Collided (Dirty Air, #2)

by Lauren Asher

James Mitchell smells trouble a mile away with his exposure to Formula 1’s bad-boy drivers teaching him a thing or two about handling a daughter.

white Converse because this princess wears comfortable shoes. Screw heels and being a royal pain in the ass who needs to be protected by a pretty prince. No thank you. I’d rather save the day in sneakers.

This guy looks like he belongs surfing on the beach somewhere, all blond hair and skin with a summer glow. I look around to make sure I’m at a kid’s birthday rather than daydreaming.

“You like painting?” “I love it,” I whisper under my breath. “Why are you whispering about it like you’re confessing to a crime?”

“You have a bite to you. Fine. I like to read at least a chapter of a book every night before going to bed. It’s a tradition I’ve had since childhood that I still keep, despite a busy schedule.”

“What’s your favorite book?” Doubt colors my voice. “If you have a favorite, I don’t trust you. Any book lover has at least five they can name off the top of their head.” His blue eyes hold mine. Oh wow. This guy actually likes reading.

I grab the mirror off the table and reveal how he looks. “Holy shit. You seriously have some talent with a brush. I look like someone’s worst nightmare.” “That’s because you are.”

Fuck me. I’ve been flirting with an F1 driver. My dad would kill me if he found out and never let me within a hundred feet of a race circuit.

“You’re no princess. You’re a motherfucking queen. Don’t let anyone forget it, not even yourself. People think the king matters, but the queen brings down all the other pieces. Good luck in uni, and chug a beer in my honor.”

He reads books and uses chess references. Liam Zander is a closet nerd, and knowing this secret pulls a smile from me.

Johanna ran after me to complete my homework and study for tests. Unlike others, she didn’t let me slide by because of my goal to become a Formula 1 driver. I have her to thank for graduating from school in the first place.

“I never traded the books,” I scoff. “The only thing that’s changed is how girls don’t meet me at the library anymore.”

Nope. Absolutely not. I’d rather leave the country than see him again. Wait. Now that’s an idea.

Ignoring my doubts, I pull out my personal laminator because yes, I’m one of those people. The Fuck It List shines in all its laminated glory. I smile at the twenty items I boldly yet semi drunkenly chose.

“I know you’re a celebrity with the engineers, but when you call it a tour, you make it seem like you’re a rock star.” “Famous among the nerds. I love it.”

He can’t suck the fun out of this summer. I want to meet new people, explore different cities, and make a few mistakes because Lord knows I need to.

People underestimate how tough it is to be the perfect daughter for my dad, always striving for greatness to appease him. I’m talking straight As, honor societies, and the equestrian club—all very uppity of me.

He fights a smile. “I don’t know why I raised you to be such a smartass, but it comes out at the most inconvenient times.

Men should be the least of his worries because, excuse my language, but I’m ready to fuck shit up.

My team gives me the opportunity to compete against two of my friends who happen to be some of F1’s best. Noah, who drives for team Bandini, my teammate Jax, and I make up a trio destined for trouble and trophies.

The thing about being the nice guy is how no one sees how corroded my heart is—how it leaks acid like an old car battery.

My eyes stay glued to their discussion as I sit around like a little kid waiting outside the principal’s office. They call me into the room after five minutes.

I smile at the older Chinese man who holds up a sign that reads Sophie “Biggest Pain in My Ass” Mitchell. Dad, always a charmer.

She tells me how Santiago Alatorre is her brother. Lucky me. I didn’t know Bandini’s newest driver came with a sister as a bonus.

Glad my tragedies bring someone happiness. It’s a sort of Shakespearean masterpiece if I do say so myself.

In short, I’ve married my job because it’s a hell of a lot easier than dealing with my family.

My previous pride dissipates once the ultimate temptation shimmies up next to me. The smell of her hits me first, like the ocean on a summer day, a fucking intoxicating smell of coconuts and the beach.

Everything about her appeals to me, from the way she laughs at Maya’s jokes to how her green eyes narrow when she catches me staring too long.

New season, new me. What an affirmation.

I actually want to compete against you, preferably while you’re on a comparable team. It would be no fun racing with guys who don’t know my every move like you do.” “Shucks, you’re making me blush.” I press a palm to my cheek.

Jax and I shoot each other our classic fuckboy grins as we leave the conference room. The very same one we save for parties, women, and podiums.

“I knew you’d say yes. Think of it as a best friend’s initiation ritual.” “More like a ritualistic sacrifice.” I smile at her.

Santi passes us each a shot glass. “Salud. To a fun night and future memories.” “And to new countries, friends, and success.” Maya clinks her glass against ours.

honestly, you’re a millionaire. You can spare more than a couple of pennies for what goes on in my mind.” I tap on my temple.

Liam childishly waves it above my head. His height makes the task of snatching my list impossible. I bounce up and down to no avail, unable to reach his hand.

“This is my life now. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” I smother my head with a pillow to tune out Jax’s laughter.

Her laugh has an airiness to it. I wouldn’t mind making her laugh again, liking the sound almost as much as her voice.

A beaming smile graces her face when she catches the sneakers I wear with my suit. I tend to be a boy at heart, ditching classic shoes for white sneakers

“They let you wear shoes like that?” Her voice rasps. “I copied the look from a girl who preferred sneakers with dresses over heels and gowns.” I lean on the railing and stare at her.

Damn, I enjoy her presence way too much. My reaction to her is screwing with me because I can’t remember the last time I had this kind of ease with a girl.

But I also like good guys.” Her hands fidget before she grips the handrail. I can be a good guy when I want, and compared to Noah, I classify myself as a saint. Well, a saint who sins, but a saint, nonetheless.

I want to poke the rebel inside her. For whatever reason, I’m not sure. Maybe for the fun of it or maybe to see what happens once she finally lets loose.

“You go on a date with me if I place on the Miami GP’s podium.” I have a complete crash-and-burn past with the track, but the one thing I love more than a race is a challenge.

I raise a fist in the air as my car crosses the finish line. Looks like I secured a date with the hottest girl in Bandini and landed myself on the podium with my second-place finish—two wins worth chugging champagne.

That’s how it is between Liam and me. A battle of wills, of two headstrong people fighting for control of each other.

“We have to plan a redo of our date.” “Yeah, that’s not happening.” “If you don’t, then I get to choose something from your list.” He dares to smirk at me, the creator of said list.

He plants a kiss on the top of my head, his lips pressing a second longer than necessary. Two whole seconds leave my body buzzing and my head swimming. My heart squeezes at the tender notion, unable to believe someone like him is capable of something like that. “If that’s what makes you happy. I can be friends.” He hesitates on the last word.

Friend-zoned. Me. Liam Zander.

I wrap my arms around Maya’s and Sophie’s shoulders and pull them away from the two drivers. I grin at the drivers over my shoulder, catching their glares before completing my “fuck off” message with two middle fingers behind the girls’ backs.

I find myself totally screwed, the idea of being just friends seeming like a foreign concept. Google Translate can’t help me for shit with this one.