Presley

 

“Why won’t you tell me where we’re going?” I slap Jodi’s hand out of the way as she tries to fold my skirt under another inch.

“The fun answer is because everyone loves a surprise.”

“And the real answer?” I ask, tugging the skirt down.

“Because I know if I tell you where we’re going, you won’t go, and then you’ll miss out and regret it. So really, I’m just saving you from a lifetime full of regret and giving you a surprise. Win-win.”

“A lifetime full of regret, huh?”

“Yep, I’m a good friend like that.” I eye her suspiciously. To be honest, all I really want to do is put on my pjs and fall asleep listening to music, but whatever it is she’s planning, she probably shouldn’t be going alone.

“Fine, I’ll go, but I’m not wearing this outfit. I will wear jeans and a t-shirt. And we have to stop at Cast Iron on the way for an iced tea.”

“Your tight black jeans and your vintage Metallica shirt with the red tank. And I get to do your makeup.”

“Okay, but I’m wearing my boots, not heels.”

“Deal. But let’s hurry, we’re meeting some friends there.”

We grab our jackets and take off. Jodi drives and I get more and more suspicious the further out we go. We pass through the main city and out to some back country roads.

“Are you lost?” I know she can see how nervous I am, but she just smiles and waves it off.

“Relax and drink your tea, girl. I got you.”

We pull up to what looks like bumper to bumper traffic upon first glance. Then I realize that all these cars are stopped and parked along the narrow back road. There’s got to be at least twenty cars out here and people walking around and hanging out. Someone has a sound system in their trunk, actually several people do, and they are blaring loudly. This is no set of Fast and the Furious but it looks suspiciously like an illegal race.

“Jodi, what is this?” I hiss directly into her ear.

“A street race. Come on. I see Dee.” Not phased in the least by my reaction, she drags me over to where her small group of friends stand. Dee is the only one I know. She’s one of Jodi’s good friends but she is a Kappa, so we don’t see her in the dorm or dining hall.

“Hey guys, this is Presley. Pres, this is Rebekah, her boyfriend T.J., Stephanie, and these handsome devils are Twiggy and Shaz.”

“Hey,” I lamely say. I feel so out of my comfort zone, I’ve never been to anything like this before and it looks like I’m the only one. A few people are standing around grabbing soda and beer out of a cooler. Small groups are gathered talking, but there are several guys further down that are setting up what look like road blocks. I see a table set up off to the side with a bunch of scanners and stuff.

“Do you come here a lot? Isn’t this illegal?” I whisper in Jodi’s ear. I hate to be a killjoy, but this is far out of my comfort zone. I have always been solidly in the goody-goody category.

“Relax, girl, we aren’t racing or anything, just watching. And yes, it is, but Dee’s boyfriend Jay sets these up. See those scanners and equipment over there? That’s to let them know where the cops are. The racers are usually the same, they just go to different spots that Jay sets up and then informs everyone online. Rebekah’s boyfriend races a lot too, and they’ve never had any trouble, so chill.”

One of the guys she introduced me to earlier comes over and puts his arm around her. I think his name was Twiggy.

“So, you lovely ladies going to place a bet? All bets close in five.”

“Who’s racing tonight?” Jodi looks in her purse; I’m guessing it’s to see how much cash she has. I’ve never been one to bet and I don’t think I’ll start now.

“Caden is racing your boy here, so I know you want to be laying down some money on me.”

“We’ll see about that. Who else?”

“That deaf guy Barrett is racing some new guy named Miles.”

“I’ve never heard of Miles, but that deaf guy is amazing.”

“Yeah, brother can drive, that’s for sure. I’ve never heard of Miles either, but he comes with cash, so he’s in.”

“Okay, put $20 on the deaf guy for me.” She digs the bill out of her purse and hands it over.

“Oh, you wound me, girl. No faith in your man at all.”

“Please, Twiggy, the day you are my man is the day you win a race.”

“Ouch. Careful around this one,” Twiggy says to me. “She’s got ice in her veins.” He takes the money and goes to the next group.

“Just wait until you see this guy race, Pres, it’s amazing. He’s never been beat any of the times I’ve been.”

“Hmm,” is all I reply, feeling completely out of place.

“Wait a minute, don’t you know sign language? You should totally go talk to him. That’s his car there.” She points out something up ahead that I can barely make out.

“I know some ASL from high school but I never used it much until I started my fieldwork. I don’t feel comfortable enough to just walk up and start bugging the guy.”

“Come on, I’m sure he’d love it. Oh wait, it looks like it’s starting. Our guy is up first, this should be awesome, let’s watch.” She pulls my hand and we join all the others on the sidelines. Jay listens in to something on his head phones and then gives the okay to Dee. She walks up to the starting line where the two cars are waiting. I can’t get a good look at either driver since both car windows are tinted. I know absolutely nothing about cars, so all I can say is one is an older looking black car and the other is a newer white car. It could be a Mustang, but I don’t know for sure.

Dee throws her hands up in the air, and then down again, and they’re off. The black car takes off smooth like a shot. The white car peels out and you can tell he isn’t as seasoned a driver. His car is fast, but based on the way it swerves in and out, he doesn’t know how to control it very well.

“Which one is your guy?” I know before she answers it must be the black car. She confirms by pointing at it.

“The man can drive, can’t he?”

“I can’t believe how smooth he’s going at that speed. Look at the other car.” I point to the white car that is still having a hard time staying straight. He gets closer to the black car now and I hold my breath that he doesn’t run him off the road, which is exactly what it looks like he’s about to do. He comes at the back-left tire and you can hear the intake of gasps all around. He makes contact and the other driver seems to lose a bit of control for a moment, but quickly regains control of the car and the lead.

A loud shout and cheers are made when the black car pulls ahead at the end. Jodi is jumping up and down and chatting with Rebekah. I’ve got to admit, as freaked out as I was to be here, that was pretty exciting to watch. I’ve never thought of car races before as exciting…but then again, I guess there’s a difference between actually being here and watching a little car on T.V. drive in circles.

“Next race, drivers take your mark,” Dee shouts out. The two cars who just finished racing make their way back. The door to the black car opens and I get my first glimpse of the driver. What was the phrase Jodi said last week about the maintenance guy? The best-looking man she’s ever seen up close? Well, I’m pretty sure this guy would have him beat by a mile. I watch as he opens the door and swings his long legs out. He gracefully stands and looks around. He is thin, but powerfully built. His height alone is impressive, but when he looks my way, I about swallow my tongue.

Blue isn’t even the right word to describe his eyes. Siberian husky blue, is the first thought I have. That’s it. His eyes are the same color as a Siberian husky; sharp, piercing blue. Like he can steal your soul and devour your secrets with one glance. His eyes look just as keen and knowing as the wolf dog’s as he scans the crowd.

“Girl, did you hear me? We have to jet now!”

“What?” I ask, looking at Jodi like I was just brought out of a trance.

“I said we need to go now, the scanners picked up activity. The cops will be here soon. A lot of the others are going to risk it so they don’t lose their bets, but it’s not worth it, let’s go.”

“Okay.” I follow, and then mid-step, I stop.

“Come on, chica, I seriously am not about to get arrested—not for this, anyway.”

“The deaf guy,” I hate referring to him like that, but I can’t remember his name. “Did he come with anyone?”

“His brother is usually always with him, but now that you mention it, I haven’t seen him tonight.” She scans the crowd looking for him, but comes up short.

“I need to tell him. I doubt many others can sign…can I run over real quick?”

Of course, the scanners choose this moment to start picking up and I don’t miss the panic that crosses Jodi’s face. She’s torn, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep not knowing if anyone told him what was happening. I can’t imagine not being completely aware of my surroundings.

“You go. I’ll have him give me a ride, I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“Seriously?”

“I don’t have any other ideas. You need to go, and I won’t leave not knowing if he understands. Seriously, just go, I’ll be fine.” She looks torn, but kisses my cheek fast, and then takes off toward the car. I don’t waste any time running over to the boy who clearly has no clue what’s going on. By the panic on some of the faces and people fleeing, he can tell something is up, and I can’t help but hurt for him when I see the fear break out. His face is pinched, as if he’s willing himself to understand.

I don’t waste any time with pleasantries. I run right up to him and tap his shoulder. He spins around looking shocked when I jump right into signing. I’m really not that good at it, I only know a bit from a while ago, and more recently from some of the DHH kids I do fieldwork for, but I know enough to get the point across.

“Cops come. Need leave. Now,” I add as an afterthought, but when he turns and heads toward his car I’m glad he got the gist of it at least. I don’t take the time to ask for a ride, I just jump in the passenger seat, which completely shocks him, I can tell. To his credit, he doesn’t take the time to ask me what I’m doing, he just starts the car, checks his mirrors, and peels out. He drives a different way than we took to come here, and for a moment I panic that I just got into a car with a complete stranger and have no clue where I’m going. I’m banking on the good karma I hopefully received for getting stranded so I could save him. I just hope it’s enough so I don’t get killed. I’ve been told I have a face like a glass house, saying I can never hide my emotions, which prove to be right when he taps my arm.

“Safe you.” He signs one handed…at least I think he was signing safe…without the other hand it could really be anything, although I take great comfort in the fact that if he was signing stab, his hand would have gone the other direction. We drive in silence for several miles and I never really noticed how awkward silence can be before. Especially with a stranger. I actually open my mouth several times to fill the awkward void only to realize how stupid I’m being and then shut it. Here I am sitting next to the hottest guy I’ve ever seen up close and I look like a freaking baby bird opening and closing my mouth.

This is shaping up to be quite the freaking night. I never should have listened to Jodi. Then again, after I look at the driver on my left, I can’t exactly say I regret it either.