Tooth

Getting hit in the face with the pickle, Travis’ eyes went wide and he blinked before looking down where it had landed on the table. Quirking an eyebrow, he picked it up and purposely squeezed it between his hands to make it shoot back across at Ashlee. Unable to stop it, he started laughing. “There. We’re even.” Still laughing, he leaned back in his chair and winked at her. “And no, of course I’m not getting sick of you. Actually, I’m…not sure that’s possible.” He scrunched his nose a little as his cheeks grew just slightly warm before he cleared his throat. “So yeah…” He picked up his sandwich to finish it. “Riding this afternoon sounds good.”

Eli cocked his head at Ryan and just gave her a softer kind of smile. “You don’t have to thank me. I’d do anything for you, you know that. I just…want you to feel better, that’s all. I know you’ll race again…when you’re ready.” And for the first time, he really did believe he’d see her race again.

He moved around a little to sit on the hood of the car nearer her. “You wanna hang out here a while, or head home? I’m good either way so it’s totally up to you.”

“I can’t believe he let her ride with him.”

“He knows she’s crazy, right?”

“Why did he even let her in his car?”

The gossip swarmed around Hunter as he sat on his car and took a swig of coke. He tried to ignore the idiots, but it wasn’t easy. His eyes found their way back to where he’d dropped Ryan off with Eli. One more comment, and he bristled and finally shot a glare at some of those who were staring at him. “Think she’s bad luck or something?”

“No, but you know she’s crazy don’t you?”

“Crazy?” Hunter slid off his car and stood tall, staring down the guy who’d asked. “You wanna see crazy? Just keep it up.” He swung his gaze around at the others. “All of you. Just keep on pushing and you’ll find out who’s really crazy around here.”

The guy tried to act tough in response. “Is…is that a threat?”

Hunter tossed his bottle aside. “You bet it is.” He took a step closer, closing the gap between them. “Come on. Call her crazy one more time. Or are you chicken?”

“I ain’t chicken.” He glared at Hunter, then took the challenge. “Ryan McKade sees dead people and lost her ability to drive straight.” He circled a finger around his ear. “Totally nuts.” And in the next instant, he was lying on the ground with a hand to his bleeding mouth.

Hunter’s hands were up and he looked around at the others. “Any more takers? Huh? Come on.” He scowled at them as no one moved. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Spinning on his heel, he went back to his car door and slid inside, turning on the engine. The race was over, he had his money…and it was time to leave. His headlights showed the one man still on the ground, whining like a kid and searching for the tooth that he’d lost.