Page 12 of Fast Lane

Baylor’s mouth falls open. “Oh, that’s right none of you have been to one of these in a while. Ralph moved. He took a job somewhere in the Midwest. Decker runs the races now,” she says, motioning with her head towards a guy standing across the street. After catching up some more on life and whatnot, the group disperses. The girls hang back together as the guys and Lane make our way over to Decker to buy into the races.

Decker is a tall, lean, kind of nerdy looking guy with glasses and a nose ring. His hair is ashy blonde and curly. He looks more Abercrombie than anything to be honest. “The James brothers and their crew. I’m honored.”

Ace smirks. “You should be.” By looking at the James brothers, Ace James, second to youngest, looks the most intimidating. Covered in colorful ink from the neck down with piercing blue eyes that are always lined with black, snake bite lip piercings and a don’t mess with me attitude, he comes across unapproachable. He’s also slightly cocky but he can back it up. However, he’s not the most hot-headed one. That's still Bowie.

Decker chuckles. “Please, tell me you are here to race?”

Axell, the oldest of the brothers and more of a father figure sometimes, replies, “Yes, we are all here to race tonight.” Axell, like all of his brothers, has dark brown hair, mostly shaved on the side, and slicked back on top. He’s tall with a few tattoos. Axell is definitely the strong silent type but maybe most noticeable are his eyes. Axell has a rare eye disease that causes his eyes to be two different colors. One is hazel while the other is half hazel, half blue.

I watch as Decker’s eyes light up with eagerness. “This is great!” Decker produces a pocket book and pen from his back pocket and starts writing down the line up. Bowie looks over at me and Lane, laughing and rolling his eyes. When I said the James brothers were kind of royalty in the street world… I wasn’t kidding.

Eleven

Kosi

I haven’t been to the local street races in years. The past few years I’ve been too busy with work to even think about something like this. So, it’s been since college. However, I knew I couldn’t miss tonight. When Summer had called to tell Baylor about all the James brothers going to be here tonight, it became a can’t miss event. Then Kenndrix, my brother's fiancé, called and told me that Jaxx was going to race. I decided it was time to make an appearance. Baylor and I spent the rest of the afternoon primping at the spa before stopping into one of the local fashion boutiques, Lace and Grace. There we found some new things to wear tonight. After we grabbed some tacos for a late lunch we went home and got ready for tonight.

As we’re standing around talking, Bowie and his wife Hollis pull up. I’m not shocked to see Bowie’s two best friends Lane and Roscoe with him. However, I am a little shocked at my body’s reaction to seeing Roscoe again. It’s been days since I filled in at Free Fall but it’s not like Roscoe and I have ever talked on a regular basis. We’ve rarely seen each other, and when we do it’s never been pleasant. There was just something different about him that day at the skydiving school. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s kept Roscoe on my mind since that day.

Tonight, as he approached the group I could feel his eyes on me and I can’t help but wonder if he felt a shift too. Roscoe doesn’t speak to me as he joins the group. Then again, I make no move to speak to him either. We stand in the group, avoiding each as normal but a part of me wishes we weren’t avoiding each other. Eventually, the guys head over to greet Decker and buy into the races. Us girls hang back and continue girl talk. Kenndrix smiles at me. “I love your shoes.”

Kenndrix is gorgeous. She always has been. Average height, curves for days, bright green eyes and long dark brown hair. She’s a screenplay writer and my brother is a stuntman. They’ve been together for years, except for a few years that they were actually broke up. No matter what, though, my brother has always been in love with her. I’m so glad they’re finally engaged. “Thanks, Kenndrix. They were a great find today at Lace and Grace.”

“I’ve heard so much about that boutique,” she adds. Kynlee, Kenndrix’s best friend and wife to Ace James, joins us. Kynlee and Kenndrix look similar when it comes to their long dark hair, but Kynlee’s eyes are stormy gray and she’s petite.

“Which boutique?” Kynlee asks.

“Lace and Grace,” Kenndrix answers while I check my phone that is vibrating in my pocket.

“Oh, I love that place.” Kynlee nods her head in approval.

Kenndrix looks a little shocked when I look up at her. “When did you go there?”

Kynlee shrugs her shoulders. “When you and Jaxx were in Paris getting engaged. We’ll go tomorrow.” Kynlee sticks her tongue out at Kenndrix, and we all laugh. After that, we line up and watch the guys head to their cars and drive off so that they can be put in the order they are racing.

It’s a perfect night in Los Angeles. The sky is as clear as it gets in this part of the world. Moonlight shines on the asphalt of the street along with the streetlights overhead. If you listen closely, you can hear the ocean waves crashing into the shore. A slight thump from the music coming from the cars at the start line mixes with the muted chatter of the crowd. Both sides of the streets are lined with people from all walks of life. The groups of people line the street for as far as the eye can see. There’s a slight humid breeze out here bringing the smell of the salty ocean with it. Car engines rev and it’s almost as if you can feel the anticipation of the night all the way down to your bones.

Race after race I watch the cars speed by. Flying away from the start line and out of my view before reappearing in what feels like mere seconds and crossing the finish line at speeds that are far beyond my comprehension. It amazes me just like it always has.

So far, all of the races are won by our group. As if anyone here on the crowded streets had any doubts about the James brothers winning. Some of their friends lose, but Jaxx wins. Roscoe pulls up to the start line, and for whatever reason, my heart jumps into my throat. He revs the engine of his car, and even from here, I’m pretty sure I can make out the smirk on his face. Baylor turns to me as Jovi returns to the group dragging Summer’s attention away from her. “So, are we ever going to talk about Colby getting engaged?”

Her question feels like it comes out of left field. I feel my eyes bulge out in shock. “What?”

Baylor sighs and turns to face me with a shake of her head and roll of her eyes. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve been avoiding it.”

“I have not.” My tone is super defensive which makes sense because I’m totally lying and I’m not good at it. Truth is, I don’t want to say anything about the Colby engagement situation. I feel like everyone expects some sort of reaction out of me but I don’t have one. I just feel… confused by it all to be honest.

“Yes, you have. I was just wondering if maybe being out here tonight had made you want to talk about it,” Baylor explains. I shake my head and she accepts that answer. “Okay, well, I’m here if that changes.”

That’s the best thing about Baylor, she doesn’t hover over you, trying to get you to talk. She’s fine to let you be. At some point, while talking to Baylor and being lost in thought, Roscoe’s race already started. I stand along the street and wait to see who crosses the finish line first. Roscoe’s bright orange Challenger comes into view but the navy blue Skyline is right on his bumper. I watch as the two of them fight for the lead. At what seems like the last moment, the Skyline overtakes Roscoe, but in one last blast of speed, perfectly timed, Roscoe crosses the finish line first, securing his win. My lungs deflate. I didn’t even realize I had been holding my breath. The crowd swarms forward to congratulate Roscoe and the rest of our group. I hang back and let the swell of pride fill my heart.

Later, after everyone has collected their winnings and the crowds have started to disperse, Jagger announces that everyone is welcome to come to JamesTown for some victory drinks. Another place I haven’t been into in a while. Baylor looks over at me, eyebrows raised in a silent question, and I nod my head yes. We head back to Baylor’s Jeep and climb inside. She’s quiet but turns up the music. Uncomfortable by Halestorm is playing and it makes me think about my life, where I was and where I am now. When we arrive at JamesTown it’s already packed. Everyone from the races have already gotten here as well as Sons of Sin, a local motorcycle club that Drake James, Axell James' son, is a member of. Sons of Sin isn’t your typical motorcycle club. They actually stay out of trouble and do a lot to try and help out the community that we live in. Los Angeles is a big place but this little portion of it really admires the path Sons of Sin are on now.

The moment we enter the bar you can feel the excitement and celebration. It’s almost as if you can see it in the air. Everyone is eating, drinking, singing along, or dancing. Carefree and having a good time—two things I know little about. Leif, one of Jovi James’ best friends, appears next to Baylor. He’s always had a thing for her. The thing is he isn’t her type and he’s younger than her which automatically knocks him off the list in her eyes. “May I get you ladies a drink?” he asks.

Baylor smiles and wraps an arm around his waist. “Yes, you can but I’ll go with you. Go find us a seat,” Baylor tells me before she disappears into the crowd with Leif.

As I scan the bar, I spot Jaxx and make my way over to him. However, as I cross the bar I swear I can feel eyes on me. When Jaxx notices me he jumps up from his seat and pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you made it!”

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