We hit the corner at the same time and I quickly realize that being on the outside of this guy who’s struggling to control his car is not where I want to be, especially when he takes it way too wide.
His car lurches towards mine and I have no other choice but to slam on the breaks as his car cuts out in front on mine. My breathing comes hard but it’s not over yet. He’s busy trying to right his car which gives me an opening.
I don’t waste a single second.
I shoot forward and push my way past him.
I only have one more bend and a straight to go before crossing the finish line. I can do this.
My eyes flick up into my mirror and see he’s right behind me. If I slow down even a fraction, he’ll hit me, so I do the one thing my brain is telling me not to do. I speed up.
I hit the last bend with way too much speed that gives him an advantage to creep up beside me. I somehow manage to come out the other end and that’s when it’s really on. There’s one more straight and we’re side by side.
This is going to be freaking close.
My heart pounds to the point where, if I could feel anything, I’m sure it would be painful.
I shoot my car forward. This is it. I see the end. I’ve nearly come full circle and I don’t doubt Nate is waiting right there, ready to rip me a new asshole.
The finish line comes closer and I give it absolutely everything I’ve got. My car roars with the excitement of being pushed to its limits while the adrenaline still pumps through my body. My hands grip the steering wheel with white knuckles as my breath comes in hard and fast.
My car pushes forward an inch past the white car and if I can hold onto this, I’ll win.
Not a second later, I cross that line before slamming on the break.
“Holy shit,” I whisper to myself as my pulse in my ears pounds so loudly I can’t hear the people screaming and cheering outside.
I distantly notice people running down the hill but I can’t make anything out. My door is ripped open, someone grabs my elbow and hauls me out of the car. There are people everywhere but I can’t make out any of their faces.
I need to get out of here. I need a second to breathe.
I rip my arm out of the hold of whoever has me. Something deep inside tells me it’s probably Nate trying to yell at me, but right now, I just don’t give a shit. This is too much. I need to go.
I break through the crowd all trying to get at me and hurry up the hill, away from the craziness of the races where I can finally take a second to myself. I can’t believe I just did that. My heart finally begins to slow and my hands stop shaking.
That was intense. It was fun and reckless but I’ll never be doing it again. Hell, I don’t know what makes Nate do it every damn week. That shit is ridiculous.
I get through the other end of the crowd to where it’s just a few people loitering around when someone latches onto my elbow and pulls me back. I rip my arm away, terrified of who could have a hold of me and spin around.
“Whoa,” Jackson says, holding up both hands as a show of innocence. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I was calling your name, but I guess you didn’t hear me over the noise.”
“Oh, um… sorry,” I grunt, looking away and hoping he can’t see how desperately I want to break down and cry. “I guess I owe you a thank you,” I tell him, distantly noticing the bruise coming out across his jaw.
He shrugs his shoulders. “No big deal. You wanted to race. Why should he get to stop you?” I give him a small smile and he keeps going. “Where have you been all week? Haven’t seen you at school.”
“Sick,” I grunt.
“Right,” he says, not believing me for one second. “From what I just saw down on the track, I’m going to go ahead and say that’s a load of shit.”
I press my lips together and look up at him. “What do you want, Jackson?”
He watches me for a moment. “Let me drive you home.”
I shake my head. “I’m not going home and in case you didn’t notice, I have a car here already.”
“First off,” he says, indicating down towards the finish line where I see Nate drop down into my car. “I believe your boyfriend is confiscating your car, and as for the party; Crystal Summers?” I don’t respond but I don’t have to. It’s pretty damn clear I’m looking to let off a little steam. “Come on,” he says. “Let me drive you there. You can let Nate sweat a little.”