Page 18 of Pedal to the Metal

I felt like I had just fallen asleep when I heard my phone start singing, “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns n’ Roses. I roll over and blindly feel around for my phone. Once I found it, I saw Connor’s name on the screen, Connor had grown up with us and besides my brothers, he was the one person I was closest to, if he was calling at this time then he probably really needed something. Finally, I slide my finger across the screen and say, “Hello.”

“Hey Jagger man, I’m sorry to call at this time but I kind of need a huge favor," Connor says sounding apologetic already.

“What’s up?”

“I need a ride," he says simply.

I chuckle, “Why? Are you still at Farrah’s parents’ house?”

I hear him let out a long breath, “No, I’m at the hospital over by Santa Monica.”

I sit straight up in my bed while trying to figure out why he would be at the hospital. If Ryce laid a hand on him, I’ll break his. “What are you doing there?”

“Londynn apparently as a food allergy to nuts and the dressing that was served on the salad had almonds in it. After her outing all their dirty little secrets she got where she couldn’t breathe. We had to give her an emergency injection then bring her here, but we all came in Farrah’s car. She offered for me to take it since I have to work in the morning, but I don’t want to leave the girls without a car.”

I was already moving around my room slipping on clothes. “No, don’t leave them without a car. I’ll be there in a few," I say before I hang up. I grab my black zipper hoodie before heading out to my car. I wondered why no one had warned Londynn about the dressing. Traffic was light and even though the hospital near Santa Monica was a good way away I made it in record time. When I pulled up, I saw Connor leaning against Farrah’s Range Rover. I park next to him and get out. “Hey man.”

“Hey. I’m really sorry about having to call at this time but I can’t afford to miss work, you know?” Connor says. He runs a hand through his hair, “I feel like a dick for leaving Farrah, you can tell she’s worried about Londynn, but she knows I just can’t afford to miss a day.”

Connor had very little money to his name. He had a tiny apartment and his car. Whenever I won at the races, I’d sneakhis portion of the money back to him because I knew he couldn’t afford to lose it but he craved the adrenaline rush the races gave him. I clasp my hand on Connor’s shoulder, “I’m sure Farrah understands but here," I say extending my car keys out to him. “Take my car, go home, get some sleep then go to work, when you get off come by the shop and pick me up. I’ll stay here with the girls and drive them home.”

“Jagger, you have to work too," Connor says.

I shrug, “Well, I do own the place, plus I won tonight so I’m set. Don’t worry about me. When I get ready to go to work, I’ll call one of my brothers.”

“You sure?” he asks.

“Of course. Now, what room are the girls in?” I ask him.

“Room 244," he says then turns around to head for my car but stops and turns back to me just before he opens the door. “You know I use to think they had it all with all that money and big houses but it’s just a mirage. Their family life is horrible, I saw it firsthand tonight. Their parents didn’t even know Londynn was allergic to nuts. Not even Ryce knew. I guess just Farrah and some lady named Vivienne did. It was sad sight to witness. Our parents didn’t have money or big houses, but we knew they cared about us.” He turned around and got into my car and I watched as he drove away.

While I made my way through the hospital towards room 244, I thought about what Connor had said. He was right growing up we all been slightly jealous of the life the rich kids got to live. It was one of the reasons why he had all started racing, to take their money but I knew damn good and well my parents knew what we were allergic to. I knew they cared enough to make sure we were okay. Maybe in some ways we had more than Farrah and Londynn.

Just before I reached the door, I heard the girls talking. Londynn was apologizing to Farrah. Farrah told Londynn notto worry about it. “I should have asked if anything had nuts," Londynn said quietly.

“No! They should have known, last time I checked they were our parents even if they don’t act like it," Farrah said furiously.

I heard Londynn sigh, “I bet they’re so angry at me for telling everyone at the table the truth about Spirit. Mom’s going to kill me herself next time I see her.”

“I was actually wondering about that. You’ve always been so determined to be the perfect daughter for them that I was a little shocked that you admitted the truth to all their friends. Don’t get me wrong I couldn’t be prouder, but why did you do it?” Farrah asked.

I don’t think Londynn is going to answer and just as I’m about to enter the room I hear her tell Farrah, “I felt like I was going to go into an anxiety attack. I felt like I did before going to Spirit. I’m tired Farrah. I’m tired of putting on this perfect image. I’m tired of doing everything they expect me to do.”

“I know you are," Farrah says her voice thick with emotion.

Londynn sounded so defeated that I wanted to rush in and wrap my arms around her and protect her from everything but then that would mean letting her past my own walls. The walls I built to keep from getting hurt again. I couldn’t handle it but here I was considering that very thing. Londynn made me want things I shouldn’t.

By the time I entered the room Londynn was asleep, Farrah looked up at me as I stood in the doorway watching her sleep. “Jagger?” she whispered.

“Yeah, Connor felt horrible for leaving you guys, so I gave him my car and told him I’d stay with y’all. How is she?” I ask as nod towards Londynn.

“She’ll be okay. Keeping her was just to be safe.”

“Good. You hungry or thirsty?” I offer Farrah.

She shakes her head, but I notice her studying me in the darkened room. “You care about her.” I look at her and she giggles. “It’s true and you know it. You’re both trying to fight it but it’s there. You two just need quit worrying about it and let it happen.” I just shrug in response. “Face it, Jagger James that heart of yours has thawed.”

Had my heart thawed to the idea of being with someone again? Had I managed to care about Londynn without realizing?, “I’m going to grab coffee," I tell Farrah and go to head out of the room.”

---