Surge: Bad Boy Racing Romance (Fastlane Series Book 1) by Sloan Storm Read Free Book Online Page A

appearance. Middle-aged, and speaking with a thick German accent, he introduced himself to us not long after he entered.
    The whole experience was surreal.
    It wasn’t anything I was used to, and in fact, as much as I tried to make myself at ease, I never really felt comfortable in the extravagant setting. Dr. Wilcox noticed and approached me not long afterward.
    “Is everything all right, Ava?”
    I nodded. “Mmm hmm. Yes, I’m having a wonderful time.”
    “I see,” he began, gesturing towards the far wall. Along the entire length of it was a massive spread of food. “Are you hungry? Don’t you want anything to eat?”
    “Oh, I will. I’m just taking it all in.”
    Dr. Wilcox smiled and gestured for me to follow him towards the bar. “Come on, I think a drink will settle you down.”
    I swallowed and tugged a strand of hair behind my ear. “I think I like the sound of that.”
    Not long after, I’d taken a few sips of my dirty martini. As the mix of vodka and olives settled in, I began to relax a bit. Around that time, Dieter approached Dr. Wilcox and me.
    “Are you enjoying the race?” he asked, glancing between us.
    Dr. Wilcox and I took turns nodding.
    “Is this your first Formula One race, Ava?”
    “Yes.”
    Dieter lifted his glass to his mouth and drank. “How do you find it?”
    If I were being truthful, I’d say it was interesting, but since I wasn’t completely at ease in the situation, I couldn’t enjoy it as much as others looked to be. Of course, I didn’t want to tell him that, so instead I smiled and took the polite route instead.
    “It’s really exciting, Dieter. It’s too bad there aren’t more races in the United States.”
    Dieter nodded. “Well, we are all hopeful this tour will help us expand the fan base. I suppose time will tell.”
    I took another sip of my drink. Dieter turned his attention towards Dr. Wilcox.
    “I want to thank you for helping us out on such short notice. I’m not sure what we would have done otherwise.”
    Dr. Wilcox waved his hand with a casual motion. “It was our pleasure. Happy to help. Which reminds me, what’s the latest with Dr. Luca’s passport?”
    While Dr. Wilcox spoke, Dieter drank more of his cocktail. “It’s funny you should ask.”
    I glanced at Dr. Wilcox. A confused look came to his face.
    “What do you mean?” he asked. “He did get his passport issues resolved, didn’t he?”
    Without speaking, Dieter shook his head. He spent the next few minutes explaining that the earliest Dr. Luca could return to the team would be after the completion of the U.S. tour. In the meantime, the team would be left without a doctor they could trust.
    “And so, Dr. Wilcox,” Dieter began, clearing his throat for emphasis. “I’m wondering if it would be possible for you to step in on his behalf until the end of the tour.”
    Without wasting any time, Dr. Wilcox answered, “No, Dieter. I’m afraid that’s out of the question. As much as I would like to help out, I’m simply not able to leave my practice for an extended period like that on such short notice. I expressed that sentiment to Dyson when he came to my office. I suppose the message didn’t get passed along.”
    Dieter shook his head.
    He either wasn’t concerned Dyson hadn’t mentioned it or didn’t care. Dieter remained silent for a moment. I took a sip of my martini and studied him as he considered Dr. Wilcox’s response. Before I even had a chance to swallow, Dr. Wilcox swiveled his head in my direction and pointed at me.
    “Ava?” he began. “What about you?”
    I snapped my gaze towards him.
    “Me?” I muttered. “What are you talking about?”
    “Yes,” Dieter interjected. “What do you mean?”
    Dr. Wilcox reached towards me and placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me a gentle squeeze. He proceeded to rattle off my qualifications and assured Dieter even though I wasn’t a doctor, there was no one else he’d be more comfortable filling in for him.
    “I have