AllFreeNovel
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I leave the engine running so it doesn’t get cold and get out of the car.
“So.” I smile as silence falls over the crowd. “What’s the buy-in?”
“No. Way. She’sback!” someone shouts to my right.
A tall, lithe woman appears from behind some people and smiles at me.
“Fasten your belts and drive home, boys. Your odds have changed.”
“Faith.” She’s still here. Still running the bets and ruling the races.
I run to her, and she wraps me in her arms.
Looking up at her tall form, she still has the same bright blue hair, cut to her chin. It matches her eyes.
“I fucking missed you,” I say breathlessly. A wave of emotions crashes into me.
Faith is the only friend I’ve ever had outside of the Kings. We’re not best friends, and we only ever saw each other at the races she runs, but it’s good to see her again.
“Where the fuck have you been?” She fakes a pout, but the real hurt lingers in her eyes. “Two years, tiny. That’s a bit long to not give news.”
“Away,” I admit. “It’s a long story.”
“Are you okay?” she asks seriously.
It takes me a second to make sure I don’t burst into tears. I swallow and give her a tight-lipped smile. “Course. So, are we racing or what?”
She eyes me those extra few seconds that show she actually cares before moving on. “Same as before,” she reminds me. “Buy-in is two grand or your car.” Her mouth twists because she already knows my answer.
“Car it is,” I nod. “She’s still the best, don’t worry.”
Smiling, she points with her thumb at a car behind her. “That guy is new, and I think he’d love a little humbling.”
I laugh as I look at him. Brand-new car, clearly bought with the modifications already fitted in. Latest model. The guy inside has a smirk on his face, and he winks at me.
“Rich kid from the South Bank?” I suggest, my fingers already tingling from the need to hold my steering wheel.
“They’re easy to spot, aren’t they?” she snorts. “Plus, he bet money, so you’re leaving with a nice eighteen hundred after this.” Of course, she has to take her cut as the organizer.
I nod, licking my lips with anticipation. I’m going to eat him alive. “Perfect way to get back into the competition,” I agree.
“He’s all yours.” She whistles and waves a hand in the air. “Rocco, you’re out. Jade is racing.”
“Aw, man.” He looks at me and smiles. “I’ll give you the easy win. Welcome back.” Rocco is another veteran in this race like me.
Two of his friends part the crowd to allow him to turn his car around and settle to the side again. A hint of jealousy pinches my heart. I used to have Ethan, Elliot, and Caden supporting me through races. I’d call them my cheerleaders, but really, they were my bodyguards.
Even if Ethan loved to remind me how much he hated me, he would always show up. And he would nod when I gave them my sign that I was okay; the tip of my thumb meeting the tip of my forefinger like the universal ring sign. And then I shaped half of a heart with one hand.
I’m okay. Love you, guys.
Fuck, I feel so stupid right now, wishing the three of them were here supporting me. I’m still bruised from Kay, terrified of Caden, ashamed of the way I let Elliot play with me, and Ethan…I don’t even want to think of Ethan right now.
I put on“Na, Na, Na”by My Chemical Romance, nod to Faith, and rev my engine, showing her I’m ready. I look to the side at the other driver, and he scoffs.
“Really? How old are you? Can you even reach the pedals?”
Taking my time, I pop two pieces of apple gum in my mouth. I found it at the brothers’ house. There are packs everywhere. Elliot used to buy them for me and keep them around, and it makes me feel all kinds of ways to see he still does it.
