A Sprint To His Heart by Lyla Bardan Read Free Book Online Page A

“You have a degree in math!”
    “Yeah, I guess. What does someone do with a bachelor’s in math? Teach high school? No way. High school kids are evil.”
    “Then why did you major in math?”
    I shrugged. “Easier than English. Anyway, I’d rather race. But what if I’m not good enough to turn pro? I want to be on a team in Europe and make some real money. Not bring home worthless merch—”
    “Bailey! Pay attention to the road!” Kelsi braced her hands on the dashboard.
    I swerved to avoid hitting the car in front of us.
    “Damn you, that was close,” she said, elbowing me in the ribs. Hard. Not that I could blame her. She shook her head. “If you race like you drive, it’s a wonder you’ve managed not to crash your bike.”
    “Sorry,” I said with a nervous laugh. “Got a little distracted. And sometimes I forget I’m driving a car and not riding a bike where I can slip through narrow gaps.”
    After spotting the exit sign, I steered off the highway and headed into a grassy parking lot. “Let me know if you spot my team car. Coach Vinson said he was coming, and my teammates Mia and Shannon said they’re racing today too.”
    “I don’t know about your teammates, but somebody is here,” Kelsi teased.
    After parking, I exited the car. A sideways glance revealed Piran walking across the lot toward us. Trying to act cool and ignore the quivering in my stomach, I opened the hatch and pulled out my bike frame and wheels, connected them, and pumped up the tires. Then I peeled off my jeans and T-shirt, exposing the racing suit I wore underneath. Finally, I traded my flip-flops for cycling shoes and settled my helmet on my head.
    “Bailey, Bailey,” said an all-too-unwelcome voice behind me.
    “What, Jose,” I grumbled, adjusting my bike’s brakes. Did he have some sort of radar?
    “You were so close in Friday’s race in Caledonia,” he said, leaning against my car. He gave me a slow once-over. “Such a shame you choked in the finishing sprint.”
    “Oh, suck it,” I snapped without thinking.
    His lips curled in a disgusting leer. “Anytime, anywhere, baby.”
    Gagging, I turned my head. Enough with the gross come-ons! He sauntered off, but not before I noticed a curtain of black glide across his eyes.
    Piran kissed me on the cheek, and I whispered to him, “Did you see that?”
    “See what?”
    “Jose’s a dark Fae. I saw his eyes blacken!”
    Piran narrowed his gaze on Jose. “No. He is human, Bailey.”
    “I saw his eyes blacken,” I insisted, jerking my chin. “Somehow he’s shielding himself or using Fae magic to appear human. No wonder he wins every race! If he’s dark Fae, he can’t ride in human races.” I stalked toward Jose.
    “Stop, Bailey,” Piran admonished, guiding me back to my car. “You are overreacting. If Jose were Fae, he would need a powerful shielding ability, and I do not know of any dark Fae who possesses such magic.”
    My irate growl drew a sigh from him. “Nonetheless, if Jose is dark Fae, and using magic to appear human, he could become violent if you confront him. The dark Fae are unpredictable.”
    “I should have suspected he was dark Fae.” I stamped my foot. “His slimy come-ons. The way he looks at every woman. His stamina in races. I have half a mind—”
    “Hold on,” Piran said. “You have no proof of this accusation. You cannot go to the racing authorities and claim Jose is Fae simply because of his libido.”
    My breath hitched. “Why are you siding with him?”
    “I am not siding with anyone. I am simply saying you have no proof Jose is Fae.”
    A sickening feeling curdled inside me. “I know what I saw, Piran. You should believe me, and you don’t. Which means . . . what?”
    “What?” he repeated quietly, his eyes a calm blue.
    Was he hiding something from me as well?
    “I need to go,” I said, lifting my racing bike onto my shoulder.
    Trudging over the grassy hill to the start of my race, I noticed Piran hadn’t