"Don't apologize," I tell him. "That was everything," I confess.
"Now, now. That's just gonna go right to my head."
"It's true. I'm jealous of every girl who's ever kissed you."
We reach the entrance for the track and he grabs my hand, placing a soft kiss on it. I feel it down to my core. "Don't. I don't want any other lips to touch mine and anyone before you don't matter."
"Okay," I whisper because he has rendered me speechless. I don't think I'll ever get used to this.
Seven Twenty-Five
The line for entry into the track is about as long as to be expected. I spot Vaughn and Wes' car not that far ahead of us. The line moves smoothly, and when we reach the pay booth I pull out my wallet to pay for my way in.
"Put that away." Chase pushes my hand away.
"You don't have to pay for me," I tell him.
"I know, but I want to."
"Thank you," I say with a smile.
"Racing?" asks the young guy standing inside the doorway of the booth.
Chase takes a second to think about it before giving an answer, "Sure."
The man grabs the window marker and steps out from inside, "Number?"
"Seven, twenty-five." I watch as the worker writes the number on the side window, and the top front, then steps back into the booth.
"That'll be thirty."
Chase hands him the money. "Good luck," The guy says, handing Chase the track rules and regulations. He hands me the paper, and I place it in my lap.
"Seven twenty-five?" I question.
"Yeah. My birthday."
"Ohhh. Right! I knew that."
He puts the car into first then drives towards our usual spot near the chain-link fence. Vaughn and Wes' car are parked--they're already standing around with their hoods popped up. There's an orange Subaru parked on the other side of Wes. "Is that the guy he's racing?" I ask.
"I'm not sure," Chase says, shutting his car off. As we both get out, I catch Taylor looking our way and wiggle her eyebrows, making me laugh. I come to a stop next to her and Chase moves over towards my brothers and Wes, putting some space between us.
Vaughn is talking to the guy I don't know, so I can only assume that he's a friend of his. He introduces Chase but doesn't even bother to acknowledge me. Okay. "Aren't you going to introduce me?" I ask, annoyed that I'm being ignored.
"No," Vaughn says, and I catch Chase’s eyebrows rise. So I move towards them and put out my hand to the unknown guy. "Hey, I'm Veronica,"
"Brandon. Nice to meet you." He smiles, showing nice white teeth. He has a head full of hair--not in any particular style--and black glasses. His shirt says ‘Gamer’.
"Are you done hitting on my friend?" Vaughn barks.
"I am not hitting on him!"
"Hey, she can hit on me any day," Brandon says, playfully.
"Uh. No," Vaughn says, as another voice adds in, "Get the fuck outta here," from behind me. I look over my shoulder at Vance who's glaring at me and glance at Chase who just looks amused.
"I was being polite!" I throw my hands out, shake my head, then stalk back over to Taylor. "They're so freakin' stupid." She shrugs and laughs. "Psychos.”
"For real," She leans in and asks, "so how was the ride?"
A large grin breaks upon my lips. "That good, huh?"
I just nod and she loops her arm around mine. "Let's go for a walk,” She whirls around and yells, "We're going to the bathroom!"
As soon as we're far enough away I can’t help but squeal, "He kissed me!"
"Ah!" She squeezes my arm.
"Come to think of it, I think I kissed him."
"Who cares who kissed who first--it happened! More importantly, how was it?"
I sigh dreamily.
"That good?"
"Yes."
"I knew it!"
I scrunch my face, "You knew he'd be a good kisser?"
"Uh, yeah? You’ve seen his lips."
I laugh. "True."
"And now you've tasted them."
"Uh Huh!" I say, enthusiastically.
"I am so happy for you."
"It seriously just feels so…right. Perfect, actually. He still makes me nervous, but at the same time, he eases me. Isn't that all kinds of contradicting?"
"Nope," she says with a large smirk.
We walk around for a little before we decide we've been gone long enough. We start to head back to the group.
"Ugh. Looks like they've gained some friends." I squint my eyes at my brothers, Wes, Chase, and Brandon. Our group has grown--a few other guys are standing around Wes' Evo--but a handful of girls have joined them, too. I can't help but feel the pang of jealousy at the girl standing a little too close to Chase, but his arms are crossed, and he doesn't seem to be giving her one bit of his attention. Wes and another guy are talking and Chase seems to be engrossed with their conversation. He’s listening intently. I wish I could go wrap my arms around him to make the girl move her way along to someone else, but that definitely can't happen. I settle on leaning against his car and look everywhere but at him. Vance is too busy flirting to notice anyone else around him.
Vaughn and Brandon have the attention of three girls, and everyone within town limits knows that Wes isn't available, so most girls don't bother with him anymore. Taylor is a feisty chick you don't want to mess with. Regardless, she wraps her arms around Wes and pulls him in for a kiss. He gives her what she wants and continues talking. Their antics are amusing, to say the least. Taylor joins me again and we make fun of my brothers behind their backs; it’s my favorite past-time. A dark-colored car abruptly pulls up behind Chase's and Wes' car. A short, muscular, tattooed man gets out and approaches our group.
Everyone stops their conversation as this bulky dude walks up to Wes. "Who the hell is that?" I whisper to Tay.
"You ready to get your ass handed to you?" the deep voice barks out.
"I don't know, but he looks like a mini hulk," Taylor whispers back, making me laugh. Wes towers over the guy and a sly, cocky smirk emerges on his features, "Not going to happen, but nice try."
"Prove it."
Wes just nods and the beef-head walks back to his car, peeling out aggressively.
"That was unnecessary," I mumble.
Wes moves towards Tay. "Give me my good luck kiss." Taylor, of course, complies. Their simple kiss quickly goes from G to PG-13. I leave them to it and walk over to Chase. The same girl is still trying to engage him in a conversation, but his eyes are on me and following my movements as I come to stand next to him. His back is now facing her. If that's not a silent dismissal, I don't know what is. I am internally cheering, but the smile on my face is apparent.
"Why are you smiling like that?" he asks.
"No reason."
"Uh-huh."
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her retreat to her friend group that’s surrounded Vaughn and Brandon. Her arms are crossed over her chest and there’s an ugly scowl on her face.