Page 50 of Pit Stop

Thirty-Five

Tillman

I finally feel like my life here in Los Angeles is falling back into place. Attending the Pedal to the Metal street races tonight makes it feel official. Knowing Odette is going to be by my side makes it even better. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still shaken up after what happened yesterday. Leaving her this morning was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I wanted to stay there and keep her in a protective bubble and follow her around like a lost puppy to make sure she was okay. At the same time, I knew the best way to protect her was to make sure Lyle was still in jail and staying there for a while. Luckily, he was. I also knew she needed her schoolbooks back and I was glad I could help with that. The hospital hadn’t processed what she owed yet, so I’d have to wait to take care of that.

I feel like I’ve been running around all day but at least it’s for a good cause. I’m currently waiting outside of the hotel that I’ve now started referring to as, Pit Stop. It makes sense because one of these days these four boys won’t be here. They’ll move on and live their lives and accomplish all sorts of things. This place will just be a place they were at in a moment in time. A pit stop on their journey. New kids will fill their rooms and it’ll be a never-ending cycle.

They pull up and start to get out of their cars and I shake my head. “Follow me. We’re heading to JamesTown.”

I keep checking my rearview mirror, but the boys stay with me the whole time. Before we took off, I sent a quick text to Axell letting him know we were on our way. When we arrive he’s standing where I saw him yesterday, but his younger brother, Jagger James, is standing beside him. Damn, the kid grew up. Tall and muscular but not overly so, chestnut colored hair, perfectly trimmed beard, and a few tattoos. He’s been through a lot, but he looks good so hopefully he’s doing better now that he’s found Londynn. We all climb out of the cars and head towards Axell.

“Hey man, this is Slade, Bazz, Urban, and Odin,” I tell him, pointing to each one as I introduce them. “This is Axell James and his brother Jagger.”

Bazz looks like a kid in a candy store. “Dude! You guys are legends!”

Jagger smiles and Axell laughs. Bazz isn’t wrong. The James brothers are legends in the local street racing scene. “Thanks, but around here we just help fix up cars. Now, who is interested in some jobs?”

They all get excited and follow Axell and Jagger. I hang back and let the sense of pride wash over me. It’s silly how attached I’ve gotten to these four boys in such a short amount of time. Once they have schedules, shirts, and anything else they could need they head back to their cars so they can get ready for Pedal to the Metal. Axell walks over to me. “Are you coming tonight?”

I nod my head. “Yep, I couldn’t stay away if I tried.”

“Will the infamous Odette be there?” he asks, eyebrows wagging.

Rolling my eyes at him I reply, “Yes, as my date.”

“Damn man, that didn’t take long.”

“I actually had one more question for you, but it involves Sadie.” Axell instantly gets a worried look on his face.

“Okay, what’s up?” I explain to him my idea. We go back to his office where he calls Sadie, and we get my idea in motion.

By the time I get back to Pit Stop, I barely have time to shower and change. Slipping into a pair of dark-wash denim jeans and red t-shirt, I grab my lucky baseball cap and head downstairs. Odette isn’t down here yet, so I sit and wait. The others file out to their cars. I’m about to go upstairs to check on her when finally I hear her footsteps on the stairs. Her foot in a black laser-cutout, lace up wedge is the first thing to appear, Bright nail polish covers her toenails. A pair of high waisted, skintight red jeans hug every curve of her legs and butt. My mouth was already watering, now I’m drooling. The black lacey off-the-shoulder, crop top she has on leaves a tiny sliver of skin on her stomach showing. Her hair is down and perfectly curled. Makeup is on, dark, smoky eye and red lip. I’m drowning in my drool.

She stops at the bottom of the stairs. “I really hope that is a good type of look.”

I swallow trying to find words. I used to know words but now I feel dumbfounded, like I know nothing. Odette is it. She’s all I see. She is all I know. “It’s a great look. You look amazing. I mean smoking hot.”

She blushes and messes with the crop top. I feel like John Travolta in Grease when Sandy appears at the end of the movie in the black cat suit. My sweet, sundress wearing girl has suddenly turned into a red-hot vixen. “Thank you.”

“Listen, I love it but I have to ask… why the change?” As amazing as she looks, and she does look amazing, it also doesn’t look like her.

She smiles and blushes. Her tiny shoulder shrugs. “It’s just for the races. All the clothes belong to Onyx. I just wanted to fit in while cheering you on.”

I step forward and pull her into me, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Baby, you could never fit in when you were born to stand out.”

We head to the races, and I park next to Axell. I know he doesn’t actively race anymore but he still comes out to support his brothers. He had a wreck years ago that scared Sadie so bad he promised not to do it again. She stands by his side. Her hair is a reddish-brown color and she has bright blue eyes. Dressed modest, like the motherly figure she is. When Odette and I get out of the car and make our way to Axell it seems all eyes are on us. I think it’s because of how amazing she looks, but it could be because I’m back in town. Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter. Axell smiles and winks when he sees me. After introductions, my idea comes to life.

Sadie steps forward. “So, Tillman said you’re studying to be a nurse.”

Odette nods her head. “Yes, I am.”

“That’s great. I’m a nurse. Actually, I work at Inspiration Rehab Center. We deal with every addiction— alcohol, drug, eating, gambling. We’re always looking for people to do the part-time hours. Is that something you’d be interested in?” Sadie asks.

Odette stutters and begins to fidget. Finally, she finds the words. “Yes, I’d love to if they could work around my school schedule.”

Sadie waves her hand as if that’s no big deal. “We can do that easily.”

Her and Sadie exchange numbers and plan to meet Monday at the center. When she finishes up she spins around and looks at me. “You did this, didn’t you?”

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