Racing Dirty, L.A.

by J. Lynn Lombard

  “No, Shaun. I don’t want to end this.” I open my eyes, finding his brown ones. “There will be a few things that need to change though, or this will never work. I’m not a possession. That has to stop right now. If someone talks to me that I used to know, then you need to accept that and not get jealous. I don’t say anything when girls try to throw themselves at you. I trust you'll make the right decision, so I’m asking for the same thing. You need to trust that I will do the same. I haven’t done anything to say otherwise. I’m not going anywhere, or I would have that day I met you. I would have told you to fuck off and walked away. I didn’t, so treat me with respect and I’ll do the same." There, that should pacify him.

  Shaun stalks towards me and tilts my chin up to meet his eyes. He gently runs a finger down the side of my cheek. His eyes lose all the anger that was burning into me a few minutes ago.

  “Just stop pulling away from me, please,” he pleads.

  “I’ll try. Have patience with me. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, but this asshole shit really must stop. I can’t take someone telling me who I can and can’t talk to or hang out with. I’m not programmed that way. When someone tells me I can’t do something, I’m going to do it.” I stare into Shaun’s eyes. I have a feeling this conversation, his agreement to quit acting so possessive isn’t going to last long, but I’ll take it for now. The look in his eyes is something I haven’t seen. I’ve thrown him off the trail of my past, but I don’t know for how long it will last.

  Chapter 5

  Ashley-17 years old

  I reread Rush’s text about ditching Shaun, thinking back to the night he found me again. I was so grateful he didn’t ask questions in front of Shaun and took the hint that Shaun didn’t know about my past. He found me after the race and gave me his cell number without Shaun knowing. That night is when our relationship took a wrong turn. Shaun lost the race, he came in second to Rush and things deteriorated.

  I shake my head and make up my mind. I can’t keep doing this. The agreement we had eight months ago to not act so possessive only lasted about a month. Shaun has become worse and worse each passing day. I have a gut feeling if I let it continue, it will turn physical. Rush is right, I need to get rid of Shaun but I’m afraid if I do, he's going to go batshit crazy. I can’t afford to have crazy in my life right now.

  Rush has been trying to get me to take my dad’s place at the head of the family and I’m really close to giving in. I want to get a few more races in before I take my place. I need to understand the ins and outs of the racing circuit; the rest of the business is easy for me. That’s why I’ve kept Shaun around. He does know a lot about the racing world, but he won’t teach me anything. Rush and I meet every chance we get to find somewhere for me to race so I know I’m ready. I type a response to Rush’s text.

  Me: Are you busy RN?

  I wait for a response, clutching my phone in my hand, tapping my fingers on the side of my jeans. I finally see the little bubble appear and a few seconds later Rush responds.

  Rush: In town on business. When and where?

  I smile to myself. I can always count on him being here for me. He knows all about that fateful night and knows what I’ve been through. I quickly respond back.

  Me: Now. End of drive. I’ll b waiting

  The little bubble appears again.

  Rush: Give me 10

  I quickly erase my text from Rush and pocket my phone. I have to erase any kind of communication with him so Shaun doesn’t see it. He found a message from him once and I make sure to cover my tracks after that night.

  We were enjoying a quiet night at his place when my phone went off. I left it on the coffee table and went to use the bathroom, that was my mistake. Shaun grabbed it and he read the text. When I came back out of the bathroom, his eyes cut in my direction. Rage replaced every emotion he had. The only thing the text from Rush said was, “Great to see you again, hope we can meet up soon-Rush”

  After that night, Shaun always checks my phone to see who I’ve been texting or calling. I make sure I delete anything that has to do with the family business.

  I grab my backpack and sling it over my shoulder. I quietly open my window and crawl out. I stand on the ledge and reach for the maple tree next to it. I swing my leg on the branch and shimmy down the tree. I’ve done it so many times that I don’t even think about it anymore. I drop to the ground and quietly make my way to the end of the driveway.

  It’s after eleven p.m. and Rush pulls up a few minutes later. I hop into his car before he comes to a complete stop. He peels out onto the road, shifting gears. I relax back into the leather interior and let Rush’s woodsy scent envelope me. I look at him out of the corner of my eye and wonder why we don’t have deeper feelings other than brother and sister for each other. There’s no spark, only family love. He’d make a great boyfriend and is very understanding.

  “Woman, you’re giving me that creepy look again," his deep voice says with a laugh.

  “Sorry, I’m just trying to figure out why there’s no spark between us. It would make things so much easier if there was.” I blow out an irritated breath.

  “I know, and I’ve wondered the same thing. I came up with an answer. Do you want to hear it?”

  “Yes, please fill me in.” I tell him.

  “Well, for starters, we’ve known each other for years. I’ve always thought of you as a little sister and you've always thought of me as an older brother. Second, we’re not meant to be. There's someone out there for you who you haven’t met yet that will be your other half. The one you can feel safe with and will want to tell him everything. No hesitation. Finally, you can’t handle this sexy body.” Rush says with a grin. I let out a laugh and some weight lifts off my shoulders. That’s exactly what he was trying to do, light me up. I turn my head, glancing out the window.

  “Thanks Rush. I really needed that. I know what I have to do with Shaun and I’m going to do it tomorrow night. I want to get some racing in now. Is there somewhere we can go that no one will recognize me?”

  “Yes. I checked around with my people before I came and got you. I had a feeling you'd want to race, and I’ve got just the place. When do you have to be back?”

  “I have to be back before five a.m. That’s when Mike and Sharon get up to get ready for work."

  “Good. That gives us plenty of time to get there, race and get back. It’s about a two-hour drive from here.” Rush says.

  I relax back into the seat and pull out my phone. I check to see if Shaun has text me and he hasn’t so I turn it off. I close my eyes and fall asleep dreaming of the perfect man who makes me speechless and off my game.

  Chapter 6

  Ashley-17 years old

  “Ashley, wake up.” Rush’s deep voice is in my ear.

  I slowly open my eyes and take in our surroundings. Rush parked his car on a street corner under a yellow fluorescent light. There’s a big red brick building in front of us and a discrete white car sitting in front of it. I see a man sitting in the driver seat looking around. I blink a few times, trying to get my bearings and clear the fog from my brain.

  “Where are we?” I ask.

  “San Diego,” he answers.

  I nod my head and shake the sleepiness from trying to pull me under again. I haven’t slept that well in a long time. There were no nightmares or anything haunting me, and I feel so much better.

  “I haven’t slept peacefully in a while. Thank you Rush, I needed that.”

  “Any time, Chica. Are you ready to race?”

  “Yeah, let’s do this.” I answer.

  Rush starts his car and drives to the other side of the building. The scene in front of me still takes my breath away and adrenaline runs through my veins. There’s several distinct kinds of sports cars lined up and down the back side of the building. They range from Porsche's to Mitsubishi to Dodges and Fords. The girls are dressed to kill in short tight skirts and tops. The guys around the girls are either dancing with them to the beat o
f someone’s system or talking to each other. Some guys and girls are leaning against their cars, just watching people go by. Those are the spotters. They check each car and person in the area to make sure they aren’t undercover cops. Rush nods to them as we pass. There is a group of people following behind us as Rush parks his car in the center of the crowd. He turns to me with a concerned look.

  “I know these are my people down here. Just please be careful out there. Some of these racers are dirty and they sneak in without me knowing. They have no code they race by and it’s dangerous.”

  “I’ve got this. Hey, Rush?” I ask, stopping him from getting out of his car.

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for everything. I can always count on you to have my back, even after I shut you out after my family...” I still can’t say it aloud.

  Rush’s black eyes light up and a smile forms on his chiseled face. He covers my tanned hand with his dark one, squeezing it gently.

  “Always, Ash. I'll always have your back. We’re in this together, until the end."

  I steal a glance at him again. He's very good looking, with exotic black eyes, black hair with blonde highlights and broad shoulders, but there is just no spark. No tingles I get when he touches me, no flutters in my stomach, he doesn’t make my heart race. I feel lost without him, but not in a romantic way. I’d be devastated if anything happened to him, because he's family. The only family I have left.

  “Ash, you’re giving me that creepy look again.” Rush says with a laugh.

  “Nope, nothing there.”

  He barks out a laugh. “Don’t force it. We’re not meant to be. C’mon let’s get out there and get the race going. There’s a few people who have been wanting to meet you after you kick some ass."

  He opens his door and I quickly follow. The crowd that was following us when we pulled in surrounds us and I stay close to Rush. They’re trying to get his attention, everyone's talking at the same time. The blood curdling screams in my head are returning and a panic attack is heading my way. Rush puts a strong arm around my shoulders, protecting me from the crowd and quieting the screaming a little.

  “Move it people. Back up and give these two some room," a deep voice booms from across the crowd.

  Everyone splits apart from us giving us some space. I breathe a sigh of relief, trying to push the screaming to the back of my mind and lock it away. I need to have full concentration right now. Rush removes his arm from around my shoulders and lead the way towards the voice.

  “Rush. Great to see ya bro,” the man says. He gives Rush a slap on the back and leans up against his dark blue Ford Mustang. He has dark blonde hair, piercing hazel eyes, muscles, and a full sleeve tattoo down his right arm. He's about six foot three, a lot taller than my five foot eight inches. He raises a pierced eyebrow at me checking him out. I raise mine back and Rush let’s out a laugh.

  “Easy, Redline. She’s not available or someone you want to fuck with,” Rush warns.

  “Hey, I’m just observing the merchandise.” Redline says and winks at me, playing with his lip ring.

  I know exactly who Redline is. It’s my business to know each and every leader and who they have under them. He’s the leader of the West side and his real name is Maverick Marrow. His inherited his position, like the rest of us, from his father. Apparently, he doesn’t know who I am by the way he’s checking me out like I’m a possession, not his soon to be boss.

  My blood pressure is rising and Rush gives me a nod. Time to play. Anger radiates through my body as I step up to Redline. I get so close to him that he takes a deep breath in response and tries to back away, but he’s pinned against his car.

  “Redline, how did you get that name?” I ask seductively. I know how, but I want to hear what he says.

  “I, uh, I,” Redline stutters. “I like to ride the line, shift hard when revved." He swallows hard and I smile up at him.

  “Well, Redline. Do you know who I am?” I ask quietly. The crowd gathered around us has grown quiet, waiting to hear the answer. Rush’s eyes burn into my back as I get as close to Redline as I can without touching him.

  “No,” he says, swallowing hard again.

  “Like Rush said, I’m not one to fuck with. I’m not merchandise to check out. Don’t ever disrespect me again.” I say, pinning him with a glare. He finds his balls and puffs out his chest, trying to intimidate me.

  “And who the fuck are you?” he asks.

  I roll my eyes. “Are you racing?” I ask him, avoiding his question.

  “Yeah, I’m racing,” he answers, confusion in his voice.

  “Then let’s get to it. How about we raise the stakes. If you beat me, then I’ll let you treat me like merchandise, sample the goods,” I lick my lips.

  Redline checks me out again. His eyes travel down my body and back up to meet mine before answering. I have on tight black skinny jeans and a tight black tank top that hugs my curves in all the right places. My blonde hair is down and wavy tonight. My boots are black and gives me another inch in height.

  “You’ve got yourself a bet.” he says with a hint of lust in his eyes.

  “Don’t you want to know what I have planned when you lose?” I ask innocently.

  “Nah, cause I’m not going to lose,” he answers with confidence.

  “Alright, but I’m warning you, Redline. You might want to know your end of the bet.”

  “You’re not going to beat me sweet thang, but you sure can try. The only one who has ever beat me is Rush. I don’t see how you can beat me.” he says confidently.

  Rush breaks up our little conversation before I can respond. “All right, let’s take it to the street. These people are here for a show, let’s put on a good one. LINE ‘EM UP."

  Everyone breaks apart and goes to their cars. The music stops and engines roar to life, vibrating the asphalt under my feet. I keep my eyes on Redline as I back away towards Rush.

  Rush nudges me with his shoulder and whispers in my ear, “Are you ready?”

  “Yeah. Let’s do this. He’s going down.” I respond, not taking my eyes off Redline.

  He’s looking at me right back and gives me a wink before breaking eye contact and gets into his car. Rush and I walk back to his car, side by side. He hands me the keys and opens my door. Before I close it, Rush leans in.

  “Remember, shift at four, don’t redline like our boy over there and use the NOS at the end. You’ve got this.”

  “I’ve got this.” I respond nodding my head.

  Rush backs away and I close the door. I fire up the car and feel the five hundred plus horsepower respond to my touch. I drop the gear into first and the motor rumbles under my feet. I drive around to the faux starting line on the street, next to the warehouse. There are three other cars lined up, ready to go. Redline is right next to me and gives me a wink when I look over.

  Adrenaline is pounding through my body, my heart is racing, and a light sweat breaks out on my brow. A woman dressed in skimpy jean shorts and a tight white tank top stands in front of our four cars lined up. She points to each driver on the line.

  “Are you ready?” she asks, giving me a knowing wink.

  I rev the car up in response, tightening my grip on the leather steering wheel. She raises her hands above her head holding a bright green bandana. There's a half a mile of free road ahead of us. The other cars that aren’t racing are lined up parallel along the street. Storefronts are behind the cars and the crowd has gathered in front of them, blocking anyone from sneaking in and interrupting our race. I close my eyes and center myself. The screaming is trying to invade my mind and I push it back, locking it away.

  I open my eyes and all I can see is the finish line in front of me and the woman with the green bandana in my peripheral. I put the car in first and watch as she drops the bandana.

  “GO!"

  I slam on the gas, squealing the tires, and shifting quickly when I reach four RPM’s. The car whines underneath me as I continue to shift. The smell of racin
g fuel fills the car and relaxes my mind. I don’t pay any attention to the cars around me or the crowd on the side of the street. My main focus is the finish line. It inches closer and closer as I see a flash of dark blue fly past me.

  Redline just made his move. A little early in my experience. I punch the gas harder, shifting faster until I reach the quarter mark. I hit the red button in the steering wheel. NOS sprays into the motor and the car picks up even more speed, throwing me back against the seat. My speedometer is reading a buck twenty and climbing higher as I reach Redlines car.

  Tightening my grip on the steering wheel, I fly past him like he’s standing still, and cross the finish line in first place. Adrenaline floods my veins from the excitement of the win. I down shift, slowing the car down. Once I have the car at a complete stop, I turn it off and sit inside for a few seconds, trying to slow my racing heart and steady my shaking hands.

  Once my hands stop shaking and my adrenaline slow down, I get out of the car. I’m met with cheers and whistles as the crowd gathers around me. People surround me, congratulating me. Rush fights his way through the crowd.

  “BACK UP PEOPLE. GIVE HER SOME ROOM." Rush deep voice booms across the crowd. They part to let him through. Rush approaches me with a big grin on his face.

  “Way to go baby girl.” He picks me up in a big hug and spins me around.

  “Thanks Rush.” I answer, when he puts me down.

  I can’t help the smile on my face as Redline approaches us. He’s shocked, and no words can leave his lips no matter how many times he tries. I arch an eyebrow at him and fold my arms across my chest.

  “Holy fuck. I thought you were a myth.” He finally says confusing me.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I ask. Rush shakes his head at Redline and turns to me.

  “I’ll explain in a little bit,” Rush says cryptically. He turns back to Redline. “We have business to take care of." Redline nods his head taking Rush’s warning not to say anything else. Rush turns to a guy sporting tattoos all over his muscular body and tons of piercing’s in his ears.