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What kind of man are you, Offerman?
I commit to my choice before the next beat of my pulse. I veer left, and nothing about my movement is subtle. It’s a decision, and it will either hold or not. The Tahoe is growing closer. I could slow down and try to push Alex out right now, but he’s too good. He’ll take advantage of that and swerve into me. I won’t have a choice. The only option is to hope he gives in. Even if he doesn’t, I’m not changing my plan.
We’re nearly touching, and the thought of jacking up my right side to prove how crazy I am flashes across my mind. Lots of details pass in a flash. The road so rough, vibrating my hands on the wheel and my thighs in my seat. My leg jack-knifed, knee locked as I press the pedal through the floor to take the lead. My engine roaring so loudly that the sound makes my ears feel full of cotton. Tires swerving and the stench of brakes working hard. The Tahoe in my headlights, then gone—in my taillights.
I roar the rest of the mile in a trance, blowing past the crowd honking horns as headlights light up the road where everything ends. I keep going, everything numb, the joy still behind held at bay. My mind has gone where it goes, a level that’s almost insanity but one that ensures I never lose. The rush is coming; it gurgles in the depths of my belly. The burn hits my chest.
Fists pound against the top of my steering wheel, and I press on the brakes as I let out the air in my lungs.
“Yes!” I shout, my hands letting go of the wheel as I fishtail. I grip the wheel to whip around and jerk to a stop. The smoke from my tires colors the road.
“Fuck yes!” I shout again, pounding the wheel a few more times as my eyes gloss over from adrenaline. The road ahead is a blur, the lights from the cars like one of the Impressionist paintings.
Tommy is ru
Ha My head swivels to the side and I briefly catch Ha Tommy runs his sleeve across his nose while I do the same. Mine leaves behind a streak of crimson. His eyes are wide with fury, his hair is wild, and sweat soaks his T-shirt. Beads of sweat dot his forehead too. It’s warm out but not that warm. He’s hot from nerves and anger. “Fucking careless! You could have killed her!” His voice curdles with anger. He’s right. I could have. “I’m sorry.” I shake my head, more reality seeping in. What the hell was I thinking? Tommy turns and stalks away, his hands threaded behind his head and elbows splayed. He makes it a dozen feet before spi “You drop this thing you have, whatever it is. With my sister? That’s a hard no, Dustin. You understand? N. O. Ha Ha “I understand,” I say to my friend. My arms dangle limp at my sides and I hold the stare that is meant to imprint every word on my soul. Those words were threats and rules—they were law when it comes to his sister. I didn’t only cross the line. I obliterated the line. “Alex’s cousin has your cash,” Tommy barks out. He pinches the bridge of his nose and glares down at the pavement between us. “Nice fucking race.” He turns and marches away, back into the lights to the kegs and weed that he will no doubt get lost in both to forget me and to spite me. I’ll wait and drive his ass home. Sick as it is, I can’t help the tiny smile that itches the right side of my mouth. My chest puffs with a single laugh, part exhale of stress and part appreciation. As pissed as Tommy is, he’s still in my corner when it comes to my gift. Nobody beats me. Nobody. And one day, nobody in the world will. I kick at the road a few times and breathe out all that’s left in my chest before rolling my head to my right. Ha I climb back into the driver’s seat and drape my hand over the wheel, as if we’re out for a Sunday drive. My body is poised the exact opposite of how it was only minutes ago. All of that aggression has passed. It’s like sex, driving like I do. I’m satiated. And as wrong as it was to put her through that, it also felt right. “Ha “That was the single most amazing feeling I have ever had,” she glees, cutting me off. “Ever.” My grin returns, bigger this time, and I jerk with another short laugh. “I almost got us killed.” Turning slightly in her seat, her hands release their grip on her legs. Her eyes square with mine and her gaze locks on mine for several wordless and breathless seconds. Reaching to her side, she clicks the safety belt free and lets it coil away from her body before leaning over the center console and pressing both of her hands on my burning hot cheeks. “You would never hurt me, Dustin Bridges. I know it. I trust you with my life—every . . . single . . . time.” I barely have time to unravel the mystery of her words when her lashes sweep down and kiss her cheeks as she leans in and presses her cool pink lips to mine. It’s the faintest touch, a taste of heaven and all its angels that sends a chill down my body and through every inch of my veins. She pulls back slowly, our lips almost clinging to stay co “I’ll walk back,” she says in a hushed tone, the smirk on her lips just enough to seal the mystery in place. Ha