Page 23 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Xavier

The sun has set, creating darkness all around me. The floodlights to the track are on, lighting up the cars racing around it. I park my car and run back up to our spot near turn two. I just reach it and remove my helmet as Izzy drives by doing a warm-up lap. She winks and gives me a wave.

I stand next to Nolan, my body tense with anticipation.

Mia and Christian are on the other side of him.

Christian has his arms around Mia’s waist, holding her close to him and I suddenly miss Izzy’s warm body against mine.

The Late Model cars line up, on turn two and I watch each driver as they go by.

One driver keeps riding on her ass and I feel my temper boiling. Nolan sees it too and puts a calm hand on my shoulder.

“She knows what she is doing. Let her take care of him out there,” Nolan says, pointing to the track.

I breathe through my nose, calming myself down, and commit the asshole's number in my memory. I’ll be paying him a visit after the race if he doesn’t back off my girl.

I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him when they drive by again.

He flips me off and it takes both Nolan and Christian to hold me back.

I take a deep breath as the flagger drops the green flag.

Izzy guns it, pulling away from the pack, but the asshole is still riding on her ass, bumping her intentionally.

She cuts him off and takes the inside of turns one and two holding on. He bumps her on the straight away, but she keeps the car under control, shifting smoothly.

Rage is flooding my veins as I watch the race, Izzy is still battling with the asshole behind her.

There were a few moments where he tried to push her into the corner but she pulled out smoothly every time, keeping her lead.

As the white flag drops, the track is filled with dust, the smell of performance fuel in the air as they race around for the final lap.

The dickwad tries to shove her off in turn three and Izzy cuts him off again, sending him to the side, spinning out.

The flagger drops the checkered flag and she takes the win.

The crowd goes wild as the other drivers pass the asshole.

He pulls his car back onto the track and crosses the finish line.

I run out to Izzy as she pulls into the winner's circle, my adrenaline flowing as I rip the cloth across her window down and help her out of the car. She takes her helmet off with shaky hands and takes a deep breath.

“Holy shit!" she exclaims, her smile lighting up the whole place.

I kiss her hard and she moans into my mouth. “God that was good,” I say when I break our kiss.

The driver fucking with her all night drives by and flips us off. I glance at Nolan and he nods his head, following the car into the pits.

Mia and Christian are behind us. Mia’s jumping up and down in excitement. She launches herself at Izzy. Both girls are jumping up and down, hanging onto each other.

“Izzy. That was some awesome driving!" Mia screams in her ear.

“Thanks, Mia," Izzy shouts back.

The announcer, a short bald man with a deep voice, makes his way over to us, microphone in hand.

“Miss Jones, what a heck of a race. I thought you would lose it there for a minute, but you held on. Is there anything you would like to say to the crowd?" he asks, thrusting the microphone into her face.

Izzy stares at him blankly as the crowd quiets down to hear what she has to say.

She clears her throat and looks at me, her eyes are full of fright.

I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, her body tense under my hands.

I place a gentle kiss on the side of her neck and feel her relax against me.

“It’s OK, B, I’m right here with you,” I whisper in her ear. She takes a deep breath, calming her racing heart and speaks.

“Thanks. It’s the first time in over five years that I have been on a dirt track racing.

Sometimes tempers flare, making people do stupid things, but I took the win tonight.

" She takes another deep breath. “I would like to thank Xavier for encouraging me to get back out here. I would also like to thank Mia for her support, you guys for letting me come back, and most importantly, I want to thank my dad." Izzy’s voice catches and she clears her throat. “He taught me to never give up and to keep fighting. He isn’t here with us right now, but I know he would be proud of the way I handled myself out there. Lastly, I want to thank the fans out there in the crowd for cheering me on through this race. If it wasn’t for all of you, I wouldn’t have taken this win. So, thank you, everyone."

The crowd cheers when she finishes her speech. The announcer continues to talk over the crowd whistles. “There you have it race fans. Izabella Jones, for the first time in five years, comes back and shows these boys that she still has it, that she is back. Let’s give her another round of applause!"

The crowd grows wild, stomping on the bleachers, whistling, and cheering. Izzy poses for a few pictures with her trophy and her car. She grabs my hand and pulls me in for another one. I have my arms wrapped around her waist and smile for the camera, feeling so proud to be a part of this with her.

When the photographer’s done, Mia takes her trophy. “I’ll see you at the trailer,” Mia says, pulling Christian with her.

Izzy climbs into her car. I jump in the passenger side and she leans over, kissing me. It’s short and sweet, but I don’t care. If her lips are on mine, I’m a happy man.

“When do you race?" She asks me, a hint of lust in her eyes again.

“I go on after the mini-sprint cars. They’re lining up right now, so let’s take a victory lap before they come out.” I answer her.

She can’t contain her smile. She starts her car and drives around the back of the winner’s circle to make a victory lap. The crowd cheers again as she makes her way around the track, waving to everyone out there.

Izzy just made a statement tonight. She showed everyone out here she is here to stay. Good or bad, she will fight for what she wants and what she believes in. She wants to race, and she believes in being with me. I’m great with that because I wouldn’t have it any other way.