Page 99 of Fortunate Misfortune
“Unsanitary,” I finish with a grin.
Now I’m glad I didn’t wear the miniskirt Adri tried to force me into.
Once through the gate, shrill screams of excitement shatter my eardrums, hitting notes I thought only Mariah Carey was capable of. Theenergy of the arena buzzes with electricity as the current racing group returns, whipping off their helmets with wild smiles and even wilder hair.
“So much better than Nobu,” I breathe.
“Are you sure?” he laughs, pointing at the concession stand over his shoulder. “The menu is much more limited, but if you’re lucky, you’ll go home with a milkshake at the end of the night.”
“Well, I am feeling pretty lucky.”
He presses his lips to my temple, and I melt into it. Hell, I melt into him.
“Me too, Eddie.”
The man at the counter beckons us to him, looking as tired as I’d expect from someone who corrals overenthusiastic children and adults all day. “Well, don’t you two look happy.” He takes Kenneth’s cash and hands over two tickets. With a scowl, he grunts. “It’ll pass.”
I choke on a laugh right as the gate swings open, yanking Kenneth through it and toward the wall of helmets. That guy may be perpetually grumpy, but he isn’t wrong. This kind of happiness often does pass and fade away.
But I have a sneaking suspicion that it won’t this time.
Reaching into my tote, I grab my travel-sized bottle of disinfectant spray and give the inside of the helmet a good spritz. Kenneth hands his over, and I do the same.
“Lice?” he asks.
“Lice.”
Kenneth taps my temple before pulling me against him. “This brain of yours is a masterpiece, Eddie.”
I expect Kenneth to let me go when the safety instructor, Linda, walks up in her khaki pants and reflective green vest, but he doesn’t. Apparently, we’rethosepeople now.
PDA people.
The rules are simple. Hands and feet must stay inside the kart. Helmets stay on. No bumping or rough driving. Obey the officials. Watch the road. No texting and driving. Stay buckled.
After I’m securely strapped into the bright orange kart, I look to my left and admire my date. Kenneth must have struck a deal with the sun because the evening glow dusts his freckles with gold, the precious dots begging to be counted one by one.
I check to make sure Linda isn’t watching me and pull out my phone. Screw the rules. I need to capture this moment.
The camera shutter makes his gaze skate to me, staring through the camera’s lens. I expect him to ask our question. Instead, he says, “You are so beautiful.”
My face heats as I tuck my phone away. “I was just thinking the same about you.”
The starting light turns red.Ready.
I look at Kenneth. “Be careful please.”
His lips curl into a smile. “No warning about kicking my ass?”
“That was implied, but since you asked for it…” The second red light appears.Set.“Eat my dust, Gray.”
The last thing I hear is a burst of laughter, drowned by the roar of engines as the light turns green. I mash the gas pedal and the engine sputters as I take off, whipping around the other racers with an excited squeal.
Not even in my wildest dreams did I think Kenneth would bring me here for our first date. It goes to show how well he knows me. To bring me somewhere where I can feel the wind in my hair, scream as loud as I want, and compete against him.
We didn’t need to sit across from each other and discuss our favorite colors, television shows, or our majors because we’re already ingrained into each other’s lives.
He knows me, and I know him.
