talk about a hot man on the hoof. She guessed his height at about five ten, with neat, short brown hair, a muscular compact body accentuated by the T-shirt stretched across his shoulders and the jeans that emphasized his strong legs. Even in the low light of the bar, she could see he had about a three-day scruff decorating his jaw line, just enough to be sexy and send out a message to her misbehaving hormones.Now there was someone she could get on board having fun with. If she was into fun.Down, girl!With her luck, he was either married, recovering from a bad breakup, or gay. Yup, she sure could pick them.From the way he looked around, it was obvious he hadn't been here before. He glanced at the scarcely inhabited booths and tables then headed toward the bar. In another life, she would have given him a welcoming smile."Lucky you," Sophia murmured. "He's heading
Last Updated : 2022-04-29Hot Shots Chapter 31
Josh finished replacing the fan belt in the car he was working on, wiped his hands on the oil rag, and took a long drink from the bottle of water he kept near him. He was on his fourth day at Love Garage and congratulated himself on settling in as well as he had. He had to say, the garage was a busy place and ran with great efficiency. He wasn't sure if it was because the men feared Antony or respected him or, as he thought most likely, it was a combination of both.All the mechanic skills he'd learned when he was younger came back as if he'd been doing it every day of his life. Antony seemed pleased with him, which was a good thing. He didn't look like a man whose bad side you wanted to be on. And Josh had to admit he was enjoying the work.He was also pleased he hadn't had to pop too many acetaminophen. His body was apparently getting used to the work and the bruises were healing nicely.The boardinghouse had been a real surprise. He guessed his expectations had derived from movie
Last Updated : 2022-04-29Hot Shots Chapter 32
Mrs. Patterson was nowhere in sight when he reached the boardinghouse, although he heard movement in a couple of the other rooms. He ignored everything as he stripped off his clothes and dumped them in the big canvas bag he was using for laundry. Saturday was bound to be a busy day at the garage, but they were closed Sunday. He'd have to hunt up a Laundromat somewhere.He showered and shaved then knotted a towel at his hips. With plenty of time, he turned on the little television on the dresser. Mrs. Patterson provided one for each room, which he thought was a nice gesture. He was idly thumbing through the channels when the picture on the screen shocked him. There he was, in living color, on a major network news report. He turned the sound up only enough so he alone could hear it."Still no word on the whereabouts of star NASCAR driver Josh Nelson. It's been a month since the big accident at the Darlington Speedway. Once he left the hospital, he apparently disappeared off the map. We
Last Updated : 2022-04-29Hot Shots Chapter 33
"Yes." Think! Think! Think! "They know I wanted to see other parts of the country and find a place to relocate. They're good with it." He glanced around the table. "So have you always lived in Lucasville? It seems like a really nice town."Someone started to tell them about how the patriarchs, Lorenzo and Anton, had started the brewery and the garage and soon they were all falling over each other's voices adding tidbits and information. In the middle of the hubbub, Patsy brought over two more extra-large pizzas and made room for them on the table."Danny's got that stone oven working overtime tonight," she told them, "so keep the orders coming.""Nice diversion back there." Kristin's voice was pitched low, only loud enough for him to hear.He had just taken a large bite of his slice and had to swallow fast to keep from choking, chasing it with some beer."I have no idea what you're talking about."She laughed very softly, but it had such a musical sound he wanted to give her reas
Last Updated : 2022-04-29
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Hot Shots Chapter 48
Kristin stood beside Andy Grant, watching the cars zip around the Darlington Raceway. She knew Josh had been exceptionally nervous about this race because it was where his career had come to a crashing halt a year ago. But so far so good. And last night, he had told her he finally had his mojo back, so his head was in a very good place. They had three laps to go, and he was currently in third place. She'd brought a small camera but was too nervous to do anything but watch."He's fine." Andy leaned down and spoke in her ear. Otherwise, it was hard to hear over the noise of the engines and the screaming of the crowd. "He was good on both pit stops, remember?"She nodded. Yes, he had been. Revved up but in control."He'll make his big play any minute," Andy went on. "Keep your eyes on the track."She and Josh and Andy had driven up from Atlanta a few days ago so he could do all his prerace things. He'd said they could move anywhere she wanted, but she loved his big house in a suburbs
Hot Shots Chapter 47
Saturday dragged by with interminable slowness. He drove into Sparta and hunted up the track manager, apologizing to him for his behavior and promising the man he'd do some special promo for the track to make up for it. Then he drove into Lexington to have something to do so he didn't go crazy sitting around. He ate dinner there and headed back to Lucasville, where he got into bed and spent the most restless night of his life. He thought of every minute he and Kristin had been together, the lushness of her body, the selfless way she gave herself to him, and the erotic combustion of their lovemaking.He lay in bed, reliving every one of their moments together, so aroused he finally stumbled into the shower, turned it on hot, and stroked himself to completion. He'd never thought that, at his age, he'd be jacking off to get relief. And relief was barely a word to describe it because it, in no way, gave him a tenth of the satisfaction he got from Kristin's hands on him, her mouth on him,
Hot Shots Chapter 46
Josh couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this miserable. He was lucky Antony was so understanding when he'd explained about who he was and what was happening. He'd listened to everything Josh said, nodding his head."So the crazy lady story was just that. A story."Josh nodded. "I'm sorry. I had to think of something real quick and - "Antony flapped a hand at him, brushing away his comment. "One question.""What's that?" Josh asked."Are you sure this is what you want? That you're ready to go back on the track?"Josh nodded. "Truth be told, I was nervous until I actually got behind the wheel of the car. But no panic, no fright, nothing but excitement and anticipation. The way it used to be.""Man. That's some story. More excitement than we're used to here in Lucasville." Antony shook his head. "So I guess you're finally over your demons. Or at least are managing them.""I hope so." He grinned. "I'm excited about getting back into competition. And about slaying my demons.
Hot Shots Chapter 45
"Josh, what the hell is going on here?" Andy asked."Why don't you ask your photographer," he snapped."Because I asked you. Now come on. Give.""Miss Kitts has also been staying in Lucasville." He spat each word out like it was a rotten piece of fish. "When she met me, I guess she recognized me and made it her business to get close to me. That way she could get the real skinny. I'll bet this thing today is so she can sell the first pictures of Josh Nelson back on a track for a big fat bunch of money."Kristin's face was chalk white, and she clutched her camera as if it were the last item on earth. "That's not true at all, Josh. It's not. I had no idea who you were. Honestly. I - ""Yeah, right," he interrupted. "I'll say this. You should get an award for your acting. I hope I wasn't too much of a disappointment in bed because you sure had me fooled." He looked at Andy. "Let's get the fuck out of here."His manager, who knew him well enough not to argue, nodded. "Let me tie thing
Hot Shots Chapter 44
Josh checked his seat belt and the fastening on his helmet. Andy had brought his fire suit - just in case. He'd grinned. Zipping into it had been, unexpectedly, like being with an old friend. Andy had cleared everything with the manager of Kentucky Speedway, and, this morning, there was a car for him to use, a pit crew, the manager, and nothing else. The manager had told him there might be a person or two wandering in who had business, but no media or anything like that. It was the best he could do. Josh would have to be good with that and block it all out of his mind.NASCAR tracks ran in length anywhere from half a mile to two-and-a-half miles. This one was one-and-a-half, a hair over Darlington - the scene of his famous flameout. He thought the extra length might be to his advantage."You all set?" Andy leaned on the door of the racecar.Josh nodded. "As I'll ever be."He pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly, waiting for the familiar panic to take over. Nothing. Nada. S
Hot Shots Chapter 43
Josh was working on a jacked-up track when the call came from Andy. He put down his tools, hollered he'd be right back in, in case anyone cared, and headed to the side of the parking lot to answer."It's all set for Thursday," Andy told him. "Day after tomorrow.""That soon?" Josh felt every one of his muscles tighten."Putting it off won't change things." Andy's voice was kind but firm. "If you're going to do this, putting it off won't help. And if it turns out you're done with NASCAR, well, then, we'll discuss all your other options."Josh blew out a breath and forced himself to relax. "You're right. As usual.""Listen. I want you to meet me in Lexington the day before. I'll text you the hotel reservations. We can have time to talk, think about options for your future no matter what happens, and get you ready for Thursday.""Okay. Yeah. Alright. Text me the hotel and time.""It'll be fine," Andy assured him. "No matter what happens."And Josh had to believe that.He did his
Hot Shots Chapter 42
They were cuddled on the big four poster, naked and exhausted but unwilling to stop touching each other. Josh had thought he'd never find a woman who completed him the way Kristin did. Who gave of herself so unselfishly in bed. Who was both strong and undemanding. Didn't it figure the minute he found someone like that, he might be getting ready to walk away from her.Less than a month had passed since their first date, and he couldn't pinpoint exactly when the Just for fun had turned into something else. Neither of them had put it into words, as if saying it out loud might spoil something. But this was definitely way past casual."I need to tell you something." He kept his arm wrapped around her, stroking her with his free hand.Next to him, her body tensed."Is this something good or something bad?""Don't know yet. Might turn out to be good. I hope so. Anyway. But the thing is, I'm taking two days off from the garage next week. I have some stuff I need to do.""Oh?"If possibl
Hot Shots Chapter 41
"Andy Grant here."Josh clutched his cell phone, stomach tightening the moment he heard his manager's voice."Hey, Andy. It's me."There was silence for so long at the other end of the connection he wondered if Andy had hung up."So you're not dead."Josh blew out a breath. Andy's voice was so flat and even he wondered if the man was going to tell him how glad he was Josh had surfaced or tell him to go to hell."Nope." He tried to lighten his voice. "Still walking, talking, and breathing.""You ready to come back to the land of the living?"Was he? Was he ready for this, even though he wasn't sure if he could drive? But he owed Andy a meeting, if nothing else."Only if you keep it between us for a little while longer."Another long pause."How long would that be?""Not very." He raked his fingers through his hair. "Andy, I'm real sorry I left you in the lurch the way I did. I know it was a rotten thing to do. But I was so fucked up after the accident, I didn't know if I'd e
Hot Shots Chapter 40
This is either the best thing I've ever done or the stupidest.Kristin kept repeating it in her head over and over as she headed back to Lucasville. She should have rescheduled her appointment because she was so distracted she knew the pictures would come out looking like shit. The owners of today's horse farm were beyond gracious. Kristin was sure she came off as a bumbling idiot and would probably have to figure out how to schedule a retake.So much for her new outlook on life, her decision to forget about men, and her vow to focus on nothing but her job. She'd heard all about Murphy's Law, but Kristin's Law outdid it: If it is possible to fuck anything up, I will do it.She never should have agreed to the weekend at the bed and breakfast. But she'd thought, okay, just fun. Right? Lighthearted fun and lighthearted sex. Only it appeared with Josh Everett, sex was anything but lighthearted. It was intense and exciting and satisfying in a way she'd never known before. He hadn't left
