Orson leans against mine, smirking at me. “Look who showed up. We had a bet you wouldn’t. Are you ready to lose again?”
“You’re making my car dirty,” I remark with a dismissive glance.
His eyes narrow, and he steps up to me. “It’s my race. Learn your place, or better yet, I’ll show you today. The title and money are mine. You don’t stand a chance, kid.”
“For someone who lost the last one, you sure talk a lot of shit,” I respond. “Run along. I bet your master is calling you.”
His lip curls in anger as he looks me over. “Be careful, little boy,” he warns, his voice low. “Accidents happen all the time.” He stalks off.
“What did he say?” Skylar asks. “I’ll kick his ass.”
I press my hand to his chest. “We’ll do it on the track,” I remind him. “We’ll win and prove we are better.”
Skylar grumbles but steps back, eyeing me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m just ready to win this shit.” I fill my voice with confidence, and he grins.
We bump our helmets together in our usual ritual. “Give it your all, brother,” he murmurs.
“You too. I’m not holding back.”
“Good, me neither. It doesn’t matter which one of us wins as long as it’s us.” I know he means it, and so do I, but we will both give it our all.
Racing relies on a lot of things: it might not just be your day or your race, others’ mistakes, and even your car, but also your determination. Everything has to go right or as close to as it can. So many factors are set against us, it’s almost impossible, but today, I will make the impossible possible.
Climbing into my car, I pull my gloves on and fasten my belt before starting my engine. “Alright, boys, it’s time to prove who you are. Starfire is taking that title. Don’t hold back. Drive safe and cross that line.” Noah’s voice crackles through the mic.
“We’ve got you, old man. Don’t worry, just have that Champagne waiting,” Skylar teases.
“And maybe a blowjob,” I taunt, and Skylar chortles.
“Mackie, these conversations are recorded,” Noah reminds me, but he sounds amused.
“Oops,” I say as I tighten my grip on the wheel as my heart slows and the red light flashes. I glance at Skylar, and he nods at me. No matter what happens, it won’t change anything between us. We are brothers through and through, win or lose.
I look at the stands and see Conan waving and grinning, and my eyes scan the rest of my ragtag family before I look at the track. I need to ignore everything else and focus on myself and this car.
I became the youngest driver in the league.
I made Noah fall in love with me.
I’ve achieved all my dreams, so it’s time to grab this last one.
Amber.
Taking one last breath, I adjust my grip, and then the green flashes.
We quickly take first and second, with Blizzard and Nos close behind. We try to put some distance between us at the first two corners, but they are dogging us pretty well. Breathing through the adrenaline, I try not to go too fast, but when Orson’s car fills my rearview mirror, swerving around me, I cut him off, only for him to swing the other way and overtake me.
Shit.
I’m so focused on winning, I ignored my instincts and it cost me. Win or lose, I’ll do whatever feels right.
Orson tries to drive in front of me and seems to slow, even though there’s nothing in front of him. I try to pass, and he blocks, swerving back and forth, and just when I get my bumper past him, he turns, heading right for me as he goes to block me, but I know he’s going to make contact.
I slam the brakes and jerk my wheel to the right, spinning in a circle to avoid him and knocking myself off the track like he did to Blizzard. My heart slams, and I hear Noah’s voice through the headset, but I tune everything out other than the engine and controlling the spin. I straighten out and slam on the gas, passing him and catching up with Skylar.
“Mackie, Mackie, are you okay?”
