“What the hell is a Diamond Cove? And I thought I told you to let me know before you go dashing your ass out of town chasing races. I have to check them out to make sure the shit be legit.”
“No, not for a race. Something happened yesterday on the tracks. I went to see who was out there for a challenge and King Donny put up some bread-…”
“Storm, no. Please tell me that’s not who you raced.” The nervousness in his voice let me know everyone had heard what happened to him.
“It wasn’t my fault. All I did was slam on breaks and he lost control and flipped trying to hit my car.”
“Don’t come back until I tell you it’s safe. Let me try to call in some favors and talk to a few people. You know there is nowhere too far for his people. So, be safe and keep your head on a swivel, son.”
“I know, Unc. I will. I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I love you.”
“Love you, too. I’ll be talking to you soon.” Hanging up the phone, I exhaled before continuing on my search through the house. When I opened the drawer in the kitchen, I saw a set of keys to a Camaro. It wasn’t until then, that I noticed a door that led to the garage. Opening it, I saw the sexiest black on black Camaro I’ve ever seen. The chrome customs on it, jet black tinted windows, and the jet black rims had this bitch sitting pretty. It was a dusty, but she was still saying something.
Running in the house, I grabbed a towel and wiped it down. Yeah, she was screaming for me to take her for a drive. Remembering Sass invited me to the racetracks, I grabbed myphone and called her. It took her a while to pick up, and when she did, I knew her ass wasn’t going outside. She sounded like life was dragging her by her edges.
“Hello, who is this?” I forgot I never gave her my number; I only took hers.
“It’s Storm. The girl you met at the bar earlier.”
“Oh, heyyyy. I forgot all about that. Chile, as you can see I’m pregnant as hell and this baby is tearing my ass up. You don’t need me to go by there though. It’s open to all racers and besides, you said you wasn’t trying to hit the ground with me.” I laughed at her throwing my own words back at me.
“Yeah, I know. We could have linked up though. We can be cool, just know if we get on that line together, I’m still gone dust yo ass.” This time, she laughed.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less. You really should think about it. You would fit right in with The Barbies.” I wanted to ask her how did she know that when she didn’t know anything about me, but I decided to leave it alone. “I told you Dodge was going to get you right. What was wrong with it?” I shrugged my shoulders as if she could see me.
“I have no idea. That man ain’t tell me shit. He said he had to order some parts and sent me on my way. Nigga mean as hell for no reason. Yall need another mechanic around these parts.” This time, she laughed hard as hell.
“Naw, he’s the best. Even if it was another shop here nobody would take their car to them. Dodge is like a God around here. If you had the choice of someone fixing your car, would you want The King of the tracks who knows what you need or some old ass man who got arthritis and reading a textbook?”
“You already know who I’m rolling with.” Realizing what she said, I thought about the car in the garage. “Dodge races?”
“Not anymore but be glad he doesn’t. If he was still out there nobody would ever win shit. I’m not just calling him TheKing because it sounds good. It’s never been a racer that can beat him.” My nosy came out again, so I started asking questions.
“What made him stop? I would die if I couldn’t get out there on them tracks. It’s all I know.”
“Not my story to tell. I heard it in passing, but I hate that I know. Seems like that’s the kind of story you only tell someone who is close to you. It’s fucked up when everybody knows something so personal about you, that I’m sure you didn’t want them to know.” Thinking about what happened with King Donny, I understood what she meant.
“Well, I’m about to see what’s to these Diamond streets. I’ll get you up with you another time. Text me the address to the racetracks.”
“Okay, girl. Have fun but be safe.” We disconnected, and I grabbed my bag of money. I had no idea how much they raced for here, so I grabbed twenty thousand out of my bag, grabbed the Camaro keys, and headed out the door.
When I pulled up, I was genuinely shocked at the set up. We didn’t have these kind of tracks in Chicago. Most of the time, we went to Indiana for this kind of race set up. My adrenaline was pumping high, and I couldn’t wait to take some small town suckers bread. I was used to racing Pinky, but from the way the pipes howled, and the engine roared, I knew I had this in the bag. I had no idea who their handler was, so I parked where I saw the other cars.
Everyone was staring at me, but I couldn’t gauge their expressions. It almost looked like shock, and fear. Since I was new hear, I assumed they thought it was Dodge. Some lanky ass nigga walked towards me, and I assumed he was their handler. He was hesitant to approach the window, so I knew he thought I was Dodge. Letting it down some, I waited for him to realize I was someone else.
“What’s the bet?”
“Ummm, did you steal this car?” This lil nigga seemed scared as fuck and all I could do was shake my head at how they feared this has been ass mechanic. Nigga probably wasn’t even that good of a racer.
“Nigga, did you steal your hairline? Can your goofyass tell me the bet, so I can get to the line. You worried about the wrong shit.”
“It’s ten bands,” he said with attitude and annoyance. Laughing, I reached over and grabbed the money.
“See if you can talk them up to twenty. If not, I’m in for the ten.” He grabbed the money, nodded, and walked off. When I saw him go to the other cars and leave with more money, I knew they took the bet. Getting excited, I rubbed the Camaro’s dash as if she was Pinky. “Aight girl. I know you don’t know me, but if you treat me right, I’ll treat you good. We in this together. Don’t try no funny shit.” I could hear the cars revving up, so I knew it was go time.
Driving off, we all made our way to the line. I could see the other drivers, but the dark tint avoided them from seeing me. It didn’t matter though because once it was time to go, it wouldn’t matter who else was out there on the tracks. Everybody wanted to know who the fuck I was. Well, they were about to find out. Hitting the gas, I revved up the Camaro and got ready to take off.
4-DARION “DODGE” PETERSON
