“Damn it, Fortney locked his brakes again. So what are we going to do about a driver?” Adam knew the story well without knowing every the detail. Kennedy Taggart ran the biggest racing empire with the best winning percentage. All the drivers wanted to nab spots with her teams—including Gavin.“Tell me you have a good replacement. One that just sort of showed up or something? I know you. You’ve always got an ace up your sleeve.”

The last time Adam checked, the drivers haunting pit road in search of a job were about two. One wanted to make his great comeback after his third concussion and another owned the reputation for crashing after twenty or so laps. Not a good batch. At least, they were in Charlotte. If the team hustled, they might be able to nab one of the local drivers. Maybe.

“Well, that’s why I came down here, my friend. You’re right.”Collin smiled then waved at something behind Adam. “I’ve solved our problem. This is Will Camden. Remember him?”

Remember him? Adam choked back the snappy retort. A scar was hard to forget. For him, Will was that scar. Saying they shared a messy history was an understatement. Adam grabbed the bill of his hat then tugged the hat tighter down on his head.

Will, dressed in a crisp white polo shirt, ambled up to where Collin stood. A wide grin spread across his face, and his sapphire eyes still featured the bright sparkle Adam remembered so well. He’d be a good match as the next Flash driver, but damn. Why’d the past always have to come back and bite Adam in the ass?

“We’ve met.” Adam stuck out his hand. “Welcome to Flash.”

“My pleasure.” Will squeezed Adam’s hand, and the touch lingered a bit longer than Adam wanted.

Adam’s heart lodged in his throat. Being around Will would be fine on track, but they’d have to spend time together outside of the track. Then things would get sticky—and fast. Damned history between them anyway.

“He walked down pit road at the exact same time Gavin quit. I think it’s a sign.” Collin folded his arms. “And I think this is a good time for you two to patch things up.” He winked at Adam. “Will, the uniforms are in the hauler. Gavin’s about your size so they should fit. Get changed and I’ll have Adam get your seat ready.”

“You got it.” Will ducked behind Collin and into the truck hauler.

Adam waited a heartbeat then groaned. “Patch things up? Seriously? What did he tell you?”

Collin snorted. “He didn’t say a word. It’s you.” He leaned one shoulder on the hauler wall. “The moment I mentioned his name, you shut down. Anyone can see there was something between you. I assumed I was right, and I was. You and Will had a thing.”

“He’s a hothead. Dangerous on the track. Crashed out at Loudon.” Adam knelt next to the tool cart and busied himself with arranging the sockets in one of the drawers.

“Are you scared?” Collin nudged the drawer shut with the toe of his loafer. “Truth.” For being forty-two, the guy looked more like thirty-two with all the time he’d spent in the gym. The salt-and-pepper streaks in his chocolate-brown hair were the only giveaways to his true age. They could talk like brothers and understood each other like good friends. And yet, Collin knew how to drive Adam berserk with his ability to sniff out the truth.

Damn it. Adam rested one knee on the ground. “It’s kind of like the cannon fireworks. The things are dangerous as hell, but they’re beautiful. And if you’re not careful, you’ll get burned. That’s what we were.”

“I saw you work together three years ago at Bristol. You helped him win the race. That’s the kind of magic I want.”