Chapter 161
Brianna frowned.
She hesitated for several seconds.
Finally, she managed a quiet “mm-hm p>
After a moment’s thought, she added, “I’m with a friend. The bike… it was a gift from my friend p>
But the man seemed to ignore her completely, his tone taking on an entitled, commanding air. “I’m in the VIP section of Area C. Get over here and bring me the keys to the Ghost, now p>
Brianna started to refuse. “I can’t, it’s p>
“Brianna p>
The man’s voice was stern, cutting her off with undisguised annoyance. “I know you only came to Apex Horizon Speedway because you knew I was bringing Lauren. I’ve told you a million times, she’s like a sister to me. Why do you always have to jump to conclusions and project your own twisted thoughts onto an innocent girl like her p>
“If you hadn’t bullied her at school and embarrassed her, would I even be here right now, trying to apologize on your behalf? And now you’ve followed us here p>
“With your heart condition, can you even handle a place like this? Are you planning to have an episode and collapse, just so you can pin it on me? I’m warning you, stop using your heart condition to manipulate me. Bring me the keys, and then go home p>
The man rattled on with infuriating self-righteousness, as if everything he was doing was some grand favor to clean up her messes.
And Brianna was supposed to give him everything and be grateful for the privilege?
Brianna’s frown deepened, her
I.ne
expression souring. “Brandon Keller, when have lever bullied Lauren Mitchell? She was the one who started a clique to target other students. She just wasn’t mart enough to get away with it and got caught. The school reprimanded her publicly. What does any of that have to do with me p>
“Don’t think you can bully an innocent girl just because you have some money, Brianna!” The man
refused to listen to a word of hermet
explanation. “Lauren wants to see Ghost Hurry up,
me race the
face is about
ungrateful. I’m doing this for your own good p>
Brianna’s grip on her phone tightened.
She glanced down at the key in her other hand, its Ghost emblem cool against her skin.
Her fingers traced the design.
After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and, for the first time in her life, truly refused Brandon. “I told you, it’s a gift from my friend. I’m not giving it to you p>
“Brianna, since when is there a
‘yours’ and ‘mine’ between us?” The man’s tone, was laced with
impatience, annoyance, and a hint of
“It’s
humiliation from being re you to
just a stupid bike. When I tell you to
bring te over you bring it! If you’re it
going to be this disobedient, then don’t blame me if I… wash my hands of you for good p>
Brianna’s eyes grew red.
Just then, a sickly sweet, manipulative voice piped up from the other end of the line. “Brandon, don’t talk to Brianna like that. You know how much she cares about you. If you stopped looking out for her… how would she ever manage on her own p>
“Brianna must still be upset with me. Maybe… maybe I should just leave? Brandon, you should go apologize to her. Getting bullied at school… it was my own fault, it has nothing to do with Brianna p>
By the end, her voice was thick with a sob, as if she wanted the whole world to know how deeply wronged she was.
Brandon replied furiously, “Why would you leave? She’s just throwing one of her spoiled brat tantrums! She’s used to getting her way p>
His voice rose, clearly shifting from annoyed to enraged. “Brianna, I’m giving you ten minutes. If you don’t get here with the Ghost in ten minutes, then l’II p>