Page 11 of Chrome

“He a grown ass man and for the record, beating kids’ ass creates discipline.”

“Nigga you going to jail!” Lead chimed in taking a seat on his bike.

“Whatever muthafucka. Aye let’s get this shit over with. We can’t hold the bridge for much longer,” I said signaling Copper to get ready.

She was our caller and had been since I sat on the throne. Don’t get it twisted though; she got down on the bikes as well. She had two that cost her damn near a house, but she worked hard for her shit. One was a show bike and the other she raced on. She was just as cold as the niggas. The bitches from other crews couldn’t fuck with her on her worst day.

I walked my bike to the line and got my shit together. Nothing about this was a joke to me. I enjoyed racing but I loved riding. The only reason you saw me on at a line was because a stupid muthafucka decided to try his luck and call me out. I never declined because why not make a quick buck and possibly take over your territory, too. BMG was the blueprint, and that shit wasn’t changing no time soon.

Regal was the head of the LRB, so this meant something to him. He pulled up to the line moments later, and I swayed my bike back and forth at the self-made yellow liner Copper spray painted. That nigga was locked in. His eyes forward, jaw set, shoulders loose but that grip on the throttle… yeah, it told me everything I needed to know. He was determined to take home the crown.

Hmph!I lightly chuckled at his ass. I couldn’t help it. The nigga stance told me he was ready on the beast of a bike. I had to admit it to myself the nigga bike was bad. That muthafucka was gon’ give me a run for my money fa sho, but I wasn’t losing this race. LRB was a group of kids if we were being honest. Steel would kick my ass if I let him or anybody else for that matter cross that line before I did. Well, at least try.

“Lock in nigga. Show that goof ball who the fuck run these streets!” Zinc yelled.

“Let’s go baby boy,” Goldie shouted behind him.

“Beat his ass nigga or I’m gon’ do it for you,” Litty commented. All he wanted was a reason to get active. If I lost, he was raising hell just because.

The crowd pressed in behind the caution cones, already hyped up. Half of them had bets riding on this shit, while the other half just wanted to see sparks fly. I caught a glimpse of Copper giving the signal telling me to focus. Wasn’t no turning the fuck back now. She stood in front with one hand up ready to initiate that slow three-finger countdown.

Three… I braced my boots tighter, wrist hovering just right on the grip.

Two… My heart synced with the idle rumble of my engine. Steady and heavy.

One… “GO!”Burn nigga!Rubber screamed as smoke snapped from the back tires, and we were gone.

Shifting gears, I quickly noticed that I was neck and neck with his ass. Crotched down, I went into tunnel vision. This ride was a straight shot. The blinded red shade from Regal’s bike was sensed out the corner of my eye. When Litty said his dumbass put them bright lights on his shit, he was referring to that. That color would cost his ass in this race ‘cause it let me know where he was at all times. Even a color blind muthafucka could see red.

I shifted down into third. Regal… well that nigga shifted too late.

Bingo. Got his ass!

He hit his turbo too early propelling his bike forward. We weren’t even near the finish line yet. He might’ve won against other niggas with that trick, but I knew better. I hawked that ass down with skills only hitting him with the same shit he did tome moments ago. The turbo was administered pushing me right over the finish line a few seconds before his bitch ass.

Game time!

The crowd erupted as soon as I made it over the line. The rush a nigga felt from racing was what pushed me. Not only did I get to show off my skills, but I was able to keep myself on top. BMG was a staple, but we damn sure had a reputation that we upheld. Losing wasn’t in us. That went for racing and in life. It was something I never let happen. Steel lowkey instilled that shit at me at an early age so it was natural for me to do the same for others.

Bringing my bike to a stop, Regal pulled up beside me. I removed my helmet, and he did the same. He was a damn good rider and really gave a nigga a run for the pot. If it was any other gang, he would’ve taken it home to his crew. Regal didn’t slack one bit; he just wasn’t good enough to surpass me.

“You did good, kid,” I praised him.

“Why the fuck can’t nobody beat y’all? It’s like, we have that shit in our hands and then here the fuck y’all come swiping that shit. Damn!” he shouted tossing his helmet out of frustration.

Hopping off my shit, I went and fetched it for him. His temper was horrible, but I understood why he was upset. Imagine having that promotion in your hand, then here comes that exceptional muthafucka coming in and snatching it from you. That was how it went when it came to any race BMG was involved in. We were built for this shit, they weren’t.

“Real shit, you almost took my crown. You hit them switches way too early and fucked yourself up in the end though. Learn from your mistakes and call me. I’ll be here ready to take yo’ shit again. Chin up lil’ nigga. Yo’ crew need to see you ain’t no sore fuckin’ loser. That shit gon’ drive them to think different,” I advised.

“How you do it? How you get so good?” he inquired.

“Nigga my daddy name is Steel. You better ask the fuck around.”

Hopping back on my shit, I cruised to the top of the bridge where my crew was waiting for me. The smiles on their faces let me know they approved of the race. I didn’t lose because it would be a disappointment to them. All they needed was to see the nigga they looked up to fail at something and that would change the dynamics. I wasn’t going for it.

“Congratulations on your race Chrome.” The chick Harli brought out her was in my face before anyone from BMG.

“’Preciate it, Ma,” I replied but kept it pushing. I wasn’t ‘bout to give her the chance to say shit else. She was young and dumb which meant she was ready to risk it all. We couldn’t have that. I wasn’t a rude ass nigga no matter what people thought of me.

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