Page 17 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Izzy

Present

“Izzy,” Xavier says bringing me out of my memory of that day. I never got to wear my helmet and a touch of sadness envelopes me.

I pull my hair back and put my helmet on. It’s still a perfect fit. I climb into Xavier’s car. My hands are shaking from nerves as I start the car. It’s been over five years since I raced on a dirt track and I hope I still have what it takes.

The car fires to life under my hands and I close my eyes, channeling all my focus on the beast I’m in control of. I calm my breathing down and I back up. I shift into first.

His Super Late Model UMP purrs under my feet, the 800+ horsepower and the Chevy big-block engine come to life, rumbling under my feet, as I make my way to the track.

The sleek narrow fenders and low scoop hood make the car fly around the track.

I reach the entrance and take a deep breath.

I start near turn four and focus on the dirt under my wheels and the machine I am in control of, instead of the scorched wall from my dad’s accident.

I give the car a little gas, making it bark, begging me to go fast. I smoothly shift from first to second. When I reach the straightaway between turn four and one, I give it more gas and shift gears smoothly.

The shaking in my hands lessen, the familiar pull of the track hums through my body, as I rev the car up and shift again. I reach turn one and brake lightly. I downshift, turn the wheel hard to the left and give it some gas.

I drift around turn one and two, giving it more gas, shifting faster and harder. I have the car at top speed when I reach the middle of the straightaway between turns three and four.

Everything I’ve dealt with since Mia’s call fades away. The only thing I’m focused on is the dirt under my wheels, the purring of the engine under my feet, and the control I need, under my hands.

I brake lightly again, downshift and crank the wheel hard to the left, giving it more gas.

The wheels squeal around the turns, dirt flying up from behind me, the engine protesting the strain and I pull out of it smoothly.

I continue around the track two more times, bringing the car to top speed and drifting around each corner in perfect precision.

Freedom and adrenaline at my fingertips, strumming through my body.

After my third lap around, I slow the car down and pull into the middle of the track. I turn the car off and get out. I remove my helmet and Xavier is next to me, a smile lighting up his beautiful face, his dimple I love making an appearance.

I grin back and take a deep breath, willing my beating heart to slow down. “God that felt so good."

I felt free and light for the first time in a long time and I know what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to race every weekend, with the man I love by my side, cheering me on.

“You did great B! It’s like it never left you." There’s a glint of excitement in Xavier’s eyes. “Do you want to race next weekend?"

My smile falls from my face. “I can’t. My car isn’t ready.” A hint of sadness in my voice. I would do anything to get back onto the track.

I look at Xavier and he has a huge grin on his face. “What are you grinning for?" I ask him, confused.

“I have a surprise for you. I wasn’t sure if you were ready, but watching you just now, you’re ready.”

I drive his car back and together we load it into his trailer. I’ve asked him several times what’s the shit-eating grin for, and he refuses to answer me, pissing me off.

A little while later we’re at his garage, three places down the road from my house. I get out of the driver's side of his truck, towing his car and he pulls his Dodge Charger up and parks next to me. Xavier gets out and comes up to me. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, kissing my forehead.

“Are you ready?" He asks.

I nod my head even though I’m confused as fuck, as he leads me towards his garage. It’s a white, three-bay garage with a brown door to the left of the garage doors. All the doors are closed and locked up tight.

After Xavier unlocks the door with his key, he opens it and walks inside. He flips a light switch next to the door and the fluorescent bulbs come alive. Inside the garage is extremely clean, each tool is shining under the bulbs, hanging up on the walls and the ceiling.

The smell of motor oil and grease invades my nose and I inhale deeply. There is every tool a mechanic would need inside here. The concrete floor has no trace of oil or grease, showing that Xavier takes care of everything in here.

He leads me to the back of the garage through another doorway. He flips another switch, revealing a car covered with a white tarp. Xavier watches me as he pulls the tarp away and I gasp in surprise. Tears are in my eyes as I approach the freshly painted car.

“You kept this too?” My voice quivering. Xavier walks up to me and stands behind me as I touch the blue metallic paint, the same color as my helmet.

The sleek race car shines under the lights. It’s a Late Model UMP, just like my dad’s. I was secretly working on this car before I left. I didn’t want the other drivers to know I wanted to move up a class because if they did, they would make it harder for me on the track.

No matter how many wins I had, they would still feel I couldn’t cut it driving this beast. The only ones who believed I could do it were Mia, Xavier, and our families. Every day I would come down here and work on it a little bit at a time.

I was going to reveal to the racing world I could cut it and I was here to stay until that night I thought Xavier cheated on me. He curls his arms around my waist, bringing me back to the present.

“There is more.” His husky voice rumbles in my ear, causing goosebumps to break out across my skin.

He leads me around to the front of the car and pops the hood. Inside is a brand new sleek Chevy 454 big-block motor. The chrome shining under the lights.

“I’ve been working on her since the day you left, having it ready for you if you ever came home.

I kept hoping you would come back to me and I felt closer to you every time I took a wrench to her, restoring her for you.

" He drops the hood and latches it, revealing my art detail on it.

I run my fingers over the hood, tears in my eyes.

“Thank you." He leans down and kisses me, his flavor lingering on my lips, his smell invading my nose. A memory of our first kiss invades my mind.