by Sara Hess
After about an hour of trolling Landon, the Cruz brothers, and I found the cars we wanted to race against.
Landon had one race, a straight line run down the track, and when it was announced we all lined up along the fence to watch him pit his Shelby-Mustang against a Mustang Coupe. Maya was jumping with nerves, but besides losing he crossed the finish line without injury. The other car definitely had the advantage with how much the guy had put into it. Landon was only two seconds behind so he didn’t complain overly long at the defeat, or the thousand dollar loss.
Juan’s first race was three times around the track, like mine would be, and he left his opponent in the dust. There was no denying the man could drive, and his car was loaded, so it was expected. Watching him had me itching to pit my skills against him so I put my name in again to go against him. He was all for it.
My pulse jumped with excitement when my first race was called. Leaning down I kissed Shaw on the mouth. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck.” She parroted with a puckered brow. “But be careful too.”
It was nice she was worried about me. Most girls just kissed me back and left it at a ‘good luck kiss’, or even ‘win it for me’.
“I always am.” I reassured her with one last kiss.
Jogging away I jumped in my car and drove it around to the tracks entrance gates. The guy, who owned a Twin Turbo ‘sixty-nine’ Chevelle, and I had agreed on a thousand dollar wager and we each handed over our cash rolls to the guy at the starting gate. Before getting back in my car I searched out Shaw’s face and gave her a wave when I found it. Knowing she was out there watching me got my blood running hotter than normal. I shook myself out trying to calm and loosen myself up.
The lights turned on and I put my car in gear. Seconds later they switched from red to yellow to green and we screamed away from the starting line. I pulled out front immediately and kept him in my rearview mirror the whole way, roaring across the finish line three laps later with a whoop of exhilaration.
They decided to have my race with Juan directly after. He idled up, revving his engine, to park on the starting line next to me. Stepping out he set his arms on his hood looking over at me with a smirk.
“Me and you now, Homie.”
Returning his smirk I leaned on my door scrutinizing his Charger. “You know this thing doesn’t have a chance against mine no matter what the movie portrays, right?” I was all bullshit because it was going to be close.
“You got the bucks to back that delusion of yours?” He raised his brows.
“I just won the last race, didn’t I.” I rejoined.
His eyes narrowed. “Three thousand?”
I’d made that high of wagers before but I usually knew I would win. I wasn’t so certain this time. The money was no big deal. Dan paid me exceedingly well for a newbie straight out of college, and I was also investing in several ventures that were adding to my revenues, so I had quite a chunk of change amassing in my bank account. I was a numbers man though and I didn’t like to bet money on a fifty-fifty probability at winning.
Juan’s smirk grew at my hesitation. “Not so confident it would appear.”
“I’m a working man frugal with his money. I’d think you would be too since your not technically getting paid.” All beginner drivers were provided with only enough money to live.
“I’m not going to lose.” He boasted.
I stared him down. “Two-thousand.”
“Agreed.”
Handing over our bank to the intermediary we climbed back in our cars. I looked over and found him staring right back at me with a grin. He revved his engine and I answered. The lights flickered down and at green we stomped on the gas, screeching off the starting line. I was right in that it was going to be a close race. We were neck and neck the whole way, each of us pulling ahead only to lose it to the other around the next corner. It was fucking invigorating.
We barreled toward the finish line nose to nose crossing it together. Photo finish sucker! If I lost I could accept it with a smile.
We drove around the track one more time, at a slower pace. Parking back on the finish line we waited for the ruling and it ended up being Juan by two inches. We drove out the gate and after parking walked together back to where everyone was waiting for us.
In good spirits, I slapped his back. “I had you on the corners, but you’d catch me in the straight-ways. You need to work on that.”
Juan looked less pleased with his win than I did with my loss. “You lost and you’re giving me advice.”
“The only reason you won is because you’ve been racing for weeks while I’ve been sitting behind a desk. It would have been different if I’d been getting the practice you’ve had.” His eyes narrowed and I could see my good natured heckling had hit a sensitive nerve. “Hey, I’ve been doing this just as long as you and if I didn’t have a calling for something else I probably would have taken it up as my career. Not to sound arrogant but I’ve been told I have the same talent as you.”
“Yeah, a few people at Marx’s might have mentioned that, and I noted it when I saw you race weeks ago. It still twists my sphincter because I almost lost, and what you said was true.” He said grudgingly.
I gave him another slap on the back, and then shook my head because the guy had absolutely no give in his muscles. His physique wasn’t the normal frame for a race car driver, bulky and tall, but it wasn’t hindering him.
“You’re an awesome driver, and I know in less time than I would like you’re going to be leaving me in the dust.” I acknowledged in my own grudging tone.
“You got me my dream job and now you’re all cheerful even though you lost; you’re making me feel like shit for taking your money.” He grumbled.
I laughed. “Good. But that was a hell of a race, and you did beat me fair and square so it should pass. I’ve got one more race that’s a sure thing so I’ll make up what I lost.” I’m the one that initiated the race so I couldn’t feel bad about losing money.
We strolled up to the group who instantly started congratulating us, exclaiming in excitement on how close it was. Like a bee to pollen my gaze landed on Shaw to see her smiling hesitantly but animatedly. I moved over wrapping her back up in my arms, pressing my raging erection into her ass. The races had only stimulated me more than I already was making me want to drag her away and relieve it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen.
It was starting to get cooler as darkness moved in and her arms were slightly chilled. I rubbed them briskly. “You feel cold. I’ve got a small blanket in the car if you need it.”
She leaned back into me the rigidity gone completely from her frame. “I’m okay at the moment, but thanks.” There was a slight pause before she resumed. “That was really amazing out there, and wildly nerve-racking. You beat that first guy so easily, but your race with Juan was so close and I thought you guys were going to bash against each other at every turn. I can’t believe you didn’t win, I was gripping the fence so tightly I have imprints still….look.” She spread her hands open and sure enough there were faint impressions there.
I grinned. “Did you like it, or was it too much?”
She snorted softly. “I don’t think I can answer that yet, my heart is still in my throat, but I can tell you love it. There so much testosterone pouring off you I’m almost drowning in it.” Beside my prominent hard-on, my hands had been roving of their own accord to wherever they could reach supporting her observation.
“Seventy-five percent of that is because of you, not the race.” I growled in her ear. “Did watching me get you any hotter?”
She shivered, burrowing back into me. “You just remarked that I was cold so how could I be hotter. How did you become such a ladies man if you suck so badly and reading women? Just to give you a heads up that indent your hand is over does not take deposits.”
I laughed into the side of her neck because the indent she was referring to was her bellybutton. She was such a damn smart-ass.
; “Thanks for the forewarning. The last thing I want to do is stick something somewhere it’s not supposed to go.” I trailed my finger downward brushing just above her mound and felt her stomach clench.
“That could end up being embarrassing for you.” She said sounding breathless.
“Evan! Shut down your libido and open you’re ears over there; they’re calling you for the next race.” Greg yelled, having arrived with his date sometime when I was gone.
Astonishingly, for once in my life I’d rather stay right where I was instead of running off to race. This woman was turning me inside out.
Expelling a disappointed sigh into Shaw’s neck that had her squirming against me, I nuzzled her earlobe. “Maybe this race will be the one to heat you up.” With one last nip I released her and jogged away.
My last race was against a 1970 Chevy Nova and we’d settled on another thousand dollar bet. The lights clicked down and at green we surged forward. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Nova’s front end lift, come down, and then veer toward me. Acting swiftly, but calmly, I steered away from him hoping he’d just miss me but no…he clipped my back left bumper putting my car in a spin. Heart thumping, I spun the wheel trying my best to control the spin while at the same time searching for the other car. I didn’t want him plowing into my driver’s side because that could cause more than car damage. It might also propel me into a roll, but that was less likely to happen since we hadn’t been going that fast.
Sure enough he was headed straight for me. Cursing, I wrenched the wheel hard and held my breath as he rocketed inches alongside my right side. Feeling no impact I expelled my breath and stomped on the breaks. Once I came to a complete stop I peeled my fingers from the steering wheel searching for the dipshit. Seeing him at rest twenty-five yards from me looking none the worse for ware I jumped from my car and stormed towards him, my adrenaline pumping.
“What the hell, asshole! You said you knew how to fucking drive. One of the first fucking rules is to keep the wheels on the fucking road.”
The dude, around the same age as me, climbed out looking wide-eyed with residual terror from the near crash as well as scared shitless that I was going to pound him to a pulp. The urge to do that was great, but I knew the moron hadn’t done it intentionally. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to pay. His stakes just went from one-thousand to at least twenty-five hundred depending on the damage to my car.
Speaking of damage I changed course heading back to my car to inspect the damage and cursed some more. Son of a bitch! This was going to cost at least three.
Staff from the track approached me asking if I was okay and I assured them I was fine.
“Evan man, you alright!”
I twisted to see all my friends running towards me; the guys in the lead, the girls trailing as quickly as they could. Again, my gaze automatically skimmed over everyone until it latched onto Shaw, and I was unaccountably pleased to see her out front of all the girls, but alarmed by the fact that she was running fucking barefooted.
Sprinting towards her I yelled, “Shaw, stop right there. There’s shit all over the ground that will cut your feet to shreds.”
Of course she didn’t listen, continuing to run in my direction all out. I was both grateful and annoyed that Havi heard me, glanced back, and paused to pick her up bringing her safely the rest of the way. Delight took forefront as I watched her struggling to get out of his hold in her attempt to get to me.
Nic reached me first, panting from the run. “Shit Evan, are you okay?”
“I’m fine; it’s my car that’s smashed up.” I moved past him towards Havi relieving him of Shaw with a nod of thanks. The guy was the quietest of the three brothers but seemed to have more awareness of his surroundings. “What the hell, Shaw. There’s glass and metal all over this track that will slice your feet to ribbons.”
Her legs wrapped around my hips and her arms strangled me. “Don’t you fucking yell at me when you almost died.”
She was trembling in my arms and I could see that witnessing the small crash had really freaked her out. I didn’t like seeing her upset, but I couldn’t deny liking that she cared enough to freak out. “Hey, I wasn’t even close to dying. We were going too slow for any serious injury.” I rubbed her back in comfort.
Her head tilted back and she glared at me with glassy emerald eyes. “He nearly ran into your side of the car; don’t tell me that wouldn’t have left a mark.”
She’d been paying close attention. “Maybe a small bump on the head, but that’s it.”
Alarm flared in her gaze as it flickered over my face. “Did you bump your head? Oh my god, you might have whiplash, or a minor back injury. Let me down.” She wiggled, attempting to get out of my arms. “You need to get checked out by the EMT’s. Why aren’t they over here examining you?” Her head swiveled around and she shrieked. “Hey you lazy-asses; get over here and do your fucking job.”
It was taking all my effort to hang onto her while at the same time not laugh. Laughing would not be a good idea; it might turn her ire my way. However, the other guys were laughing or grinning, but at least most of them were turning away to hide it.
The paramedic’s weren’t laughing as they rushed over at her command. I’m sure they already ascertained that since I was walking around serious injury wasn’t an issue, but it was part of their job to look me over anyway.
“Shaw, I’m fine; no bumps, whiplash, or back injury.”
She scowled. “You can’t know that for sure; neck and back injuries from car accidents can pop up days later.”
Miss. Smarty-Pants. “Well, I feel fine now. If I start hurting later then I’ll get checked out.” Her scowl didn’t go anywhere. “I swear.” I promised her with a sincere smile.
Her concern for me was an unexpected and complete turn-on.
When the paramedic’s reached us I assured them I was okay. They told me I had to sign a release stating that I was refusing medical treatment. My hands were kind of full and there was no way I was letting Shaw’s feet near the tarmac again.
“Shaw, set your feet on mine; I don’t want them touching the ground.”
She did as I asked but griped. “I ran all the way here with no incident. I think setting me down for a couple more seconds will be safe.”
“You got damn lucky.” I signed the form and swung her back up, cradle style this time.
She squeaked and fastened her arms around my neck. “You’re sure you’re okay?” Apprehension puckered her red face.
Holding my smirk in I headed back to my car. “I’m pissed about my car, but besides that I’m fine.” Surprisingly, having her in my arms went a long way in appeasing my annoyance.
The guys were all grinning as I passed them; probably for a variety of reasons…Shaw being one of them.
“While it sucks that your ride got smashed, I have to say that was an epic spin out.” Juan slapped my back. “You definitely proved your skill behind the wheel getting out of that guys way before he slammed into your side.”
Landon nodded, arm around a wide-eyed Maya. “I was fucking holding my breath the entire time and then cheered like a maniac when you drifted out of his way. Best collision-slash-dodge collision ever.”
“Idiots.” Shaw grumbled shaking her head.
“It’s not just me then.” Maya declared. She and Shaw shared an exasperated look.
Biting my lip I opened the passenger door and set her inside gently. “It’s a guy thing. Let them be.” She pursed her lips. Straightening I shut the door and leaned in through the window. “I have to talk to the other driver, let him know he owes me more money; stay here.” Gripping her chin I took her mouth kissing the hell out of her before striding away, immensely satisfied at the dazed look I left on her face.
However, her stupor only last a moment before she called after me. “You’d better hurry, you left your keys in the ignition; the urge to go for my own joyride might overcome me.”
I faltered momentarily at her retort as everyone
chortled around me, but pushed forward trusting she was kidding.
The girls stayed with Shaw as the guys and I had a quick discussion with the other driver. It didn’t take long before he coughed up another two grand for the damages he’d caused for not knowing how to fucking drive.
“I’m done for the night.” I announced pocketing my money. My blood was pumping to get Shaw alone.
Landon nodded his head. “Yeah, me too.”
Juan shook his head. “Not us. Havi and Trey have races and there are loads of women to introduce ourselves to.” Smirks spread over all their faces.
The group split into two groups; everyone with girlfriends was ready to head out, Blake decided to remain with the Cruz brothers. Luka tried convincing Nadia to let him and his friend stay but she just laughed in his face. He was only seventeen, and it was guaranteed that he would find trouble if he stayed.
Climbing back in the car I started the engine, giving Shaw a grin. “Thanks for not driving off.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t certain it would stay together if I did. It was just in a crash.”
Chuckling, I drove around the track exiting the gates. “Thankfully, and I really hate saying that, the guy missed my back lights so I won’t have to worry about getting a ticket for that.”
She didn’t say anything to that, staring out the window with a creased brow. Silence hung heavy as I drove for a few minutes scrutinizing her severe expression, wondering what she was thinking. Unable to take it any longer I asked her.
“Something serious appears to be going through that head of yours; what is it, Shaw?”
She didn’t answer right away, and I thought she was ignoring me, but finally she spoke. “I didn’t like the way I felt when I saw you crash.”
Once again I was caught in a war of being both pleased and unhappy that she’d been concerned for me.
Reaching over I massaged the back of her neck. “I wasn’t in any danger, Shaw.” She remained silent so I continued. “But I’m sure seeing it had everyone holding their breath in apprehension. Crashes do that to people.”
