Racing for Freedom

chapter Three





The race track is fairly empty when we arrive. It’s not a scheduled race, more of a practice to gather our best times, so only the sponsors and VIP’s come down. When Lucas pulls up, I slide out of the car and pull my sunglasses down over my eyes. Lucas takes my hand and we begin walking towards the group of people standing by the four cars that are ready to race. When I see my manager and friend, John, I smile. He walks over smiling at me.

“How are you feeling today, Dash?”

“Good, ready to kick Slade’s ass.”

He chuckles and stares back over at the group of people. “He’s got a cheer squad.”

I peer over and see Slade standing in a pair of jeans and a black and white racing shirt. He’s surrounded by women and one in particular catches 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 f*ckin’ 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 car surges forward, purring, wanting to be let go. Ah, I love the big girl. I change the gears quickly, picking up speed. I don’t focus on any of the other cars around me unless they come too close, I focus on driving. I pull around a corner, remembering my father’s words. Always focus on where you’re going, look at the end of the corner, not at the start and the car will go with you.

I pick up speed and I feel that surge of adrenaline run through me. I take her for six good laps, and then we begin our preparation lap where we warm up the tires on the car, to give them better traction for the final race. We surge forward and backwards, the cars hopping like little frogs as we heat the tires. When they’re heated and the race is ready to go, we get lined up on the grid. I’m behind Slade, he’s first as always. I swallow and stare at the back of his blue and white car. Number ‘57’ and well known in the racing world.

I hold down the clutch and rev the engine, readying myself for take-off. Everyone clears off the track and my eyes focus solely on the road in front of me. I grip the steering wheel at three and nine, which I find gives me better control, and I prepare myself for the lights to change. I watch one light come on the set, then two and then three. I release the clutch and the car surges forward, the back tires skidding just a touch.

I’m off and am second on the inside, Slade holds the inside lane and my car soon moves up next to his. I watch the corners ahead, changing gears and picking up speed. Slade is good with corners, and it’s definitely his advantage. He knows how to take them at high speeds, where as I haven’t got that down yet. When we come to the first bend, I lay off the accelerator and begin turning the corner. Then I focus on the end of the corner and put my foot back on the gas and the car slides out of the corner with ease. Slade is just up ahead, so I kick the car down a gear and bring it up next to his. We remain side by side until the third corner and the one I can’t seem to get right.

Slade slides around it with ease, his car clearly taking the bend. Not wanting to lose the race, and letting my pride get the better of me, I don’t slow down. The first part I manage, but then I realize I have gone too far out. I begin losing traction and make the fatal mistake of slamming the breaks on, when I nearly take out the car beside me. My car spins out of control, doing a full three sixty and skidding to a stop on the grass beside the race track. I slam my hands on the wheel and curse, idiot! I’m an idiot!

John rushes over and soon my door is being flung open. I get out and pull my helmet off, tossing it on the ground beside me with a curse. The paramedics check me over, but I’m so dammed ashamed, I shove them away. After a lot of arguing, they get me to sit down while they check me over. How could I be so dammed stupid? I was trying to be better than him and I flunked out. If I don’t get my act together, I won’t even make it into the championships.

“Are you hurt?” John asks.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Come on, the boys will get your car. Come and sit down.”

John leads me across the track to where everyone is standing. Lucas rushes over and grips my face, turning it from side to side as he inspects my skin for damage. Then he sighs and pulls me into his arms.

“Are you ok, Dash?”

I nod into his shoulder. “I’m ok, just a little shaken up.”

I notice Slade staring at me when I look over Lucas’ shoulder. Our eyes meet and he doesn’t look cocky, even though I was sure he would. He looks worried.

“Are you hurt, Dash?” he asks.

I hold Slade’s gaze, but before I can answer anything, I hear another voice that has me shuddering. I let go of Lucas and take a deep breath.

“Ah, Dasha, I see nothing has changed. Still hot headed?”

I turn to see Slade’s father Michael grinning at me. I hate him. I’ve always hated him. He never liked Slade and I getting along when we were younger, even though he never knew the extent of our friendship. A few glances and giggles on the track, was enough for him to build a hate against me and make sure I struggled to ever have a win. He’s evil, in its purest form.

“Where’s Colby? What? Doesn’t he even come to watch his own daughter race anymore? Is that how important you are to him? You could die out here but he’s too busy drinking himself into a stupor.”

I flinch and turn my eyes to the ground, don’t let him get to you Dash. Don’t let him in.

“Dad!” Slade snaps.

I hear Michael curse silently at him, and then turn back to me. I still haven’t looked up.

“Nothing to say Dasha? That’s ok, a loser knows when it’s all over. Best you walk away now.”

I snap my head up and my words seethe from my lips. “I will never give up, he might have given up and I might be on my own, but it will take more than a few cruel words to get me off this track, Mr. Devaroe. Good day.”

I take Lucas’ hand and I walk off, not looking back. God, this is going to be a long…long few months.