“So did you accept his offer, or what?!” Derrick nearly blew my cover with his loud mouth when I got back to the garage.

    “No, I didn’t. Not in front of Jamie.” I knew I shouldn’t be doing this, but I convinced myself it would be for her own good too.

    “What did he put on the table?"

    “Something I couldn’t refuse. He’s got heads all in the police department. He’ll shake them off my tail and pay back that fifty he set me up for. Also, he’ll put in word for Jamie’s artwork. The kid has people everywhere.” Derrick scratched his head. What part of what I was saying didn’t make any sense to this idiot?

    “Forest, that sounds too good to be true. What do you have to put up. You know Mauve never does one way prizes.”

    “The car shop.”

    “What the hell?! You can’t be serious Forest!! You’re going to risk the car shop?!”

    “Keep it down, you fucking idiot! If I win this race, he’ll be out of my hair for good. I know I can trust his word on that. It’s the street code. He can’t break it or things will get dirty. And you know what I mean.”

    I know I was risking it all.

    I know Jamie would want nothing to do with me if I lost. But I wasn’t going to lose. And the stakes were high. Just like I liked them.

    It wasn’t just for me. I if I won, I’d get to see her stunning face smiling every day. Living her dreams. Something I never got to do. I’d do fucking anything to see that girl smile.

    “Forest, I really hope you know what you’re doing…this could get really ugly.”

    “It’ll be fine. I just need you to shut up. If she catches wind of this, it’s over.”

    “Okay, but you owe me after this.”

    Derrick was a man of his word. I could trust him. The way I saw it, this was the final time I’d be burning rubber on the 99. Once this was over, my only concern would be Jamie. If this is what I had to do to get there, so be it.

    When we finished the appointments I met Jamie in the lobby.

    She was so beautiful. Couldn’t take my eyes off of her if I tried. I walked up to her and kissed those supple lips. I could feel her smile on my face.

    “You ready to go home?”

    “Yeah, let’s go.”

    They way back home was quiet. I was lost in thought. I kept fighting with myself on whether I was making the wrong decision. I would be able to bear it if she hated me. I would never be able to look into her eyes again.

    But I wouldn’t lose. There was no way in hell.

    Every time I put my feet to the pedal, it was for my parents. I burned the roads for them. For revenge. For anger. To make it pay for taking them away from me. And now I’d do it for Jamie.

She opened the front door to the apartment and let her long hair out of a ponytail and it flowed down to her waist.

“I forgot to tell you Forest, I’m supposed to be meeting with Delvin tomorrow. They actually want me to start commissioning some artwork!”

“That’s great babe. Need me to drop you off?”

“No, I think I can make it there okay.”

I walked over to her and grabbed her waist. She was so perfect. Her slim, curvaceous body, her tight ass, her cute smile.

Damn, I was lucky.

“Did I ever tell you how fucking smoking you are.” Her face blushed cherry red and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

“I think you did, but tell me again.”

 I pulled her closer to me and whispered in her ear. “You’re fucking smoking baby.” I was rewarded with a deep kiss when I let go of her.

She did something to my senses. I was tired of controlling it. I wanted her and badly. And now I had her. Derrick said I was a fool for risking it, but what the hell did he know? I knew exactly what I was doing.

“Why don’t you go to bed bug eyes. You probably gotta get up pretty early tomorrow hmm?” Needed to call Mauve. Needed to get her out of the room.

“Yeah, you’re right. Okay, I’m off to shower. Then I’m cashing out. Later babe.”

“See yah.” I gave her ass a slap before she walked away.

I waited until I could hear the shower running to call Mauve. I walked out into the balcony where she wouldn’t see me and dialed Mauve’s number.

 

“Forest! I knew you’d get back to me. Are you ready to accept my offer?” I was so glad this would be the last time I was at the short end of the stick with this over privileged rich boy. I’d send his ass packing back home to his momma.

    “Before I co-sign anything, you need to run down the stakes again. That’s the only way this is going to proceed. Got it?”

    “Fair enough. If you win, I’ll keep the feds off of you, reimburse the fifty grand you had to put up, and I’ll put in a good word to every curator I know for your girlfriend. Everything you demanded.”

Yeah, those were some damn high stakes.

“And if I lose?” I could hear a muffled chuckle on the other side of the line. Kid has some balls.

“If you lose, I take your car and your shop. I think that’s pretty fair.”

The shop.

My pride for the last six years. The only thing that brought any joy in my life. Well, until Jamie came along. I was putting it all on the line. My final goodbye to street-racing, hopefully to walk away with a big bank.

“I agree to your terms. Same place, same time?”

“As usual. Tonight.”

“You’re on. Be prepared to lose.”

I hung up the phone and walked back inside the apartment.

Jamie was sprawled out on the bed, smelling like flowers after her shower.

If tonight was going to be the last time I saw her, I wanted to make it count.

I laid down next to her and massaged her shoulders, kissing her soft neck hidden underneath her hair. She must’ve been awake because I could her a slight moan come out of her mouth.

    I moved my hands up her thighs and grabbed her skin. Closing my eyes, I wanted to commit her body to my memory.

    “Everything okay Forest?” Her voice was tired. Sultry.

    I didn’t respond to her question. Pulling her shoulders to the other side to face me, I kissed her instead. Our tongues pushed against each other and the breath from her nostrils puffed on to my face. I stopped kissing her to look into her eyes. Those damn things that were just too distracting. Took up a third of her face too. Like a doll or something. If I never saw them again, I at least wanted to be able to picture them whenever I could.

    “Forest, why are you staring at me like that? Are you sure you’re okay?”

    “Perceptive are ya? I’m fine. Just thinking about how breathtaking you are. And you’re all mine too.” I ran my hands along her face. “To tell you the truth, I sat next to you in our homeroom class to look at you while you were distracted. Whenever you were scribbling on the table, I was looking at your face. I always thought you were beautiful.”

 She blushed and I laughed. It was cheesy but true. Been looking into her beautiful face since high school.

“I guess we always admired each other from afar. It’s funny to think about.”

“Sure is.”

A few moments of silence passed and her breath became quieter.

She fell asleep on me!

As quietly as I could, I rolled over from the bed and grabbed my keys. Derrick finished tuning up my car and said he’d leave it in my garage so I headed there.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.

I put everything on the line for this last race. Every damn thing.

Walking through the garage I could see my shining piece of sexy metal parked in the corner.

“Looks like the Subie is back in action.” I got inside and revved it up for what I knew wasn’t going to be the last time.

The roads were pitch black, faint light from the street lamps doing little to illuminate the way. It was foggy. Visibility was going to be bad. But I wasn’t worried. I had skill on my side.

I pulled up to the usual spot off highway 99 and saw Mauve there before me, for the first time ever. He was leaning on his car, that pretty sexy Mustang. Parking next to him I got out of my car. There was really no reason to say anything to him, but don’t we all just have that habit of wanting to look at shit we’ll never see again?

I do.

“You made it. Well Forest, it’s pretty foggy tonight. Hope your high beams are good.”

“Same to you kid. Don’t cry too much when you lose.” He reached out his hand and I shook it. As usual, he showed me the suitcase with the money and we flashed our pink slips. This time, I had the deed to the shop with me. I had no intention of leaving without it.

“Good luck Forest Lock.”

“Mauve, you’ve got gall. I like that. Once this is all over, why don’t you do something better for yourself. This shit is dangerous.” He looked down to the floor and I felt a bit sorry for him.

Only a bit.

Don’t get ahead of yourself.

Somehow, I could sense that the kid was just as damaged as I was at his age. Using the adrenaline of racing to make up for something lacking in his life.

“You think there’s a way for me to get out of this?” He was avoiding eye contact with me. Probably didn’t want me to think he was weak. He was just a kid, I’d go easy on him.

“Course I do. You gotta find something that makes you want to. It’s out there.” I walked back to my car and called out with my back turned to him. “Enough wasting time kid. Let’s get on with this already.” He threw a thumbs up at me and got into his car.

Last time.

My palms were sweating and my focus was concentrated ahead of me. This time, we’d get our starting signal from the green light of the highway entrance. The longest three seconds of my life.

Don’t worry Jamie, I’m coming back to you.

 

    Green.

    Zero to eighty in six seconds.

    Burnout. The smell of rubber seeping into my car through the windows that were already sealed tight. For once, Mauve was neck and neck with me. He was focused. The kid wanted to win. I was starting to think that all this time all he wanted was to prove something to me.

    Push harder. Pedal to the medal.

    I pushed my car as hard as it would go as we raced through the empty highway. Nothing five feet in front was visible, but I knew the lay of the land. There wasn’t an ounce of fear in me.

    I managed to get a bit of distance between Mauve, but he was still on my tail.

    There was one final trick I had left up my sleeve.

    NO2. Nitrous oxide.

    It was dangerous. It could either propel me forward giving me just the boost I need to when. Or, it could over exert and send me crashing into the side of the highway with all this fog.

    Who would I be if I didn’t take the chance?

    I furrowed my brows and shoved my hand down on the button as hard as I could.

    G-force probably felt a little something like this.

    I jerked forward in my car, almost slamming my chest against the steering wheel. That cough was definitely blood, though I couldn’t see anything thing. Mauve’s headlights became a small blip in my review mirror and I fought hard to keep my car from spinning out of control.

    It worked.

    I crossed our designated finish line and pulled the emergency brake as hard as I could.

    It took some time, but the car slowed to a stop and I pull over to an empty gas station off the highway. My chest was bruised. Jamie was definitely going to ask about that no doubt.

    Feeling like I’d just run a mile, I jumped out of my car to wait for Mauve.

    “So you did it huh Forest?”

    That voice.

    It didn’t sound like Mauve at all. I strained my eyes to see who was coming out of the darkness underneath the street light.

    Fucking Jamie?!

    “Jamie?!! What the hell are you doing here?” She walked up to me, and I could see Derrick walking next to her. “Derrick?!! You too?!”

    “I had to tell her man, I couldn’t leave her in the dark.”

    If I could knock him out right then and there, I would’ve. Believe me. I half expected Jamie’s face to look a lot angrier than it did. But she just looked relieved. She ran over to me and nearly pounced on me, wrapping herself around me.

    “Derrick told me everything. I’m so glad you won…I’m so glad this is the last time you’ll ever do this!!!” She squeezed me so hard I could hardly breathe.

    Last time. I promise.

    Mauve pulled up next to my car and got out, clapping his hands. His attempt at a fanfare was just as condescending as he ever was. “You won Forest. That’s it. I’m done. Here’s the money.” He handed me the briefcase with the money inside. “Here’s the pink slip. And don’t worry about the feds. I’ll scrub them off of you.”

    Seemed like the kid was true to his word.

    “Good race Mauve. Pack it up kid. Find something out there that gives you some meaning.” I pat him on the back and he rolled his eyes.

    “I’ll try. Ms. Jordan. I’ll make sure the Vox Museum opens up your display. My parents are in high places.”

    “I just want Forest back. If I know he’s safe, that’s all I need.”

    “Charming really. Forest, I’ll be on my way. I have a ride coming to get me.”

    I whispered at Jamie to wait by Derrick and I walked over to Mauve.

    “Listen Mauve, promise me you’ll get out of these streets okay? You’re too young for this life.”

    “I will. You can count on it.” Just then, a black stretch limo pulled up beside our cars and got in.

    That was the last I ever saw of Mauve.

    “I want to be so angry with you Forest! But there’s no way I can…” Jamie laughed and gave me a light slap on the chest.

    I was fucking relieved. It was finally over with.

    “Alright, how are we doing this going back home thing? We got three cars sitting here.” What a fucking haul. Not bad for a day’s work.

    “Why don’t we each drive one? That should be okay right?”

    “You sure you can handle that Mustang Jamie? It’s a big boy.”

    “Oh, I can handle it. Gimme the keys.” I handed her the keys and watched her strut away like a model.

 

    She was definitely going to be handling something else later. That’s for sure.

    

    “Alright Forest. I’m out!” Derrick gave me a pound.

    “Hey Derrick, thanks man. Thanks for telling Jamie. I owe you one.”

    “I’ll hold you told that.” He walked to his car and drove off.

    “Jamie, follow behind me.” I called out to her and she waved her hand from out the window of the Mustang. It was everything I wanted. A sexy woman and a sexy car. Dream come true.

 

***

 

“I believe we have some unfinished business then Forest.” She didn’t even wait until the door was closed before she pounced on top of me like a hungry leopard. I tore her shirt off without hesitation and ran my hands up that silky-smooth skin of hers. I grabbed her perky breasts and pinched her taut nipples. She moaned in my ear, sighing and releasing all of her air out of her lungs. I could feel the sting of her nails digging into my back. It hurt like hell, but I was too damn focused on her body.

“I don’t want soft Forest.” The words mangled their way out of her throat.

Was this a challenge or something?

Be careful what you wish for…

I worked to unfasten my belt while she threw my shirt over my head. Our hands collided awkwardly at the movement. But I didn’t care. Any way to get this shit off was alright with me. I lifted her pink skirt up her thighs and slid my fingers along her.

“Wet already huh?”

“Do something about it already!”

That nearly did me in. Something about the way she begged made me harder than a meteor. As soon as I was loose from my jeans, I plunged seven inches of driving flesh deep into her body.

Fuck, it was heaven.

She screamed wildly and I put my hand over her mouth. “No sounds from you today” She ground her hips against me as I pressed her body harder against the wall, holding her soft ass in the palms of my hands.

She wanted rough? I’d give her rough.

Her soft walls closed around me and the blood rushed to my head started spinning. It felt mind-blowing. If I didn’t stop it, something else would blow pretty soon.

I slowed the speed of my pumping against her and she moaned in irritation.

“So impatient.” I raked my teeth along her earlobe and down her chin, staring into her hazy lust filled eyes.

I moved my hips into her slowly and built up speed, hitting every nerve in her body.

Adrenaline.

That feeling that I needed, I got it in her. Her tight, addictive body. It was like a drug.

My body began to jerked and the circulation in my legs was going. It was probably painful, but I didn’t care.

I couldn’t focus on speaking. My ears were being beaten with her wild cries, which only made me go faster. I pulled her leg so far up, I wasn’t ever entirely sure she actually was that flexible. I could feel her body trembling against me.

“Oh god, Forest!!” She clenched on to my body hard, changing my angle inside her.

Why did I need to race when she’d keep my body racing? Keep my heart pumping, my skin soaked with sweat. I didn’t need any of it anymore.

Jamie was enough.     

When I couldn’t prolong it anymore, I gave her three final, disjointed spasms and nearly collapsed to the floor.

I used what little bit of energy I had left to pick her up and bring her to the bedroom, laying her on the bed gently once we were inside. I fell to the side of her and she threw her arm around my chest. It was the first time I think, that I felt happy.