Hot Summer Nights
A Novella
Laramie Briscoe
Copyright © 2015 Laramie Briscoe
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, or any events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.
Edited by: Lindsay Gray Hopper
Cover Art by: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Design
Formatted by: Paul Salvette of BBeBooks
Proofread by: Dawn Bourgeois
Cover Image Copyright: Dollar Photo Club
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
About the Author
Other Books by Laramie
Hot Summer Nights
Soggy Bottom, Kentucky has one thing going for it. The dirt track that attracts crowds on Saturday nights.
Rivalries
Summer flings
Checkered flags
Wayne Harper and Kevin Grimes haven’t liked each other since kindergarten when they got into a scuffle on the playground. Now, as young men, they are still rivals. Wayne has the wins, Kevin has the equipment.
Clementine Lewis is the trophy girl for the Soggy Bottom track, and even though she’s been told never to date a driver – Wayne Harper isn’t someone she can say no to.
Engines blow
Fires erupt
Tempers flare
When you live in a small town and everyone knows your business, your only secret is what happens on those hot, summer nights.
Chapter One
‡
“Burn ’em down, Wayne,” Lee Harper screamed his approval, grinning as he ran towards the makeshift Victory Lane.
The rag-tag group of young men who called themselves their crew were already there. Clapping, hooting, and hollering above the sound of the car kicking up the clay dirt that made up the racing surface. With little money and shit equipment, they had won – and not for the first time in this young, summer season of racing.
He watched with excitement in his eyes as his little brother turned donuts in the dirt, throwing up pieces of it and creating a dust cloud that made it difficult for anyone to see. Lee could make out the white of Wayne’s teeth against the dirt that covered his face. Immediately after winning, he’d lifted the full-face helmet, always wanting to be a throw-back to a bygone era when they didn’t worry so much about safety. Grinning, his little brother stuck his hand out to acknowledge the crowd with a pump of his fist. The crowd may have been what other tracks considered small, but this track deep in the heart of Barren County, Kentucky had produced winners before. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it would again. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Wayne drove the car over and shut it off, hoisting himself through the window.
“Excellent job out there, my man,” Lee congratulated his brother, holding his hand out to him. They shared a brotherly hug before pulling away.
Excited brown eyes met his along with a smile that could sell any product, and Lee was sure that it would in years to come. People around the south had been whispering about Wayne Harper for years. Talk around town said he was the savior of grassroots racing. A Kentucky boy that came from the mold of moonshiners and bootleggers. He was no West Coast boy that looked up to Baja racers and IRL drivers. And nobody could deny the fact that at twenty-one the boy could flat out drive. A major buzz was beginning to take hold in the competitive levels of racing. Lee knew they wouldn’t be tooling around on these dirt tracks forever.
“No,” Wayne shook his head, trying to catch his breath. “That was an awesome car you gave me. It was on a rail, it would let me do anything I wanted to. Anywhere I put the nose, it stuck. You gave me a bitchin’ piece of machinery tonight, bro.”
The Harper brothers were well known in Soggy Bottom, Kentucky. In their small town, Harper conjured comparisons with Earnhardt and Petty. The best of the Harper clan had yet to drive on asphalt, but many of them knew it was coming; and soon.
“Congratulations, Wayne.” Clementine Lewis gave him a heart-stopping grin as she walked over to stand next to him. In her hands, she carried a trophy that looked like it might break her in half.
In her inaugural year as the track’s trophy girl she’d already given him three. Watching with a smirk on his face, he accepted the trophy, placing an arm around her shoulders. She shrunk away, slightly – he knew he made her nervous.
“Now, darlin’, you know I don’t bite,” his voice was little more than a whisper as his eyes took in the picture she made. Blonde hair, long tan legs, and a dimple in her cheek, she was the epitome of every wet dream he’d ever had.
“Biting is not what I’m worried about from you, Wayne Harper. You better watch where those hands go. Daddy’s on his way down to congratulate you,” she warned, her cheeks a rosy pink. In reality, she loved the way he flirted with her, but she knew that he was way out of her league.
Wayne held his tongue and smiled. Her daddy was the main sponsor on his car, using Wayne’s popularity to drum up business for his convenience store. “Shit, Clem, I’m surprised your daddy ain’t down here pushing for a photo op. We got three already; we’re going to fill the wall at the store before the season’s over.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it, you won’t. Cocky isn’t a good look on you, Harper.”
All eyes looked through the mob of people at the voice that had interrupted the celebration. They parted as Kevin Grimes made his way through. Everyone in the crowd knew the history surrounding the two men. On the second day of kindergarten, Kevin had pushed Wayne off the merry go round, splitting his chin open, causing him to cry. They had flat out hated one another ever since.
Sneering, Wayne did his best not to let the other man get to him. “Nah, there don’t need to be one up there with you on it. You just keep your car in second place where it belongs and I’ll keep on gathering up these trophies and the first place cash.” The cash was never enough, but it was one more thing he could brag about.
Kevin opened his mouth for a rebuttal, but at that moment David Lewis made his way down to the celebration and turned all attention towards himself. Quickly he announced to anyone that would listen that in celebration of Wayne’s win, he was offering free ice cream. With the stickiness of the June night, everyone was excited as they split off and headed towards the Lewis Market.
“Well, I better get going. If dad’s serving free ice cream, he’s going to need some help. Y’all are coming, right?” Clementine asked Wayne and his crew.
“Of course we are, it’s in our honor. If you can hang aroun
d for a bit, we can take you over there,” he offered, running a hand through his shaggy dark hair. It was always in need of a cut, but it was something he never had the time to do, or the money to afford.
She shuffled her feet, wanting to say yes, but knowing that they would never get her there in time. “I’d love to, but I think I’m riding over with dad. Don’t forget about me when you get there though. I’ll wait and have mine with the winning team.”
“I’ll hold ya to that.”
Wayne watched as she ran to catch up with the crowd, her long ponytail flopping with every step she took. Lee, who had watched the conversation from afar, came over to his brother, clamping a hand on his shoulder. “Cute girl. Too bad she don’t date drivers. You better forget all about that.”
With a shake of his head, Wayne helped the guys push his car to the trailer. “When I get to the big time, I won’t have to do shit jobs like this after I win a race,” he grumbled good-naturedly as they secured the trailer to the back of a pickup. It went without saying that they couldn’t afford much more just yet – and some of them were wondering if they would ever be able to.
Lee laughed. “Yeah, you’ll be finding some pretty girl to go off and celebrate with while the rest of us try and pick up your scraps. Right?”
“Nope, I’ll always take care of my big brother,” he promised, grabbing the clothes he’d brought to change into out of the truck. “I’ll be right back.”
He jogged to the bathrooms, securing himself inside one as he peeled off the sweat soaked fire retardant suit he had to wear. One day, he told himself, he’d be able to take a shower after a hot race. Soon, he hoped, he could do the things he wanted to do, instead of making do with what he had. Forgoing his t-shirt for the moment, he dressed in his jeans and shoes before placing a hat on top of his head. Running back out to the truck where his crew had gathered in the bed and anywhere else they could sit, he got in. “Let’s get the hell outta here. I could definitely use some ice cream right about now.”
*
Clementine pushed the hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ears as she helped her father hand out ice cream at the store. Most of the town sat or stood in groups talking about the night’s race, much like they had the ones previous. It was always Wayne and Kevin at the end, Wayne coming out the victor each time.
“Wonder when that Grimes boy is ever going to figure out how to take care of business? His daddy got him everything money can buy in that car and he still can’t beat your little operation, David. That’s got to make you feel amazin’.” An old-timer beat her dad on the back as he spit a stream of chewing tobacco in a cup.
She watched as her dad beamed with pride. “I made a great decision when I chose to sponsor Wayne. Wish I could do it for the whole year and not just the summer season. It ain’t hard to see he’s born and bred. He’s a natural behind the wheel, and with Lee telling him what to do, it’s going to take an act of God for anyone to beat them. They’ve got this shit figured out. I wonder how long we’re going to be able to keep Wayne on these little tracks. Sure as shooting somebody’s going to pick him up when we ain’t lookin’.”
The crowd began cheering loudly when the truck carrying Wayne’s team showed up. As the group got out of the truck, a path was made so that they could get their own treat for the night. The old-timer that had been talking up Clementine’s dad stopped Wayne with a wrinkled hand on his forearm.
“You’re doin’ this town a mighty fine job, boy. We’re damn proud of you, so when you make it to the big leagues, be sure and think about us ever once in a while.”
Bashful, Wayne pulled his hat down further on his head. “I will, sir. Don’t you worry. If I make it to the big leagues, everybody is going to know that Wayne Harper is from Soggy Bottom, Kentucky. They’ll know where home is.”
As he fought through the throng of people that wanted to wish him well, Clementine watched. Even though he was only a year older than her, he handled the attention well. It was as if he took the whole town’s dreams and stuck them on his shoulders. When he finally made his way to her, she held out an ice cream cone, smiling brightly. His had sprinkles.
“I’m special, huh?” he flirted as he took a lick of the cool cream. It was a nice refreshment after nearly sweating five pounds from his body weight in the car.
“The winner is always special. I can’t help that it’s usually you.”
“What can I say? I hate when people show me up. I want to be the best. I don’t settle for second place.”
Coming to stand beside him, Clementine glanced out at the people. “Thank God you don’t stand for second place. I don’t think this town could take it. You’re the winner and you’re going to bring the rest of us with you, whether you want to or not.”
He did his best to shrug nonchalantly. “That’s okay, I got big shoulders. Besides, I definitely wanna bring you with me.” He winked as he said the smooth line. It was a wink that usually got him anything he wanted. “What do you say we get out of here?”
“Me and you?”
“Just us,” he affirmed, holding out his hand to her.
“I say let’s go. Lead the way and I’ll do my best to follow.” She swallowed hard, knowing the sentence was more telling that she’d meant for it to be.
Turning around he laughed. “See, even you know that I lead, no matter what it is I do.”
Chapter Two
‡
Wayne and Clementine walked in a comfortable silence. The two of them had known each other since they were little, but it hadn’t been until this summer that either of them had begun to notice the other. With them working so close together at the track, this seemed to be a natural progression. Fireflies could be seen in the distance just as dusk descended. Small barefooted children with ice cream dripping from their chins and hands ran along beside them. The children that were done with their ice cream laughed as they caught the fireflies in mason jars. In the humid night air, crickets could be heard as far as the ear could listen.
“I bet those parents are gonna be pissed at your dad for givin’ away free ice cream.” His deep voice chuckled as he pointed to the kids that had just run by.
“No more pissed than ours were when we did the same thing. Besides, this town deserves to celebrate every once in a while. For one night a week it doesn’t matter if you come from the wrong or right side of the tracks. Doesn’t matter if you have money or you don’t have money. The only thing that matters is that we’re rooting for someone to win the race. Maybe dirt track racing is the key to world peace.” She laughed, glancing up at him.
Slight stubble showed on his chin and he rubbed it, deep in thought. “All we do is get in cars and turn left. It’s too simple to be the answer to anything.”
Running a bit ahead of him, she turned so that she was walking backwards. It allowed her to look him in the eye. “Now that’s where you wrong. Nothing about what y’all do every Saturday night is simple. You and I both know that. Nothing that can get this town to agree—whether it’s the fact they love you or hate Kevin—is easy.”
He chuckled. That was everyone’s dilemma. Hating Kevin or loving him. In his own way, Wayne respected Kevin on the track; he was a hell of a racer. However, off the track was an entirely different story he wasn’t sure he could ever change.
“Enough about whether this town hates Kevin more than it loves me. Let’s talk about you.” He grabbed hold of her hips and stopped her backwards progression.
“Me?” she asked, pulling away and starting to walk beside him again instead of in front of him.
“Yeah you. You don’t think you’re interesting enough for me to ask questions about?”
“Wayne, you pretty much know everything about me. What questions would you want to ask?” she asked ducking her head down.
“Just one. When are you going to give me a chance?”
Her feet stopped moving as she glanced at him in shock. Granted, they’d had a flirtation, but everybody knew that Clementine Lewis’
parents would never allow her to date a driver. Flirting was fine, playing to the crowd was fine, winning them money was fine, but darkening their doorstep was never going to happen.
“You’re a driver, Wayne. You, along with the rest of this town, know I don’t date drivers. My parents don’t allow it.”
Looking down at her, he could sense that she wanted to let loose. Clementine Lewis wanted to know exactly what it was that everyone talked about behind closed doors. In high school she had never been one of the girls to giggle at her locker on Monday morning about what guy she parked with out at the lake. She never even acted like she was interested. Wayne was sure though that she was. He was sure there was enough wild child hiding just deep enough that he could pull it out of her. It might take a while to yank it out, but he was bound and determined to try.
“Who say’s I’m talking about dating? Maybe I’m just talking about having a good time.” He grinned, running a hand through his hair.
“You know that I’m not like those girls either. I will not be the girl you brag to your buddies about at the shop. I refuse to be,” she said, setting her jaw.
Abruptly he came to a stop. “Now, you know that’s not what I mean, Clem. I would never in this world force you to do something that you don’t wanna do. I see it though, I see that girl inside of you longing to get out. You don’t want to be the girl on Saturday nights who cheers for anybody that’s winning at the track. You want to be able to look out on the track and admit that you care about someone and you want that special person to win. I know there’s a little part of you that just wants to let go and have a good time. What’s so wrong with that?”
“Nothing, because it’s not going to happen, Wayne. I think you’re talented and I enjoy rooting for you. I might even admit that I have a little crush on you, but that’s all it can be. I go back to school in the fall, and like I said, my parents would never allow me to do it,” she argued, placing her hand on his shoulder.
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