Tate slammed into the corners for the requested two laps, pushing the truck to the limit before he slowed down and turned onto the pit lane. He cut the power to the engine. Kenned stood on the opposite side of the wall, scribbling something onto his clipboard. Tate fiddled with the connections on his helmet. The quicker he got out of the truck, the sooner he’d get reamed out by Kennedy. God knew, Floyd lived to berate him.

Better suck it up and take the tongue lashing.

Tate removed his helmet and clutched it to his stomach. “So?”

“You’re really quiet on the radio,” Kennedy said. He didn’t look up. “Have you always been so reserved?”

“It’s a habit.”

Kennedy stopped writing. His brows knotted, and he stared at Tate. “He really treated you like shit, didn’t he? I thought maybe the race I’d listened in to was a fluke.” He shook his head and resumed scrawling on the paper. “Once you locked in and found your rhythm, you were fine. Laps six to twelve looked great. What were you thinking about?”

Focus. The guy meant business, not anything else. Tate wanted to reply, “you,” but he doubted Kennedy would appreciate that. “Tearing up the corners.”

Once again, Kennedy stopped writing. He snorted. “Uh-huh. The sandwiches arrived during your lap thirteen, so why don’t we close things down here and take them to my office?”

He glanced around the track. “Where do they keep this truck? In the garage?”

“In the semi behind you.” Tate pointed in the direction of the massive vehicle. “Doesn’t make much sense, but they only let me play with the race trucks during the race weekend. I can’t even test them during test sessions. I have to run this one.”

“Is it set up the same?”

“Hell if I know. Floyd kept me clueless. ”

“Jesus.” Kennedy fluttered his hand. “Put the truck away, and we’ll head to the office. I’ve got a plan for Texas, but it’s going to get bumpy before it gets better. Can you handle a few bumps?”

Tate grinned. He wanted more than a bumpy ride from the handsome crew chief. He wanted the man’s hand on his ass and his growl in his ear. For the time being, he’d settle for a decent working relationship. “Deal.”