"What do you mean he didn't come?" I questioned Gunner with rage radiating off me making me lose my mind.

Styles betrayed me by not coming here for the race today and top on that he wasn't receiving my calls that it was making my blood boil. This race wasn't just very important but it was about my pride he put on stake.

"That bastard will pay soon but now find someone to be your partner Ethan, I can't do anything. Find someone or pay me my token," With that he hobbled to some guys who usually held these illegal races along with him.

Gunner wasn't my friend, in fact he was not close with anyone. He was the typical short guy with beard and long hairs with a bandana who set these illegal races up and only cares about the money.

This street race were being held here because no one comes on this site, it was far from residential area.

I cursed inwardly and looked around when my eyes fell on someone in blue shirt.

Nate's eyes cut to mine before they went cold likewise. The thought of punching him so hard did cross my mind for a second but I didn't want to cause a scene. To be honest I knew it'd hurt Aria cause she cares for everyone.

A small smile almost appeared on my face remembering her. These past few days have been so relax. We had spent a good time together not too much as she was busy with tests and her job too.

I scrutinize around for someone experienced when Gunner came back with heavy steps.

"Look I have no time more but there's someone who I can make to race with you as a guide," I squinted my eyes for him to continue. "Nate is here, I'll talk to him. I don't think there will be a problem as you both have been partners before."

What?

My head prompted to his direction and Nate was just standing looking at track unaware of Gunner's offer. I didn't understand if he was the one who made it or not but why would he do that?

Turning my attention to Gunner I stood closely to him with dark eyes.

"Look Gunner, I'm here for my race and I'm not in mood of joke or something. If there's no one I'm fine alone but there's no way I'm doing it with him," My voice came out deep and low more like a threatening way as I pointed my chin to him.

It wouldn't be a mess If there wasn't a rule of this partner.

"What's the shit Anderson, forgot to bring your whore?" Kyle's voice roared from other side of road. He was sitting on the hood of his red Ferrari with some girls lingering around nearly almost wearing nothing and laughing.

I couldn't tell what's got up his ass but since I had left Ester not like we were together actually, he's been acting as a possessive twin brother to her.

"What? Cat got your tongue, Anderson?" He taunted loudly passing his hand through his dirty blonde hair.

"Your sister ditched me today!, guess that answers your question." I taunted loudly as his smirk dropped and he jumped off, stomped in anger towards me but his friends stopped him.

"What? Cat got your tongue, Reed?" I smirked back stuffing my hands in my jean's pocket.

He jerked off from his friends and corrected his jacket before he stood straight.

"Don't be smart with me Anderson." He walked over to me as from my peripheral view I saw everyone's including Nate's attention was all on us. "Let's make a bet."

"Let's have a race now, whoever lose has to take off their clothes and run around naked," He challenged raising his brow with wicked smiled even though he knew he would never win. "If you back off it means you're a coward and you lose already."

The fact that he clearly knew I had no partner made him think he was leading in his stupid plan and there's no way I'd let him think that.

Before I started to sit with Ester and Kyle, we were always the rivals on tracks who never cared about money but this stupid pride in this illegal ground. Everyone knew it was more than that between us even Nate knew too.

I looked at Gunner turning my body completely.

"Talk to him, I'm ready." I said before took out two grands and put it Gunners dirty rough hands.

°°°°°°

Without wasting a second Gunner cheekily stuffed money in his pocket and limped to Nate who was aware of the whole threat that just happened.

"I see you know all what just happened and I also know you're here to be partnered up with someone. Ethan is racing Kyle and he needs a partner and you need money, you and I both know if Ethan wins it'll be four grand in total," He said grinning at me. "Two grands will be yours boy."

Nate eyes furrowed in perplexity and he looked over Gunner's shoulder to Ethan who was looking back at him with blank face.

That moment he knew how much two grands meant and that he could put aside his anger for some minutes.

"Okay I'm ready." Nate accepted his offer as Gunner turned and nodded to Ethan before went to the track.

Without wasting the time both Ethan and Nate got inside the black car and both the challengers took their roles as racers. There was so sign of fear on Ethan and Nate's face although they both were aware of the horrible consequences.

The crowd started to loiter around the smooth road, some people were standing on concrete floor and some were standing with beer bottles in their hands on the cargo bed of their trucks. The track was visible to a certain point then there were two tunnels and turns but because of dark it was hard to see beyond that. Races held in night to avoid the danger which was getting caught by cops and spend the night behind bars.

A slender girl in jeans short and pink bikini top stood on middle with a yellow and black racing flag and after the count to three she dropped it.

The accelerated voice of cars echoes and hollering filled the air as both cars took off with a desired rage.

Kyle's car was right beside me, throwing his finger in my direction he took the lead. Nate was on the passenger seat with a tab of track in his hand. Soon we crossed the tunnel lost in dark and were in deserted area with just tall tress and silence around.

"Take a turn to your left now then there's a tunnel on right," He said looking up. "What are you doing? they're in freaking lead, step on Ethan cause I don't wanna run naked around."

His voice was now filled with worry as I speed up and took the lead but not before out of nowhere the side was bumped strongly.

Fucking bastard!

Nate turned in his seat and looked behind. "That asshole! Take a right now."

He ordered with his chest rising up and down. My knuckles tightened around the steering before kyle tried to lead from right but I whirled and blocked it. I blocked his way several times before I saw finishing line with crowd screaming and small dots of flashlights.

"Drive out of my way you son of a bitch!" Kyle's voice roared from behind as I smirk and stared at him from side mirror.

"As if you'd say and I'd do, Ready to run around naked Kyle!" Nate chuckled before I stepped on accelerator and soon in seconds we were across the finishing line with screeching of tyres as we came to a halt.

Our bodies jerked forward before we both took off seat belts and engulfed each other in a tight hug as we screamed WE WON!

Our skin were red with all the rushing of blood in our veins.

As soon as we realized the state, we both back off awkwardly. The air felt tense and the smell of oil and sweat filled our nose. Sweat was forming it's beads on our foreheads.

"Congratulations," He cleared his throat. "Well thank God cause I wasn't ready to strip and run around naked."

He looked out his side as the crowd gathered around us.

Kyle got out and close the door with a thud but soon left in his own with threatening eyes to me when the crowd started screaming strip! strip!.

Rich Coward.

Gunner gave me four grands and patted my back and then Nate's before getting ready for next race.

Nate was looking my way awkwardly. I knew we both were trying to comprehend the last ten minutes. Although I did despise him but after this time with him reminded me how far we had came.

Nostalgia?

"Umm...wanna have a shot for this victory?" I asked as he grinned back remembering how we had always done that before wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Sure."

°°°°°°

The bell chimed made us aware of someone's entry. We both were sitting opposite in this high give star restaurant beside window in the back.

There was no music playing in here making me think of possible scenario behind it. This restaurant always plays something romantic for dinner date for couples on demand though there were pretty much three couples in here and no music?

Weird.

"Here," Sliding up two grand on the table, I took a sip from my glass. "Your division, you guided pretty well."

"Thanks, so how is everything going on," He stuffed his money in his pocket.

It didn't seem straight if he was asking about my life or me and Aria although she was all the interesting part of it but it didn't seem invading or anything.

"It's fine, practice is going well as you know. Me and Aria are doing good," I amused before questioned. "Can I ask you something Nate?"

He nodded once slowly warily as I asked. "Do you still have something-

"No Ethan, there's nothing going on and I don't have any feelings towards Aria if that's what you're worried about," He sat back crossing his arms over chest. "I just care for her like for my other friends or maybe a little more than that but I don't love her."

"Are you just trying to lie to me?" I raised my brows bending over the table staring at him.

He chuckled before he took out his phone, slid his finger, did something then showed it to me. It was a picture of a girl with auburn hair, perfect symmetry, winky eye and a heartwarming smile tucked on her face. I looked up to him asking with my expression with what did it mean.

"This is Rachel, my childhood best friend, she came here two days ago, She'll be joining our school from tomorrow," He sighed heavily and put his phone back.

"I think__I have feelings for her. We have spent our entire childhood together that made her fall for me head over heels but I'm not sure about my side, so stop worrying about me having something for Aria," He chucked his entire glass and made a sore voice.

"Are we good?"

"Hmm I think so and by the way she's beauti- what the fuck!" I ducked my head in menu book and stretched Nate's hand pulling him down before he could turn around.

"What the hell, what are you doing? Are we under attack or something?" He winced before I peeked over the menu.

It's them.

The soft romantic music started to play as my eyes widened.

Wtf?

"We are not under attack stupid." I whined.

"Look at the table in cross from ours and tell me it's not what I think but don't make it obvious. Don't let them see you," I whispered and awkwardly smiled at a waitress who passed by staring at us.

His eyebrows furrowed before he took the menu over his face and peeked before bend down swiftly again.

"What the hell! What are they doing here like that?" His eyes wide as he whispered screamed to which I made a obvious face of 'how am I supposed to know.'

"Hey! Let's take some pictures," Snickering he took out his phone before clicked some pictures secretly and we stood up with menus in our faces and tried to avoid getting caught that we saw everything.

Just as we reached the door we dropped the menus on the floor. I got on my bike and Nate in his car giggling so loud.

Tomorrow would be fun!.

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