Racing for Freedom - By Bec Botefuhr Page 0,5

my eye. She’s blonde, skinny and has boobs that are pretty much busting out of her tiny red top. She’s holding his hand and running her hands all over him. Slade has a girl now? Why is my chest clenching? I hate that after three years, he still makes my heart feel like it’s being wrenched from my chest.

“Well, let’s get this over with.” I mutter.

We walk across the dirt track and stop at the group of people. Slade looks over at me and his eyes scan my body, causing shivers to run up my spine. I hate when he looks at me like that, and then runs his tongue over his bottom lip. It gives me tingles right to my core.

“Dashy, you made it.”

“Yes, I did. How’s your groin?” I smirk.

The blonde girl grips his arm and slides her hand over his chest. “Oh, his groin is just fine.”

I glare at her. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“Dashy, this is my girlfriend Kandee.”

“That’s Kandee with a K and EE,” she adds in with a smile.

I snort. “It doesn’t matter how you spell it, you’re still named after a sweet treat.”

“Well, I think it’s wicked that she’s named after something sweet, firm and fuckin’ yummy.” Slade grins, sliding his tongue over his bottom lip and grinning down at her. Ugh, mega jerk.

“Depends how you look at it,” I add, “I think of it more like something that tastes nice for a moment, but then it turns to shit and gets disposed of like old trash. The thrill is really only there for what? Two minutes?”

Kandee gapes at me and Slade’s grin widens. Lucas snorts a laugh and John chuckles, but attempts to cover it with a cough.

Slade takes the taunt with a grin, like he always does. “I look forward to racing my hot headed little mate once more.”

“I hope you look forward to losing too,” I scoff.

“Oh, I won’t lose baby and you know it.”

I glare at him, he simply smiles that charming smile at me. I shake my head and look away.

“What, no witty comeback?”

I turn and my eyes narrow. “I don’t want to waste my breath on someone like you, Slade, it’s not worth my time.”

I turn and walk off, heading towards my car with a new determination. I won’t let him beat me, not this time.

“Dash!”

Lucas is calling me, but I’m not listening. I get to my car, it’s red and white, my favorite colours. The number along the side is ‘77’, also a favorite of mine and my father’s. My car has a blown engine, which in the racing world, means supercharged. It’s the only advantage I have. Slade’s car is top notch and has handy little things that mine doesn’t. He can take me easily in the first ¼ mile, but I usually catch him once my car kicks to life.

I get into the car and Lucas grips my hand just as I’m pulling on my helmet. “Dash, you’re mad, it’s not safe to race when you’re so angry.”

I look up at him. “I’m fine, I have to do this Luke.”

He looks at me painfully. “Don’t let him get to you.”

I force a smile on my face. “I’m ok, thank you.”

John appears in the open door space when Lucas steps back, and stares down at me. “Dash, are you sure you’re up for this?”

“I’m fine, John.”

“I know I can’t stop you, but think with your head and not your heart out there today. Slade’s in a mood now, and he’s as determined as you are. Let him take the first ¼ mile, you know he takes off quickly and it’s his weakness. Let him get cocky, let him think he’s won and then you plant it.”

I nod, pulling my helmet down. They shut the door and I start the car. It rumbles beneath me and I sigh, feeling my body relax. It’s the only thing that ever makes me feel ok. The three other drivers, including Slade, are all lined up and ready to go. I focus on the three lights in front of me, not bothering to look anywhere else but where I have to go. My fingers are curled around the steering wheel and I’m ready to prove that I can do this.

John gives the go ahead and we each begin the warm up laps. John and Slade’s manager Leo, take all the times to find out where we are set up on the starting grid. I release the clutch and my