Page 6 of Pedal to the Metal

I hear footsteps behind me and I don't even have to look back to know Ace is right behind me, probably Bowie too. They both love to get in someone's face. I stop not too far from Londynn and Ryce. Ryce glares at me over Londynn's head and I can hear her whispering she's sorry and to please let her go. Hearing Londynn's voice sound so broken did it for me, I cleared my throat and said, “Let her go."

"Keep your ass out of it Jagger or I'll hand it to you," he says trying to sound threatening.

I chuckle, “That's funny Ryce because I can't remember you ever handing me my ass but if you think you can then come on." I motion for him to come at me. “Let her go and show me what you got."

"Screw this!" He says pushing Londynn back with enough force to send her tall, lean body falling into my chest. Luckily, I catch her just as Bowie steps around me and punches Ryce square in the jaw knocking Ryce a few steps back. Instantly, Ryce's friends gather around him ready to try to take us on but I hear footsteps behind us and I see Axell and Connor have also joined us. This could get bloody really quickly so I lean down to whisper in Londynn's ear but suddenly the sweet smell coming of her skin hits me. Daisies feel my nose but it's not overpowering it's subtle, it's nice. I swallow trying to get my thoughts back on track. “Are you okay?" I ask her, and I noticehow the tickle of my breath causes goosebumps to cover her arms. She simply nods her head yes. Knowing that she's okay I place my hand on her waist and guide her behind my back where she must see Farrah because I hear her retreating to where the rest of the girls are at.

Bowie and Ace are ready for a fight, but I have a better idea, so I step forward in front of Bowie. It's like an animal that has rabies whenever he gets worked up he's hard to get down. “I have a better idea. Instead of busting up that face of yours and your buddies, how about we settle this on the road. Pedal to the metal?"

Ryce spits out a mouthful of blood and glares back at us. “Pedal to the metal." He confirms then turns to head back to his car.

****

The races had been set and the $1,500 buy in was paid. I was going against Ryce which didn't bother me in the least. Actually, I couldn't wait until he was choking on my dust. I had spent my free night’s street racing in Vegas, but the Vegas street racing scene was nothing like the one in here. Of course, there were tons of different areas that race in L.A. this was just ours. Ace, Bowie and Connor were all racing as well. They would be going against Ryce's richie-rich friends, but I didn't worry about them either. These were our streets, they may have over priced cars but that didn't matter. What mattered was how the driver drove their cars.

As I'm sitting behind the wheel of my car I feel my adrenaline kick in. The pulse in my neck beats to the sound of my rock music. I can almost visualize winning this race. Ryce sits in the car beside me and from the corner of my eye I can see him looking my way, but I don't have any reason to give him the time of day. The only thing he'll be seeing in a minute are mytaillights. I take a deep breath and move my neck side to side, trying to pop it. On the street beside my driver's side stands the people from my side of town with the exception of Farrah and Londynn.

Londynn is standing there gnawing on her bottom lip. I can tell she's nervous, but she has nothing to worry about. Ace and Bowie have already won both of their races and now it's just Connor and me. Connor takes off and gets a good lead, but I lose sight of his taillights as he rounds the corner. I pull my car up to the starting line and rev the engine for good measure. I can tell by the cheers from my side of the street that Connor won. Now it's my turn, Jessica walks out to stand between our two cars, when she drops the scarf we go. I hold my steering wheel in a death grip and just before she drops the scarf she winks. Apparently that wink meant go because Ryce takes off getting a three second lead on me. Pissed I slam my pedal down and feel the salty California air rush into my car.

My mind clears and all I concentrate on is this car, this road, these few seconds. The vibration from the car's speed runs up my body and flows through my body. The people and the buildings I pass are just a blur at this speed. I can hear cheers from the crowd, but it's muffled because of the wind rushing through the car at this speed. It's like I'm flying, like I'm free. I'm switching gears like a maniac but I'm catching up to Ryce and that awful yellow Cracker Jack toy he calls a car. His car would actually have a good chance of beating mine if it wasn't for him driving it. He lets off his gas thinking he's already won in the last few seconds which gives me all I need. In that instant I shift my Camaro up another gear and fly past him for the win. I continue to drive decreasing my speed until I come back to where we started when I get out I scan the crowd until I find her face. Londynn's very relieved looking face and I give her wink just to watch that blush fill her cheeks.

****

Londynn

I felt a little flattered that Jagger and his brothers were willing to stand up for me but if they didn't win these races there would just be more issues. I didn't want to drag them into my problems. So far though the James boys had lived up to their reputation of owning these streets. Now, Connor is up and Farrah has my hand in a death grip. She's worried but according to the group were standing with he shouldn't be. Although I know telling her that will do no good until this race is over. Looking over I see Axell with his arms around Sadie's shoulders. Seeing her had sent my anxiety up at first. I was afraid she'd mention the past three months and I didn't want everyone to know. Actually, I didn't want anyone to know and neither did my family. Their reasons for not letting anyone know were different from mine though. They didn't want another wrinkle in the perfect appearance. I, on the other hand, didn't want people to look or treat me differently. I didn't want to be seen as weak or crazy.

Luckily, Sadie hadn't brought it up. In fact, when Jovi had introduced us she had acted as if she didn't know me aside from being at the races previously. I let out a sigh of relief and I hoped my eyes had showed how thankful I was. Sadie had been the best friend I'd had for the past three months but I couldn't let people know that. The next time I could talk to her without all of these people around I'd explain and hopefully, she'd understand. I remember the first time I'd met Sadie. I remember how scared I was when I was checking in to Spirit but they had Sadie come out and introduce herself as my nurse and her electric blue eyes that held a kind of kindness that I had never experienced before. We were the same height, but her skin was pale, and she had always worn her reddish-brown hair up in a ponytail. Her heart shapedface and sweet smile made you at ease instantly. Seeing her with Axell, away from her nursing scrubs and ponytail, I notice that her hair falls around her shoulders and her eyes stand out even more thanks to her eye makeup. She's dressed simple in a pair of denim shorts and tank top but she's still that kind Sadie who had been my nurse the past three months.

Connor had won and when he had reappeared by our group Farrah and ran up to him, flinging herself in his arms. I don't know if I could trust someone enough to throw myself at them like that. What if they didn't catch you? Then again, I guess with arms like Connor's you didn't have to worry about that. I could see what my sister saw in him. His dark red hair was short and clean cut and he had a dark red beard that was trimmed close to his face. He was at least 6'1" and one of his arms was covered in tattoos as well as the muscles, you could even see the outline of his veins thanks to his muscles. His forest green eyes held a hint of mystery which I'm sure drove Farrah crazy and he had an easy smile. He made Farrah seem so tiny next to him another thing I'm sure she loved.

As soon as Jessica walked out to let Jagger and Ryce know when they could start I lost track of Connor and Farrah. This was the race I was most worried about, but I was also a little excited. I had always had a small crush on Jagger. He carried this dangerous mystery around him and years ago I had wanted to understand it. I had been drawn towards him, but I was too young, and he had Harlyn but now things were different. Ryce took off before he was supposed to giving him a few seconds lead which made me nervous. I had seen enough races to know that those few seconds could make or break a race. My anxiety was starting to build when I felt someone slip their hand in mine. Looking over I saw Sadie, she was giving me reassurance and reminding to take deep breaths. Sadie to my rescue once again.

Before Jagger had time to come back around to where we all were the crowd on our side was buzzing with the news of his win. I let out a sigh of relief and Sadie squeezed my hand. I looked over at her, “Thanks Sadie."

She shrugged, and her sweet smile appeared on her face. “No biggie, it just looked like you needed me." She was walking back to Axell when she turned around and said, “You did good Londynn."

As soon as Jagger was out of the car he was swarmed by people. I hung back from the crowd, next to the wall of the building. Farrah had disappeared with Connor and I kept trying to call her, but she wasn't answering. Axell, presented the winners with their money and Ryce and his friends left quickly but not before Ryce winked at me then grabbed Jessica, ushering her into his car. I shook my head in disgust. How had I been so blind to him before? I felt his body heat before he even spoke, “You deserve better."

Without turning around, I reply, “I'm learning that."

"Good," he replies, and the tone of his voice send shivers down my spine and warmth takes over my body.

I turn around and look into Jagger's bronze eyes, you could get lost in those eyes. His lips form one of those smiles that makes girls turn into puddles and he knows it. He's turning on the charm but I'm not sure why. “Congratulations on the win."

He shrugs while placing his hands in his pocket and leaning against the wall. He's lethal when he puts the charm on. “Thatwas easy. Where's Farrah?"

I shrug, crossing my arms over my chest, “I don't know, after Connor pulled around she ran to him then I lost her. My guess is that she's probably a little busy with him right now."

He chuckled, and I noticed his perfectly straight teeth and the little crinklesthat formed around his eyes. “I bet. Well,would you like a ride home or to JamesTown? I'm sure she'll either call or go there soon enough."

I wasn't sure what to do. For some reason I didn't want Jagger to see the place I called home and Farrah wasn't answering. I could go to JamesTown but technically I was underage and I didn't have my fake ID, but I also couldn't just stand out here all night. “I'm only 19." He raised his eyebrows in question. “I can't get into JamesTown, technically."

He chuckled while he placed his hand on the small of my back, leading me to his car. “It'll be our little secret plus I'm pretty sure the owners will look the other way." He opened the passenger side door and let me slide in before shutting the door and getting behind the wheel. While he folded his long legs into the car, the small area is suddenly filled with his scent. Gucci Guilty, I'd recognize it anywhere. I had always loved the smell of it, but Ryce would never where it. The butterflies in my stomach multiplied as we headed to JamesTown while some 80s rock music played.

Chapter 4

Jagger

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