Racing for Freedom

chapter Eighteen





“Dash, you need to be on your game today.” John says, as I slide into my car later that afternoon.

“I know John, I won’t stuff up again.”

“No, you won’t.”

I glare at him and he puts his hands up. “Don’t glare at me, I’m your manager and I’m doing the best I can to help you out.”

I sigh and force a smile. “I know John, thank you.”

“Ok, so remember to go easy on those corners. Stop worrying about beating Slade, instead, worry about getting a good time. It’s the time that counts because you need it to get into the state championships, and if you get a good score in that, you go to the top.”

I swallow and nod, staring out the front of my car. I can do this. John closes my door and I roar the engine to life in preparation for the warm up laps. When the lights flicker, I begin taking my car around the track in the normal warm up process. Slade’s car is in front of me, and he’s following his usual warm up routine too. I turn my eyes back to the track and focus on my race and my race alone.

When we’ve warmed the tires, I line up in my usual second spot. As always, Slade got better times than me. When the lights go off, I drop my clutch and lurch forward. The car grumbles angrily and I curse myself for letting that clutch go so quickly. I pick up my game and slide through the gears as I gain speed. I don’t even look at Slade’s car, I just focus on the road ahead of me. Nothing else matters but that road.

When the first corner approaches, I remember my father’s words and I lower my speed going into it, and pick up my speed going out. It works and I smoothly slide around the corner. Feeling adrenaline pump through my veins, I pick up my speed, determined. I pass the second and third corner with ease, and when I reach the fourth I slide around it beautifully. We’re only doing five laps today, and by the fifth I have the corners down perfectly.

One the last corner of the last lap, I focus all my attention on getting it right. I whizz around and sail out the other side with ease. When I see that finish line, I focus on nothing else. With all my will power, I keep my car in line, my hands tremble as I get closer and closer, knowing I’m the first car. Knowing I’m the winner. When I pass it, a squeal of excitement leaves my throat. I slow the car and come to a stop, and then I leap out.

Slade was over the line seconds after me, but it didn’t matter. I won, I won fair and square. Lucas is running towards me and with a scream I leap onto him, wrapping my legs around his waist and screaming happily. He cheers and laughs as he spins me around. When he lets me go, John takes me into his arms and whoops happily.

“Girl, you kicked ass!”

“I won!” I squeal.

I turn and look over at Slade, who is standing against the sidelines, being yelled at by Michael. I narrow my eyes and watch as Michael gets in his face, snarling and cursing. Slade looks…almost scared. His usual arrogance isn’t around and he’s nodding with his head lowered.

“Dash?”

I hear my name and turn back to Lucas and John with a smile.

“I’m so happy.”

“You did good kid,” John grins, patting me on the back. “Don’t forget the formal dinner on Saturday night.”

“I won’t, thanks John.”

He smiles at me once more. “Your dad would be proud.”

Then he leaves and I lose my smile. My first win and my dad isn’t here to see it. I lower my eyes to the ground and Lucas grips my arms.

“He’s missing out, but I’m here and you did great.”

I smile and look up at him. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t we go to lunch and celebrate?”

“Sure, I’ll head home and get changed, and then I’ll meet you at Denny’s?”

“Sure.”

He hugs me once more and then leaves. I walk over to my car and lean against it, proud of what I’ve achieved.

“Don’t get used to it, Dasha.”

I turn when I hear Michael’s voice. Slade is standing behind him, staring at me but his expression isn’t awful or cunning, it’s full of pride.

“Can’t take it that your son lost to a girl?” I say, standing and facing him.

“It was once, it won’t happen again.”

“We’ll see.”

“Where’s your daddy, can’t even come to watch his daughter race?”

I swallow but stand my ground. “Your taunts won’t work, I’m not going to lose my game.”

“We’ll see about that.”

He walks off and I stare at Slade as he goes past. He stops and turns, looking at me over his shoulder.

“Good Race, Dashy.”

Then he follows his father off and leaves me standing with a warm, but broken heart.