Surge: Bad Boy Racing Romance (Fastlane Series Book 1) by Sloan Storm Page A

percent sure Simon would be there. Jillian told me she’d spoken with Dan, and he’d agreed to help, if needed. I felt a bit guilty about it since I never particularly cared for their relationship. For now though, I had to take help wherever I could find it, so I told her to thank him for me.
    As for Gene, he still hadn’t called me since Austin. With each day that passed, I grew more and more anxious.
    Dyson was busy testing and getting the car ready for the race. We’d only seen each other a handful of times. Luckily, I’d been able to camouflage my frazzled state of mind enough, he didn’t grow suspicious.
    Or at least, I didn’t think he did.
    Even so, I knew it was a matter of time before Gene contacted me again. In fact, I’d just left the team trailer when my cell phone began to vibrate in the pocket of my jeans. I swallowed hard, sliding my hand inside and pulling it out. I flipped it over and saw the ‘Unlisted’ flash on the screen.
    I closed my eyes and answered.
    “Hey there, sis.”
    After a slow blink, I exhaled and leaned against a nearby wall. “What do you want?”
    “You already know what I want, Ava. The time has come for you to give it to me.”
    I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair, shaking my hand free with a vigorous motion. “You told me I had a month , Gene. It’s hardly been a week. There’s no way I can get you the money right now. None.”
    Gene scoffed at my protest. “Plans change. Adapt accordingly.”
    “Adapt?” I said, snapping my upper body away from the wall. I began to pace back and forth, taking a series of small steps in each direction. “You can’t just change the deal. I don’t have any money to give you.”
    “Did you talk to your boyfriend yet?”
    I slid my hand around to the back of my neck and squeezed it tight. “I already told you, he’s not my boyfriend. How many more ways do I need to say the same thing to you?”
    Gene ignored me. “I’ll give you one more week to get your shit together. If you don’t, I’ll get the state involved and take the kid from you. Understand?”
    Trying to restrain myself from screaming, I dug my fingernails into my neck. “I swear, Gene, if you come anywhere near Simon I’ll…”
    Gene interrupted me. “You’ll what, Ava? You think I’m afraid of you? If you try anything, I promise you, I’ll vanish with that kid, and you’ll never hear from him again. Do I make myself clear?”
    I stayed silent, restraining the rage within me.
    “Now, listen to me,” Gene began, increasing the volume of his voice. “Quit fucking around and get your boyfriend to cough up the money.”
    “How many times do I have to tell you? Dyson is not my God damn boyfriend!” I shouted, squeezing my eyes closed tight.
    Gene stayed silent for second. “Get it handled. I’ll be in touch.”
    “Shit!” I exclaimed.
    Shaking, I flipped my eyes open and to my horror, Dyson stood not six feet away from me. I looked at him in shock before turning away. Frantic, I tried to slide my cell phone back into my pocket and get out of there. But before I could even move, he spoke.
    “Ava?”
    Frozen in place, I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. From behind, I heard the sound of his footsteps as he moved along the crushed gravel path.
    Oh no, oh shit.
    Not long after, I sensed his presence. He passed by me, brushing my upper arm. I flipped my eyes open to see him standing in front of me, arms crossed and eyes narrowed at me.
    “Are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
    I shook my head, still half in shock by the conversation I just had and the fact Dyson likely heard the most important part of it.
    “No,” I whispered. “Please don’t make me. And anyway, it doesn’t concern you.”
    “I heard my name. I happen to think it does concern me.”
    I shook my head. “No, really, you don’t understand.”
    “Yeah, no kidding, Ava. That’s why I’m standing here asking you. I heard you telling someone I wasn’t your