Surge: Bad Boy Racing Romance (Fastlane Series Book 1)

by Storm, Sloan

  As I exited, I exhaled and dropped my head.

  Think, Ava think. There has to be a way. You know this is something you can handle.

  And then, in the midst of that thought, something caught my attention out of my peripheral vision. I turned, and covered my mouth at the sight. On the ground, dirty and bloodied, Marco and Dyson lay side-by-side, unconscious.

  “Oh my God!” I gasped, rushing towards them.

  Within seconds, I knelt between the racers, looking from one to the other to try and figure out what happened. Without any clear evidence, I assumed they’d been in a fight. But with whom? Each other? Some random people in the bar?

  Right away, I realized it didn’t really matter, because if it was discovered Dyson had been in a situation like this, I had no doubt he’d be off the team.

  Over the next few minutes I did my best to try and wake them up. Eventually, they both stirred to awareness. When they did, I leaned away, covering my nose.

  Both of them reeked of alcohol.

  “Ohhh… Oh no,” I muttered.

  The two men managed to get into semi-seated positions.

  “Dyson,” I began, clapping my hands together to get his attention. “Dyson! What happened?”

  He waved me off, wincing and holding his head in his hand. I turned my attention to Marco and asked him the same question. While I spoke, Marco attempted to stand.

  “Marco,” I began, reaching out to try and support him. “Wait, don’t, that’s not a good idea.”

  Before I could help him, Marco’s legs wobbled, and he tumbled backwards, falling into a row of trash cans. The impact made a terrific noise. He groaned and cussed, struggling to free himself of the mountain of garbage he’d fallen into. I scrambled to my feet, rushing towards him. Reaching for Marco’s forearm, I grabbed hold of it and leaned in the other direction.

  “Can you get up?” I asked.

  I was far too small and light to pull Marco up on my own. After two failed attempts, I sensed Dyson’s presence behind me. Turning my head towards him, I looked up. He moved me aside and reached a hand for his teammate, at last pulling him out of the debris. Still trying to wrap my head around what happened, I looked at both of them.

  “Why are you out here? Whose blood is that? Yours? Someone else’s?”

  Neither one of them managed a word. With Marco’s arm draped over his shoulder, Dyson waved me off. “Let’s just… We’ve got to get out of here.”

  Realizing what was at stake, I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, yes we do. Let’s go. My car is parked right around the front.”

  The three of us began to make our way around the side of the building when a sudden impediment blocked our path. Frozen in place, we looked straight ahead. Gunter, his entourage, Darren, and Dieter all stood in front of us.

  Dieter spoke first. “Dyson, what’s the meaning of this?”

  Dyson, still half-delirious, chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about? Marco and I had a little bit too much to drink, and we fell into the trash cans behind the bar. Ava found us.”

  Gunter stepped between us and them, pointing at Dyson.

  “He started a fight in the bar, Dieter. I’ve got witnesses—proof.”

  Dyson spit in Gunter’s direction. “You don’t have jack shit. Gunter, why don’t you go fuck yourself?”

  Gunter snapped his head towards Dyson. “I’m telling you right now…”

  “Enough!” Dieter yelled. He pointed at Dyson. “As of this minute you’re suspended from the team. Not only for fighting with Gunter, but also for putting Marco in the middle of everything.”

  Before Dyson could say a word, Dieter turned to Darren and said, “Take Marco, and get out of here.”

  “Yes sir, right away.”

  Almost before I realized it, Darren disappeared with Marco, walking around the corner and vanishing from sight. Afterward, I turned my attention to Dieter. He stepped a bit closer to us.

  “Dyson, you know I’ve treated you like a son. Whatever is going on with you, you need to get help. This is the only chance I’m going to give you. Take this suspension, and make something of it.”

  Dyson struggled to stay upright.

  Dieter turned and looked at me. “Ava, take him back to his motor coach. Put him to bed.”

  I nodded and steadied Dyson, helping him to begin walking. After a drive across town, we arrived back at his bus. It had just begun to get dark outside.

  I parked my car and walked around to Dyson’s side, glancing in the direction of the motor coach. There were lights on inside. I swallowed, readying myself for the inevitable confrontation I’d have with Anastasia and Svetlana. Opening the car door, I reached inside to help Dyson, but he swatted my hand away.

  “I got it,” he grumbled.

  A few moments later, he unlocked the door to the bus and walked inside. Following behind, I entered immediately afterward. I glanced around, expecting to see the girls, but no one was there. Dyson seemed completely unsurprised.

  He walked towards the refrigerator and grabbed another beer.

  “I think you’ve had enough to drink for one night, Dyson. Don’t you?”

  Dyson scoffed, opened the bottle and tossed the cap aside. It bounced across the counter, making a series of clinking noises before falling to the ground and rattling to a stop. I turned my attention towards him. By the time I did, he’d already taken several large gulps.

  I shook my head at him. “Why are you acting like this?”

  He didn’t answer, but instead lifted the bottle to his lips and drank again.

  “You’re suspended, Dyson. You can’t drive. When do you stop acting like this? What are you trying to prove, anyway?”

  Dyson cleared his throat and placed the bottle down on the counter.

  “You’re free to go.”

  “No, I’m not going anywhere. If this was just about you, Dyson, believe me, I would have no problem walking out that door. But my job is on the line as well.”

  Dyson frowned and turned away from me, walking back towards the bedroom. Biting my lip, I followed right behind him. A few seconds later, he collapsed on top of the bed, closing his eyes.

  With any luck, he would pass out and not be able to do any more damage. As much as I wanted to scream and slap some sense into him, I thought better of it. However, there was one more question I needed answered before he blacked out.

  “Dyson,” I began, crossing my arms at my chest. “Dyson, look at me.”

  He glanced up in my direction.

  “I just need you to be honest with me. Before I found you and Marco at the bar, I stopped by here. Anastasia and Svetlana were hanging around. I’ll just be direct with you. Are you still sleeping with them?”

  He closed his eyes, shaking his head.

  “No,” he muttered.

  “Do you mind me asking what they were doing here?”

  I looked down at him and noticed his breathing had changed. It was deep and rhythmic.

  “Dyson,” I said again. “Can you hear me? Dyson?”

  He’d passed out. I exhaled and shook my head. Turning to leave, I switched off the light in his bedroom and closed the door. A few minutes later, I’d left and was in my car on my way back to my hotel room.

  For now I’d done all I could to help Dyson.

  As far as Anastasia and Svetlana were concerned, I had no choice but to believe him when he said he wasn’t having sex with them. Even so, I had to put all that out of my mind. I had a final meeting with Simon’s school administration scheduled. It was the last chance I’d have to keep him there and nothing mattered more to me.

  How I’d pull it off, I still had no idea.

  AVA

  A couple of days later, I’d returned home and was once again at Simon’s school. Of course, I was no closer to adopting Simon than the last time Mrs. Marberry and I spoke. I had no plan, other than to just see if there was some way I could appeal to her kindness.

  After she invited me into h
er office, I took a seat in the same antique chair I had a couple of weeks before. With clammy hands and damp armpits to match, I did my best to mask my state of mind and smiled at Mrs. Marberry before I spoke.

  “Thank you for taking time to see me again, Mrs. Marberry. I really appreciate it.”

  A polite smile spread across her face.

  Nodding, she replied, “Of course, Ms. Walters. I take it you have some news for me?”

  There was no sense in pretending. I looked away from her for a moment, shaking my head.

  “No, I’m afraid I don’t.”

  I turned back in her direction. She raised her eyebrows and leaned back in her chair a bit.

  “Ms. Walters, I believe I made the school’s position clear on this issue. This has nothing to do with Simon. It’s just a matter of policy.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Marberry. I understand your position. All I’m asking for is that the school at least consider accepting him. I can pay.”

  Mrs. Marberry shook her head. “Ms. Walters, I don’t mean to be rude but there is a long waiting list of people who are more than capable of paying. We want the very best students. This is not an issue of money.”

  I sat forward in the chair, interlocking my fingers and placing them in my lap. “But you told me yourself Simon is one of your best students. If what you’re telling me is true, I don’t understand why you won’t allow him to attend?”

  Mrs. Marberry thinned her lips. Frustration began to show in her expression as I looked at her. It wasn’t the outcome I wanted but at this point, I almost didn’t care.

  “Ms. Walters. I believe we have reached an impasse on this issue. I’ve explained to you that if you are able to show proof you have adopted Simon, we will gladly accept him. But short of that, there’s nothing I can do for you.”

  I exhaled and lowered my head but didn’t speak.

  “Now unless there’s something else you need to tell me, I’m afraid that I’ve got to end our discussion at this point. I hope that you…”

  While she was in the midst of her sentence, my cell phone began to ring and vibrate in my purse.

  “Excuse me, I’m sorry about that.” I began, reaching in my purse for it.

  I glanced up at her. She didn’t respond but instead forced a polite smile.

  Pulling the phone out, I looked at the screen to see Dieter’s name flashing. I had no idea why he would be calling me, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Still, I had no choice but to take it.

  “Do you mind?” I asked, glancing at her.

  Mrs. Marberry shook her head and gestured towards her office door. “Please take it in the lobby.”

  I got up from the chair as fast as I could, nodded at her and headed towards the door. Swiping the phone on, I answered. “Dieter? Is everything okay?”

  “Yes Ava, good to speak with you.”

  By now, I’d reached the lobby outside of Mrs. Marberry’s office. “Thank you. Is something wrong? Did something happen with Dyson?”

  “Dyson? No, this phone call is not about Dyson.”

  I stopped in place, and tugged a strand of hair behind my ear, focusing on his words. “Um, okay. Well, what’s this about?”

  “It’s about Dr. Luca.”

  I frowned. “Dr. Luca? What about him?”

  Over the next minute or so, Dieter explained to me Dr. Luca’s passport issues were resolved ahead of schedule. In fact, he was going to be able to rejoin the team for the final race in New York.

  “So,” Dieter began. “Obviously with the return of Dr. Luca, your services will no longer be needed by the team. Of course, you will be paid for your time until now.”

  I stood there in shock.

  Of course, I hadn’t expected to work for the team for much longer, but if I’d been able to finish out the remaining race, I would have almost had enough to cover two years of Simon’s tuition.

  Not that it mattered.

  Dieter took notice of my pause. “Do you understand, Ava?”

  “Yes, Dieter, I do.”

  “I hope this news is not too difficult for you. We’ve enjoyed having you travel with the team. You’re exceptional at what you do, and I know you’ve got a bright future ahead of you.”

  And even though it was upsetting, I felt gratitude towards him for giving me the job in the first place, not to mention the kind words.

  “Thank you, Dieter. I’ll be fine.”

  Dieter remained silent for a moment. “Very well. I’ll see to it that the last of your payment is sent to you right away.”

  I thanked him again, and a few moments later we hung up. I glanced back towards Mrs. Marberry’s office. She sat at her desk, by the looks of it, doing paperwork.

  Was it even worth going back in there and talking to her?

  I slipped my phone back inside of my purse. After repositioning the strap over my shoulder, I chewed my lip, trying to decide what to do next. Just then, another thought occurred to me.

  Now that I was off the team, would I ever hear from Dyson again? The way we left things, I doubted it. And besides, after the way he’d been acting I wasn’t sure I even wanted that anymore. Maybe he was better off with the Anastasias and Svetlanas of the world.

  I wasn’t a Grid Girl, and I never would be.

  AVA

  I turned in the direction of Mrs. Marberry’s office and began to walk towards it. Even though it looked like Simon wouldn’t be attending the school anymore, I didn’t see any reason to leave things in a bad way between us.

  I knocked on the door.

  Mrs. Marberry stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. “Ms. Walters… I hope everything is okay?”

  “What?” I replied, confused by what she meant.

  “Your phone call. I trust it was nothing urgent.”

  I shook my head. “Oh that. Yes, everything is fine. I apologize for the interruption, but I had to take it.”

  Mrs. Marberry smiled at me. “No need to apologize.”

  I stood there in the doorway.

  “Was there something else you wanted to discuss with me, Ms. Walters?”

  “No. I just want to be absolutely sure that there’s nothing that can be done for Simon. I’m willing to do anything.”

  Shaking her head, Mrs. Marberry replied, “I wish there were, I really do. But, as I’ve explained, I’m afraid there isn’t. As much as we enjoy having Simon as a student, this simply comes down to a matter of policy. And unfortunately, my hands are tied.”

  Exhaling, I approached Mrs. Marberry’s desk, extending my hand in her direction.

  “I want to thank you again for taking time to talk to me today. I know you’re very busy.”

  Mrs. Marberry stood from her chair and took my hand in hers. “You’re more than welcome, Ms. Walters. Of course, I’m hopeful you’ll be able to work with the state and finalize the adoption of Simon. You’ve still got a bit of time before the enrollment deadline.”

  “Yes, I know,” I said, releasing my hand from her grasp. “But I’m not optimistic about it.”

  Mrs. Marberry smiled and came around the desk. A few moments later we said our goodbyes, and I left her office. Making my way back to my car, I couldn’t believe how badly things turned out. I had no choice now but to give Simon the bad news. How would I break it to him?

  There was no doubt in my mind he’d be devastated. Crossing the parking lot towards my car, sadness crept to the back of my throat.

  Poor Simon.

  All I’d ever wanted was the best for him and I’d failed. I covered my mouth, trying my best to not begin bawling outside the school. Yet, the pressure had built so much in the past few weeks, I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer. Reaching my car, I felt my face wrinkle with ugliness.

  Heated rivulets streaked down my cheeks and fell into my purse as I fumbled for my keys. A few seconds later, I managed to get inside my car, and at that point, sadness gripped me. With my head in my hand, I sat and wept, the disappointment sinking in and overwhelming me.<
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  I had no idea how long I sat there. Five minutes, ten…

  Eventually however, I dried my eyes with some tissues I’d pulled from my purse and pulled out of the school parking lot for the last time. For the time being, I’d spent all the emotion I could on Simon. When I would have to tell him later, more would surely follow.

  Driving away from the school, my worries shifted from Simon to the others I still faced. There was the matter of returning to Dr. Wilcox’s office. I hoped he was sincere about giving me my old position back. I had a little bit of a financial cushion, but not much of one.

  And now that the team let me go, my mind drifted back to thoughts of Dyson. I didn’t want to just give up on seeing where things went, even though it did seem one-sided between us at the moment.

  Maybe I’d been too hard on him. Maybe not. Hell, I didn’t know.

  After all, racing was all he’d ever known, and in the span of a week, it had all been ripped away from him. Even though I know I did the right thing to protect his health, the more I tried to look at it from his perspective, the more I began to understand why he’d been acting out.

  If I could just talk to him for a few minutes, I could try and explain things from my point of view one last time. Sniffling the last bit of sadness away, I reached for my phone, pulling it out of my purse. Seconds later, I dialed his number. After the fourth ring, a woman answered.

  The voice was familiar. It was Dyson’s mom.

  “Mary?” I began. “Why are you answering Dyson’s phone? Is he okay?”

  “Hello, Ava,” she replied, her voice sounded stilted, like she forced herself to be polite.

  Confused by her tone of voice, I continued, “What’s the matter? Where are you?”

  Dyson’s mother exhaled into the receiver. “I’m at my house, in Pomona.”

  “Is Dyson there with you?”

  Mary cleared her throat. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea if I talk to you about my son, considering everything that’s happened.”

  I had no idea what she was talking about. “What do you mean, Mary? Are you talking about his suspension?”