Thank you to SmutWriter85 for the ideas in this chapter.

Ryan's POV

"You're going down pretty boys and old man." Madison grinned, looking at Chase, Kevin and me just before putting the helmet on her head and strapping herself into the go kart.

Normally those would have been fighting words to me because I'm a super competitive person, but I was too distracted to respond. I heard Kevin and Chase throw around some good natured barbs, but again, I was only half paying attention.

I couldn't stop thinking about the conversation I had with Kevin. I had a sense of where he was coming from regarding the death of Lexie Sutton. I had similar feelings of guilt regarding my father. It didn't matter what the coroner's report said...I should have tried harder to keep him from getting behind the wheel. I knew he had been drinking. His blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. His death may not have been caused by the crash, but there's a part of me that can't help but think that maybe I could have saved him. Maybe my thinking was irrational, but maybe by some chance he wouldn't have had a massive heart attack if he hadn't been drinking and driving. Regardless of the circumstances, I'm to blame and no one could convince me otherwise. That was something I was going to have to carry around with me for the rest of my life.

I also went over the conversation in my head regarding Madison. I had not been entirely truthful with Kevin in that aspect, but it wasn't like I could really tell him what was going through my head. Maybe I was playing around with Madison. Maybe my interest in her is purely sexual. I don't do relationships. Other than Blakeleigh, I had never really had a steady girlfriend, and we all know how well that had worked out. Madison was a challenge to me. She didn't immediately fall to my feet. She was making me work for it. I got off on the fact that I could make her melt with one kiss, and I wanted to see just how far she would go. How far I could get her to go. Of course I wouldn't dare mention any of that to him. He would murder me in my sleep. Besides, he was leaving in the morning for some family time. The last thing I wanted was him thinking he couldn't leave the three of us alone.

I was jolted back to reality by a hard tap on the rear bumper of my go kart. Chase was a little too anxious trying to unlap himself after tangling with Kevin earlier and causing both of them to spin. Pushing my competitive nature aside, I just let him go by. We had already been reprimanded twice for rough driving by the manager of the go kart track and oddly enough, considering my history, I really wasn't looking to cause trouble. As much as I usually enjoy this, my head just wasn't in it.

I felt another light tap on my bumper. Before I could react, Madison had passed me on the outside and was now in the lead. That did it. I was now back in the game. No way was I getting beat by a girl. I mashed the gas and sent the go kart hard into the corner, not realizing Madison had slowed up a little to take the tight turn. I nailed the back of her kart, sending her hard into the outside wall. I got just enough of a glimpse to see her head violently jerk forward then back from the impact.

Fuck. I hit her too hard. I did not mean to do that. Please let her not be hurt. I then realized my hands were shaking.

I quickly stopped my go kart, jumped out and ran to where she was stalled as smoke billowed out from the front of the kart.

"Fuck Madi. I'm so sorry. Are you okay? I didn't mean to do that." I said.

She took off her helmet and glared at me. "What the fuck Ryan? Do you think you're Dale Earnhardt or something? 'Oh I didn't mean to wreck you, I was just trying to rattle your cage'."

I fought the urge not to laugh because knowing that famous quote meant she had to have been at least a little bit of a NASCAR fan, but by the fire burning in her eyes, I doubt she would have appreciated my laughter.

"I'm really sorry. Are you okay?" I asked again. I noticed she had unhooked her belts and there was a red welt forming on the side of her neck.

"Yeah...ow." She touched the welt tenderly.

"Looks like a little bit of a seatbelt burn. I'm really sorry." I did feel bad. I should have been more focused on what I was doing instead of replaying conversations in my head.

"What the hell were you thinking Ryan? You could have hurt her." Kevin yelled, pushing me out of the way to get to Madison, as he and Chase, who had been on the other side of the course had come running up.

"I....." I began to say, but Madison cut me off.

"It was my fault. I got into the corner too hot. I over-corrected and slid into Ryan." Madison said, and I couldn't believe she was lying for me to save me from the wrath of Kevin. "Really, I'm fine y'all." She looked at each of us.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I've warned y'all at least twice not to bump each other, and now I have a damaged kart." The manager of the track had approached us, and he looked pissed.

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that. We're gonna leave. You have all of my information. Just send me a bill for the damages." Kevin said, helping Madison from the wrecked go kart. Later I would tell Kevin to forward that bill to me since it was my fault anyway. Just like everything else is my fault.

After squaring things away with the go kart track, we all piled into the rental car, picked up pizza and drove back to the venue where the bus was parked. So much for a fun night out.

                              🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Madison's POV

I had just gotten into my lounge clothes and was towel drying my hair, ready to go watch a movie with the guys when someone knocked on the door.

"I uh...I have this cream that you can put on your neck." Ryan said, holding out a tube of antibiotic ointment. He really did look sorry. It was kinda cute, even though I wasn't really mad. I knew it had been an accident.

"Thanks." I said, reaching out to take the tube from him.

"Let me get it." He opened up the tube and squeezed a small amount onto his fingertip. His touch was so gentle as he rubbed the cream onto the small abrasion. He really could be sweet when he wanted to.

His hand lingered on my neck, and my breath hitched in my throat. His face was just inches from mine. I could make out the tiny flecks of green and gold in his ocean colored blue eyes that I had never noticed before. He was so ridiculously good looking and he smelled amazing. Being this close to him never failed to take my breath away.

The hand that had been on my neck was now caressing my cheek and my breath hitched yet again. He had to know just what kind of effect he was having on me, yet he continued to just stare into my eyes. Was he going to kiss me again or not.

"So pretty." A soft smile curved his lips as he spoke and those pesky butterflies began waging war in my stomach.

The temperature in the room felt like it had been raised about another fifty degrees. There was an undeniable sexual tension filling the air, and I was too caught up with staring into his gorgeous eyes to even attempt to draw air into my lungs.

When his lips touched mine I felt that spark. There was no denying I was attracted to him, whether I wanted to be or not. The kiss was soft, but quickly intensified, and when I heard the moan from deep in the back of his throat I couldn't help but moan myself. What would it feel like for him to touch me? I mean really touch me. Would his touch set me on fire like it did in my fantasies? If the heat I felt just from his close presence was any indication, I would likely go up in flames.

He had just backed me up against the wall and deepened the kiss when there was a sharp rapping on the door. Fuck. Just go away.

"Ry...Madi. Movie's about to start." Chase called out from behind the door. We seriously needed to do something about that guy.

"I'm gonna fucking kill him." Ryan muttered under his breath, detangling his lips from mine.

"I'll help you hide the body." I muttered back.

I could feel my face burning as we entered the living area and I was certain everyone would notice, yet no one seemed to pay attention. I thought we were about to start the movie, but then Kevin began speaking.

"As you know, I won't be back until next Wednesday. I'm trusting everyone to not act like a fool. In my absence, Chase is in charge. I know that's pretty much like letting the inmates run the asylum, but I have confidence in the three of you that you will not suddenly decide to go wild. Madi, Chase has your schedule for the week and he will make sure you get to where you need to be on time."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. He was such a dad. I've never once been late to a rehearsal or interview.

"Ryan...just keep doing what you're doing. I'm proud of you son."

What? Me the punctual one gets reminded to be on time and the problem child gets praised? What alternate reality is this?

"I'm gonna miss you guys, but I know y'all are gonna be great, just like you have been." Kevin added.

It was going to be weird without him around for a week, but I couldn't help but be a little excited to not have his watchful eyes around. Now if only we could figure out some kind of way to get Chase to back off.