Danger (The Driven World)

Some nights, when it was cool out, my mother would sneak into my room to see if I was awake. Together we’d crawl up to the roof from my bedroom window, and we’d count all the stars in the sky.

“Make a wish on that one right there at the tip of your nose. And it’ll come true,” she’d always tell me.

When I was really young, before I knew about the madness of my life, I’d wish for silly things. A football. A new video game. A new pair of shoes like the other boys at school wore. But, as I grew older my wishes morphed into something more. Something meaningful.

No longer did I wish for things any boy my age would want. No, I’d wish for more. I’d wish for normalcy.

I’d wish for someone to take me away from here.

I’d wish for the attention of a father who’d never shown any toward me in his entire life.

But, none of my wishes ever came true.

When I left that home, I realized it was never really my home at all. No, the track is the only home I have now.

Because when I’m out here it’s like I belong here.

The stands are empty as I walk out onto the asphalt to get a feel for the race happening tomorrow.

“Danger, what’s up,” Crank, my pit crew manager, says, shaking my hand before he returns back to the car I’ll be racing. “I installed a new barge board. Should be better than the last one.”

“Thanks, man.” I run my hand over the red paint of the car. “Anything else I need to know?”

Crank smiles, showcasing his straight white teeth, shaking his head. His brown eyes stare back at me. “Nah, I think you can take her out to get a good feel for her.”

“Remember this is a test run,” Luther says, handing me my helmet. “No need to wear her out so soon.”

It’s weird, but I feel like the one thing I don’t need is a warning. I’m not a kid anymore. I glance across the track and see Monterey walking toward us, her red sundress dancing around her legs with each step.

It draws my eyes to those long, tanned legs. Those legs I’d love to dive between, make a nest there and call that place home. Now that would be the type of home I could get used to.

I push away the thoughts as she draws closer, bending over to give her dad a hug and then turning to me. “Hey,” she breathes out, like she might actually be happy to see me.

“Hey.”

She gives me an awkward hug, only awkward because of all the eyes on us.

My whole pit crew watches as she laughs a tiny laugh before releasing me from her grip.

A small little laugh that just made my dick go from nothing to rock hard in an instant.

“You want to watch your man take her for a spin?” I wink.

“That’s why I’m here.” She pulls out her phone, wrapping her arm around my neck to snap a selfie. “Say cheese.”

“What are you doing?” I ask after she snaps the photo.

“Just a little something for the fans.” She winks and walks into the stands with the rest of everyone.

I hop into the cockpit of the car, letting Crank put on my helmet before installing my steering wheel. He gives my helmet a tap when everything is all clear.

And then I let loose, speeding away from him on the track. I sail around the first corner, sticking to the inside.

There’s nothing more freeing than driving. Nothing more beautiful than taking each turn at just the right moment. A second earlier or a second later could result in death. The fact my life is in my own hands.

This is one area in my life I can control. So I revel in it. I master my own craft as I pick up the speed, weaving just a bit as if other cars are on the track.

“Doing good man. One more lap and then bring her in,” Crank says into my ear through the earpiece.

Right before I slow down to come to a stop, I let the wheel spin just a hair, and spin a complete three-sixty turn, just to show off a bit, before the car comes sliding to a halt.

“Asshole,” Crank says with a laugh into my earpiece as I remove my helmet.

Chapter 14

Monterey

There’s something so sexy about watching a man speed around a track in a race car. Call me weird, but just knowing Danger is at the helm of the car does something to me. It turns me on bad.

I press my thighs together as I watch him with rapt fascination. My heart pounds each time he takes a corner, knowing full well his life is in jeopardy with each second he’s out there.