Racing for Freedom

chapter Twenty Four





We stand on the sidewalk in silence for long moments.

“You have to choose Dash,” Lucas says. “I can’t keep living like this.”

“There is no choice, Lucas,” I whisper. “I have never led you on, I’ve always been honest with you. I’ve always told you we can’t be more than friends. It hasn’t changed. I love you and you’re my best friend. I don’t want to lose you but I can’t be with you. That’s not saying I can be with Slade either, but Slade and I are a whole different story. I can’t be caught between this.”

Lucas looks hurt. “If that’s what you want…”

“Lucas, come on, you know I don’t want to hurt you. I can’t give you what you want, you deserve so much better. I don’t love you, how you want me to. You have to move on from me, you have to find someone who loves you as much as you love them.”

“I’m not good enough for you,” he whispers, then jabs a thumb at Slade. “But he is?”

“I didn’t say that,” I cry. “Stop putting words into my mouth.”

“That’s enough, it’s time to stop this. She said she doesn’t want you like that, move on and stop being so damned pathetic,” Slade growls at Lucas.

Lucas spins around and before I realize what’s happening, he drives a fist into Slade’s face.

“You’re the reason she’s f*cked up. You’re the reason she won’t love. You don’t get to tell me when to move on!” Lucas roars.

“Slade don’t!” I cry when I see Slade spin around and glare at Lucas. I know that look.

Slade storms past me and I try to grip his hand but miss. Slade swings and hits Lucas straight in the nose, I hear the sickening crack as Lucas’ head falls backwards and he stumbles into a nearby fence. Slade leaps at him and I scream, rushing after him.

“SLADE! LUCAS!”

Slade drives a fist into Lucas’ face again and blood spurts out of his nose. I leap forward, trying desperately to stop them. I grip Slade’s arm but he just shakes me off and drives another punch. Shit, this is getting bad, fast.

“STOP!” I cry.

Lucas manages a hit and Slade’s head swings to the side.

“You don’t deserve her, you’re nothing but gutter trash!” Lucas growls.

“She doesn’t want you, get over it and move on. Are you so pathetic that you can’t take a hint? Face it, mate, it wasn’t you that she was just moaning for.” Slade spits.

I reach down and grip Slade’s arm just as Lucas’ blindly swings. His fist connects with my jaw and I stumble backwards with a scream. Both men stop fighting and stare over at me, both have blood trickling from their noses and lips. I grasp my face in shock. I know Lucas didn’t mean that, and by the look on his face he’s shocked.

“Dash…oh god,” he begins.

“You know what,” I hiss. “Kill each other, I’m done.”

I turn and rush off, pulling my phone from my bag. I dial the one person I know will help me.

“Payton, can you come and get me?”