Once we arrived at a dead-end street, he waved his tablet at us, silently instructing us to get ready. I put mine on its holder, loading the map so I could see where we were going. I didn’t like the idea that half the race was in Rawson Grove since my family had connections there, but at least it wasn’t Ashburn Valley. Turbo promised we’d never race there for the simple fact he knew my family would come down on him like a motherfucker. We didn’t allow shit like this in our town, especially after Lloyd’s death.
The timer flashed on my tablet and I got myself ready, looking ahead as my fingers twitched on my gear shift. I could hear Logan trash talking out the window to me, but I ignored him and focused, refusing to lose to these fuckers. To be honest, the only person I refused to lose against was Slick. The others I respected as racers and could admit they were damn good.
Slick raced dirty though, and he’d caused so many accidents in his time that I was surprised Turbo hadn’t banned him. I liked taking risks, but he was just stupid.
I guess since there were no rules, he technically wasn’t doing anything wrong. The rest of us just preferred to win by skill or it didn’t feel like winning. There had been a lot of deaths at these races over the years, but that didn’t stop us.
I cranked my music to drown out the other cars, and the moment the timer reached zero, I slammed my car into gear and floored it, tearing through the gears as I nosed ahead of everyone. I chuckled as I glanced in the rearview mirror to see Slick cursing as he stalled his Mustang, and we left him in the dust.
I switched through the gears with ease as we dodged the few cars on the road, adrenaline spiking as I shot through an intersection without slowing down. I knew it was reckless, I was putting my life in danger as well as other peoples, but nothing made me feel alive like this. It had become an addiction, one that grew after losing my brother.
I didn’t want to die, but the thought of cheating death made my heart race and my skin tingle. I couldn’t explain the exact feeling it gave me, and every time I had a close call and swore I’d stop, I came crawling right back.
Fate had made me his bitch.
Blake cut in front of me, her engine roaring as she fought to stay ahead. Reid was right on my ass, but he didn’t try to overtake me. He didn’t take as many risks as me, and the road was too narrow for all of us.
The map signaled to turn left, and I yanked on the wheel, the sound of screeching tires filling the air as we all followed the route provided. We all knew this road was going to suck before we even arrived. It was narrow and had multiple cars parked along the sidewalk, turning it into more of a single lane.
Blake glanced at me as we approached the parked cars, determination on her face as terror and excitement raced through me. It became a game of chicken, our cars careening forward even though we knew both of us wouldn’t fit side by side.
At the last minute, Blake slammed on the brakes to avoid us colliding, and the fear that was tearing through me turned into a victorious laugh, my Supra speeding ahead as if we hadn’t almost died.
I stayed in the lead until the end of the street, where we turned onto the back road to Rawson Grove. Turbo was catching up to me fast, and Reid took his opportunity to cut around me, almost losing control as his tires slipped off the sealed road and onto the gravel. He straightened it, his car screeching as he floored it and barreled ahead, my heart practically beating in my damn throat as he narrowly missed clipping my car. At this speed, I wouldn’t just spin out from being clipped, I’d definitely flip and die. I should’ve slowed down, but my adrenaline rush was coursing through me, stopping common sense from ruining the fun.
We sped through the narrow backroads, flying onto the main street and heading towards suburbia.
“Ready to Die”by TheUnder blasted from my speakers, the irony making me laugh. I wasn’t delusional, I knew this shit would eventually kill me, but the devil on my shoulder kept telling me it wasn’t today.
Blake and Turbo were neck and neck behind me, Slick’s car stuck behind them as he probably cursed up a storm. If I had to brake, we’d all be fucked.
Reid turned right sharply, his car fishtailing as he regained control, and I knew he was going to win. I was okay with that.
We shot into the next street, our tablets flashing as we reached the end to state Reid had won. He slowed, smirking at me as I pulled up beside him and leaned out to fist bump him.
“I’ll get you next time, Barron.” I chuckled. “Nice driving. I thought you were screwed when you hit the gravel.”
“Me too.” He laughed, motioning to Logan who was looking slightly green beside him. “This fucker almost threw up all over my dash.”
“I did not,” Logan said as he drew in a long breath, lighting a cigarette with shaky hands. “There were just a few close calls, that’s all.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” I snorted, glancing behind me as Blake parked close and climbed out. “I’ll catch you guys next time. I have plans with Blake.”
Logan groaned, leaning over Reid and ignoring his scowl. “Can I stick around and watch?”
“What do you think, Blake? Should we let Logan watch us get it on?” I called out the window as Blake rounded my car and leaned against the side to join the conversation. She sighed, glancing at me with amusement. She loved toying with Logan.
“Does he have to? My pussy will dry up if he’s here.”
“I’ll keep it wet for you.” I smirked, giving her a wink.
She laughed lightly, looking over at Logan who was almost falling out the window to get closer. “Sorry, Logan. We’ll have to film it for you.”
“For real?” he exclaimed with excitement, and Reid growled, shoving him back into the passenger seat.
“They’re fucking with you, idiot. Get off me.”
I snickered, switching my engine off and climbing out. “You make it so damn easy too.”