RickI wiped my hands on the old shirt I’d been using as a rag all afternoon and planted my hands on my hips as I regarded the Saleen. Almost everything was finished to get her back in tiptop shape for the final race this coming Saturday.Driving her hard and fast on Saturday meant I had to check the brakes, the fluid levels, and the tires all over again. Street racing wasn’t cheap. I’d had to purchase new tires after burning off all my tread last Saturday.It was worth it.By the time Sunday morning rolled around, all of this would be behind me. I’d be a couple hundred thousand dollars richer, and Harley and I could finally put some space between us and this crazy, dangerous, all-consuming lifestyle.I never thought I would want more than this, but there I was, planning on settling down.I didn’t even know what “settling down” looked like for people like me and Harley. It was difficult to picture it as a typical case of moving in together, getting married, and raising a family. That
RickMason sighed. “This guy Torq sounds like bad news. And when you look at it objectively, he’s a bit insane, no? He followed you all the way from LA for months to settle a score. And all of that anger he has built up against you is going to come to a pinpoint focus on Saturday night.”“And?” I asked.“And he’s the sort of guy who will use his car as a weapon,” Benji finished for my brother.I scratched the back of my neck. “Listen. I get where you guys are coming from, but I’m not backing down. I can win this, and I know him better than you do. I can predict what he’s going to do and—”Mason looked genuinely concerned. “Nobody is completely predictable, Rick. Maybe he’s relying on that. Maybe he’s been planning this for months.”“I’m not backing down,” I growled.“Told you he wouldn’t listen,” Benji muttered under his breath to Mason.My brother scratched his chin. “We just don’t want you getting hurt, Rick. You finally have everything you’ve always wanted. You have Harley, for fuc
HarleyI barely slept a wink the night before the final race. Even having Rick in my bed beside me didn’t help. His warmth was a comfort, sure, but it was also a reminder that if things went badly on Saturday night, I might lose everything.I had never felt such fear in my life.When morning rolled around, Rick got out of bed and showered, leaving me hiding under the blankets, wishing the day was already over. I hadn’t told him how worried I was because I didn’t want him wasting his energy comforting me rather than focusing on the upcoming race.He needed to be in the zone. Worrying about me and my feelings could be dangerous when a man like Torq was out on the track gunning for him.But as the day went on, it became harder and harder to keep my nerves under control.“You don’t seem like yourself,” Rick said as we sat at my kitchen table with a box of just-delivered pizza between us.“I’m fine. Really.”To prove just how fine I was, I flipped open the pizza box, pulled a slice free, a
HarleyI looked up to find Troy Quimby standing at the front of the registration line.My features tightened into a scowl. I found his paperwork, signed him in, and without looking up at him, I said, “You’re in second position.”“Aren’t you going to wish me luck, doll face?”I lifted my gaze to stare up at him as he stepped toward the table. His smirk was cocky and cruel. “I hope you don’t try to kill anyone out there,” I said. “And if someone gets hurt, I hope it’s you.”He laughed. It was a sharp, barking sound that made me flinch. “Oh, baby cakes. I like you. So much fire and fight. Are you the one who skewered poor Matthew’s hand with the heel of your shoe the other week?”“Put your hand on the ground, and we’ll see if the holes match,” I challenged.Charlie remained silent beside me.Troy grinned and leaned forward, planting his hands on the table and splaying his fingers wide. “You’re a cat, aren’t you? Quick and sly. And a little mean. I like that in a woman. I hope you’re the
RickThe fight was on as soon as we left the starting line.We didn’t have as long of a straightaway as we did in the last race, so a lot of the other drivers were right in the front with us as we came into our first corner. The road opened up into a short, straight shot and then a gentle bend that led us to busier streets.By the time we took the curve, there were only five cars left at the front of the pack. I decided to use them to my advantage.I created space between Torq and me by letting the other drivers ride up between us. I didn’t let them get ahead of me because I wasn’t interested in playing catch up in the last few miles of the race, but I did let them linger in between us for a few more corners until we were out on busier streets.Then I made a couple moves, swerved around some traffic, and pulled ahead to take the lead. Then the rain started.At first, it was nothing to worry about. Traction was still good, and it wasn’t raining enough to slow down the other civilian dr
RickThe Saleen shot forward over the crosswalk as the other light turned green and cars started coming. Torq pulled away from me to get his car through the intersection, probably having just realized where I’d led him.I made it through to the other side. So did Torq.We were locked in another battle as we drove up onto an overpass over a set of train tracks and then back down to sweep around in the direction of the docks. The race was only halfway done, and my car was already fucked.I wasn’t able to hold the lead for very long.Torq was right back on my ass as we made our way down less busy streets. The closer we got to the end, the bolder he became. He drove into the back end of my car again, harder this time, sending my back end fishtailing all over the place. He geared down and pinned it, racing up on my driver’s side as I fought to maintain control of the car.I knew it was my imagination, but I could have sworn I heard him laughing.We came around the final bend in the road. T
HarleyI held my breath as I watched the crash unfold.Rick and Torq bounced off each other as they came racing down the road toward the finish line. It was all I could do not to scream as Torq drove into the side of Rick’s Saleen over and over, pushing him toward the outside lane, forcing him over, and nearly sending him veering into the cement median.“Oh God,” Laina breathed beside me.Oh God was right. It was going to get worse before it got better. I could feel it in my bones.Mason stepped up beside me. I spared a glance up at him. His jaw was clenched, and every muscle in his body was strained. “Come on, little brother. Come on!”“He’s got him,” Benji said, trying to sound confident.From where I was standing, it looked like things could go either way. Torq pulled away, creating a decent gap between the two cars. I exhaled as I realized I was growing dizzy and bit down on my tongue.“Keep her straight,” Mason said. It almost sounded like he was pleading. He knew how dangerous t
HarleyBenji and Mason took off for the registration table. I swung my attention toward Rick’s car. The whole passenger side was busted up. The damage looked pretty bad, and I had no idea what sort of injuries he might have acquired. I leaned forward to look down the road.The last drivers were only twenty or so seconds away. Maybe less.“I think his door is jammed,” Laina said, nodding at Rick’s car.I narrowed my eyes. She was right. He couldn’t get out. His car was too crumpled and too fucked up for him to get the door open. I wondered if it would still run.If we had to leave it behind, it was a sure-fire way for the cops to trace the car back to Rick. Then all our dreams of starting a new life together would be over. He’d be in jail for a long time.Charlie shook my arm. “What do we do, Harley? Tell us what to do!”I swallowed and took a deep breath. “Okay. Okay. We need to clear the area. Rick can handle himself. Help me get people the hell out of here. Send them off in differen