The Flag Girl

Mason

            I cut through the crowd and drew eyes as I went. People were recognizing me and bowing their heads together in whispers they probably thought I couldn't hear.

            “Holy shit. Is that Mason Thomas?”

            “Who’s Mason Thomas?”

            “That’s the guy who won The Streets five years in a row. The one with the beef with Mark Denning.”

            “Hey, look. That’s Mason Thomas!”

            “He’s the one who married Evelyn Thomas.”

            “He’s the Street King.”

            I kept my attention straight ahead and ignored the attention. When I made it back to my car, Rick was there with another guy. They shook hands and bumped shoulders as I came around the hood. It was Benji, my best friend, and he threw an arm around my shoulders.

            “Mason! Shit, man, it’s good to see you. A little weird to be back, huh?”

            “A little bit,” I said, jabbing him in the ribs with my elbow to get him to release me.

            He grunted and rubbed at his side as his arm fell from my shoulders. “You register already?”

            “Yes.”

            “Did Harley try to put her moves on you?”

            “Of course she did,” I said.

            Benji scowled. “What I wouldn’t give to have that woman look at me the way she looks at you. It’s bullshit, man.”

            Rick raked his fingers through his wet, blond hair. The rain was picking up. “Harley would eat you up for breakfast, Benji. Be realistic. She’s a serpent. You’re a mouse.”

            “Get bent, Rick.”

            My brother laughed and nodded at me. “Bump into anyone you know out there besides Harley?”

            “No,” I said.

            “Maybe we lucked out. Maybe Mark and Sid aren’t here tonight.”

            “I don’t think we’re that lucky,” I said. “They’ll be here.”

            Benji scratched the back of his neck. “I was hoping they wouldn’t be. I’m not keen on racing against them tonight.”

            “You’re driving tonight?” I asked.

            My friend nodded. “Yeah. Got a souped-up coupe parked just over there. I’d have a shot of placing high if Mark and Sid don’t show.”

            “The night is still young,” Rick said.

            Two young women burst free of the crowd as we discussed Benji’s chances of finishing the race in the top five. I recognized the beautiful brunette immediately. Laina, Benji’s sister, skidded to a stop beside the car and swept her mane of dark wet hair over her shoulder. She smiled at Rick in greeting, and then her big blue eyes slid over to meet mine.

            “Mason,” she breathed, “it’s good to see you.”

            She closed the distance between us in two strides and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I hugged her back and caught Benji eyeing me. I was mindful of where I put my hands on her back. Not too low. Although that ass of hers looked phenomenal in her leather leggings.

            She pulled away and nodded at the girl beside her. “This is my best friend Ginny. I think you guys met a while back at some of the old races.”

            “I remember,” I said. “Nice to see you, Ginny.”

            “You too,” she said. Her cheeks were bright pink. She was a cute little package with short brown hair, fair skin, and more freckles than a man could count. She looked everywhere but at me as I turned to Laina.

            Laina Harris. Damn. I’d never seen her looking like this before. The last time I saw her, she was wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes. Now she was dressed like a vixen with heeled boots and a crop top that showed off a lean stomach and a bit of perky cleavage.

            “Hey, Mason,” Benji said, “stop checking out my sister.”

            I laughed. So did Laina. The sound of her giggles was like water bubbling out of a fountain. Youthful and free. She slapped her brother’s arm. “Leave him alone, Benji. I’m the flag girl. I’m here to be ogled, aren’t I?”

            “Flag girl?” I asked.

            Laina nodded and put her hands on her hips. “Yep. What do you think? Do I look the part?”

            “Definitely.” I nodded.

            Benji sighed. “He’s going to start drooling soon, Laina. Knock that shit out. Do your jacket up.”

            Laina stuck her tongue out at her brother and then flashed me a sexy smile.

            When had Benji’s little sister become such a babe?