Slammed by Patrick Jones

Author:Patrick Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

“Let’s go again.” Ali had been in my face the entire week for a rematch. Cal thought I should give him one; Michael said I had nothing to prove.

“Ain’t gonna happen,” I said.

“Man, you wouldn’t even be racing if it wasn’t for me,” Ali said.

“I don’t owe you anything,” I said and wiped the grease off my hands. I was under the hood of LT’s RX, getting ready to change out the fuel injector for the one he just bought.

Ali turned to Nikki, who was on his arm again. “Did DeAndre tell you all I taught him when he started to hang here?” Nikki kind of shrugged. I’d told her my version of the story—that LT and his crew helped continue my education under the hood after my dad died. I was sure Ali had his own version. “Answer me!” he yelled.

Nikki flinched, and she started to walk away. He grabbed her by the wrist, hard. Pain shot across her face.

“Where are you going?” Ali shouted.

“Let her go,” I said. I stared at her skinny arms covered with welts and bruises.

“Stay out of this, DeAndre. She’s not yours now, she’s mine.”

“She doesn’t belong to you.” I knocked Ali’s hand off Nikki’s wrist, which allowed her to run out of the garage. I started to follow, but Ali grabbed my shoulder.

“You wanna go?” He bumped his chest against mine, even though he was about two inches shorter than me. As he jammed his finger into my shoulder, I knocked his hand away.

“Ali, DeAndre, enough!” LT shouted as he wheeled up closer. Even though LT was seated, it seemed like he towered over Ali.

“Whatever you say,” Ali said in the tone of a spoiled child.

“I’m out.” I wiped my hands and walked out the door. Nikki stood by the street.

“You okay?” I asked her, keeping my distance. I never asked her why we ended. I figured if she wanted me to know, she’d say something. I learned when my dad died, you can fight ’em all you want, but if you don’t accept the losses, you just lose yourself.

“I’m fine. I should go,” Nikki said quietly.

“I’d give you ride, but my Civic’s impounded until I get some cash. Lot of cash.”

She stared at the street; I took a step closer. “Sorry, about that,” she said. “About everything.”

“Well, don’t be saying the same thing to Ali. He should treat you better.”

She shrugged, and her voice turned defensive. “You don’t know what he’s really like. He’s so sweet to me,” she said, softening. “He loves me.” I could tell she believed what she was saying. But when I saw her start wiping tears, I headed back inside.

“Ali, I’ll race you again, but only with some serious stakes.”

“Problem with that, DeAndre, is you got nothing to lose. Nor do I,” Ali said, all casual.

I looked at LT, Cal, Michael, and again at LT. Once my dad died, these people became my family and racing became my life. But where had that got me? Maxey and a broken heart.

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