Page 15 of Pedal to the Metal

I start the car and peel out of the lot, my tires screeching as I pull out onto the street. It’s late so there’s hardly any traffic thankfully. Before I know it I’m close to 90 mph and moving along without a care in the world.

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Londynn

I’ve been staying with Farrah almost an entire week and have yet to hear from my parents. Clearly, they aren’t concerned with my wellbeing. I have my doubts that they’ve even noticed that I was gone. In my last therapy session, Dr. Thorton encouraged me to consider dancing again. A part of me still yearns for the feeling I got every time a song would start up and my body began to move with it. Maybe, that’s why I called around until I found a place to dance today. This little gym on Jagger’s side of town has an empty room that is usually used for Zumba but it’s free today and it’s all mine.

When I first arrived this morning, I had seen Jagger and Ace’s cars parked in the lot. They would be hard to miss I braced myself for possibly seeing Jagger, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing him. I had been trying to make decisions where he was concerned. Dr. Thorton had also encouraged that I tell Jagger the truth about myself and how I had spent those three months. He believed that if he handled it well then, I should give him a chance. I wonder what he’d say right now if he saw Jagger shamelessly flirting with some fake blonde.

Luckily, I managed to sneak past them and get to the little room at the end of the hall. Once inside I shut the door and plug my iPod into the stereo system that’s already hooked up in the room. I stretch out and try to get rid of the mental image of Jagger with that blonde girl but I’m not really having any luck. I look down at my new dance practice outfit I ran out and bought this morning once I had found a place to practice. Black legging shorts with red sparkles and a sports bra that matches. Once I’m stretched out and feel limber I walk over and switch the song and before I know it I’m moving like I’ve never missed a day of dance.

I get that same feeling of freedom I use to get. I breathe deeply as I move through song after song. I’ve lost track of time, but I know I’ve been here almost all day. I notice someone in the mirror that lines the wall. Turning around I see, Jayson the guy that worked in the gym. He told me that technically the gym was closed but he was going to get a work out in so I was welcome to stay until he finishes up. I tell him thank you and return back to dancing.

Eight songs later I get the sense of being watched. When I stop and look at the mirrors I see Jagger leaning against the door frame. His eyes lock on mine and I can’t make out the emotion in them. He looks so good that I’m pretty sure if I wasn’t already out of breath from all the dancing that I’d be short on breath. His hair is perfectly fixed, and he has on one of his signature t-shirts, this one is olive green with a pair of light wash denim jeans and pair of white sneakers. The green makes his skin look tanner and his eyes really pop.

He pushes off from the doorframe stopping to bend over and grab my water bottle as he makes his way to me in the middle of the room. “You’re beautiful when you dance," he says to me as he holds out my bottle to me. I take it and give him a questioning look because I’m not sure about his statement. He clears histhroat like he’s nervous. “I mean you’re always beautiful but when you’re dancing there’s something unguarded and freeing about you. I’ve never seen that side of you.”

“Well, thanks," I say a little breathlessly.

We stand in the room with the music playing around us in an awkward silence. “I saw your car it’s why I stopped. I was a little shocked to see you on my side of town when there’s no race.”

I shrug, “I’ve been staying with Farrah. So, I guess your side is now my side. Besides, this was the only place that had an empty room today for me to dance in.”

“Well that’s good," he says like he’s unsure what to say.

Answerby Phantogram comes on my iPod and before I know what he’s doing he grabs my hands, tossing the water bottle aside and pulls me into him. We start dancing around the room, and it just feels right. I look into his eyes, and I know if I let my guard down that I’ll fall but I don’t know if I can do that. Instead, I decide to just get lost in this moment and enjoy it. The song ends too soon. I step back out of his arms. “You dance pretty well for someone who insisted he couldn’t.”

“That’s all you Londynn. I don’t move like that with anyone else," he admits. “Can I walk you to your car? This isn’t the safest part of town.”

“Sure. Let me get myself together and let Jayson know I’m done," I tell him because I can’t help but feel special that he wants to walk me to my car.

He nods then tells me, “I’ll go tell Jayson. I’ll meet you out there," he says motioning towards the gym.

Once Jagger is out of the room, I take a minute to catch my breath before collecting my things. Jagger is leaning against the wall in the hall when I step out of the practice room. His head snaps up in my direction when he hears the door shut, he leads me through the gym with his hand on the small of my back. Even though I slipped on a light jacket I can feel the heat coming fromhis hand. When we reach my car, he takes my bag and tosses it into my trunk then opens my car door. “I’m going to follow you home just to make sure you make it safely. Drive carefully Londynn.”

My heart is beating wildly for some reason. I don’t know if it’s because he’s willing to go out of his way to make sure I make it home okay or because of that look in his eyes that I can’t decipher. “Thank you, Jagger. Drive carefully too.”

“Pedal to the metal remember?” He says with a smile crossing his face.

I laugh, “Oh yeah, I forgot. But still be safe.”

He nods and leans down and kisses my cheek, “Good night, Londynn.” Before I can reply he’s shut my door and is heading to his car. I watch as he walks away and let the blush take over my face. Once he’s in his car I back out from my parking spot.

Chapter 10

Londynn

I haven’t seen Jagger since the night he showed up at the gym while I was dancing. Then again, I guess you could say I’m still avoiding him to some extent. I’m just not sure what to do with him or myself or us. I want to do what Dr. Thorton tells me and open up to Jagger but then what if he looks at me like I’m crazy? Or worse what if he starts treating me differently? I don’t think I could handle any more sympathy and I don’t want anyone thinking that I’m not…all there. I’m terrified to get to close to him because I couldn’t handle his rejection.

I also worry that I’m just not good enough for Jagger. I mean I’m nothing like the girls he’s use to. I’m not even close so really why would he even be interested? I mean sure he’s flirted with me, but I think that’s just Jagger’s personality by nature. So, I figured until I decided what I’m going to do with the situation that it was probably best to avoid him. I have decided to tell Dr. Thorton about my fears of telling Jagger. Maybe he can come up some reasonable explanation as to why I feel all these things. Maybe he can make me feel better.

As I pull into the parking lot for my therapy session my phone starts to ring. Looking at the screen I see it’s my mom. I haven’t been home in a week and she’s just now calling to check on me. Yeah, she’s not winning any mother of the year awards. I almost don’t answer but then I do right before it sends her to voicemail.

“Hello," I say into the phone.

“Londynn. I just spoke with your sister. You are both expected to be at dinner tonight. Your brother will be arriving back in town this afternoon for a short visit. We’re doing familydinner with the Whitten’s and Lawson’s. Make sure you dress appropriately," she tells me.

“Mom we had plans tonight.” I tell her sighing into her phone.

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