grip. I’ve told you a thousand times that we are not together. This all started when you wanted me to fuck with Levi’s bike at Worlds and I wanted to fuck you. We both held up our ends of the bargain . . . a clean transaction.” He holds his hands up in the air to show they’re empty. “You’re the one who keeps showing up in my bed these last four months, begging for my cock like a junkie who needs her next fix.”
“Fuck you, Foss,” she growls, shoving him with all her might before spinning around and stomping past where Nali and I are huddled on the frigid ground, back to wherever she parked her broom.
“See you later tonight! Room nine-twelve!” he calls after her then grabs a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and pops one in his mouth. “Stupid bitch,” he mutters as he lights the smoke and inhales deeply.
When we finally stand, it’s like he suddenly remembers he was talking to someone else when all that started, and he jerks his attention to Nali then over to me, and finally back to her. “Sorry about that, doll. Are you okay? Did she hurt you?” he asks, striding toward us.
Immediately, she curls into me, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her cheek against my hoodie. “I’ll be fine. My man here will make sure I’m taken care of,” she replies calmly, then adds, “Thanks again for your time. You have no idea how much help you were.”
“What the fuck? Your man? All of you bitches are crazy!” he spats as we turn away from him.
Hand-in-hand, Nali and I take off jogging for the exit, both of us thrumming with excitement over what just went down. Even though crazy-ass Mercedes seemed to be a wrench in the plan, it turned out to be exactly what we needed. Between the video footage on Nali’s glasses and the voice recording from my pen, Levi should have enough evidence to prove that both his top competitor and ex-manager conspired to tamper with his bike, and hopefully, be done with them forever.
“Maybe I was wrong about this idea after all,” I admit to Dakota as Nali and I meet up with her outside the front gates.
“You got something?!” Her eyes grow wide with optimistic anticipation. “Tell me what happened! I had to disappear when Mercedes showed up, ’cause I was afraid she’d recognize me, and I’ve been dying to know.”
Nodding with a big smile, I pull the pen out of my pocket and hand it to her. “They were both involved, and everything you need is right there and on Nali’s video. Full confession.”
“Eeeeeep!” She twirls around like a little kid, putting her arms straight out to the side and tilting her face up to the stars. “He’s going to love me forever and ever and ever after this.”
Nali giggles at her sister’s behavior as she falls in step with me on our trek out to Getaway Grams and the Jeep. “I hope I find love like that someday,” she muses, playfully bumping her shoulder against mine. “Don’t you?”
Dakota skips over and grabs Nali’s hand, pulling her ahead to dance and spin and laugh across the pavement, as I murmur to myself, “You have no idea.”
Continue following Nali and the rest of the Shavell siblings in Ember, Book Three of the Fire on the Mountain series, due out early 2016.
I WOULD NOT BE SANE without the following people:
My husband and girls ~ Y’all will be #1 on my list Every. Single. Time. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world and thank you for dealing with my crazy, manic writing schedule. Your support means everything. You’re why I try so hard.
Jill Sava ~ There’s a reason we work. Good thing only you & I know what it is!
Dani ~ Here’s to the first of many together. Thank you for taking a chance on me.
Kirsten Papi & Trina Marie ~ somehow you still put up with me. I think we’ve passed the three year mark. Yikes! I can’t wait to see you both again soon.
Stacy Kestwick ~ I love when you’re rough with me. I owe you a dozen Krispy Kremes and two dozen cupcakes. Stop sending me love stickers because you know I’m writing these. And no, you can’t lick my ear.
Jennifer Van Wyk ~ Not only are you a kick-ass beta, but your motocross knowledge and research helped me so much in this book. Thank you for always being available to me.
Michelle “Sawyer’s Mom” Grad ~ Always my Mason’s tattooed baby mama. I hope you continue to take this journey with me and standby as crazy voices take over my head. You’re critical to making me feel normal on a daily basis.
Of course, Alison Evans Maxwell and Allison East couldn’t make things easy and spell their name the same way, allowing me to just refer to them as the “Al(l)isons” . . . but they are two of the best beta readers and sweetest people I’m thankful to call friends nonetheless. Thank you both for understanding my crazy and putting up with my jibberish.
Hang Le ~ Another amazing cover. This makes a dozen . . . here’s to another hundred!
Mo Mabie ~ One of the best roomies ever, thanks for the cuddles. I miss your face. And your leggings.
Aly Martinez ~ My rack is all yours. Forever and always.
Meggie ~ I’m not sure you know how much I love you. You are the reason for many a smiles every day.
Natasha ~ Thank you for loving me despite chapter 3. And for being the coolest 40 year old I know.
Kayla ~ To the stupid person on Etsy who won’t make my wine glasses. It was totally the thought that counted.
Steph ~ My Smoops. Thank you for always being there for me.
Jessica ~ My sprinting sister. We’ve always got this.
CM Foss ~ For fixing my shit when my shit needs fixing. You’re the bomb diggity.
Street Team ~ Love you all! I can’t ever thank you ladies enough for your continued support and constant pimping.
Bloggers ~ The hardest working people in the business that get little credit and no pay. I greatly appreciate the time you spend reading, reviewing, and/ or promoting the books we authors pour our heart and soul into. We couldn’t do it without you.
Readers ~ I have the most incredible readers ever. I absolutely love getting feedback from you and visiting with you on a daily basis. You’re the main reason I continue doing this! Love you all!
ERIN NOELLE IS A TEXAS native, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters. While earning her degree in History, she rediscovered her love for reading that was first instilled by her grandmother when she was a young child. A lover of happily-ever-afters, both historical and current, Erin is an avid reader of all romance novels.
Most nights you can find her cuddled up in bed with her husband, her Kindle in hand and a sporting event of some sorts on television.