Page 25 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Izzy

I take my victory lap, waving at the crowd as I go by. My adrenaline is still high as I drive back to the trailer. Xavier climbs out of the passenger side and knocks his knuckles on my hood.

I take in his body as he stands in front of my car. He’s the only man I know who can make his blue jumper look sexy. It defines his bulging muscles underneath. His jet-black hair is messy from our earlier quickie and he’s watching me, hooded with desire.

I lick my lips as he approaches my side, his eyes drop to my chest, and a shot of want tingles between my legs.

It never fails to amaze me what kind of pull this man has on my body.

He looks at me like I’m the most precious living thing out there and it turns me on like crazy. He leans into my window.

“You good?" Xavier asks me, his breath whispering across my heated skin. My eyes drift down to the bulge in his jumper. He swallows hard when he sees where my eyes wander too.

“We need to load your car up and I have to get mine ready.” Xavier’s rough voice turns me on more. I exhale and bring my eyes up to meet his. He has a smirk on his face, he knows what’s going through my mind.

“Ok, guide me in," I tell him. My heart beats rapidly as he leans closer.

“That’s your job B, guiding me in.” He growls in my ear. I shiver.

“Well, get on with it so I can. I’ll guide you in any which way you want.” I respond breathlessly.

Xavier leans into my car and nips my ear. “I’ll hold you to that,” he whispers.

My breathing becomes erratic, my chest heaving and my heart’s thumping in my chest as he pulls away and walks into the trailer. I watch his tight ass as he leaves, licking my lips.

Nolan approaches my car from the shadows and knocks on my door, causing me to jump.

“Move it along, Izz,” he laughs.

“Jesus, you’re a sneaky fucker,” I reply, my heart in my throat.

“If you only knew,” Nolan whispers. I see something painful cross his face, but it’s gone before I can ask him what’s wrong.

I start my car and flip Nolan off as they guide me in the trailer. When I get to the spot they want it, I turn the engine off and climb out. Xavier’s hands are strong as he tightens up the tie-downs. He stands up, looking at me with lust and pride.

“I gotta get out there,” Xavier says.

I follow him out of the trailer. He checks under the hood of his car and the tires before he gets in. Checking to see if anyone fucked with it. When he’s satisfied, he grabs his helmet, tucks it under his right arm, and pulls me into him with his left. He kisses me hard, leaving me breathless.

“I love you B, I’ll see you in a little while. Please stay with Nolan.” Xavier pleads.

“I will,” I answer. I’ll do what I can to put Xavier’s mind at ease while he’s out on the track.

“Thank you,” Xavier says as he puts his helmet on. He climbs into his car and gives me a wink.

“I love you too, X. I’ll see you on the other side,” I tell him before he drives off.

I've always told him I'll see him on the other side.

To me, it means no matter what happens out there on or off the track, I'll be waiting here for him to return safely.

If something happens to him and he doesn't come back, I'll be waiting for him wherever he goes.

Even as kids I’d say that to him, it was my way of telling him I loved him without saying it. Someday I’ll tell him what it means, but not until he tells me why he calls me B.

Xavier fires up his car and the engine purrs.

The vibrations from the beast send tingles through my body and I want to say fuck the race and take me home, but I hold back.

I want to see him race tonight. He drives off, giving me a final wave.

I wave back, a smile gracing my lips. Nolan walks up next to me.

“You ready to watch your man race, Izz?" He asks.

“Yeah Nol , let's go watch my man race." We make our way up to our spot, my heart thumping in my chest. I’m a ball of nerves.

Once all the cars line up, I see Xavier in the third position back.

Two other people had better times than he did during qualifying and I hope it wasn't because of me.

I bite my bottom lip with worry as Mia finds us and stands next to me. Christian is behind her.

“It’s not you Izzy,” Mia says.

“What's not me?" I ask.

“Xavier's position. He always does that. He always lets someone else take the pole. It gives him more of a challenge to get past these guys and win."

They do another lap around the track, getting the cars warmed up before the green flag. I watch as he goes by, his hands are tight on the steering wheel and his body is rigid. He’s in the zone. I know that look all too well. Nolan is standing on the other side of me and I look up at him.

“Nolan, I have something I need to say to you while we have a minute,” I tell him.

He turns his head and looks at me, questions in his eyes.

“What’s up, Izz?" He asks.

I’m trying to find the words I need to say to him.

“I’m sorry, Nolan. I’m sorry for leaving like I did and not keeping in contact with you or anyone.

You’re one of my closest friends and I shut you out completely.

I shut everyone out. I was an idiot and my stubborn pride got in the way of my friendship with everyone. I hope you can forgive me."

He turns his body toward me, his brown eyes bore into mine.

“Izz, I was never mad at you. I was pissed about you leaving like you did, without talking to anyone.

I was hurt yes, but never mad at you. I really thought we all would be together forever, but life throws us curve balls.

All we can do is forget about the past, move on to the present, and dream about the future. "

I smile at him and nudge him with my shoulder. “When did you get so smart?" I tease. He smiles back and turns towards the track. “I’ve always been smart, but it’s more fun to be a smartass.” I laugh.

“You definitely have that down. Thank you for being here for him and being a great friend to him these last five years."

“I’ll always have his back. I’ll always have yours too. Now quit getting all sentimental on me and be prepared to lose your voice yelling for your man instead of yelling in the heat of passion."

My face turns red and I swat him in the stomach. “You’re such an ass!" Nolan throws his head back and laughs.

Watching him, I can see the carefree smile he puts on. Beneath it, something is missing, something I can’t quite put my finger on. There’s more to Nolan Ryan than he lets any of us see.

I turn my attention back to the track and watch as the flagger drops the green flag.

The cars all come to life, and the smell of performance fuel fills the air.

Xavier gasses his car, they’re all bumper to bumper when they come into turn one and two.

Excitement passes through my body as Xavier drifts hard to the left, passing us by in a blue blur.

I watch as he shifts, coming out of turn two, and shoots ahead of the second car.

He comes into turns three and four, cranks his wheel, and takes the inside of the turn.

He smoothly pulls out of the drift, his tires squealing in protest. He shifts again and shoots off around the pole-position car, taking him over before they reach turns one and two.

His car is extremely fast, and I can tell he hasn’t even used all the horsepower under the hood.

I scream and cheer him on as he pulls away from the pack, the pole car hot on his tail, as they take turns three and four again.

The race goes on, lap after lap, the track is filled with dirt, excitement and adrenaline. Xavier held the lead through the whole race. Mia is cheering right along with me, her voice is hoarse like mine by the time the drivers reach the final lap.

He’s passed several cars, lapping them in the process. Mia’s hold on my hand is so tight, there’s no circulation to my fingertips. When Xavier comes out of turn two next to us, the car in the pole position at the start is still on his ass.

The car rams into the rear of Xavier’s car just before he hits turn three, causing him to lose control. He gains control of his car back and guns it, passing the pole guy again. My adrenaline’s pumping, my temper is flaring at watching the asshole hit my man, trying to get him to spin out.

Xavier must have expected the next move because when the guy backs off a little and comes up behind him in turn four and tries to do it again, Xavier steers his car to the side creating a gap and the guy misses. He spins off into the middle of the track.

Xavier is the first to cross the finish line, winning his feature and the crowd goes wild. He passes us and gives me a little wave. I wave back and when there’s a break in the cars heading into the pit, I run across the track to greet him.

I reach him just as he’s getting out of his car and throw myself at him before he even takes his helmet off.

He brings his hands around me to catch me and spins me around.

I laugh, my body humming with excitement.

Watching him race still turns me on and all I want to do is take him home right now.

Xavier finally sets me down and removes his helmet.

He kisses me hard, just as the announcer reaches us.

“Hey there race fans. I’m here with our fourth-time winner this season so far, and undefeated champion from the last 6 years, Xavier Sweeney." The announcer booms into the microphone.

The crowd in the stands cheer, a smile breaks across my face as I step back, so Xavier can talk to the announcer.

“Mr. Sweeney,” the announcer’s voice turns serious. “Tell me, what was your motivation tonight? I have seen you race several times, but tonight was different. Instead of pain and anger, you raced with heart and motivation."