Racing for Freedom

chapter Four



“You should wear red Dash, it’s cute on you.” My best friend Payton says, later that night, as we prepare for her boyfriend’s party.

“Red? I don’t know.”

“Come on, you rock red with that blonde hair.”

I smile at her and she holds up a little red number, wiggling it around and giving me a grin. Payton is quite stunning herself, with dark red hair, light blue eyes and skin like satin. She presses the dress to her body and wiggles seductively and I can’t help but laugh.

“Come on, it’ll cheer you up.”

I shake my head and snatch the dress from her hands, sliding it over my head and onto my body. I’m only in my bra and panties. I adjust it and then stare down at the material clinging to my skin. Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve worn anything but jeans and tank tops or racing tops. Payton whistles and I do a twirl. The dress doesn’t move as I spin, it’s that tight. It’s a low v cut and has little tiny diamonds in a diagonal line across my stomach, making the dress shine.

Payton squeals and pulls out a red pair of shoes. Some fancy title, I wouldn’t know, I don’t own fancy shoes. She shoves me down onto the bed and slips them on my feet. “Ah, the perfect fit, for the perfect Cinderella.”

I smile and shake my head. “You’re far too romantic.”

She grins. “I can’t help it, I’m in love!”

I sigh and roll my eyes. “Uh oh!”

She’s been with her boyfriend Dean now for six months and she’s head over heels. I’m happy for her, because he really is a nice person. One of those men that adores his lady, and is proud of everything she does. He can never say enough nice things about her. She sits beside me and takes my hand smiling at me.

“I’m so happy Dash.”

I beam at her. “I’m happy for you, Pay.”

“Alright, it’s time for us to kick this party. Do I look ok?”

I nod my head enthusiastically, she would look good in a garbage bag. “You look amazing, Dean will melt and snatch you away for a quickie as soon as he sees you.”

She giggles and flushes as though that’s a possibility. Good images for my mind. We stand and both stare at ourselves in the mirror. Payton looks gorgeous in her tight black dress, her hair swept over her shoulder. I take her hand, clutch my purse and we head out the door, shouting goodbye to her dad and mum as we do.

“Have fun girls, don’t be home too late Payton.”

“Yes mum, bye!”

We head out the front door and the air is warm, but slowly beginning to cool down. I love this time of year in Brisbane, it’s always warm.

“Ready?” Payton asks as we get into her car.

“Hell yeah, I need a break.”

“I hear Slade is back in town.”

I sigh, Payton knows Slade and I don’t like one another, but she doesn’t know why. “Yeah, he’s back and causing problems, but he won’t be there tonight, so I’m just going to enjoy a night without his taunting.”

“What about Lucas?”

“Lucas isn’t my boyfriend, Pay.”

She frowns. “I know, but I wish he was.”

I sigh. “You know why he’s not. I don’t want to hurt him. After that night we had together, I cut all ties romantically. I don’t want to break his heart Pay, he’s such a beautiful person…and I’m not.”

“You are honey, you just don’t believe it. Don’t you have any feelings for him at all?”

“It would be a lie if I said I didn’t have feelings for Lucas, but they’re just not enough. Would I be jealous if he moved on? Sure, but I also want his happiness more. I won’t give myself to someone until I know I’m fully there.”

“You’re a good person Dash, you really are.”

I take her hand and smile over at her. “Right back at you, Pay.”

We arrive at Dean’s house and I smile as we get out of the car and the warm salty wind whips my face. Dean lives right on the beach, his house literally hits the sand. He’s well off, his parents have set him up with everything anyone could ever want and more. Payton takes my hand and leads me up the front steps and into the house. It’s already packed with people. Dean often pulls out some of the best parties.

We walk into the living area, which is large, open and filled with people. There are couples kissing on the couch, people feeling each other up against walls, girls and guys sitting on the kitchen bench, chatting and drinking. I smile and walk in further, when I hear something that makes my skin crawl and my hand tighten so hard around Payton’s that she squeals and yanks it from my grips.

“Dashy, who knew you were coming…”

Slade’s voice curls over me and I shudder, god dammit, where is my luck? I turn slowly, gathering myself enough to make out like him being here doesn’t worry me in the slightest. When I set eyes on him, his gaze has dropped to my dress. Slowly, he drags his eyes up my body and meets my eyes. I’m flushed now and I can feel my lips parting slightly. God, he looks good, why does someone, that’s such an a*shole, have to be so god dammed attractive? He’s wearing a V cut racing shirt with short sleeves. His muscles bulge out the side and tense when he moves. He has a dragon tattoo running down one arm, and a racing flag on the other. How original.

I try to stop my eyes from moving down his body to take in his black jeans that do wonderful things to his legs and his heavy black boots. I quickly swing them back up to his face, when a pair of red shoes come into my vision. Ah, it’s Kandee with a K and an EE. I meet Slade’s crystal eyes and glare at him. Why the hell is he here? He doesn’t know Dean…does he? God dammit, can’t I get away from him? Everywhere I go…it’s not like we live in a small place.

“Well, if it isn’t Slade and his candy bar.”

Kandee shifts uncomfortably and flicks her hair to the side, showing off a very pretty neck. Slade grins down at me, his eyes twinkling with humor.

“Trying to hide the fact that you were checking me out with witty sarcasm?”

I cross my arms and lean against the bench. “I like your shoes, so what?”

His grin widens. “My shoes?”

“Why are you here, Slade?”

He shrugs. “A few mates were coming, I decided to join them.”

“You don’t know Dean, so you should leave.”

He leans in close and I press my back against the counter. “Do you really want me to leave, Dashy?”

I look away. “Move off me, Slade.”

“Come on Dash, can’t we even be friends?” he chuckles into my ear.

I shove his chest and he steps back laughing. I turn and slide around the bench and into the kitchen to take four shots in one hit. Then I walk out into the backyard and lean against the railing. My body begins feeling warm and tingly and I sigh with relief. Payton comes out a moment later, followed by Dean. I turn and smile at them. Dean has his arms wrapped around Payton’s middle and his blue eyes are sparkling with love.

“Hey Dash, sorry about Slade. I didn’t know he’d come,” Dean says, smiling at me.

“It’s ok Dean. I didn’t know you knew him?”

“I know a few of his friends, but no, I don’t know him as such.”

“It’s ok, it doesn’t matter.”

“Are you ok? It looked a little heated in there?” Payton asks.

I stand straight and smile, forcing myself to look ok. “Everything is totally ok, I’m going to get another drink. Great party Dean.”

I walk inside before they can answer. I slip back into the kitchen and take another drink. I’m feeling beyond light headed now and I’m thankful for that, I couldn’t deal with Slade if I wasn’t at least slightly drunk. I walk over to the table with the chips and reach into the bowl to take one. I didn’t eat dinner before I left, which was stupid on my behalf, because the shots are now turning angrily in my stomach.

“Getting drunk to deal with your loss, Dashy?”

I sigh and turn. Slade is sitting on the couch, leaning back with his arm slung casually over Kandee, who is stroking his thigh and grinning at me. Ugh. Seriously.

“Are you going to get over that anytime soon, Slade? Or are we going to hear about it for the next six years?”

He grins, and twirls a strand of Kandee’s perfect hair in his finger. “I’ll give it ten, just to make sure I’ve well and truly worn it out.”

“Do you have a nice bone left in your body?” I snap.

Dammit, now I’m snapping. Alcohol doesn’t tend to make me mellow, in fact, it has the opposite effect.

“Of course, just not for you.”

“You’re a jerk, do you know that? Why don’t you just leave?”

He laughs loudly. “Still got that hot temper? It always did get you into trouble.”

“Drop it!” I snarl, clenching my fists.

“Come on Dash, can’t we just get along? I remember once we got along very well.”

My cheeks heat and I glare at him. If he brings that up in front of everyone…

“I remember how much you once wanted me, I remember the way you moved with me when I took your…”

“Enough!” I hiss.

He laughs. “Dash, come on, nothing to be ashamed about.”

Kandee is giggling and my cheeks are heating, that night, to me was…special…horrible and life changing all in one hit. To Slade, it was no more than an easy f*ck, clearly. He puts his hands on his chest and runs them down his body, groaning.

“Slade, your body is amazing,” he mocks.

I feel my vision begin to blur with shame, my skin prickles and my body heats. He grips his own groin and groans.

“Oh god, yes, more…”

I close my eyes and they burn with unshed tears. We were best friends once, we were each other’s everything. He took my virginity. He made me believe it was real and now here he is mocking me, like I meant nothing to him. Nothing at all. I clench my fists as I watch him continue to mock me on the couch. Everyone is laughing and staring at me.

I turn my eyes towards Slade’s once more and I croak out. “What did I ever do to you Slade? I loved you, I cherished you, you were my best friend and now…now I hate you. I hope you know that. I hate you so much it burns.”

Then I turn and rush towards the door but not before I catch Slade’s shocked expression.