She spins on her heels and walks away from me, her step sluggish. I fight everything in me not to run to her, and pull her in my arms.
A throat punch would have hurt less.
“You are up next, brother.” Savage is at my side.
“Crash, focus on the race. I will have a prospect follow her,” Racer adds.
I keep my gaze on her retreating back until she gets lost in the crowd, then I turn to my pres.
“Thanks. I need this to be fucking over with.”
“She will understand, Logan,” Alex says, and I snap my head in his direction. “I am not stupid, brother. We are here to help.” He nods to Carlos and Oscar.
I take in a deep breath, and turn back to my car and get in, ignoring a pissed off Val who is not happy that I am not giving her attention. People call out bets and good lucks, but I focus on what I need to do.
My baby growls around me, her engine purring as I drive her to the starting line. I focus on the desert ahead of me, a track I have raced before. I don’t know if anything has changed, but this is what I live for.
The racing. The adrenaline. The rush of winning.
I take a deep breath, calming my erratic beating heart. I have to believe that she will forgive me when I explain everything to her. Pushing all thoughts of Stevie out of my head, I close my eyes, and focus on the sound of the car.
The smell of oil and gas, the chatter, and music all fade away until it is me and my car.
The baby that will help me win this race.
My club will be on guard while I race, digging for information to take the 749 down once and for all. Val included.
A tap on my car has me slowly opening my eyes. I nod to Alex as he walks over with the chick he is dating, who will start the race.
Alex kisses his woman, before walking to the side of the track. We all know the rules: we go when she drops the cloth.
I focus on her, my car revving, along with the three other cars waiting to race me. It is like time slows down. The second she brings her arms down and the cloth falls, we’re gone.
Pedal down, focus on the front, we race. Into turn one, and the one car gets in front of me, making me smirk. “Too soon, motherfucker; you will spin out.” As I say the words, he does just that.
Not breaking early enough, he clearly does not know his car or the track.
I take the lead and it stays like that.
I cross the finish line, my brothers running to my car, except Racer who hangs back watching. Still, he gives me a nod.
My street friends come to congratulate me, then Alex’s girl slips something into my pocket while she kisses my cheek.
“Congrats, Crash.” I look at Alex and he nods.
He knows what she just did.
Val rushes to me, her hands up ready to touch my face, but I sidestep her.
“Do not touch me.” I snarl at her. “I am not yours to touch and you fucking know it.”
Her eyes widen and she steps back, but not far since my brothers are there.
“Take her back to the club,” Racer orders, and the prospect listens.
“Do not fight him, Val.”
“I will go,” Rogue calls, I nod.