Chapter 9

The present

Emma's POV:

Placing both hands on my steering wheel, I smirk to myself and glance out of my side mirrors at the other drivers, trying to intimidate them. 

If I'm nervous, they all have to be too. 

A tapping on my window draws my attention to the person standing just outside of my car. I put down my window to hear what he has to say.

"Just relax and try to keep a clear head throughout," JT advises me, choosing to give me a pep talk just before the race. "Remember to round corners with ease but still at a suitable pace. Use nitrous only when straight-lining. Don't ever get too confident. Keep alert."

"Thanks, JT," I say, already feeling less anxious.

He nods. "Make those wheels spin faster than they've ever spun before." He winks at me in jest, "I want to see smoke."

"Well, she's already smoking," Xavier flirts with me from beside Jay, "so, it should be easy for her."

JT, Grey, and Xave won't be participating in the race today. They've both already made 'Street Championships'. Lan and Dean only race tomorrow, that's if my brother's dumb friend even bothers to show up.

Seeing Xavier before my race gives me a major boost in my confidence. I don't know even know why. All I know is that I really want first place. When you race to win, second place and third place stop being good enough.

"See you guys at the finish line," I say and grin at the two before sliding my window back up, my gaze straying back to the tracks ahead.

I've got this!

Landon, as if reading my mind, grins and flashes me a thumbs-up from the sidelines. "You've got this, Ems!" he hollers loudly.

I love my doofus, temperamental brother. He's the best.

I shake off my surroundings and get into 'race mode'. It's time to focus.

The woman in the short skirt lifts up the checkered flag and then suddenly drops it.

I slide the heel of my boot flat against the accelerator, amping up as much speed as I possibly can, before taking off. I race swiftly ahead, my blood pumping as my nerves kick in again. 

It's time I rely on instinct rather than logic. Seeing as it's just straight streets ahead, I apply nos, boosting me right up into third place. Unfortunately, Joe currently has first place and Geezer, second place.

I frown. Every damn time I try to pass, Geezer shifts to block me. To top it off, I have people behind me busy gaining on me.

Screw it!

When the next turn comes, I prepare myself.

Geezer and Joe stick to the outer rim as they take on the sharp curve, both playing it safe. They both slow down slightly in the process too, leaving a gap open for me. 

I'll admit, going at high speeds along the inner rim of sharp turns is extremely dangerous. One could easily lose control and go skidding off the track completely. However, going along the inside of the curve at a high speed also knocks down a lot of seconds on your lap times. 

You're never a true racer until you overcome the fear of high speed.

When in doubt, throttle it out.

I take the chance and keep at full speed as I race along the inner rim of the sharp curve, all the while maintaining full control of my car.

Joe, furious with how quick I caught up, tries to push me off the road again. I swerve, dodging her with much effort. Instead, she ends up bumping into Geezer. 

I can't say Geezer doesn't deserve it. This is what he gets for saying that girls can't race. 

I almost burst out laughing when I finish taking on the curve, only to find myself way ahead of both Geezer and Joe.

That risky move just bought me the lead.

I use nos, yet again, when entering back on a straight, furthering the gap between me and the two losers behind me. I've practically got this in the bag now.

I cross the finish line in a flash, not bothering to slow down. I'm too elated.

The crowds roar in excitement when I take off my helmet and step out of my GT. I raise my fist in the air and summon more cheering.

"Talk about overkill," Landon chuckles before fist-bumping me. "You always overdo it," my brother grins down at me, just as happy as me. "You're a typical sore Kitler winner. Pride is in your blood," he winks at me before offering me a side hug. "Proud of you, Sis."

"Guess who's joining us for the championships?" JT smiles and pats me on the back. "Congratulations, Emma. I knew you could do it."

"I know your secret to winning now, JT. You'd better watch out," I tease him, riding cloud nine.

"Yeah, I saw you take that turn like a pro." Jay smirks, "Good luck perfecting it."

I pout. "Don't drop the student now." I still have so much to learn from him and others.

Jay grins good-naturedly. "I'll think about it." 

He leaves to go find Grey and my brother.

"You won!" a voice calls from behind me. "Attagirl!"

"That I did," I turn and nod at Xave. "Why so surprised? Do you have no faith in me?" I interrogate him, just messing around with him.

Xavier scoffs in pure amusement. "Please, I put all my faith in you." He looks over at Ink, Joe's boyfriend, "Sixty dollars, my friend. Bets were placed and Joe lost." 

I gape at the sight. Xavier actually gambled on me winning? 

Xavier is in no need of money, so, why would he make the bet? 

I tear my eyes off of Xavier, only to see the sour expression blotted on Ink's face. He lost the bet. Ink's always been quite a shady character. He seems unsavory. We don't talk very often but Xavier seems to like him enough.

Xavier takes the money from a bitter-faced Ink before throwing a loose arm around my shoulders, drawing me to his side in pride. "My girl kicked your girl's ass," he tells Ink boastfully. "Make your wagers more carefully, next time."

I shiver slightly at the reference to being called 'his girl.' It's flattering and I find myself flustered -- I always do whenever he gets too close to me.

Joe walks over to me next. Her infuriated face makes me come to my senses. I quickly push out of Xavier's grasp as Joe directs her words solely at me:

"Nice racing, props to you, but don't keep your chin up, I'll take you down in Championships," she assures me, confidence oozing out of her while her words drip in sheer determination.

"You can try," I manage to muster out, keeping a steady gaze locked on her.

Xavier cracks a grin when he sees a mopey Geezer slowly passing by -- I'm assuming he never made Championships.

Xavier, being Xavier, milks Geezer's loss and rubs it in, adding salt to the wound. "You alright there 'Care Bear' or do you want some aloe vera for that burn you sustained when the two chicks you were mocking, just moments before the race, both trashed your ass?"

Geezer stops walking to glower at Xavier.

Xavier nudges me subtly, motioning for me to say something.

"What?" I glance Geezer's way. "Is my leather jacket intimidating you, or is it the boots?" I mock him.

Speechless, Geezer growls flatly before storming off in the opposite direction.

"I can take them off if you want!" I call after him, trash-talking him like he'd done to Joe and me before the race.

"You can take off more than that if you want," Xavier winks down at me suggestively.

I roll my eyes at him. "Please, I'm way out of your league," I joke and begin walking away.

Xavier follows after me, matching my steps. "Nope, I think I'm just in your league," he argues. "I'm hot, you're average, we're practically soulmates."

"Soulmates my ass," I retort back stubbornly.

"It's a fine ass, I'll admit." His eyes travel south on their own accord.

I swat him on his chest to gain his attention again. He has such a short attention span. It's ridiculous.

"So, listen..." Xavier changes the subject, "you and me, me and you, we're both free tomorrow, so, how about it, huh?" he concludes overconfidently as if I'm just supposed to get it.

Fortunately for him, I do get the gist of it.

I give him a deadpanned stare. "Is that your way of asking me out on a date?" I quiz, curious.

"That depends, is that your way of finally saying 'yes'?"