Oh, hold on. We spent our whole senior year getting in trouble.
I guess I just have to hope for the best.
Nate leads me all the way down to the track and at first I assume he’s bringing me down here to get a good look at the track. You know, all that up close and personal crap. But when my R8 comes driving down the road that leads from the racers entrance, my suspicions go on high alert.
First of all, who the hell has the balls to drive my car without my say so? And secondly, what the hell is it doing here?
My car comes to a stop at the top of the track as though it’s lining up to race and Nate drags me forward. “What the hell is going on?” I demand, tugging on his arm when he doesn’t give me any answers.
Puck sticks his head out the door before climbing out of my car, leaving the engine running. He wiggles his eyebrows at me, sees the look in my eye, and pisses off. I’m not in the mood to be kept in the dark right now, especially when it has something to do with my little baby.
“Nate,” I demand again.
He grins down at me and places a hand on the open door. “Get in,” he tells me.
I stand my ground. “Over my dead body.”
“Babe,” he groans. “Just get in. You’re racing.”
“The hell I am,” I seethe, proud that the pissed off set of my eyebrows remains intact. I mean, I’d love to get in that car and take a spin around the track, but I’m holding my ground to make a point. Especially after the way he acted the last time I raced this thing. Why the sudden change of heart?
It’s as though he sees the question in my eyes. He lets out a sigh and holds the door open wider. “I’m going to be with you and this track is a lot safer than Aaron’s. You’ll be up against another beginner whose car is evenly matched to yours. Besides, Max wants to make a point of allowing beginner racers so more drivers will register. He wants to grow this business and wants to use you as a pawn to do it.”
“Geez,” I scoff as a blue car pulls in beside us. I don’t recognize the girl and assume she must be from Haven Falls, but the smug smirk that plays on her lips has me wanting to wipe it straight off. “Fine,” I tell him. “But you owe me.”
“Bullshit,” he says. “I saw your face when you were racing last time. You loved it just like you’re going to love this. You owe me.”
I ignore his little quip. “And you’re happy with me racing?” I question.
“I’m happy with you racing this track because I’ll be sitting right beside you.”
Nervous excitement starts seeping into my bones and I look back up at our friends to see Maxen and Brooke looking back down at us. Max is clearly explaining something to Brooke as she watches me with fear in her eyes. I give her a small smile, letting her know I’ll be ok, and turn back to Nate. “OK,” I sigh. “I’ll do it, but if we die, just know that it’s your own fault.”
“Noted.”
Nate helps me into my car and I adjust the seat from where Puck had slid it back to the absolute furthest position to fit his large body inside. I buckle myself up, fix my mirror, and get comfortable.
Now that I’m sitting in the driver’s seat, listening as the voice on the speakers announces what’s going on, I start to feel ready. In fact, more than ready. The nerves have settled and the adrenaline is rising, ready for me to kick this bitches ass.
Nate plays around with the music system and I instantly recognize the playlist he uses when he races. I can’t help but grin across at him and notice he’s gone white. He’s not at all ready. I don’t know if it’s because he’s scared for me or if he’s scared for his own life, but either way, that fucker got us into this and I’m not about to quit now. No bailing for him tonight.
I wiggle my eyebrows at him. “Buckle up.”
He rolls his eyes and glances away, but I don’t miss the low breath that escapes his lips as he reaches for his buckle.
I grin to myself and turn the music up louder.
A girl with big old boobies and short denim cut offs with her ass hanging out the back walks up between the two cars. She looks to the smirking bitch beside me and confirms she’s ready before doing the same to me. I acknowledge her by giving one of those obnoxious revs of my engine and gaining myself an embarrassed groan from Nate, making me laugh out.