Page 11 of Fast Lane

Summer laughs. Summer James is married to the youngest James brother, Jovi. They’re expecting a baby soon too if I’m not mistaken. “Hi Bay. What are you up to?” Baylor goes on to tell Summer about our plans for the day. “Sounds like the good ole’ days.”

“What are you up to?” Baylor asks.

“I’m so glad you asked. So, Londynn’s mom decided she wanted to host a huge sleepover for all of the kids so all of us are going to Pedal to the Metal tonight. You have to come. You too, Kosi,” Summer says.

Baylor laughs. “As if we’d be anywhere else. We’ll see you tonight!” Summer and Baylor disconnect the call and Baylor turns to me as we park in the lot for the spa. “Looks like we definitely have to go shopping now. We can’t wear just any old thing to Pedal to the Metal.”

I slip out of the Jeep. Pedal to the Metal is the local street races. The James brothers are notorious there too. Pretty much undefeatable. I don’t get to go often but I’m excited to see them all in action tonight. Plus, there’s a good chance I’ll get to visit with Jaxx and Kenndrix too. Maybe, today will be a good day after all.

Ten

Roscoe

I’m closing up Free Fall for the day when the front door rattles, like someone is trying to open a locked door. As I head for the front of the office the person outside starts banging on the door. “Roscoe! It’s us!” Jogging forward I pull the door open and see Bowie, his wife Hollis, and Lane.

My eyebrows pull together in question. “What are you guys doing here?” I ask, glancing at my watch to see the time. It’s not super late but late enough that Bowie and Hollis should be home with their kids.

Bowie smirks. “Pedal to the Metal.”

My mouth falls open. It’s been a hell of a long time since Bowie graced the streets of Los Angeles at a Pedal to the Metal. Lane laughs and nudges past me as she enters the office area. “Don’t look so shocked, Ros.”

“I am shocked,” I admit. “When was the last time Bowie went to a local street race?”

Silence falls between the four of us. All of us are trying to figure out the time frame. Hollis clears her throat. “Almost a year. “

Lane lets out a low whistle from where she stands. Currently, she’s leaning back against the counter, elbows resting on the top. Her long legs look as if they could go on for days in her frayed, denim cutoffs with the black fishnet stockings on under. Her glittery black combat boots have red shoelaces tonight to match the red sheer shirt she has on with a black tube top underneath. Her signature platinum blonde hair is long gone and in its place is a fire engine red. The pixie cut she had a few years ago has also vanished. Now, it’s an asymmetrical bob. “I never thought I’d see the day where Bowie would stay away from the street races that long!” Lane blows a bubble in bright red cinnamon flavored gum and lets it pop.

Bowie shrugs. “Things change once you settle down. There’s no place I’d rather be than at home with Hollis and the kids… except for tonight.”

Hollis laughs. “I fully support this, though.”

“Speaking of kids, where are they?” I ask. My eyes dart around to make sure I didn’t miss my adopted nieces and nephew.

The smile that graces Hollis’ face is so full of love and peace. It makes me happy to see her in this state. I still remember when we first met her. She was a far cry from where she is now. Somehow, Bowie and Hollis found each other and beat the odds. “Londynn’s mom actually wanted to have a huge sleepover for all of the kids. So, they’re all over at her house. She went all out too. Bouncy house and all sorts of things.”

“Those kids are going to love that,” I say.

Lane laughs. “Kids? Hell, we would all love that,” Lane adds. She’s right. That would be something that her, Bowie, and I would go for in a heartbeat. Every year we all go to the carnival along with Hollis and their kids and I swear the three of us have more fun than the kids do. We all nod in agreement.

“So, if all the kids are there for the night does that mean a James family reunion at Pedal to the Metal?” I ask.

Bowie wags his eyebrows up and down and his grin grows. “That’s exactly what it means. So, close up here and let’s get down there. You’re racing too.”

After I cut off all the lights and lock everything up we head out to our cars. Bowie and I walk side by side. The sun set a long time ago. My stomach growls in hunger but I choose to ignore it. “You know I haven’t raced in a long time, right?”

He chuckles. “Neither have I, but damn it feels good to know that’s all about to change, doesn’t it?”

Bowie walks ahead of me so he can open the car door for Hollis. As exciting as racing again sounds, it also makes me a little nervous. Racing is like gambling, at least for me it is. I don’t have the James blood so I’m not destined to win every time I slide behind the wheel of a car. Normally, I’m a carefree, throw caution to the wind kind of guy but considering that I bought a skydiving school and it needs a facelift… well that changes things. Losing money I could use for Free Fall just seems wrong to me.

Bowie and Hollis lead Lane and I to the spot where the races are being held this week. As we drive down the street it’s easy to spot the line of James brothers cars as well as all of their closest friends. Apparently, we’re some of the last ones to arrive. I grab the parking spot next to Lane and climb out of the car. We all make our way towards our group of friends and instantly my eyes are drawn to the sun-kissed blonde with honey-colored eyes standing next to Baylor, laughing so carefree. Kosi looks completely different than what I’m used to. Her blonde hair is curled in long ringlets, half of it pulled away from her face. The eye makeup is heavy tonight but it only makes her eyes stand out even more. The nude lip keeps her still looking simple. She has a pair of gold hoops on with a triple layer necklace that only makes the low cut, black tank top more noticeable. Her jeans sit low on her hips and hug her like perfection. The last piece is the pair of gold wedges on her feet. Once again, I’m reminded that Kosi has always been beautiful. It’s our personalities that seem to clash.

Bowie nudges my arm. “Are you going to ask her?”

When I glance over at him, he’s eyeing me expectantly. I shrug my shoulders. “I just don’t know how well that would work out. It’s no secret that the two of us really don’t get along.”

“That’s true but she might have a different tune if it’s to do something like redecorating the school. I know we discussed this already but I still think you should give it a try.” Bowie is trying to encourage me. I appreciate it. I’m just not sure about it.

I give him a smile. “I’ll think about it.” We make our way to the group. As we approach, everyone greets one another. “Where’s Ralph? I ask. Ralph is the guy that normally runs the Pedal to the Metal but I don’t spot him or his car anywhere.

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