Chapter Four

Shane left the media circus behind and headed home. He’d purchased his property in North Carolina a while ago. Although he was rarely there, it was still good to know that when he was home…it was actually home. Living in motor coaches and hotel rooms most of the year was starting to weigh on his nerves. Having an actual place to unwind away from the circuit was rewarding.

He pulled up in front of the wrought iron gate and pressed the remote. The gates opened for him to enter. He’d had to install the gates after a groupie had broken into his home and was lying in his bed stark naked one night. After unsuccessfully trying to get her out of his house, Shane had then called the sheriff and had her bodily removed.

“Ah, home sweet home,” he sighed, driving through the opened gate and pressing the button so that the gate closed after him. Shane pulled up in front of his three-story house and noticed Adam’s car was already parked out front. He knew his brother would have a million and one questions, none of which he was prepared to answer at the moment. Shane got out of his car with a groan. “Let the show begin,” he said to himself, as he walked through the front door.

“The man of the hour is here, or should I say after almost 24 hours?” Adam jested.

“I’m beginning to hate that I gave you access to my home, brother,” Shane snorted. “So what brings you to my humble abode?”

“No, you don’t. You love it when I drop in. Just wondering what my older brother’s been up to in the past 24 hours? Inquiring minds wants to know,” he teased.

“I thought I told you yesterday to mind your own business. Still stands,” Shane said, walking over to a nearby table and depositing his keys on it. He then walked into his kitchen, opened the fridge and took out a beer, popped the lid, leaned back with his back on the island and took a long swig.

“You know that you’re not supposed to be swigging that right now,” Adam said in a bored voice.

“There are a lot of things I’m not supposed to be doing…haven’t stopped me thus far,” Shane said sarcastically.

“You wouldn’t happen to be talking about the lovely Tracey Powell? Would you?” Adam smiled.

“I’m not ‘doing’ Tracey, you knucklehead,” Shane snapped.

“I didn’t say you were ‘doing’ her. I asked if you were talking about her. There’s a difference,” Adam mocked.

“I wasn’t speaking of Tracey, Adam,” he exhaled.

“Umm, hmm, tell me anything. I’ll believe you. NOT,” Adam chuckled.

“Adam don’t you have somewhere else to be?” Shane grumbled.

“No place a’tall,” he drawled out, going to rest against the Island next to Shane.

“You are determined to be a pain in my ass today, aren’t you?” Shane mumbled.

“Hmm, interesting choice of words, brother,” Adam chided.

“Not going there with you, Adam. I need a shower and a nap. These reporters are being a pain in my backside,” he said placing his empty beer bottle on the countertop, and walking away.

“No can do, Shane. You have a meeting with the sponsors in one hour,” Adam said with a shake of his head.

“Hell, I forgot about that,” he swore swiping his hand across his face. “I thought you said you didn’t have anywhere to be?”

“I don’t. You do. Not like you to forget something like that. I wonder what—or should I say ‘who’s?’—the cause of this travesty,” Adam joshed.

“You know, you’re a real pain in the neck. I’ll be ready in 10. Please no more sponsors or anything else until I get some rest,” Shane murmured, walking in the direction of his bedroom.

“After the sponsor meeting, you have the appearance at the children’s hospital for a meeting with the director,” his brother advised. “Sorry, sport.”

“Oh hell,” Shane sighed. “Who booked this back-to-back thingy, anyway?”

“You did. I tried to tell you that it wasn’t a good idea. But since it was last minute and it was for the kids you agreed. So get a move on. You’re already running late,” Adam said, his tone becoming serious.

“Yeah. I’m coming. Give me a few. I’ll drive over with you just to save time—if you don’t mind?” Shane muttered.

“Not a problem,” Adam replied. “Just hurry up.”

Shane didn’t bother to respond. He just continued in the direction of his bedroom, pulling his t-shirt over his head on the way. Adam was taking over most of his schedule from Chuck. Shane had to admit, his brother was good at setting up his appearances and coordinating with his sponsors. Adam’s jet-setting ways were finally paying off for something good. His contacts and connections were endless. Adam was a good businessman and brother.

Reaching his bedroom Shane gave a heavy sigh as he stepped out of his tennis shoes and sock, stripped off the rest of his clothes and headed for the shower, stepping in, and turning the water on full blast. Picking up the soap he began to lather his body, while at the same time allowing his stiffened muscles to relax under the warm spray of the water. His body relaxing a little bit at a time, Shane began to think back on the events leading up to today’s barrage of reporters.

Shane wondered what Tracey was doing now? Had the reporters cornered her as well? He’d tried calling her at the hotel but wasn’t able to get through. No doubt the hotel staff had redirected all of her calls because of the reporters, and he didn’t have her cell phone number. That had to change. He would get her cell number. The lovely Tracey was not getting rid of him that easily. She wanted space to compete and he would abide by her wishes…sort of. Shane had no intentions of not being between her silken thighs again for months. That was out of the question. The feel of her long legs wrapped around him as he pushed in and out of her sent shivers of awareness down his spine. His body began to harden. His erection was more prominent.

“Damn, I have to stop thinking about her. I have things to do today, and I can’t do them in a constant state of hard-on,” he murmured. That’s surely the condition he’d be in if he his mind kept going in the direction of Tracey Powell.

The sound of his brother’s booming voice jerked Shane out of his musings. “Let’s go, Shane!”

“Shit,” Shane whispered, quickly grabbing his shampoo bottle, putting a healthy amount on his hair, and swiftly rinsing it out. While he was at it, he also rinsed the soap from his body. Turning the water off, he stepped out of the shower, grabbed a fluffy white towel and dried his hair and body off. Shane hurriedly dressed and rushed out of his room to a waiting Adam.

“I thought you’d drowned in there for a minute bro,” Adam kidded.

“Be quiet, Adam, and let’s get this little show on the road,” Shane countered, grabbing up his house keys.

“After you,” Adam said.

“No after you,” Shane responded. “You’re driving and I have to lock up.”

Shane remotely set his alarm as he followed Adam out, closing and locking up after them.

They both climbed into Adam’s low slung Porsche Carrera and drove off.

“Nice ride,” Shane remarked.

“Thank you. I like it,” Adam smiled.

“How many do you have now?” Shane asked.

“How many what do I have?” Adam asked.

“Cars? You seem to be collecting them. You have a new one every few months or so,” Shane said.

“Humph. I love cars. Always have. Always will. But you know that already, so why the interest now?” Adam asked.

“Just wondering how you can afford them is all,” Shane drawled.

“Don’t be obtuse. You know damn well where I get my money,” Adam snorted. “Just because you choose to let yours collect dust doesn’t mean that I have to.”

“My money is not collecting dust. I’m just saving for when I need it. That’s all,” Shane snickered.

“Really? Saving, Shane? What are you planning on buying, a small country or something?” Adam replied sarcastically.

“Stop exaggerating, Adam. It’s not that much money,” Shane grumbled.

“Shane you have your inheritance from the gramps, the money you’ve collected over the years from your racing, and endorsements. Just what are you saving up for anyway?”

“Mind your business Adam. Besides, I’m thinking of giving up racing,” he blurted out and winced as Adam’s car veered off the roadway.

“What the hell, Adam!” Shane yelled.

“Sorry,” Adam said righting the car. “What do you mean you’re thinking of giving up racing?”

“Just what I said. It’s time for me to settle down. Maybe get married. Have few Shanes or Shanettes.” He smiled.

“Shanes and Shanettes? Married? Huh? What the what?” Adam asked perplexed. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”

“As a heart attack,” Shane grunted. “What’s so wrong with me wanting to settle down and have a family?”

“Nothing, I guess,” Adam murmured. “It’s just…you’re only in your early 30’s. Why now? Why not wait?”

“Wait for what? I don’t want to be too old to play with any children that I may have. I’ve done almost any and everything. Have traveled the world—had plenty of women. Now I’m ready to settle down and start a family. It’s time. I feel it,” Shane smiled.

“Damn, I didn’t see that one coming,” Adam mumbled under his breath.

“I didn’t either, brother. I didn’t either,” Shane whispered to himself.

Shane remained quiet. His thoughts immediately shifted to last night. Spending time with Tracey last night and this morning had him feeling giddy. Like a kid in a candy store. For the first time since he’d started racing he wished that the race was over already. He knew Tracey was serious about not seeing him until after the races were over. Shane hoped he could last that long. He doubted it, but he would try. Laying his head back on the headrest, Shane gave a long drawn out sigh.

“Why the long sigh?” Adam asked.

“Just thinking,” Shane responded, closing his eyes.

“You don’t say. Appears you’ve been doing a lot of that lately—thinking” was Adam’s sarcastic reply.

“Shut up and drive, Adam.” Shane snapped, cutting his eyes over at his brother.