by A. M. Brooks
“That was so cool!” Evi says again, her cheeks flushed, while Scarlet smirks at her. The girls had a few drinks over the day, and I shake my head. They weren’t even carded and wearing our green pit pass, nobody even thought twice about it. Scarlet’s cheeks are sort of pink, but her eyes are clear. Elias, Dean, Sam and Ayda laugh with her, and keep talking about the races. After the whole day of racing, AfterHours is sitting in position to advance to California. I took first in overall. A few of the other racers were grumbling about our win. Guess it sucks to suck. All I can picture in my mind is the prize money for more bike parts and a title win for our sponsors.
I side-glance at Scarlet, who’s standing next to me, her arms folded loosely in front of her. Thinking of being on the road the next month is starting to feel lonely. Part of me wants to see where this thing between us could go, while another part of me screams that I’m crazy. I just met this girl. And while I feel an insane connection to her, she’s planning for college and I’m planning a career that keeps me busy most of the year. We could have an amazing summer though…
“What did you think?” I ask her, bending down, keeping our conversation between us.
She glances at me, and I don’t miss the way her eyes widen, the coffee color turning molten. “I’m in awe. It’s exhilarating to watch. I can’t image how it must feel to ride.”
“It’s intense,” I answer, holding her gaze. “I can take you around the track sometime if you want.”
She inhales. “Okay.”
My eyes drop down to her lips then back to her eyes, catching when her chin tilts up, almost like a challenge. Before I can second guess what I’m about to say, the words spill out of my mouth. “What are you doing this week? Why don’t you come to California with us? Check out the area. If you’re thinking of going to USC, it isn’t too far away.”
Her gaze drops down, her head turns to the side. I see her teeth bite the inside of her cheek, contemplating. I want to keep talking, persuading her, wanting her to feel the same way I do, so I know I’m not insane. I just met her but leaving right now feels like a mistake if she isn’t with me. Maybe things would fizzle out in a few weeks, I don’t know. Something deep in my soul though is screaming not to let this girl go. Her gaze snaps up and lands on her cousin next.
“Why don’t all of you girls come with us this week to California,” I announce loud enough for everyone to hear. The conversation drops, and I feel everyone’s eye slide over to us. I have their attention, and I smirk. “Scarlet can check out the campus she’s looking at. Ayd, I know you’ve been dying to go to the zoo there. Could be a fun vacation.”
“The house is big enough.” Dean shrugs, his eyes flicking to me and Sam, whose face is getting a little paler, but I chalk it up to the fact he’d have to spend more time with Ayda and he’s being a chickenshit.
“My mom and Theo aren’t getting back until next week anyways,” Ayda says, a huge smile pulling her lips. I knew she’d be a sucker for seeing a college and the zoo. It’s her senior year of high school this fall.
Evi looks hesitant, her eyes moving from Elias to Scarlet. “What do you think, Cousin?”
Scarlet’s head snaps up in Evi’s direction, something passing between them and for a second, my heart stops, thinking she’s going to reject the idea. “We have a whole summer, right? Why not take some time to check out Cali?”
The tension in my shoulders eases and I sling an arm around Scarlet, pulling her into my body until I can smell the coconut scent of her hair. Even with our height difference, her curves mold perfectly into my side. “Beach tonight? Then hit the road early tomorrow so we can have a couple days there before the next series?”
“Sounds like a plan, Bro,” Elias agrees and bumps my fist.
Dean takes out his cell and confirms our house rental reservation. Everyone starts talking and making plans. I keep Scarlet anchored to my side, and after a few beats, I feel her body relax completely into mine. She takes a beer from her cousin, who pulls them out of her purse. A few minutes later, she pulls her phone out and I see her type out ‘Going to California’ to Father, before she shoves it back in her pocket. Hopefully he doesn’t mind. All I can think about is all the ways I can keep her to myself over the next few days. “Will your parents be mad?” I ask quietly, nodding to her phone, when her eyes shoot to mine.
She blinks twice, her face softening. “It’s just me and my dad. My mom died when I was little. He won’t mind. He’s given me this time to see where I want to land before I make my decision.”
“Sounds like a cool guy,” I reply, not so sure I’d be letting any daughter of mine jump from state to state. Maybe he’s not very involved though.
Scarlet snorts. “He doesn’t really care what I do as long as it doesn’t affect him.”
Not involved then. “Asshole. I meant he sounds like a dick.”
She laughs, her head tilting back, and I feel better when the smile returns to her lips. “He really is.”
When the stadium lights officially turn off for the night, we clear out of the parking lot, and head to the beach house. Evi and Scarlet head back to their hotel to get their things and promise to meet up with us in the morning. Knowing she isn’t close to me tonight is making me restless. The guys all head to bed, while I stare out the patio door. A small crowd is out there tonight with some fires going. I feel the itch to join in, even when I know I shouldn’t. It’s a long drive to California from here, and even taking turns behind the wheel, it helps to be rested. Sighing, I give in and head to my room. Once my back hits the mattress, I know I made the right decision. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I bring up Scarlet’s number. It rings three times before she answers, her voice husky, “Hello.”
“Hey,” I answer, a smile curving my lips, just hearing her. “What are you doing?”
She laughs softly. “Lying in bed, sleeping. I have a big day tomorrow.”
“Are you happy you made the decision to come?”
“Yes. Are you happy I’m going to be there?” she retorts, and I laugh.
“I am. I wasn’t ready to let you go,” I tell her honestly. I hear her intake of breath.
“You owe me a ride on the bike now,” she says after a few seconds pass, and I grin.
“No problem, baby. Hey, and I’m sorry about your mom. I didn’t know earlier. I’m sorry if it made you sad when I brought it up,” I say, my voice lowering.
“It was a long time ago,” she answers, her voice soft, “thank you, though.”
A comfortable silence settles between us, and I finally feel tired enough to sleep. “I’ll see you in the morning?”
“I’ll be there,” she promises.
“Night, Scar.”
“Night, Trent,” she answers and her phone clicks off. I set mine on the nightstand and lie back with my hands clasped behind my head. New goals: place top three in the next series, take nationals, keep Scarlet with me as long as I can.
Scarlet
Father: Do whatever it takes.
That was his reply to my text about going to California. I hadn’t been lying to Trent when I told him my father doesn’t care about what I do or where I go, as long as I still dangle from his strings like a good little puppet. It makes my stomach lurch, knowing he would literally let me do whatever it took in order for him to have his revenge. I’d hardened my own heart against him long ago, but now I almost hate him.
“Are you sure about this, Scarlet?” Evita asks, stopping by our hotel door. We woke up early enough to meet them at their beach house for when they wanted to leave. Our bags are packed and I am carrying a little extra cash in my clutch, should we need it.
My eyes meet hers and while her words sound like a warning, I can actually see the excitement written across her face. Evita needs my encouragement as much as I need hers. It’s not just my last chance at freedom; this summer is also her last opportunity to fly before being shackled to a cage. “We got this,” I tell her, nodding my head.
“It’s n
ot crazy we’re following boys across the country?”
“Well, it’s my job,” I remind her, keeping my voice light when she frowns. “No. I think we take these months and live them to the fullest. We might never get the opportunity again.” Deep in my gut, I know this to be true. Even if I’m free to attend college, I’ll still be looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Always trying to stay ten steps ahead of my father is exhausting. The only way to be out from under his thumb completely is getting lost after college and using my degree to start a new life for myself.
Evita turns my words around in her head, contemplating everything from all angles, just as she always does. She may be the risk taker but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t weigh the pros and cons beforehand. “Let’s do it.”
I follow her out to the car where we load our things in and drive the half an hour to Clearwater to meet the guys and Ayda. The entire drive my heart thuds heavily in my chest, until it feels like it’s creeping up my throat. I’m nervous again, and I don’t like it. I keep trying to tell myself this is like any other job. Trent may be charming, but I’ve really only known him a few days. There is still time to see an asshole athlete come out. He may look innocent, but there has to be a reason he was working with the DA when he became tangled with my father. If I push hard enough, I wonder if I’ll find drug addiction in his past. Was he a rat the whole time or did he flip to save his own ass? All the questions burn in my mind because they conflict with what I’m seeing of Trent right now. I hate that in a matter of two days, I’ve become obsessed with him. I want his ocean eyes on me; I want to be pulled into his side, feeling his rock-solid body against mine. I’ve never felt this way before, and certainly not for a target.
Evita and I are both silent the majority of the ride, and when we pull up to the home, they’re all outside, loading luggage in the yellow Jeep and Trent’s dark blue truck. My eyes widen when I see the trailer he’s pulling behind him with a motorcycle and all black, matte, sport bike on it.
“Ready ladies?” Elias calls, jogging over to us.
“Yes!” Evita exclaims, her eyes dancing when she gazes at Elias. “Let get going.”
I’m about to round back to the car when Trent comes jogging toward us. I barely have time to appreciate the way his red basketball shorts rest on his hips or the way his grey t-shirt stretches across his broad chest before he’s right in front of me, lifting me off my feet. His muscled arms band around my legs, while he carries me toward his truck. “Scar’s riding with me!”
My hands land on his shoulders and I fight the urge not to grin. I meet Evita’s gaze, sending her an apologetic look, only to find her laughing while Elias helps her into the passenger seat of her car. Trent brings me to the door and places me inside on the seat. He grins and winks before jogging around to the other side. It’s contagious, and before I know it, I’m smiling too, settling into the seat and buckling my seat belt.
Trent hops in and hooks up his phone to Bluetooth before we pull away from the curb. The sun has barely crest over the horizon by the time we hit the freeway. “We’re going to drive until we hit Texas, stay the night, then finish up the drive the next day,” he tells me, glancing over to gauge my perspective.
“Sounds good,” I tell him, nodding.
“Here,” he hands me his phone, “Go ahead and pick some music.”
A giggle escapes my lips. “You are not going to like what I like,” I tell him, handing him back the phone.
Trent glances at me again, curiosity written deep in his eyes. “Why do you think that?”
“My mom was from Mexico. I grew up listening to Latin and Tejano music. Plus, I’m obsessed with Halsey, so every once in a while, I throw a couple of her songs in the mix,” I explain to him, watching his reaction.
His lips pull up in a smirk before he throws the phone into my lap. “We have thirteen long hours for your music to grow on me, Scar. I like me some Halsey, too.”
A little floored, I stare at him until he looks my way again and laughs. His hand rises and he lightly pinches the edge of my chin between his fingers. “You asked for it.”
“Surprise me,” he fires back, before sliding his sunglasses over his eyes and rolling a window down. His hair blows in the breeze while he combs his fingers through it.
Without giving it another thought, I hit play on Pablo Alborán and Ava Max’s “Tabú.” Trent keeps one hand on the wheel while the other seeks mine out. I startle when his warm grip tightens around hand, and relax again once his thumb strokes over it. Butterflies erupt in my stomach before taking flight throughout the rest of my body. I almost feel dizzy from the sensations.
True to his word, Trent listens to all my song choices the entire drive. Only once do we all make a stop to stretch our legs, grab some food, and switch drivers. Except for Trent, he gets right back behind the wheel and I roll my eyes. “You know I can drive the truck, right?”
He shrugs. “I have no doubt, but I have the trailer behind me with precious cargo. I’m a little protective.”
I scoff. Little does he know I could drive in reverse hauling the trailer and we’d still make it to our destination on time. “Aren’t you tired?”
His eyes meet mine, and he grabs my hand again. “Talking to you makes me not tired. Just keep telling me about you.”
I tell him about my mom, about growing up in Mexico, leaving everything about my training and my dad out of the conversation. We talk about his family; even though I already know the basics, it’s still nice to hear how he talks about them. He loves his mom and dad and they support his career choice. When they can, depending on his younger brother’s school schedule, they fly to his races and spend time with him. The way Trent talks about his family almost makes me jealous. He loves them and its obvious they love him as well. Our lives are so different. I tell him about my love for mint chip ice cream, but he doesn’t get it because he likes cake batter the best. I express my love of writing and also how I want to major in medicine or chemistry.
Trent’s head swivels to the side. “You actually like math and science?”
I shrug. “Yeah, it’s interesting and there is so much more to be discovered. It changes all the time.”
“Wow,” he says, chuckling, “I think you’re the only person I know to actually say that. I suck at both. Made it through high school then was done.” I laugh at how horrified he looks.
“Tell me something I wouldn’t expect about you,” he says, looking at me sideways. I feel the smile slip from my lips. My brain suggests I lie to keep covering my tracks, while my gut tells me to give him something straight. I’m already in so deep and the worst part is, the more time I spend with Trent, the harder it is not to like him. Every time I expect some shallow answer from him, he surprises me.
Before I can stop myself, I end up listening to my heart and give him one of my truths, “I technically hold a title for longest range sharp shooter.”
“Why do you say technically?” He laughs.
“Because I wasn’t actually in the contest, I just knew the score and set up my own targets in my back yard,” I respond.
“She’s a badass, ladies and gentlemen,” Trent jokes and I playfully drop his hand. He picks it right back up, like he can’t not touch me.
“How about you?” I ask, resting my head back against the headrest.
“I grew up near the beach, but I was and still am too scared to surf.” He shrugs.
“You ride motocross and leap into the air, letting the bike drop beneath you, how?” I question and his face blanks.
“Sharks are in the ocean,” he says quietly, and I burst out laughing.
The sun is setting when we finally reach our stop in Texas. Trent follows the cars in front of us, as we pull off into a state camping grounds’ exit.
“Camping?” I turn to Trent, questioning.
“Since it’s just for one night, Dean always books us a camp site. Have you ever tented it?” He grins, my eyes narrow.
“Only in dire situations,” I respond, and he laughs.
“It will be fun. I can help you girls get your tent up if needed.”
We all get out and the guys pull tents from the bed of the truck. I watch in fascination as they set up a little camping area with such precision, you can tell they do this often. Once again, the image of always staying at five-star resorts or being above roughing it comes to mind and Trent surprises me. Every news article I read wasn’t lying when they said how down to earth he is. Evita slides up to me and bumps my shoulder. “How was the drive?”
For some reason, I feel shy talking about it. “Good.”
“Scarlet! Evi!” Ayda yells from up a small hill, “Come check this out!”
Evita links her arm with mine as we make our way over to Ayda. The guys follow behind us after a while. Ayda leads us down a path until we reach a clearing, which overlooks a huge lake. The color of the water almost looks turquois in the setting sun. The sky is now red and orange and reflects off the crystal-clear water. The scene is breathtaking, the kind of image you only need to see once in your life, and it stays with you forever.
“Look at those colors,” Trent says, standing right behind me, close enough that his voice vibrates in his chest, causing shivers to run down my arms.
“It’s beautiful,” I answer, and everyone around us seems to agree.
I have no idea how long we all stand at the edge talking, watching nature change around us, before the air starts to get chilly. Slowly, everyone leaves until it’s just Trent and me. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to him. I go willingly and let my body settle against his, soaking in his warmth.