We cross the finish line, and I remove my foot from the gas, allowing my car to slow and downshift. I made it! My car didn't break, and it ran amazingly! I yell out in excitement. I move the car around the bend at the end of the lane and pull up behind Kyle at the booth to grab my time slip.
“Nice run!” the guy tells me, and I thank him.
I pull up beside Kyle's Camaro and jump out once I pull my key out of the ignition. Everyone greets me, and Chase pulls me into a hug but breaks away quickly--to my displeasure. Vance pulls me into his side. “That was great! How did it feel?” he asks.
“Awesome!” I gush.
“I'm so proud of you!” he squeezes me, then releases me from his grasp. Even though I initially had no intention of racing, I'm so glad that I did it.
“That was so hot!” Kyle says and everyone stops to looks at him. “What?” he puts his hands up in surrender.
“You seem cool, but she's off-limits,” Vance informs him.
“Oh, is she with you?” he looks between me and Vance. I begin to gag as Vance yells out, “Fuck no.” He moves away from me at record speed. “No, bro, no. V's my sister.”
“Oh,” Kyle laughs, “My bad.”
A loud car pulls up behind my RSX and Kyle's Camaro and all our attention turns to the car as the tinted window slides down. “Yo man, let's do this.” The guy yells out. I glance back at my brothers, and it's Wes who's moving into action. This must be his first race of the night.
Wes rushes off and the group lingers around. Kyle gets Vance to go for a run and--just after they leave--I feel hands upon my hips. “I have to agree with Kyle. That was hot,” Chase says in my ear, causing me to bite my lip.
“Oh yeah?” I turn around to face him and his hands fall to his side.
“Oh, yeah,” he confirms. His gaze moves from my lips to my eyes as he takes a step closer. “If we weren't standing here surrounded by all these people, I'd show you.”
I clench my legs together. Yes, please! My expression must tell him what I'm thinking because he pulls me flush to him. My hands instinctively go to his chiseled chest and his breath tickles my ear as he whispers, “Later. I promise.” My hands pull his shirt into tight fists. He laughs as he tries to remove them.
“You have to let go.” I loosen my grasp, and he takes a step back.
I pull myself together and look around quickly; everyone has moved to the fence. “You can't make promises like that. Now I'm all excited.” His eyes widen at that, and he shifts on his feet. Ha! Two can play this game. I flash my teeth at him.
“Fuck.” I hear him mutter.
“I know…” This time I move to him, getting super close and personal to tease him.
“What?” he asks.
“Let's race…”
Cosmo
Veronica smiles wickedly before turning to run to her car. I am definitely looking forward to ‘later’. My mind begins to wander but, thankfully, the sound of the car's exhaust pulls me from my thoughts. I bound to my car and quickly jump into the driver’s seat, turning over the ignition and reversing out of the spot.
As soon as I pull up next to Veronica's RSX, my eyes find hers. I can't help but think how beautiful she is. She blows me a kiss and then her car moves forward. Such a tease. I cannot wait to get my lips on her. Also my hands...and my tongue. My pants are becoming tight. I guide my car up until we're beside each other again.
Slowly, set by set, we move forward until we're up next. I'm super stoked to be doing this, and not just because it's racing--it’s racing with my girl. There are two kinds of girls; one that sits with you, or one that cheers you on. Both are great, but V? She's a unique kind all her own, and it's quickly become my favorite kind.
Movement in front of me snaps me out of my thoughts--a man is waving me forward. I quickly comply. I eagerly prepare myself. V's engine roars next to me just as the first light on the tree flashes. Then the second blazes, followed by the third. In milliseconds, it's green and I'm on the gas. The car launches forward. I shift into second as soon as I hit the rev line and quickly glance to my right. I don't see V's car.
The gentlemanly thing to do is to let her win, but she'd know. She’s very competitive and she would never be happy with it. So, I give it my all and make it my goal to do better than the last time. I shift into the fifth and final gear and press my foot down on the gas pedal without removing any pressure until I cross the finish line. Once my car crosses the line indicating the end of the track, I let off the pedal and apply the brakes--shifting down into each gear until I approach the booth. I glance up into my rearview mirror and Veronica is right behind me. I move around the bend and drive up towards our spot and park my car next to Vance's; V does the same.
We get out at the same time, and the whole group moves towards us, giving us words of encouragement. I move closer to V, “Could you see?” I ask, teasing her.
Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. “What?”
“With all that dust I kicked up? Could you see? I smoked you!” I joke.
Her eyes instantly narrow at me, and she pushes my shoulder. “You jerk,” Her hands go to her hips, “I'll have you know, I was right next to you!”
“It's okay, we can't all be winners.” I continue to poke at her.
“Keep it up. You'll be going to bed alone tonight.” Her eyes scan our surroundings as if she forgot herself. I barely care anymore.
My face to hers, “You're up here,” I point to my temple, “I won't be alone.”
Her face softens, “I hate you,” she whispers with a playful smile.
I wink at her, “Whatever you say.” I move away from her as Taylor comes to her side.
She purrs, “What are you two up to?” Her eyes move between us.
My eyes remain on Veronica as I answer, “Nothing, yet.” I smirk and join the guys standing towards the front of Wes'car.
The night continues smoothly, and it's a great time for us all. Wes wins money, I kill Vance in a race, and V is all smiles--that’s my favorite part. “Alright folks, it's been a great season,” The male voice speaks to the crowd from the call box, “Again, we appreciate your support and hope to see you next May. Y'all don't have to go home, but ya gotta get up outta here! Goodnight!”
People begin to scatter out, walking to their cars.
“We going to the diner?” Wes looks around as he asks.
Vance is busy sucking face with the girl that's been on his arm all night and he breaks away for a second to answer. “They don't have anything I'm hungry for.” He bites at the girls' lip.
Kyle walks around the group and shakes hands with everyone. He hugs V, and my eyes catch something he slips into her hand. She looks down as he moves away to his car, and I move up behind her. There’s a number written on the slip. I laugh low in her ear and reach around to grab it from her. “You won't be needing that.” I crumble it up and shove it in my pocket.
“I don't know,” she says turning around to face me. “The guy I'm dating is being a jerk.”