Page 37 of Pedal to the Metal

The phone goes dead, and I instantly text him the information before I can forget. As I’m heading inside, I see Creed appear in the backyard next door. I pass the front door and go to the side gate. When he sees me, he smiles then heads my direction, but I’m reminded of what Jagger said about telling Creed the truth about Alivia. Suddenly, I don’t feel like talking. I mean how exactly are you supposed to break into one of your best friends that the girl he’s basically in love with isn’t who he thinks she is?

“Londynn! I wondered when I would see you," Creed says jumping over the fence and into the James’ back yard. He pulls me in for a hug.

I hug him back. “I know, you’re right next door but things have been crazy.”

He examines my face. “Yeah, I bet. That’s healing pretty well.”

“Did you know about this?” I ask him motioning toward my face.

Creed stuffs his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “I heard but when I ran into Axell the other day and he confirmed it. I texted you, but you never replied so I just figured you needed time.”

“Oh no! I totally forgot to send out my new number. That night I left my phone in Ryce’s car and I didn’t want to deal with him to get it back, so I just got a new one. I’m so sorry Creed. I would have answered you if I’d had my phone," I explain.

“That’s good to know. Are you going to the races this week?”

That was a good question. I wasn’t sure if I was going. I mean I hadn’t planned on going until my face was fully healed but if Jagger wanted to go and he wanted me there then yes, I’d go. I guess I’d just have to play it by ear. “I don’t know yet. Maybe, if Jagger wants me there.”

“So, you and Jagger, huh?” he asks wagging his eyebrows up and down.

I slap him on his arm. “I swear you’re horrible.”

Creed checks his watch then looks up to give me an apologetic smile. “Sorry I have to run. I need to meet Alivia we kind of have a lunch date but let’s hang out soon.”

“Yes lets. You have fun," I tell him as he hugs me goodbye. I watch as he leaves and wonder if I’m letting him make a huge mistake.

****

Jagger

The next morning, I wake to the smell of pancakes and coffee. As I slowly make my way to the kitchen, I see Londynn standing at the stove making breakfast. She was dancing around to some song on the oldies station. Her hair is down and looseand almost all of her legs are visible in her white shorts. I can see the small muscles in her arms working thanks to the navy blue and white chevron stripped tank top she’s wearing. I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her waist. As I pull her back towards me, I take a deep breath. She always smells of flowers. “Good morning pretty girl. It smells delicious in here.”

“Morning boyfriend. I figured I’d make you breakfast since I’ll be taking advantage of you today.” She says with a giggle. “I’m making chocolate chip pancakes. They always smell the best.”

“Yeah, that too but I was thinking I liked the smell of flowers," I say with a wink running my nose over her shoulder. “And you can take advantage of me anytime.”

Londynn turns around in my arms to face me, looping her arms around my neck. “Is that so?” I just nod before she reaches up to kiss me. We get lost in one another instantly. It isn’t until we smell the pancake burning that we pull away from one another. “Thank you for helping me today but I’m sorry you have to miss work.”

I shrug while pouring us coffee. “It’s okay. Besides I don’t really need to work when I race every week.”

“Do you ever lose?” she asks, placing the plates in front of our chairs.

I laugh out loud at that question. I remember a time when I lost every damn race I entered. “I lost a lot in the beginning, but I learned pretty quickly. I haven’t lost since except for when I was new in Vegas. I didn’t really know the streets or anything when I first started there. It was a disadvantage.”

“I never thought about any of that, but I guess it’s kind of like knowing your stage when you’re dancing," she tells me, and I notice the look of sadness in her eyes before she covers it up with that trained smile of hers.

“Yeah, I guess it is,” I tell her. We eat in silence then head over to the new condo that Londynn and Farrah will be sharing. It dawns on me when were about a block away that Londynn only has a few of her clothes and personal items. She has no furniture or anything to put in her room. , “Londynn, do we need to go get your furniture and stuff from your parents?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “No, I’m just going to buy my own furniture and I have someone getting the rest of my clothes, pictures, books and stuff like that.”

She points to an empty parking space, and I pull into it. As I put the car in park Londynn jumps out and heads over to a small, rented U-Haul. I see her hugging someone and when I get out, I realize it’s Duke Parrish. Duke is taller than Londynn but not by much, but his hair is the same color as hers. However, he has Farrah’s blue eyes. I’ve never been a fan of Duke, mostly because he’s always been friends with Ryce. I notice Duke studying Londynn as I walk towards them. Farrah meets me halfway when we stop in front of them, I notice Duke’s busted lip.

“So, I guess the rumors are true, you and my little sister," he says in a voice that I think is meant to intimidate me but it doesn’t work.

“Yeah. You have a problem with that?”

We stare each other down for a minute. No one says anything or even moves but finally he tells me, “As long as you never do anything like this to her, I don’t have a problem.” He says while motioning to her face.

“I would never do anything like that to her," I reply.

---